Q. 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?
(a) Indian Council Act, 1861
(b) Government of India Act, 1858
(c) Indian Councils Act, 1892
(d) Indian Councils Act, 1909
Ans: (a) Indian Council Act, 1861
Explanation: The Act of British India that strengthened the Viceroy’s authority over his executive council by substituting the “portfolio” or departmental system for corporate functioning was the (a) Indian Council Act, 1861.
The Indian Council Act of 1861, also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, introduced significant changes to the structure and functioning of the Viceroy’s executive council. Prior to this act, the council functioned as a collective body known as the Executive Council, where decisions were made collectively. However, the 1861 Act reformed the council by introducing a portfolio system.
Under the portfolio system, each member of the executive council was made in charge of a specific department or portfolio. The Viceroy, as the head of the council, had the power to make decisions and exercise authority over these individual departments. This change effectively strengthened the Viceroy’s authority and gave him more control over the functioning of the executive council. It’s worth noting that the other acts listed in the options also brought significant changes to the governance of British India, but the Indian Council Act of 1861 specifically introduced the portfolio system, as mentioned in the question.