The Charter Act of 1853 was passed by the British Parliament during Lord Dalhousie’s tenure as Governor-General. It was the last charter of the East India Company, introducing legislative reforms, open competition for civil services, and greater Crown oversight. The Act marked the beginning of India’s modern parliamentary system and signaled the decline of Company rule.

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• Last Charter Act for East India Company, passed in 1853
• Renewed Company powers without fixed time limit
• Separated legislative and executive functions in Governor-General’s Council
• Expanded Council with 6 additional legislative members
• Formed Indian (Central) Legislative Council, like a mini-Parliament
• Open competition exams for civil services introduced (Macaulay Committee, 1854)
• Civil services open to Indians on merit basis
• Crown to nominate 6 of 18 Company directors
• Separate Governor created for Bengal; power to form new provinces
• Laid foundation of modern legislature, but excluded Indians from council
• Marked shift of control from Company to British Parliament
• Criticized for centralized power, lack of real Indian representation