Why this matters now
The acts and their landmark provisions are heavily tested in prelims and link directly to the making of the Constitution.
Company-era acts
- Regulating Act 1773 — GG of Bengal, Supreme Court at Calcutta;
- Pitt’s India Act 1784 — Board of Control (dual govt);
- Charter Act 1813 — ended Company trade monopoly (except tea/China);
- Charter Act 1833 — GG of India, centralisation;
- Charter Act 1853 — open competition for civil services.
Crown-rule acts
- GoI Act 1858 — Crown rule, Secretary of State, Viceroy;
- Indian Councils Acts (1861, 1892) — beginnings of legislative councils;
- Morley-Minto Reforms (1909) — separate electorates for Muslims;
- Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms / GoI Act 1919 — dyarchy in provinces.
Government of India Act 1935
The Government of India Act 1935 — the most comprehensive — proposed an All-India Federation, introduced provincial autonomy (ending dyarchy in provinces, applying it at the Centre), a bicameral central legislature, a Federal Court, and extended separate electorates. Much of its administrative framework was carried into the Constitution of India.
UPSC angle
Know landmark provisions: Regulating Act (1773), Pitt’s (Board of Control), 1833 (GG of India), 1858 (Crown rule), Morley-Minto 1909 (separate electorates), 1919 (dyarchy), 1935 (provincial autonomy, federation).
Frequently asked questions
What did the Regulating Act of 1773 do?
It created the Governor-General of Bengal and a Supreme Court at Calcutta, the first step in regulating the Company.
What did the Morley-Minto Reforms introduce?
The Indian Councils Act 1909 introduced separate electorates for Muslims.
What was dyarchy?
A system of double government in the provinces introduced by the Government of India Act 1919.
Why is the GoI Act 1935 important?
It introduced provincial autonomy and a federal scheme, and much of its framework was carried into the Constitution of India.