Introduction to the Indian National Congress (INC) for RRB Exams
For any aspirant preparing for the RRB NTPC, Group D, or Technician exams, the history of the Indian National Movement is a cornerstone of the General Awareness syllabus. Within this, the Indian National Congress (INC) holds the most significant weightage. Founded in 1885, the INC was not just a political party but the primary vehicle for India's struggle for independence.
Understanding the INC involves learning about its formation, the different phases of its leadership (Moderates and Extremists), its annual sessions, and the historic resolutions that shaped the destiny of modern India. This guide provides an in-depth analysis of the INC to help you score full marks in the History section of your upcoming RRB exams.
Topic Weightage and Importance
In the RRB NTPC (CBT-1 & CBT-2) and RRB Group D exams, History usually accounts for 6-8 questions out of the 40-50 General Awareness questions. Specifically, the Indian National Congress and the Freedom Struggle contribute to at least 2-3 direct questions in every shift. Common question types include identifying the president of a specific session, the venue of a historic resolution, or the year a particular movement was adopted by the Congress.
Key Concepts and Phases of the INC
1. The Foundation (1885)
The Indian National Congress was founded in December 1885. The first session was held at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College, Bombay. It was attended by 72 delegates. The key figures involved were:
- Founder/General Secretary: Allan Octavian Hume (A.O. Hume), a retired British officer.
- First President: Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee (W.C. Bonnerjee).
- Viceroy at the time: Lord Dufferin.
2. The Moderate Phase (1885–1905)
During this era, leaders believed in constitutional methods, petitions, and prayers. They wanted to reform British rule from within. Key leaders included Dadabhai Naoroji (Grand Old Man of India), Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Pherozeshah Mehta.
3. The Extremist Phase (1905–1919)
Triggered by the Partition of Bengal in 1905, a younger group of leaders emerged who believed in Swaraj (Self-rule), Boycott, and Swadeshi. The famous trio Lal-Bal-Pal (Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal) led this phase.
4. The Gandhian Phase (1919–1947)
With the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India and the passing of the Rowlatt Act, the INC transformed into a mass movement. Major milestones include the Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, and the Quit India Movement.
Important INC Sessions: A Comprehensive Table
The RRB often asks questions based on specific sessions. Here are the most important ones for your notes:
| Year | Venue | President | Significance/Important Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1885 | Bombay | W.C. Bonnerjee | First session of INC; 72 delegates attended. |
| 1886 | Calcutta | Dadabhai Naoroji | National Congress and National Conference merged. |
| 1887 | Madras | Badruddin Tyabji | First Muslim President. |
| 1888 | Allahabad | George Yule | First English President. |
| 1896 | Calcutta | Rahimtullah M. Sayani | 'Vande Mataram' sung for the first time. |
| 1906 | Calcutta | Dadabhai Naoroji | Word 'Swaraj' was mentioned for the first time. |
| 1907 | Surat | Rash Behari Ghosh | The famous 'Surat Split' between Moderates & Extremists. |
| 1911 | Calcutta | Bishant Narayan Dar | 'Jana Gana Mana' sung for the first time. |
| 1916 | Lucknow | A.C. Majumdar | Lucknow Pact signed; Re-union of Moderates & Extremists. |
| 1917 | Calcutta | Annie Besant | First Woman President of INC. |
| 1924 | Belgaum | Mahatma Gandhi | Only session presided over by Mahatma Gandhi. |
| 1925 | Kanpur | Sarojini Naidu | First Indian Woman President. |
| 1929 | Lahore | Jawaharlal Nehru | Passed 'Purna Swaraj' (Complete Independence) resolution. |
| 1931 | Karachi | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel | Resolution on Fundamental Rights and Economic Policy. |
| 1938 | Haripura | Subhash Chandra Bose | National Planning Committee set up. |
| 1946 | Meerut | J.B. Kripalani | President during India's Independence. |
Solved Examples (Step-by-Step)
Example 1: Who was the Viceroy of India when the Indian National Congress was formed in 1885?
Solution: Lord Dufferin. He famously described the INC as representing a 'microscopic minority' of the people.
Example 2: In which session was the resolution for 'Purna Swaraj' passed?
Solution: The resolution for 'Purna Swaraj' (Complete Independence) was passed in the 1929 Lahore Session presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru. This led to Jan 26, 1930, being celebrated as the first Independence Day.
Example 3: Match the following:
A. First Muslim President - 1. George Yule
B. First English President - 2. Badruddin Tyabji
Solution: A-2, B-1. Badruddin Tyabji (1887) and George Yule (1888).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Annie Besant vs. Sarojini Naidu: Students often confuse these two. Annie Besant was the first woman president (1917), but Sarojini Naidu was the first Indian woman president (1925).
- Venue Confusion: The first session was scheduled for Pune but was moved to Bombay due to a cholera outbreak. Remember 'Bombay' as the final venue.
- Surat Split Year: Many mix up 1906 and 1907. The split happened in 1907 at Surat. In 1906, the party stayed together under Dadabhai Naoroji.
- Presidents of Historic Sessions: Don't forget that Mahatma Gandhi presided over only ONE session (Belgaum, 1924).
Practice Questions with Solutions
- Who was known as the 'Grand Old Man of India' and presided over the INC thrice?
- In which session did the Congress split into Moderates and Extremists?
- Who was the President of the INC during the 1931 Karachi Session?
- Which session of the INC was the first to be held in a village?
- Who moved the first resolution in the first session of the INC?
Solutions
- Dadabhai Naoroji. He presided in 1886, 1893, and 1906.
- 1907 Surat Session (Presided by Rash Behari Ghosh).
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. This session is crucial for the adoption of Fundamental Rights.
- 1937 Faizpur Session (Presided by Jawaharlal Nehru).
- G. Subramania Iyer moved the first resolution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who was the youngest President of the INC?
A1: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad became the youngest president at the age of 35 in the Special Session of Delhi (1923).
Q2: Why is the 1916 Lucknow Session important?
A2: It is significant for the 'Lucknow Pact' between the INC and the Muslim League, and for the re-unification of the Moderates and Extremists.
Q3: How many times did Subhash Chandra Bose serve as INC President?
A3: Twice. Once in 1938 (Haripura) and again in 1939 (Tripuri), though he resigned after the Tripuri session due to differences with Gandhi.
Conclusion and Final Tips
The history of the Indian National Congress is more than just dates and names; it is the story of India's journey toward freedom. For RRB NTPC and Group D aspirants, focusing on the chronology of events and the specific achievements of each session is key.
Final Tip: Create a small flashcard for the sessions of 1885, 1907, 1916, 1924, 1929, and 1947. These appear most frequently in RRB exams. Keep revising the table provided above, and you will surely secure those crucial marks. Good luck with your preparation!
