India became a British colony The Charter Act of 1833 was a significant constitutional instrument defining the scope andauthority of the East India Company. The liberal and utilitarian philosophy of Benthamwas made popular by the provisions of this Act. Following were the important provisions:(i) The English East India Company ceased to be a commercial agency in India. In other words,it would function hereafter as the political agent for the Crown.(ii) The Governor-General of Fort William was hereafter called ‘the Governor- General ofIndia’. Thus, Bentinck was the first Governor-General of India’.(iii) A Law Member was appointed to the Governor-General’s Council. T. B. Macaulaywas the first Law Member of the Governor- General-in-Council.(iv) The Act categorically stated ‘that no native of India, nor any natural born subject of HisMajesty, should be disabled from holding any place, office, or employment, by reason of hisreligion, place of birth, descent or colour”. It was this enactment which laid the foundation forthe Indianisation of public services.
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