The Act embodied the reforms recommended in the report of the Secretary of State for India, Edwin Montagu, and the Viceroy, Chelmsford.

The Act of 1858 transferred the administration from the Company to the Crown and laid the foundations of public life which exist in India today.

The lower house was the Legislative Assembly of 145 members, of which 104 were elected and 41 were nominated, with a tenure of three years.

The upper house was the Council of State, consisting of 34 elected and 26 nominated members, with a tenure of five years.

Madan Mohan Malaviya supported the reforms and Muhammad Ali Jinnah resigned from Indian National Congress.