Indian councils Act 1861

•Beginning of representative Institutions by associating Indians
•Viceroy to nominate some Indian members as non-official members.
•Decentralization process initiated Legislative powers restored to Bombay and Madras.
•new legislative Councils for North West frontier province and Punjab.
•Portfolio system was recognised (introduced by Canning)member of Viceroy Council was made in charge of particular department.
•Viceroy empowered to issue emergency ordinances valid for 6 months.