Important Acts

The Govt. of India Act Gave assurance that there would be no more territorial possessions. Titles were
1858 bestowed  on  many  princes  &  the  right  of  adoption  was  accepted.  No

 

 

 

  interference in religious matters.
The Indian Council Provided  that  there  was  no  difference  between  the  central  &  provincial
Act 1861 subjects. The number of additional members in the council was fixed between
  four to eight. The Act also provided the Madras & Bombay governments the
  right to make laws.
Morley Minto The number of members in the Imperial Legislative Council was raised to 69
Reforms 1909 out  of  which  37  were  to  be  govt  nominees  &  32  non-govt.  The  non-govt
  nominees  comprised  5  members  nominated  by  the  governor  general  &  27
  elected  members  (13  represented  Maharajas,  6  land  lords,  6  muslims  &  2
  Chambers of Commerce in Bengal & Bombay).
Montagu-Chelmsford Setup a bifurcated legislature consisting of two houses ie the Council of States
Reforms 1919. &  the  Central  Legislative  Assembly,  in  place  of  former  Imperial  Coucil
  consisting of only one house. Some of the functions of the Secretary of State
  were taken from him & given to the high commissioner for Inida who was to
  be appointed & paid by the government of India. For the first time the King’s
  Council was established. The ambit of communal electorates was exapned to
  give  representation  to  the  Sikhs,  Anglo  Indians,  Europeans  &  Christians
  alongwith the Muslims. The representation of Indians was increased in both
  the central as well as provincial legislatures.
Govt of India Act Contained 451 articles. It was to have two chambers, the council of state & the
1935 federal  assembly.  The  Indian  council  was  abolished.  Expanded  communal
  representation.  Decided  to  establish  a  federation  of  India  consisting  of
  Governor’s provinces & princely states. It was compulsory for the governor’s
  provinces to accede to the proposed federation, whereas in the case of princely
  states, it was voluntary. All constituent parts of the federation were to have full
  interinal autonomy. To implement the act it was proposed to establish a federal
  executive  &  a  federal  legislature.  Under  the  act,  dyarchy  in  the  provinces
  earlier established by the act of 1919 was replaced by Provincial Autonomy.
  The  distinction  between  reserved  subjects  &  transferred  subjects  was
  abolished. Burma was separated from India. The governor was not bound to
  accept the advice of council of ministers.