The office of the Secretary of State was created under the provisions of the Government of India Act 1858. Government of India Act provided for • The Company's territories in India were to be vested in the Queen, the Company ceasing to exercise its power and control over these territories. India was to be governed in the Queen's name. • The Queen's Principal Secretary of State received the powers and duties of the Company's Court of Directors. A council of fifteen members was appointed to assist the Secretary of State for India. The council became an advisory body in India affairs. For all the communications between Britain and India, the Secretary of State became the real channel. • The Secretary of State for India was empowered to send some secret despatches to India directly without consulting the Council. He was also authorised to constitute special committees of his Council. • The Crown was empowered to appoii a a Governor-General and the Governors of the Presidencies. • An Indian Civil Service was to be created under the control of the Secretary of State. • The Act ushered in a new period of Indian history, bringing about the end of Company rule in India.