The Indian National Congress (INC) has been instrumental in shaping the course of India’s freedom struggle and post-independence politics. Throughout its history, the Congress has convened numerous sessions, each marking significant milestones in India’s journey towards independence and beyond. These sessions served as platforms for shaping political ideologies, forging alliances, and articulating the aspirations of the Indian people. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most important Congress sessions that have left a lasting impact on India’s political landscape. In this article we have provided list of important INC Sessions notes for UPSC 2025.
| Year | Place | President | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1885 | Mumbai | Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee | Formation of Indian National Congress with 72 delegates |
| 1886 | Calcutta | Dadabhai Naoroji | Decision to set up Provincial Congress Committees |
| 1887 | Madras | Badruddin Tyabji | First Muslim president elected |
| 1888 | Allahabad | George Yule | First English president elected |
| 1889 | Bombay | Sir William Wedderburn | Adoption of Congress creed, resolutions on education and agriculture |
| 1901 | Calcutta | Dinshaw Eduljee Wacha | Mahatma Gandhi’s first appearance on Congress platform, resolutions on drain of wealth and famine |
| 1905 | Banaras | Gopal Krishna Gokhale | Opposition to Bengal partition, proclamation of Swadeshi movement |
| 1906 | Calcutta | Dadabhai Naoroji | Adoption of goal of Swaraj, condemnation of Bengal partition |
| 1907 | Surat | Rash Behari Ghosh | Disintegration due to differences between moderates and extremists, declaration of Swaraj as aim |
| 1916 | Lucknow | Ambica Charan Mazumdar | Unification of moderates and extremists, alliance with All India Muslim League |
| 1917 | Calcutta | Annie Besant | First woman president elected |
| 1920 | Calcutta (special session) | Lala Lajpat Rai | Non-Cooperation Movement launched in response to Jallianwala Bagh massacre and Khilafat Movement |
| 1920 | Nagpur | C. Vijayaraghavachariar | Intensification of Non-Cooperation Movement, call for boycott of foreign trade |
| 1923 | Delhi (special session) | Maulana Mohammad Ali | Reaffirmation of non-violent non-cooperation, suspension of propaganda against council entry |
| 1924 | Belgaum | M.K. Gandhi | Only session chaired by Gandhi |
| 1925 | Kanpur | Sarojini Naidu | Sarojini Naidu becomes first Indian woman president |
| 1929 | Lahore | Jawaharlal Nehru | Adoption of ‘Purna Swaraj’ (total independence) resolution |
| 1931 | Karachi | Vallabbhai J. Patel | Introduction of socio-economic principles/rights, approval of Irwin-Gandhi Pact |
| 1936 | Lucknow | Jawaharlal Nehru | Resolution demanding full independence, focus on economic and social upliftment |
| 1937 | Faizpur | Jawaharlal Nehru | Rejection of GoI Act 1935, call for Constituent Assembly elected by adult suffrage |
| 1938 | Haripura (Gujarat) | Subhas Chandra Bose | Formation of National Planning Committee, commitment to Poorna Swaraj |
| 1939 | – | Subhash Chandra Bose | Bose elected president defeating Pattabhi Sitaramayya |
| 1946 | Meerut | J.B. Kripalani | Acceptance of Cabinet Mission Plan, decision to participate in Constituent Assembly |
| 1948 | Jaipur | B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya | Homage to Mahatma Gandhi, adoption of Objectives Resolution, decision to hold general elections |
The Indian National Congress has played a pivotal role in India’s quest for independence and subsequent nation-building efforts. The various Congress sessions discussed in this blog post exemplify the party’s evolution, from its early demands for increased Indian participation in political affairs to its eventual commitment to complete independence. These sessions served as forums for deliberation, debate, and decision-making, shaping the ideologies and strategies of India’s nationalist movement. As we reflect on the importance of these Congress sessions, we recognize their enduring legacy in India’s democratic framework and the ongoing pursuit of social justice and inclusive development.
Also Read: Formation of Indian National Congress.