Utilitarianism in India refers to the application of the philosophy of utilitarianism by British administrators, thinkers, and reformers in shaping colonial governance during the nineteenth century. Based on the principle of "the greatest happiness of the greatest number," propounded by Jeremy Bentham, utilitarianism emphasized rational legislation, administrative efficiency, codification of laws, and social reforms. It became one of the most influential ideological foundations of British rule in India, especially during the Governor-Generalship of Lord William Bentinck and later under the influence of James Mill and Thomas Babington Macaulay. Jeremy Bentham himself had limited direct involvement with Indian affairs, but his ideas profoundly influenced British policymakers. Bentham advocated that laws and institutions should be judged by their utility rather than by tradition or custom. This approach encouraged colonial administrators to view India as a society requiring rational reforms and centralized governance. Utilitarian thinkers believed that British rule had a moral responsibility to modernize Indian society through legislation and education. James Mill played a crucial role in introducing utilitarian ideas into Indian administration. His work *The History of British India* (1817) portrayed Indian society as backward and stagnant, justifying British intervention for its improvement. Mill served in the East India Company's London office and significantly influenced policy-making. He argued for a strong centralized administration, uniform laws, and efficient bureaucracy. His writings shaped the attitudes of many British civil servants toward India. Lord William Bentinck (1828–1835) translated utilitarian principles into administrative practice.