‘Ministry of Law and Justice’ being the oldest limb of the Government

‘Ministry of Law and Justice’ being the oldest limb of the Government of India, was the outcome of which Charter Act enacted by the British Parliament ?

The Charter Act, 1793
The Charter Act, 1813
The Charter Act, 1833
The Charter Act, 1853
This question was previously asked in
UPSC SO-Steno – 2018
The Charter Act of 1833 was instrumental in laying the foundation for a structured legislative framework in British India and can be seen as giving rise to the need for a dedicated legal department or limb of the Government, preceding the modern Ministry of Law and Justice.
– The Charter Act of 1833 centralized the administration of British India.
– It appointed a Law Member (initially without the power to vote) to the Governor-General’s Council, tasked with advising on legislative matters and initiating the codification of Indian laws (leading to the First Law Commission chaired by Lord Macaulay).
– This established a distinct function and structure for dealing with legal and legislative affairs within the government, which evolved over time into the Ministry of Law and Justice, considered one of the oldest government departments.
Earlier acts like the Charter Acts of 1793 and 1813 dealt with aspects of administration and trade, but the 1833 Act significantly altered the governance structure and formally introduced a dedicated legislative expertise within the council, making it a pivotal point for the origin of the legislative and legal wing of the government in India.
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