The 1833 Charter Act was a significant piece of legislation that aimed to centralize administrative power in British India in several key ways:

1. Creation of the Governor-General of India
Central Authority: The Act designated the Governor-General of Bengal as the Governor-General of India, consolidating power in a single individual who would oversee all British territories in India. This move centralized administrative authority and created a more unified governance structure.
2. Expansion of Legislative Powers
Central Legislative Council: The Act established a new legislative council for the Governor-General, which allowed for more coordinated law-making at the central level. This council was empowered to make laws applicable to all British territories in India, reducing the autonomy of individual provinces.
3. Control Over Provincial Administrations
Subordination of Provinces: The Act aimed to strengthen the authority of the central government over provincial administrations. Although it recognized the existence of provincial councils, it emphasized that they would operate under the overarching authority of the Governor-General.
4. Appointment of Civil Servants
Merit-based Recruitment: The Act mandated that civil servants would be appointed based on merit rather than through patronage, leading to a more professional and centralized bureaucracy. This helped ensure that the central government maintained control over administration.
5. Military Control
Centralization of Military Authority: The Act centralized military authority under the Governor-General, ensuring that military operations and decisions were coordinated with the central administration rather than being handled independently by provincial governors.
6. Regulation of Revenue Collection
Unified Revenue System: The Act sought to establish a more uniform system for revenue collection across India, which was critical for consolidating financial control and ensuring that revenues were directed to the central government.
7. Focus on Law and Order
Legislative Authority: The Governor-General’s council was given the power to legislate on issues related to law and order across India. This helped create a consistent legal framework, further centralizing control over governance and administration.
Conclusion
The 1833 Charter Act was instrumental in centralizing administrative power in British India by establishing the Governor-General of India as a central authority, expanding legislative powers, and strengthening the control of the British government over provincial administrations. These changes aimed to create a more cohesive and efficient administrative structure, laying the groundwork for further centralization in subsequent legislation.