ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS INTRODUCED BY BRITISH



Published on 02 Oct 2025

The British introduced administrative reforms in colonial India, including the creation of the Indian Civil Service (ICS) in 1858 for effective governance. The Indian Councils Acts of 1861 and 1892 expanded legislative councils, incorporating non-official members. The 1909 Morley-Minto Reforms introduced limited electoral representation. The 1919 Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms initiated provincial autonomy and the dyarchy system. Despite aiming to enhance efficiency, these reforms faced criticism for not fully addressing Indian aspirations for self-rule.

Civil Services Reforms in administration during Colonial Rule

Year

Event

Changes

1793

Cornwallis Code

  • To establish a trained civil service in India

  • Separated Revenue and judicial administration

1833

Charter Act

  • Allowed native Indians to be part of administration.

  • Appointed first law commission under Macaulay for codification of Penal Law

1854

Macaulay’s Report

  • Merit based Civil services was introduced

1861

Indian Civil Services Act

  • Allowed Indians to compete in Open merit-based recruitment system 

1886

Aitchison Committee

  • Separate provincial civil services

1919

Montford reforms

  • Civil services exam also began to be held in India from 1922 along with that done in London.

1924

Lee Commission

  • Recommended statutory Public Service Commission established under GoI Act 1919 to look after recruitment.


Tags:
History & Culture

Keywords:
ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS INTRODUCED BY BRITISH Indian Civil Service Indian Councils Acts of 1861 1919 Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms Civil Services Reforms in administration during Colonial Rule Cornwallis Code Macaulay’s Report Aitchison Committee Montford reforms Lee Commission Public Service Commission provincial civil services law commission under Macaulay Challenges of Civil Services in British India

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Modern Indian History

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