The British Crown assumed sovereignty over India from the East India Company, which was to be exercised by the Secretary of State for India, assisted by the Council of India (15 members, exclusively English in composition) which was primarily an advisory body.
The Secretary of State being ‘Cabinet Member’ was responsible to the British Parliament and governed India through his agent the Governor-General.
Governor-General (also called the Viceroy, i.e. Crown’s personal representative) who in turn was assisted by an Executive Council consisting of high officials of the Government.
Image Source: 185.26.182.219/Rqae5eb53b-c103-49e4-a363-9cb05f81161d
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The Viceroy as the head of the Indian administration was made more dependent on the Secretary of State than the Governor-General had been on the court of Directors of the Company or the Board of Control.
No change was effected in the actual administration of the country. All earlier acts and provisions were to continue in future.
Absolute imperial control was stipulated without any regard to popular participation. The entire administrative machinery was bureaucratic, totally unconcerned about the public opinion in India.
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There was no separation of power, and all the authority for the governance of India, civil and military, executive and legislative was vested in the Governor-General-in-Council responsible to the Secretary of State.
At provincial level Governor or Lieutenant Governor aided by his Executive Council acted as agent of the Government of India and had to function under the superintendence, direction and control of the Governor-General.