Which of the following statements about the Indian Councils Act of 1861 is/are correct ? 1. It enlarged the Governor General’s Council for the purpose of making laws. 2. The Governor General was not authorised to increase the number of members. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

The Indian Councils Act of 1861 was a landmark in India's constitutional history. Statement 1 is correct as the Act enlarged the Governor-General's Council for legislative purposes by adding 'additional' members, creating what became known as the Imperial Legislative Council [1][2]. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Act specifically authorized the Governor-General to nominate between six and twelve additional members to the council [2]. At least half of these additional members were required to be non-officials, which allowed for the first-time nomination of Indians like the Raja of Banaras and the Maharaja of Patiala [1]. While the Act expanded the council's size and introduced the portfolio system, the legislative body remained strictly advisory with no real power over the executive [2][3].

Sources

1. [1] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 1: THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND > Utility of a Historical Retrospect. > p. 3
2. [2] Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 9: Administrative Changes After 1858 > Administration > p. 152
3. [3] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 26: Constitutional, Administrative and Judicial Developments > Indian Councils Act, 1909 > p. 509