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Difficulty: MediumConstitutional Development, Framing, and Preamble

Which of the following provisions and administrative features were introduced by the Indian Councils Act of 1861? Select all correct statements.

  1. It initiated the process of legislative decentralization by restoring law-making powers to the Bombay and Madras Presidencies.Answer
  2. It granted statutory recognition to the portfolio system introduced by Lord Canning in 1859.Answer
  3. C
    It established a bicameral legislature at the Centre consisting of a Council of State and a Central Legislative Assembly.
  4. It empowered the Governor-General (Viceroy) to issue ordinances during emergencies without the concurrence of the Legislative Council.Answer

Answer

The provisions concerning the initiation of legislative decentralization, statutory recognition of the portfolio system, and empowering the Viceroy to issue emergency ordinances are correct regarding the Indian Councils Act of 1861.
The Indian Councils Act of 1861 is a landmark in Indian constitutional history. It initiated legislative decentralization by restoring law-making powers to the Bombay and Madras Presidencies, gave legal recognition to the portfolio system initiated by Lord Canning in 1859, and granted the Viceroy power to issue ordinances during emergencies with a six-month tenure.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the impact of the Act of 1861 on provincial legislative powers.
The Act restored legislative power to the Bombay and Madras Presidencies, thereby initiating provincial legislative devolution.
To test whether decentralization began under this legislation.
2
Examine executive administration changes introduced in 1861.
The portfolio system of 1859 gained statutory backing, and the Viceroy received emergency ordinance-making powers lasting six months.
To verify the administrative and ordinance provisions of the Act.
3
Verify the origin of central bicameralism in British Indian administration.
Bicameralism was established by the Government of India Act 1919, not the Act of 1861.
To identify and eliminate the misattributed provision.

Key Concept

Key Provisions and Constitutional Significance of the Indian Councils Act of 1861
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Topics

Constitutional Development, Framing, and Preamble

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