Congress Sessions MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Congress Sessions - Download Free PDF

Karachi Session.Key Points

• Context of the Karachi Session: This session took place amidst significant political developments:
  • Mahatma Gandhi's recent release from prison after the Salt Satyagraha.
  • The recent conclusion of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, which temporarily halted the Civil Disobedience Movement.
  • The recent execution of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev for the murder of Assistant Superintendent of Police, Saunders.
• Congress's Stance on Political Violence:
  • While disapproving of and disassociating itself from political violence, the Congress admired the "bravery" and "sacrifice" of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev.
  • Key Decisions and Resolutions:
  • The Delhi Pact (Gandhi-Irwin Pact) was officially endorsed.
  • The goal of "Purna Swaraj" (complete self-rule) was reaffirmed.
• Two significant resolutions were adopted:
  • Fundamental Rights
  • National Economic Program
  • Resolution on Fundamental Rights (Guaranteed Rights):
    • Freedom of Speech and Press.
    • Right to form associations.
    • Right to assemble.
    • Universal adult franchise (right to vote for all adults).
    • Equal legal rights for all, regardless of caste, creed, or sex.
    • State neutrality in religious matters.
    • Protection of the culture, language, and script of minorities and linguistic groups.
  • Resolution on National Economic Program (Key Provisions):
    • For Farmers & Peasants:
      • Substantial reduction in land revenue and rent.
      • Exemption from rent for uneconomic holdings for necessary periods.
      • Imposition of a progressive income tax on agricultural income above a fixed threshold.
      • Control of usury (excessive interest rates).
    • For Children:
      • Free primary education.
        • Prohibition against employment of school-going age children in factories.
      • For Workers:
        • Living wage for industrial workers.
        • Limited hours of work.
        • Healthy working conditions.
        • Protection against economic consequences of old age, sickness, and unemployment.
      • For Trade Unions:
        • Right of labor to form unions to protect their interests.
        • Suitable machinery for dispute settlement through arbitration.
      • For Women:
        • Protection of women workers.
        • Adequate provisions for leave during maternity.
      • For a Socialist Economy:
        • State control over key industries and mineral resources.
        • Regulation of exchange ratio to support Indian industries and benefit the masses.
        • Protection of indigenous cloth by excluding foreign cloth and yarn.
        • Provision for inheritance tax.
        • Reduced Government Expenditure:
        • Military expenditure to be reduced by half.
        • Expenditure and salaries of civil departments to be reduced.
      • Gandhian Influence:
        • Prohibition of intoxicating drinks and drugs.
        • No duty on salt.
• Significance of the Resolutions:
  • This marked the first instance where the Congress explicitly defined "swaraj" for the common people.
  • It emphasized that "to end the exploitation of masses, political freedom must include economic freedom of starving millions."
• Subsequent Developments:
  • The Second Round Table Conference (London, 1931) failed to yield results.
  • This led to MacDonald's announcement of two Muslim-majority provinces and a declaration of a Communal Award if Indians did not agree.
  • Gandhi returned to India and resumed the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM).
  • During this second phase of CDM, business support for the movement declined, splitting the business community.
  • Despite efforts, Gandhi had to withdraw the movement in April 1934.
  • Gandhi established an All-India Untouchability League in 1932.
  • He started a weekly publication named Harijan in 1933.

The correct answer is Lahore session held in 1929.

Key Points

• The historic 'Purna Swaraj' (complete independence) resolution was passed during the Lahore session of the Indian National Congress in December 1929.
• The Lahore session was presided over by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who played a crucial role in the adoption of the resolution.
• The resolution marked January 26, 1930, as the first Independence Day, which was to be celebrated all over the country.
• This session was significant as it rejected the British offer of dominion status and declared the goal of complete independence from British rule.

Additional Information

• Indian National Congress (INC)
  • Founded in 1885, the INC was the principal leader of the Indian independence movement, with over 15 million members and over 70 million participants.
  • It played a major role in the struggle for independence from British rule in India.
• Purna Swaraj
  • The term "Purna Swaraj" means "complete self-rule" or "total independence."
  • This concept was a departure from earlier demands for dominion status within the British Empire.
• Jawaharlal Nehru
  • Nehru was a prominent leader in the Indian independence movement and the first Prime Minister of independent India.
  • He is known for his vision of a secular, socialist India and played a key role in shaping modern India’s policies.
• January 26
  • January 26 was chosen as the day to proclaim the Declaration of Independence in 1930.
  • It later became the Republic Day of India in 1950 when the Constitution of India came into effect.

The correct answer is 1925, Kanpur.

Key Points

• Sarojini Naidu:
  • She became the president of the Indian National Congress in the Kanpur session in 1925.
  • She was given the title of "Nightingale of India" for her contributions in the field of poetry writing.
  • She was called 'Bharat Kokila'.
  • She is the first woman to hold the office of governor in the dominion of India.
  • She became the governor of the United Provinces in 1947.

Important Points

• Notable works of Sarojini Naidu are:
  • The golden threshold
  • The bird of time: Songs of life, death & spring
  • Muhammad Jinnah: An ambassador of unity
  • Palanquin bearers
  • The village song
  • In the bazaars of Hyderabad

Additional Information

• Chittaranjan Das​ became the president of the Indian National Congress in the Gaya session in 1922.
• Motilal Nehru became the president of the Indian National Congress in the Calcutta session in 1928.
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel became the president of the Indian National Congress in the Karachi session in 1931.

The Correct answer is 1906, Calcutta.

• The word swaraj was first used by Dadabhai Naoroji in the congress session held at Calcutta in 1906.

Key Points

• Swarāj means self-governance or "self-rule".
• Swaraj warrants a stateless society.
• Word 'swaraj' was used synonymously with "home-rule" by Dayanand Saraswati.
• Dadabhai Navroji said that he had learnt the word swaraj from the Satyarth Prakash of Dayanand Saraswati.

Additional Information

Important INC Sessions

The correct answer is - Karachi, 1931

Key Points

• Karachi Session of 1931
  • The Karachi session of the Indian National Congress was presided over by Vallabhbhai Patel.
  • The session adopted two significant resolutions:
  • The Resolution on Fundamental Rights and Duties, which outlined the rights of citizens and duties of the state.
  • The Resolution on Economic Program, which focused on socio-economic policies, such as labor rights, nationalization of key industries, and equitable distribution of wealth.
  • This session was crucial as it provided a clear vision for both political independence and socio-economic justice.
• Context
  • The session was held after the signing of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact in 1931, which temporarily halted the Civil Disobedience Movement.
  • The resolutions highlighted the Congress' commitment to addressing both political freedom and social welfare.

Additional Information

• Fundamental Rights and Duties
  • The resolution on Fundamental Rights included rights such as:
  • Freedom of speech and expression
  • Equality before the law
  • Right to form associations
  • Universal adult suffrage
  • It also stressed on protecting minority rights and ensuring a secular state.
• Economic Program
  • Key features of the Economic Program resolution included:
  • Provisions for minimum wages and better working conditions for laborers.
  • Abolition of untouchability and measures for social reform.
  • Promotion of cottage industries to support rural economies.
• Legacy of the Karachi Session
  • The resolutions adopted at the Karachi session laid the foundation for the Constitution of India, as many of these principles were later incorporated into the Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Rights.
  • It also showcased the Congress' progressive outlook and commitment to inclusive development.

The Correct answer is 1906, Calcutta.

• The word swaraj was first used by Dadabhai Naoroji in the congress session held at Calcutta in 1906.

Key Points

• Swarāj means self-governance or "self-rule".
• Swaraj warrants a stateless society.
• Word 'swaraj' was used synonymously with "home-rule" by Dayanand Saraswati.
• Dadabhai Navroji said that he had learnt the word swaraj from the Satyarth Prakash of Dayanand Saraswati.

Additional Information

Important INC Sessions

The correct answer is 1925, Kanpur.

Key Points

• Sarojini Naidu:
  • She became the president of the Indian National Congress in the Kanpur session in 1925.
  • She was given the title of "Nightingale of India" for her contributions in the field of poetry writing.
  • She was called 'Bharat Kokila'.
  • She is the first woman to hold the office of governor in the dominion of India.
  • She became the governor of the United Provinces in 1947.

Important Points

• Notable works of Sarojini Naidu are:
  • The golden threshold
  • The bird of time: Songs of life, death & spring
  • Muhammad Jinnah: An ambassador of unity
  • Palanquin bearers
  • The village song
  • In the bazaars of Hyderabad

Additional Information

• Chittaranjan Das​ became the president of the Indian National Congress in the Gaya session in 1922.
• Motilal Nehru became the president of the Indian National Congress in the Calcutta session in 1928.
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel became the president of the Indian National Congress in the Karachi session in 1931.

The correct answer is 1938.

Key Points

• Subhash Chandra Bose became the President of the Congress Party in 1938.
• In 1919, Bose headed to London to give the Indian Civil Services (ICS) examination and he was selected. Bose, however, resigned from Civil Services as he believed he could not side with the British.
• In 1923, Bose was elected the President of the All India Youth Congress and also the Secretary of Bengal State Congress.
• He was succeeded by Rajendra Prasad in 1939 as the President of the Indian National Congress.

Additional Information

Some important sessions and their President of Indian National Congress:

The correct answer is Allahabad.

Key Points

• George Yule became the President of INC in 1888 in the fourth session held at Allahabad.
• He was the first non - Indian to be the President of INC.
• He belonged to the business community. He was the chief of the well-known Andrew Yule and Co. in Calcutta.
• He had also been Sheriff of Calcutta and President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce.
• Yule was widely known in Indian circles for his breadth of outlook, liberal views, and marked sympathy for Indian aspirations.
• Surendranath Banerjee described him as "a hard-headed Scotsman who saw straight into the heart of things, and never hesitated to express himself with the bluntness in which a Scotsman never fails if he wants to show it."​

Important Points

• Important sessions of congress.
• First Session: 
  • Held at Bombay in 1885. President: W.C. Bannerjee.
  • Formation of Indian National Congress.
• Second Session:
  • ​Held at Calcutta in 1886. President: Dadabhai Naoroji.
• Third Session: 
  • Held at Madras in 1887. 
  • President: Syed Badruddin Tyabji, the first Muslim President.
• Fourth Session: 
  • Held at Allahabad in 1888.
  • President: George Yule, first English President.
• 1896: Calcutta Session.
  • ​President: Rahimtullah Sayani.
  • National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ was sung for the first time by Rabindranath Tagore.
• 1905: Benaras.
  • President: Gopal Krishan Gokhale.
  • The formal proclamation of the Swadeshi movement against the government.
• 1906: Calcutta.
  • President: Dadabhai Naoroji.
  • Adopted four resolutions: Swaraj (Self Government), Boycott Movement, Swadeshi & National Education.
• 1907: Surat.
  • ​President: Rash Bihari Ghosh.
  • Split in Congress- Moderates & Extremist.
• 1916: Lucknow.
  • President: A.C. Majumdar.
  • Unity between two factions-Moderates and Extremists of Congress.
  • Lucknow Pact was signed between Congress and Muslim League to build political consensus.
• 1917: Calcutta.
  • President: Annie Besant, First Woman President of Congress.
• 1924: Belgaum. 
  • President: M.K. Gandhi.
  • Only Session was presided over by Mahatma Gandhi.
• 1925: Kanpur. 
  • President: Sarojini Naidu, First Indian Woman President.
• 1938: Haripura. 
  • President: Subhas Chandra Bose.
  • National Planning Committee set up under Jawahar Lal Nehru.

The correct answer is J.B. Kripalani.

Key Points

• J.B. Kripalani was the president of the Indian National Congress in 1947.
• Before Kripalani, the President of INC was Jawaharlal Nehru in 1946.
• After Kripalani, Pattabhi Sitaraimayya was the president of INC in 1948 & 1949.
• In 1950, Purushottam Das Tandon was the president of INC and after that in 1951, Jawaharlal Nehru was the president of INC.

Important Points

• The Indian National Congress was founded in Bombay in December 1885.
• A.O. Hume was the founder of the Indian National Congress.

• Wyomesh Chandra Banerjee was the first President of INC in 1885.​
• Badruddin Tyabji was the First Muslim president of INC and overall third president of INC in 1887.
• Annie Besant became the first female president of INC.

The correct answer is Lahore Session of Congress, 1929.

Key Points

• The Indian National Congress, on 19 December 1929, passed the historic ‘Poorna Swaraj’ – (total independence) resolution – at its Lahore session.
• Jawaharlal Nehru was elected as President of the Indian National Congress in December 1929 at its annual session in the city of Lahore.
• A public declaration was made on 26 January 1930 – a day which the Congress Party urged Indians to celebrate as ‘Independence Day.

Additional Information

• The Indian National Congress (INC) was formed by Allan Octavian Hume in 1885.
• The first session of INC was held in Bombay from 28–31 December 1885 under the chairmanship of W.C. Bannerjee.
• Sessions of Indian National Congress before Independence:

The correct option is 4 i.e Nagpur.

Key Points

• The 1920 Indian National Congress session was held in Nagpur.
• Indian National Congress was founded by Allen Octavian Hume with Dada Bhai Naoroji &  Dinshaw Wacha in 1885.
• On 4 September 1920, Congress met at Calcutta in a special session.
• In December 1920, Congress met once again in the Nagpur Session.
• This time the differences between CR Das had melted away.
• He moved the main resolution of Non-cooperation.
  • A program of the surrender of titles, the boycott of schools, courts, and councils, the boycott of foreign goods, the promotion of maintenance of Hindu-Muslim unity, and strict non-violence was adopted.

Additional Information

• Indian National Congress was founded in the year 1885.
• It was founded by A.O. Hume, Dadabhai Naoroji, and Dinshaw Edulji Wacha.
• The first session of INC took place in Bombay.
• The Viceroy of India during the formation of INC was Lord Dufferin.
• The only session of INC presided over by Mahatma Gandhi was "The Belgaum session" in 1924.
  • It was the 39th session of INC.
• In this session, the basic necessities and concerns of the people of Karnataka were discussed and resolved.

The correct answer is the 1896 INC session.

Key Points:

• The first political occasion when 'Vande Mataram' was sung was the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress.
• The 1896 session of the Indian National Congress was held in Calcutta.
• The Calcutta session of the INC in 1896 was presided by M. Rahmathulla Sayani.

Important Points 

• Vande Mataram is a Sanskrit poem written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.
  • It was taken from Anand Math published in 1882.
  • Vande Mataram was first sung by Rabindranath Tagore in 1896.
  • It was adopted by the constituent assembly on 24th January 1950.
  • Jadhunath Bhattacharya composed the music of Vande Mataram.

Additional Information

• N.G. Chandavarkar presided over the INC session, 1900 in Lahore.
• Shri Lalmohan Ghosh presided over the INC session, 1903 in Bombay.
• Bishan Narayan Dar presided over the INC session, 1911 in Calcutta.

The correct answer is option 3, i.e. Belgaum.

Key Points

• Mahatma Gandhi was elected as the President of the Indian National Congress (INC) in the Annual Session held at Belgaum in 1924.
• He held the position of the President of the INC only once.
• The Congress Annual Sessions were held at Ahmedabad twice in 1902 and 1921 where Surendranath Banerjea and C.R. Das were elected presidents respectively.
• The Poona Annual Congress Session was held in 1895 with Surendranath Banerjea as its new elected president.
• The Kanpur Annual Congress Session was held in 1925 with Sarojini Naidu as its new elected president.

The correct answer is the 1896 congress session.

About 1896 Congress session:

• The song "Vande Mataram", was composed in Sanskrit language and it was written by Bankimchandra Chatterjee. It was taken by his world-famous Novel "Anada Math" 1882.
• The playing time of the National song is 65 seconds.
• It is known as India's National Song and has an equal status with the National Anthem (Jana-Gana-Mana) written by Rabindranath Tagore. 
• Later the National song was set to tune by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. Vande Matram sung for the first time before the gathering at the 12th annual Congress session of the INC (Indian National Congress) held in Calcutta in 1896. This congress session was presided by the Rahimtulla M. Sayani.
• It was declared as the National Song in the Year 1937 through a resolution passed by all the members. The English translation of the Vande Matram was translated by Sri Aurobindo Ghosh.

About Bankim Chandra Chatterjee:

• He was born on 26th June 1838 in Naihati, West Bengal. He was an Indian Poet, Journalist, and Novelist.
• Bankim Chandra Chatterjee wrote around Thirteen Novels and many seriocomic, satirical, scientific, serious, and critical treatises in the Bengali language.
• Some of the Notable works by him were "Ananda Math", Durgeshnandini, Mrilalini, Indira, etc. He died on 8th April 1894.

Image of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee (Writer Vande Mataram):