The Indian Councils Act 1861 was passed by British Parliament on 1st August 1861 to

make substantial changes in the composition of the Governor Gener

Features of Act
 The three separate presidencies (Madras, Bombay and Bengal) were brought into a
common system.
 System of legislative devolves by this act.
 The Act added to the Viceroy's Executive Council a fifth member - a jurist.
 Viceroy's Executive Council was expanded by the addition of not less than six and not
more than 12 additional members for the purposes of legislation, who would be
nominated by the Governor-General and would hold office for two years. Therefore, the
total membership increased to 17.
 Not less than half of these members were to be non-officials.
 The legislative power was to be restored to the Council of Bombay and Madras, while
Councils were allowed to be established in other Provinces in Bengal in 1862 and North
West Frontier Province (NWFP) in 1886, Burma and Punjab in 1897.
 Canning had introduced the Portfolio system in 1859 that divided into several branches,
which entrusted to different members of the Governor General's council. It also
envisages that the member in-charge of his department could issue final orders with
regard to matters which concerned his department.
 Lord Canning nominated three Indians to his legislative council-the Raja of Banaras, the
Maharaja of Patiala and Sir Dinkar Rao in 1962.
Conclusion

The Indian Council Act of 1861fullfilled the aspiration of associating Indians,

provided the defective system of law making in India and defined the powers of
the legislative councils. Hence, in short the act laid the foundation of
administrative system in India which was lasted till the end of British rule India
The Indian Councils Act 1861 was passed by British Parliament on 1st August 1861 to
make substantial changes in the composition of the Governor Gener