The Government of India Act, 1858 was the constitutional outcome of the revolt. It transferred the government of India from the East India Company to the Crown, making the Governor-General the 'Viceroy of India'. A new office of Secretary of State for India was created in London, assisted by a council of fifteen, to exercise the Crown's control over India.

Under the Act, all Company territories vested in the Queen, the Company's Board of Control and Court of Directors were abolished, and the Indian army was reorganised to strengthen British preponderance. The Act also declared that Indian states would henceforth be respected and that no further conquests would be made.