Previous Year Question
Which one of the following Acts of British India strengthened the Viceroy's authority over his executive council by substituting 'portfolio' or 'departmental' system for corporate functioning?
Indian Council Act, 1861
Government of India Act, 1858
Indian Council Act, 1892
Indian Council Act, 1909
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
The Indian Councils Act, 1861 gave statutory basis to the Portfolio or Departmental System in the functioning of the Governor-General/Viceroy's Executive Council. Under this arrangement, different members of the Council could be placed in charge of different departments, making each member responsible for the administration of his department.
Earlier, the Executive Council functioned more in a corporate/collective manner. Under departmental allocation, ordinary departmental business came to be handled by the concerned member, while important matters were placed before the Governor-General and the Council. This strengthened the Governor-General's effective control over allocation of departments and executive functioning.
A useful fact is that Lord Canning introduced the Portfolio System administratively in 1859, while the Indian Councils Act, 1861 gave the departmental arrangement statutory recognition and a stronger legal basis. Hence, as the question asks for the Act, the answer is the Act of 1861.
Among the other options, the Government of India Act, 1858 ended East India Company rule and transferred government to the Crown; the Indian Councils Act, 1892 expanded Legislative Councils; and the Indian Councils Act, 1909 is associated with the Morley-Minto Reforms and separate electorates.