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Indian National Congress (INC) – Formation & Key Sessions

The Indian National Congress (INC) was established in 1885 by A.O. Hume, along with prominent Indian leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji and W.C. Bonnerjee. Initially meant as a platform for political dialogue between Indians and the British government, it gradually evolved into the principal organization spearheading the Indian freedom movement. Over time, it transformed through phases — from Moderates to Extremists, and finally to the Gandhian mass movements.

Early Phase / Moderate Era (1885–1905)

• 1885 – Bombay: First session, presided by W.C. Bonnerjee; 72 delegates attended. (Birth of INC aiming for peaceful reforms through dialogue with British.)
• 1886 – Calcutta: Presided by Dadabhai Naoroji; merged with the Indian National Conference. (Unification of nationalist groups for a stronger movement.)
• 1887 – Madras: Badruddin Tyabji became the first Muslim president of INC. (Symbolized INC’s inclusive leadership.)
• 1890 – Calcutta: First woman delegate Kadambini Ganguly participated.
• 1905 – Benaras: Gopal Krishna Gokhale; moderates dominated despite growing unrest over Bengal Partition. (Moderates favored constitutional reforms; Bengal Partition sparked nationalist protests.)

Extremist Phase (1906–1916)

• 1906 – Calcutta: Dadabhai Naoroji; INC declared Swaraj as its goal. (Demand for self-rule marked more assertive nationalism.)
• 1907 – Surat: Session ended in a split between Moderates and Extremists. (Differences over methods led to factionalism.)
• 1911 – Calcutta: First session after capital shift to Delhi; presided by Janakinath Ghosh.
• 1916 – Lucknow: Reunion of Congress factions; Lucknow Pact signed with Muslim League. (Joint Hindu-Muslim political cooperation against British.)

Gandhian Phase (1917–1947)

• 1917 – Calcutta: Annie Besant became the first woman president of INC. (Significant for Indian leadership and women’s role.)
• 1919 – Amritsar: Presided by Motilal Nehru; condemned Jallianwala Bagh massacre. (Massacre galvanized Indian nationalist movement.)
• 1920 – Nagpur: Adopted Non-Cooperation Movement; INC restructured on linguistic basis. (Boycott of British goods and institutions to assert self-respect.)
• 1924 – Belgaum: Only session presided by Mahatma Gandhi.
• 1925 – Kanpur: Sarojini Naidu became first Indian woman president.
• 1927 – Madras: Resolution to boycott Simon Commission. (British commission excluded Indians; widely opposed.)
• 1928 – Calcutta: Debate on Dominion Status vs Complete Independence. (INC shifted towards demanding full independence.)
• 1929 – Lahore: Jawaharlal Nehru presided; resolution of Purna Swaraj adopted; 26 January to be celebrated as Independence Day. (Clear declaration for complete independence from British.)
• 1931 – Karachi: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel; adopted resolutions on Fundamental Rights and National Economic Programme. (Set vision for future independent India’s policies.)
• 1932 – Delhi: Response to Poona Pact and Gandhi's fast in Yerwada Jail. (Agreement ensuring representation for depressed classes.)
• 1934 – Bombay: Subhas Chandra Bose elected but later resigned over ideological differences.
• 1936 – Lucknow: Nehru promoted socialist ideology in INC.
• 1937 – Faizpur: First session in a rural setting; focused on agrarian issues.
• 1938 – Haripura: Subhas Bose established National Planning Committee. (Economic planning body for India’s future.)
• 1939 – Tripuri: Subhas Bose re-elected; resigned, replaced by Rajendra Prasad.
• 1940 – Ramgarh: Maulana Azad opposed British involvement in WWII without Indian consent.
• 1946 – Meerut: J.B. Kripalani; formation of interim government and Constituent Assembly discussed. (Steps toward India’s independence and constitution drafting.)
• 1947 – Jaipur: First session after independence; again presided by J.B. Kripalani.

Key Facts for UPSC Aspirants

• First INC Session: 1885, Bombay — Presided by W.C. Bonnerjee
• First Muslim President: Badruddin Tyabji (1887)
• First Woman President: Annie Besant (1917)
• First Indian Woman President: Sarojini Naidu (1925)
• Only Session Presided by Mahatma Gandhi: 1924, Belgaum
• Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) Resolution: 1929, Lahore
• Resolution on Fundamental Rights: 1931, Karachi
• First Rural Session of INC: 1937, Faizpur