Powers of Viceroy:

●  It empowered the Viceroy to make rules and orders for the more convenient transaction of business in the council.

●  It also gave a recognition to the ‘portfolio’ system, introduced by Lord Canning in 1859. Under this, a member of the Viceroy’s council was made in-charge of one or more departments of the Government and was authorised to issue final orders on behalf of the council on matters of his department.

●  It empowered the Viceroy to issue ordinances, without the concurrence of the legislative council, during an emergency.The life of such an ordinance was six months.

●  The Provisions of the Indian Councils Act 1892

o  The act increased the number of additional or non-official members in the legislative councils as follows:

o  Central Legislative Council: 10 – 16 members

o  In 1892, out of 24 members, only 5 were Indians.

o  The members were given the right to ask questions on the budget (which was barred in the Indian Councils Act 1861) or matters of public interest but had to give notice of 6 days for it.

o  They could not ask supplementary questions.

o  The principle of representation was initiated through this act. The district boards, universities, municipalities, chambers of commerce and zamindars were authorised to recommend members to the provincial councils.

o  The legislative councils were empowered to make new laws and repeal old laws with the permission of the Governor-General.