-
20 Nov 2023
GS Paper 2
Polity & Governance
Day 01 : How did the various acts and reforms passed by the British Parliament shape the constitutional framework of India? (250 Words)
- Begin with a brief introduction to the colonial period in India and the British influence on its governance.
- Provide a chronological overview of the key acts and reforms passed by the British Parliament during the colonial period.
- Discuss how each act and reform affected the governance structure in India.
- Conclude by highlighting the significance of these legislative measures towards India's constitutional governance.
Introduction
The constitutional framework of India was significantly shaped by various acts and reforms passed by the British Parliament during the colonial period. These legislative measures played a crucial role in shaping the political, administrative, and legal systems of India.Body
Some of the key acts and reforms and their impact on India's constitutional framework include:
- Regulating Act of 1773:
- It laid the foundations of central administration in India.
- It provided for the establishment of a Supreme Court at Calcutta which was the first step towards a centralized judicial system in India.
- Charter Act of 1813:
- The Charter Act of 1813 brought positive changes in education, religious freedom, trade, governance, and social reforms in British India.
- Charter Act of 1853:
- The separation of legislative and executive functions in the Governor-General's Council was a landmark achievement in India's journey towards a democratic government
- It separated, for the first time, the legislative and executive functions of the Governor-General’s council.
- Government of India Act of 1858:
- By transferring control over India from the East India Company to the British Crown, the Government of India Act of 1858 ushered in a new era of centralized and efficient governance.
- Introduced the Secretary of State for India aimed at improving the efficiency and accountability of the colonial government.
- Indian Councils Act of 1861:
- It made the beginning of representative institutions by associating Indians with the law-making process council.
- It also gave recognition to the ‘portfolio’ system, introduced by Lord Canning in 1859 which allowed each member to focus on a specific area of expertise, leading to more efficient decision-making and policy implementation.
- Government of India Act of 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms):
- Enhanced the powers of the legislative councils and increased Indian representation.
- Introduced separate electorates for Muslims and reserved seats for other minority communities.
- Government of India Act of 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms):
- Introduced the principle of dyarchy, where certain provincial responsibilities were transferred to Indian ministers.
- It introduced, for the first time, bicameralism and direct elections in the country.
- It granted franchise to a limited number of people on the basis of property, tax or education.
- Government of India Act of 1935:
- Laid the groundwork for the future Constitution of India, with a federal system and significant democratic elements.
- Provided for a federal structure and provincial autonomy.
- It provided for the establishment of a Reserve Bank of India.
Conclusion
These acts and reforms gradually paved the way for India's eventual independence and the framing of its own constitution. The impact of these laws was profound, as they contributed to the evolution of India's political and constitutional structure from a British colony to a sovereign nation.
