The Indian National Congress and its early sessions
The party founded in 1885 that led the freedom struggle; its yearly sessions, presidents and resolutions are exam staples.
What the paper can ask
- Founded December 1885; 72 delegates, mostly lawyers, at the first session.
- Surat session, December 1907: the party split into Moderates and Extremists.
- Lahore, 1929: Purna Swaraj (complete independence) declared the goal.
- Other presidents: Gopal Krishna Gokhale (Benares 1905), Subhas Chandra Bose (Haripura 1938), J. B. Kripalani (Meerut 1946).
- Mallikarjun Kharge, elected on 17 October 2022, has been president since 26 October 2022; Sonia Gandhi served longest (1998 to 2017, 2019 to 2022). (as of 23 Oct 2026)
Why exams ask
Which city, which year, which president, and the first woman or the only Gandhi-led session are the standard questions.
The full story
The Indian National Congress was founded in December 1885, with 72 delegates at its first session. Each year it met in a new city under a new president, and the big decisions came from those sessions: the Moderate-Extremist split at Surat (1907), the reunion at Lucknow, and the Purna Swaraj (complete independence) resolution at Lahore (1929), after which 26 January was celebrated as Independence Day.
Test yourself
1.In which city was the first session of the Indian National Congress held in December 1885?
Correct. The first session was held on 28 to 31 December 1885 at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay.
Not quite. The first session was held on 28 to 31 December 1885 at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay. It goes into your error book.
2.Who presided over the first session of the Indian National Congress in 1885?
Correct. Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee was the first president. Hume was the founder-organiser.
Not quite. Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee was the first president. Hume was the founder-organiser. It goes into your error book.
3.Who became the first woman President of the Indian National Congress, at the 1917 Calcutta session?
Correct. Annie Besant presided over the 1917 Calcutta session; Sarojini Naidu followed in 1925 as the first Indian woman.
Not quite. Annie Besant presided over the 1917 Calcutta session; Sarojini Naidu followed in 1925 as the first Indian woman. It goes into your error book.