Indian Councils Act

The Indian Councils Act of 1892 was a legislative measure enacted by the British Parliament that expanded the size and powers of legislative councils in India. It increased the number of additional members in the Supreme Council to 16, with 10 of them being non-official. This act also granted these members the power to ask questions of the government and to discuss the annual budget.1

The Indian Councils Act of 1909, also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, further expanded the elective principle for membership in legislative councils. While the electorate was initially limited to those with property and education, it allowed for more Indian representatives to take seats. This act also increased the maximum membership of the supreme council to 60 and provincial councils to 50, with a majority of non-official members. These reforms aimed to introduce parliamentary government in India, though the executive retained veto power. The Morley-Minto Reforms also introduced separate electorates for Muslims, a concept later expanded to other minorities in subsequent acts.234