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?

1. A

   Indian Council Act, 1861

   Option (a) claims that the Indian Councils Act, 1861 introduced the portfolio system, empowering the Viceroy to allocate departments to council members. This statutory change transformed the executive council from a corporate body into a cabinet-like administration run by individual members. Lord Canning actually initiated this departmental system in 1859, which was subsequently given legislative backing by this Act. Therefore, this option is the official key because it accurately identifies the exact statute responsible for strengthening executive authority through the portfolio mechanism.

2. B

   Government of India Act, 1858

   Option (b) claims the Government of India Act, 1858 instituted the portfolio system, but this Act actually liquidated the East India Company's rule and transferred governance directly to the British Crown. It created the office of the Secretary of State for India supported by a Council of India. While it restructured top-level imperial administration, it did not establish the departmental portfolio system within the Viceroy's executive council.

3. C

   Indian Council Act, 1892

   Option (c) claims the Indian Councils Act, 1892 introduced the departmental framework, but this measure primarily focused on expanding the non-official membership of legislative councils. It introduced a limited and indirect element of election for selecting members while broadening their functions to include budget discussion and question-asking. It had nothing to do with the internal portfolio reorganization of the executive wing.

4. D

   Indian Council Act, 1909.

   Option (d) claims the Indian Councils Act, 1909 instituted the portfolio system, whereas this statute is widely known for introducing separate electorates and communal representation. Commonly referred to as the Morley-Minto Reforms, it expanded legislative councils at both central and provincial levels significantly. However, the structural shift toward portfolio management occurred decades earlier under the 1861 Act.

Summary. Official key is (a) as the Indian Councils Act, 1861 introduced the portfolio system. This reform empowered the Viceroy to assign specific departments to members of the executive council. It replaced corporate functioning with individual ministerial responsibility and cabinet-style working. Aspirants often confuse this administrative milestone with later constitutional reforms like the 1909 Morley-Minto Act. Consequently, option (a) stands alone as the correct choice for this statutory provision.