He was appointed to the Indian Civil Service after passing the examination in 1874, and spent the two-year probationary period at Balliol College, Oxford, where he was awarded the Boden Sanskrit scholarship in 1876 but was not able to take a degree.
[2] Douie became Chief Secretary to the government of the Punjab in 1900, and "had a large share in moulding the famous Land Alienation Act".
Douie was appointed CSI in the 1906 New Year Honours[3] and knighted KCSI at the Delhi Durbar in December 1911.
[5] During his service of 35 years he had occupied in turn the most important administrative posts of the [Punjab] Province, maintaining in each of them his reputation for thoroughness and efficiency in his work, knowledge of the people, and courteous dealing with his colleagues.
He had wide interests, a most kindly disposition, and a great capacity for friendship.In 1885 Douie married Mary, daughter of Charles Roe (later Sir Charles Roe, Chief Justice of the Chief Court of the Punjab).