Question

Which of the following Acts restored the legislative powers of Bombay and Madras Presidencies taken away by the Charter Act of 1833?
A. Indian Council Act, 1861
B. Indian Council Act, 1892
C. Indian Council Act, 1909
D. Government of India Act, 1919

Answer 1

Hint: Charter Act of 1833 or the Saint Helena Act made crucial changes in the working function of East India Company through depriving it of commercial charge and making an administrative body. This Act elevated the Governor General of Bengal as the Governor General of India bringing all the legislative powers under his prerogative.

Complete answer: Charter Act of India gave the complete charge of control all over the subcontinent, both European and native to the Governor General with only veto to the Court of Directors. An Indian Law Commission was also set up who reported both to the Governor General and British Parliament.
Option A:Indian Council Act of 1861 brought changes in legislative and executive functions. It restored the legislative powers of Bombay and Madras Presidencies, taken away by the Charter Act of 1833. With this, both were free to formulate legislation for their own matters while the Governor General formulated laws for the rest of the country. This also laid down provisions for construction of new legislative councils in the presidencies.
Option B: Indian Council Act of 1892 led to the start of a parliamentary system in India, extending members in the Legislative Council and giving them the right to ask questions on budget matters. Even after this, Indian members remained a minority.
Option C: Indian Council Act of 1909 is also known as Minto-Morley reforms, which too aimed at increasing Indians in the legislative council. The Act did work towards the same, but no effort towards a responsible and accountable government. This brought in the infamous separate electorates concept for Hindus and Muslims, only to deepen existing communal fault lines.
Option D: The Government of India Act of 1919 declared British India as a part of British empire. It worked towards the aim of self-governing responsible institutions. It introduced the concept of Dyarchy or double role of executive councillor appointed by the British crown and Indian ministers chosen by Governor General from provincial councils.

Hence, option A is the correct answer.

Note: British parliament renewed the Charter of the East India Company every 20 years and the Charter Act of 1833 was part of it. This brought a very important change in Civil services as now Indians could be part of it. Apart from this, it made an effort at codifying the laws with the setting up of the first ever Indian Law Commission.