The Indian Councils Act of 1909, also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms is a British Parliament Act for Colonial India to address the rising demands of Indian masses and avoid any further conflict. It introduced separate electorates for Muslims and expanded the legislative councils at both central and provincial levels.

Its important features include expansion of councils where the members of the Central Legislative Council were increased from 16 to 60 members. Provincial councils in major provinces were expanded to 50 members. The Separate Electorate System for Muslim members who were exclusively elected by Muslim voters and regarded Lord Minto as Father of the Communal Electorate. In the viceroy’s executive council, the first Indian member was Satyendra Prasad Sinha as a Law member.

The Indian Councils Act (1909), also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, and the Government of India Act (1919), based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, were two significant legislative acts aimed at introducing reforms in the administration of India under British rule.

• While the former sought to enlarge the legislative councils and introduce separate electorates, the latter attempted to lay the foundation for responsible governance by granting more powers to the legislatures and introducing dyarchy in provinces.
• These reforms resulted in silencing the voice of indians against colonial rule.

• Failure of the Indian Councils Act of 1892: It could not satisfy the demands of nationalist leaders for proper representation and reforms.
• Indians kept out of administration: Indians were mostly barred from government services and high-level positions in the administration.
• Policies of Lord Curzon: His apathy towards Indian demands as seen in the Partition of Bengal in 1905 increased their frustrations.
• Extremist attitudes among the Congress: Extremist attitudes emerged among the Congress that wanted “Swaraj” which frightened the British government.
• Policy of “Divide and Rule”: They tried to win Muslims to their side by allowing separate electorates.

• Separate Electorates for Muslims: Muslims were to have separate electorates which would enable them to choose their own representatives only from among their own.
• Increase in Membership: Central Legislative Council membership was increased to 60 and so was that of provincial councils.
• Indian Representation in Executive: Indians got representation in the Viceroy’s Executive Council. Satyendra Prasad Sinha was appointed as the first Indian to occupy that post.
• Non-Official Majority in Provinces: Non-official majority was permitted in legislative councils of provinces.
• Privileges of Members: Members had the rights of discussing budgets, moving resolutions, and supplementary questions.

• However, the Act was just a half-hearted attempt in favor of Indian representation, serving mainly the interests of the British.
• The separate electorate scheme planted the seeds of communalism.
• Even though the changes made had some element of electoral representation, it was still insufficient since there was limited voting and the official majority still prevailed at the center.
• It was a deliberate move to pacify moderate politicians and curb extremism.