UPPSC 2021 Prelims GS Paper-I · Question 82 of 150

Correct — A, the Indian Councils Act, 1861. This Act let the Viceroy allocate specific 'portfolios' (departments) to individual members of his Executive Council, replacing the earlier 'corporate' system where the council decided everything collectively. Introduced in practice by Lord Canning, this departmental/portfolio system strengthened the Viceroy's control and is the origin of cabinet-style government in India. (The 1861 Act also began associating Indians with law-making and restored legislative powers to Bombay and Madras.)

• (b)Government of India Act, 1858 — Wrong — the 1858 Act abolished the East India Company and transferred Indian administration to the Crown (creating the Secretary of State for India and the office of Viceroy). It did not set up the portfolio system.
• (c)Indian Council Act, 1892 — Wrong — the 1892 Act enlarged the legislative councils, introduced a limited (indirect) element of election through nomination, and allowed budget discussion. It did not create the departmental/portfolio system.
• (d)Indian Council Act, 1909 — Wrong — the 1909 Act (Morley–Minto Reforms) expanded councils and introduced separate communal electorates. It is unrelated to the portfolio system, which predates it by nearly half a century.

The Indian Councils Act, 1861 was a landmark in India's constitutional development after the Revolt of 1857. Its most testable feature is the 'portfolio system': the Viceroy could assign each Executive Council member charge of a particular department (finance, home, etc.) and take decisions in that department, instead of every matter being settled by the council as a whole ('corporate functioning'). It also introduced non-official (including Indian) members into an enlarged legislative council for law-making and decentralised legislative power back to Bombay and Madras.

Sort the four Acts by what each is famous for: 1858 = Crown takes over from the Company; 1861 = portfolio system + Indians associated with legislation; 1892 = indirect elections + budget discussion; 1909 = Morley–Minto separate electorates. Only 1861 matches 'portfolio/departmental system replacing corporate functioning', so option (a).

• Indian Councils Act 1861 introduced the portfolio (departmental) system — begun by Lord Canning.
• It replaced 'corporate' (collective) decision-making, strengthening the Viceroy's authority.
• It also added non-official/Indian members to the legislative council and restored legislative powers to Bombay and Madras.
• Contrast: 1858 = Crown rule; 1892 = indirect elections + budget talk; 1909 = separate electorates.

• Mixing up which Act did what — especially confusing the 1861 portfolio system with the 1858 transfer of power.
• Assuming 'strengthened the Viceroy' must mean a later, bigger Act (1909) rather than 1861.

UPPSC/UPSC ask 'which Act introduced X' for the constitutional Acts — memorise one signature feature per Act (portfolio=1861, elections=1892, separate electorates=1909).

• practice — not a real PYQ

  The portfolio (departmental) system in the Viceroy's Executive Council was introduced during the tenure of:

  • (a)Lord Dalhousie
  • (b)Lord Canning
  • (c)Lord Curzon
  • (d)Lord Ripon

  Answer(b) Lord Canning — he applied the portfolio system under the Indian Councils Act, 1861.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  Which Act first introduced separate communal electorates in British India?

  • (a)Indian Councils Act, 1861
  • (b)Indian Councils Act, 1892
  • (c)Indian Councils Act, 1909
  • (d)Government of India Act, 1919

  Answer(c) Indian Councils Act, 1909 — the Morley–Minto Reforms introduced separate electorates for Muslims.