इ.स. 1861 च्या भारतीय परिषद कायद्यानुसार खालीलपैकी कोणती विधान/ने सत्य आहेत ?
(a) लोकशाहीचा प्रारंभ
(b) भारतीयांना प्रतिनिधीत्व
(c) सत्तेचे विकेंद्रीकरणाचा प्रारंभ
(d) लोकप्रतिनीधींची संख्या वाढली

The correct answer is Option A ((a), (b), (c)).

Key Points:
• Features of the Indian Councils Act of 1861:
• Representative Institution Beginnings / Proto-Democracy: Lord Canning initiated legislative devolution by nominating non-official Indians into law-making (Raja of Benaras, Maharaja of Patiala, Sir Dinkar Rao in 1862), viewed historically as the earliest seed of democratic representation in India.
• Indian Representation: Enabled the inclusion of Indian non-official members in the Viceroy's expanded council.
• Legislative Decentralization: Restored legislative powers to the Bombay and Madras Presidencies (reversing the centralizing trend initiated by the Charter Act of 1833).
• Official MPSC Final Key Validation: Officially, MPSC selected Option (1): (a), (b), and (c) as the correct set of statements for this question.
• Key Takeaway: The Indian Councils Act of 1861 initiated legislative decentralization and nominated the first Indian non-official representatives.