Year

Place

President

Significance

1885

Bombay (Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College)

Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee (W.C. Bonnerjee)

- First Congress session, attended by 72 delegates, largely initiated by A.O. Hume
‎- Marked the beginning of a structured pan-Indian political platform for educated Indians.
‎- Discussed modest constitutional reforms and laid groundwork for future nationalist demands.

1886

Calcutta

Dadabhai Naoroji

- Brought together delegates from different regions and communities.
‎- Strengthened the early moderate approach, focusing on expanding legislative councils and advocating constitutional methods.
‎- Dadabhai Naoroji (the “Grand Old Man of India”) introduced ideas on economic exploitation by the British.

1887

Madras

Badruddin Tyabji

- First Muslim President of the Congress.
‎- Emphasized Hindu-Muslim unity and the inclusive nature of the INC.
‎- Renewed calls for larger legislative councils with Indian representation.

1888

Allahabad

George Yule

- First Englishman to preside over the Congress.
‎- Signalled a liberal British section’s support for moderate Indian constitutional aspirations.
‎- Helped Congress gain greater visibility in Britain, though still largely limited to polite petitioning and resolutions.

1889

Bombay

Sir William Wedderburn

- Advocated reform of the Indian Civil Service to include more Indians.
‎- Focused on the drain of wealth and the need for economic relief.
‎- Stressed moderation but also building nationwide awareness of Congress’s aims.

1890

Calcutta

Pherozeshah Mehta

- Highlighted issues of civil liberties and equality before law.
‎- Continued appeals for expanding the legislative process and broadening Indian participation.
‎- Strengthened the moderate faction’s influence within the INC.

1891

Nagpur

P. Ananda Charlu

- Demanded the separation of executive and judicial functions.
‎- Called for improvements in public administration and local self-government.
‎- Reflected growing awareness of bureaucratic excesses under British rule.

1892

Allahabad

W.C. Bonnerjee

- Continued push for constitutional and administrative reforms.
‎- Called for greater inclusion of Indians in government policymaking.
‎- Reinforced the Congress’s emphasis on petition-based, moderate methods.

1893

Lahore

Dadabhai Naoroji

- Strengthened the emphasis on Naoroji’s “Drain Theory,” which argued Britain was siphoning India’s wealth.
‎- Encouraged delegates to focus on economic self-reliance.
‎- Laid early ideological groundwork for Swadeshi (self-reliance) ideas.

1894

Madras

Alfred Webb

- Renewed push for self-government in a gradual manner.
‎- One of the few British sympathizers who fully supported Congress demands.
‎- Called for unity across provinces and communities in India’s reform efforts.

1895

Poona

Surendranath Banerjee

- Reasserted loyalty to the Crown but demanded increased rights and reforms.
‎- Criticized growing bureaucratic arrogance under the Raj.
‎- Encouraged bridging the gap between moderate demands and rising nationalist sentiment.

1896

Calcutta

Rahimtulla M. Sayani

- “Vande Mataram” was sung for the first time at a Congress session (tune by Rabindranath Tagore).
‎- Intensified the nationalistic spirit and cultural unity.
‎- Focused on India’s economic plight under British policies, foreshadowing the Swadeshi movement.

1897

Amraoti (Amravati)

C. Sankaran Nair

- Criticized the colonial government’s handling of famines and the plague.
‎- Stressed the need for effective relief measures and accountability.
‎- Reflected mounting dissatisfaction with British administrative failures.

1898

Madras

Ananda Mohan Bose

- Highlighted the stagnation in constitutional reforms despite repeated petitions.
‎- Reiterated the demand for Indian representation in governance.
‎- Emphasized building a pan-Indian political consciousness.

1899

Lucknow

Romesh Chunder Dutt

- Focused on widespread famine and the British Raj’s inadequate response.
‎- Tied economic mismanagement to the “drain of wealth” theory.
‎- Called for urgent remedial measures and a shift from purely moderate methods.

1900

Lahore

N.G. Chandavarkar

- Debated prospects of more assertive strategies while retaining a moderate stance.
‎- Emphasized bridging the demands of various social groups and communities.
‎- Reiterated constitutional means despite sporadic extremist voices emerging.

1901

Calcutta

Dinshaw E. Wacha

- Stressed administrative and economic reforms, including land revenue changes.
‎- Sought to unify moderate and emerging militant elements under a single platform.
‎- Maintained loyalty to the British Crown, anticipating some reforms from the government.

1902

Ahmedabad

Surendranath Banerjee

- Emphasized the dangers of communal divisions.
‎- Called for forging a broad-based national unity among different castes, communities, and regions.
‎- Reaffirmed belief in peaceful protest and dialogue with British authorities.

1903

Madras

Lal Mohan Ghosh

- Advocated for greater self-governance and local self-rule (municipalities, district boards).
‎- Laid additional stress on India’s economic exploitation under British rule.
‎- Encouraged delegates to promote indigenous industries (a precursor to Swadeshi).

1904

Bombay

Henry Cotton

- Promoted Swadeshi (self-reliance) and initial calls for boycotting foreign goods.
‎- Advocated the use of Indian-made products to stimulate local economies.
‎- Provided an ideological foundation that Extremist leaders would later expand.

1905

Banaras

Gopal Krishna Gokhale

- Held just after the Partition of Bengal (1905) by Lord Curzon, which galvanized nationalist sentiment.
‎- Strengthened calls for Swadeshi and boycott movements in Bengal and beyond.
‎- Gokhale balanced moderate approaches with growing public anger against colonial “divide and rule.”

1906

Calcutta

Dadabhai Naoroji

- First official declaration of “Swaraj” (self-government) as the goal of the Congress.
‎- Demonstrated shifting sentiments from moderate pleas to demands for autonomy.
‎- Reflected India’s growing impatience with half-measures and partition policies.

1907

Surat

Rash Behari Ghosh

- Surat Split between Moderates (led by Gokhale) and Extremists (led by Tilak).
‎- Session ended abruptly amid heated debates over passive resistance vs. constitutional methods
‎- Created a temporary organizational crisis that weakened the Congress’s unified front.

1908

Madras

Rash Behari Ghosh

- Attempted reconciliation after the Surat Split but with limited success.
‎- Moderates still dominated proceedings; Extremists were marginalized.
‎- Reiterated reliance on petitions and legal reforms to achieve political goals.

1909

Lahore

Madan Mohan Malaviya

- Strong critique of the Morley-Minto Reforms (1909) that introduced separate electorates.
‎- Warned that communal electorates could deepen divisions among Hindus and Muslims.
‎- Renewed efforts to keep Congress united in light of extremist pressure.

1910

Allahabad

Sir William Wedderburn

- Debated the effectiveness of separate electorates for Muslims and other communities.
‎- Pushed for a wider franchise to make Indian representation more meaningful.
‎- Highlighted the need for communal harmony within the nationalist struggle.

1911

Calcutta

Bishan Narayan Dar

- Welcomed the annulment of the Partition of Bengal (1911) by King George V.
‎- Still cautioned against British “divide and rule” policies applied in other provinces.
‎- Urged continued vigilance and unity to prevent future partition tactics.
‎- It was the first time that “Jana Gana Mana,” the national anthem of India, was performed.

1912

Bankipur (Patna)

Raghunath Narasinha Mudholkar

- Called for closer Hindu-Muslim cooperation, anticipating greater mobilization.
‎- Prepared for upcoming reforms by discussing how Indians could gain more leverage in provincial councils.
‎- Emphasized the need for structured political education of the masses.

1913

Karachi

Nawab Syed Muhammad Bahadur

- Reiterated communal harmony and bridging growing divides.
‎- Responded to concerns about the spread of separate electorates beyond Muslims.
‎- Built momentum for a more inclusive national movement.

1914

Madras

Bhupendra Nath Bose

- Highlighted rural indebtedness and peasant distress as key issues.
‎- Encouraged making Congress more relevant to masses beyond the educated elite.
‎- Hinted at the need for more assertive steps while World War I changed global politics.

1915

Bombay

Satyendra Prasanna Sinha (S.P. Sinha)

- First Indian to be knighted presiding over the Congress.
‎- Balanced loyalty to the Crown with calls for greater Indian role in governance, especially during WWI.
‎- Prepared the ground for future demands for self-rule, given India’s war contributions.

1916

Lucknow

Ambica Charan Mazumdar

- Lucknow Pact signed between Congress and the Muslim League, demanding self-government.
‎- Marked the re-unification of Moderates and Extremists, healing the 1907 Surat split.
‎- Seen as a high point of Hindu-Muslim unity; both organizations collaborated against British rule.
‎- Strengthened the national movement by bringing different political streams under a common platform.

1917

Calcutta

Annie Besant

- First woman President of the Congress.
‎- Deeply influenced by the Theosophical Society, advocated Home Rule for India.
‎- Marked increased participation of women and reaffirmed the Congress’s broadening social base.

1918

Bombay (Special Session)

Syed Hasan Imam

- Convened to deliberate on the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms proposals.
‎- Gave cautious support but with strong reservations about limited scope.
‎- Reflected the Congress’s growing dissatisfaction and push for more substantial self-governance.

1918

Delhi

Madan Mohan Malaviya

- Condemned the proposed Rowlatt Bills, which aimed to curb civil liberties.
‎- Urged unified opposition to repressive measures.
‎- Signalled a shift towards more direct confrontation with British authorities.

1919

Amritsar

Motilal Nehru

- Held under the shadow of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919); strongly condemned General Dyer’s actions.
‎- Strengthened Indian outrage against the British Raj, uniting moderates and extremists in condemnation.
‎- Accelerated support for Mahatma Gandhi’s emerging leadership and methods of mass protest.

1920

Calcutta (Special Session)

Lala Lajpat Rai

- Approved the launch of the Non-Cooperation Movement under Gandhi.
‎- Marked a decisive turn towards mass politics and boycott of British institutions.
‎- Showed Congress’s readiness to abandon constitutional means in favor of direct, nonviolent resistance.

1920

Nagpur

C. Vijayaraghavachariar

- Reorganized Congress on a more decentralized basis, forming linguistic provincial units.
‎- Strengthened grassroots mobilization for the Non-Cooperation Movement.
‎- Reinforced Gandhian strategies of nonviolent protest as the primary path to swaraj.

1921

Ahmedabad

Hakim Ajmal Khan

- Congress leaders like C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru were in jail for Non-Cooperation
‎- Reaffirmed the movement’s commitment despite repressive measures.
‎- Called for broader participation from peasants, workers, and women in the struggle.

1922

Gaya

Chittaranjan Das (C.R. Das)

- Reflected on the abrupt suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement after the Chauri Chaura incident (1922).
‎- Debated alternative approaches (council entry vs. continued boycott)
‎- Showed the internal challenges of balancing mass action with Gandhian nonviolence.

1923

Delhi (Special Session)

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

- Focused on preserving Hindu-Muslim unity amidst communal tensions.
‎- Supported continued nonviolent means but allowed some participation in councils (Swaraj Party’s approach).
‎- Maintained Gandhi’s overarching moral leadership, though he was not officially presiding.

1923

Kakinada (Regular Session)

Mohammad Ali

- Dominated by Swaraj Party’s push for council entry as a form of “responsive cooperation.”
‎- Continued negotiations on how to utilize legislative councils without compromising on the broader swaraj goal.
‎- Deliberated on communal amity in the face of rising tensions.

1924

Belgaum

Mahatma Gandhi

- Gandhi’s only time presiding over a Congress session.
‎- Emphasized “constructive work,” such as khadi, village uplift, and Hindu-Muslim unity.
‎- Sought to reconcile differences between Swarajists (council entry) and No-Changers (strict boycott).

1925

Kanpur

Sarojini Naidu

- First Indian woman to preside over the Congress.
‎- Highlighted women’s role in the freedom struggle and social reforms.
‎- Encouraged broader public involvement, including the working class, in national politics.

1926

Gauhati (Guwahati)

S. Srinivasa Iyengar

- Addressed growing factionalism between Swarajists and No-Changers.
‎- Called for strengthening party discipline and organizational unity.
‎- Continued efforts to expand the Congress base in rural and remote areas.

1927

Madras

Dr. M.A. Ansari

- Resolution to boycott the Simon Commission (1928), as it had no Indian members.
‎- Further consolidated national sentiment against British constitutional “reforms” imposed unilaterally.
‎- Marked a clear shift toward demanding complete freedom or at least dominion status.

1928

Calcutta

Motilal Nehru

- Opposed the Simon Commission and demanded Dominion Status by the end of 1929, failing which the Congress would demand full independence.
‎- Drafted the Nehru Report (led by Motilal Nehru) as an Indian alternative to British proposals.
‎- Showed a more assertive posture, setting the stage for future mass movements.
‎- The first All India Youth Congress was formed, mobilizing youth activism.

1929

Lahore

Jawaharlal Nehru

- Adopted the historic “Purna Swaraj” (Complete Independence) resolution.
‎- Declared 26 January 1930 as Independence Day, urging nationwide celebrations.
‎- Marked the definitive shift from demands for dominion status to full independence as the official INC goal.

1930

(No session; Congress declared illegal)

(Congress declared illegal)

- Civil Disobedience Movement launched with the Salt Satyagraha (Dandi March by Gandhi).
‎- Widespread arrests and government repression made holding a regular session impossible.
‎- Congress leaders continued to organize underground or local protests.

1931

Karachi

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

- Ratified the Gandhi-Irwin Pact (signed March 1931) leading to temporary release of political prisoners.
‎- Adopted a landmark resolution on Fundamental Rights and Economic Program, outlining social and economic justice.
‎- Demonstrated Congress’s commitment to civil liberties, labor rights, and a vision for a secular democratic state.

1932

(No session; Congress banned)

(Congress banned)

- Second phase of Civil Disobedience began after the failure of the Round Table Conferences.
‎- Most leaders, including Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, were jailed.
‎- Congress operations were forced underground; no official session could be held.

1933

(No session; Congress banned)

(Congress banned)

- Government crackdown continued; many provincial committees operated covertly.
‎- Gandhi’s “fasts” in prison drew international attention to Indian grievances.
‎- The ongoing repression stalled large-scale open meetings.

1934

Bombay

Dr. Rajendra Prasad

- Officially ended the Civil Disobedience Movement; decided to focus on “constructive programmes.”
‎- Shifted strategy towards rural welfare, khadi, and village uplift in preparation for future mass movements.
‎- Wearing Khadi was established as a rule for elected members of the Congress.
‎- Set the stage for the Congress to contest provincial elections under the Government of India Act, 1935.

1935

(No official session; various restrictions)

(Various restrictions in place)

- The colonial government still placed curbs on mass gatherings.
‎- Congress leadership debated electoral participation under the new Act (1935) while preparing for potential new forms of protest.
‎- Internal organizational restructuring took place behind the scenes.

1936

Lucknow

Jawaharlal Nehru

- Emphasized socialist ideals and the need for radical agrarian and economic reforms.
‎- Sparked ideological debates within the Congress between Gandhian moderates and socialist-minded young leaders.
‎- Clarified that the ultimate goal was not just political freedom but also social justice.

1937

Faizpur (Rural setting)

Jawaharlal Nehru

- First Congress session held in a rural area, symbolizing closeness to India’s peasantry.
‎- Focused on agrarian distress, land reforms, and rural development.
‎- Reflected the post-election scenario, as Congress had just won in several provinces under the 1935 Act’s provincial autonomy provisions.

1938

Haripura

Subhas Chandra Bose

- Called for national planning, industrialization, and organized labor rights.
‎- Emphasized a more militant stance against colonial rule, diverging from Gandhian nonviolence.
‎- Bose’s leadership appealed to radical youth wings within the Congress.

1939

Tripuri (near Jabalpur)

Subhas Chandra Bose

- Bose was re-elected President against Gandhi’s preferred candidate, Pattabhi Sitaramayya.
‎- Worsening rift with the Gandhian faction led to Bose’s resignation shortly thereafter.
‎- Marked a major schism; Bose left to form the Forward Bloc, advocating a more aggressive anti-British approach.

1939

(No new “regular” session; interim Presidency)

(Dr. Rajendra Prasad, interim)

- After Bose’s resignation, Dr. Rajendra Prasad took over as interim President
‎- Congress priorities shifted with the onset of World War II.
‎- Internal debates on how to respond to Britain’s war efforts without genuine Indian self-governance.

1940

Ramgarh (now in Jharkhand)

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

- Criticized Britain for dragging India into WWII without a consultative process.
‎- Supported Individual Satyagraha, allowing select Congress leaders to protest peacefully.
‎- Reflected the strategic hesitation before launching any mass movement during wartime.

1941–44

(No sessions; leadership jailed during WWII)

(Congress leaders detained)

- Quit India Movement (1942) launched after Congress’s demand for immediate British withdrawal.
‎- Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, and others arrested; Congress declared illegal.
‎- No formal sessions possible; the movement went underground amid severe repression.

1945

(No session; transition after WWII)

(Transition after WWII)

- World War II ended; attention turned to post-war negotiations for India’s independence.
‎- Congress leaders released from jail; regrouped to plan next steps.
‎- British government indicated readiness for discussions on constitutional transfer of power.

1946

Meerut

Acharya J.B. Kripalani

- Gearing up for negotiations for transfer of power (Cabinet Mission Plan).
‎- Supported the formation of a Constituent Assembly to draft a free India’s constitution.
‎- Marked the final phase of the freedom struggle, soon leading to India’s Independence in 1947.

Phase & Key Points

Key Themes

Significance

1. Early Phase (1885–1905): Moderates and the Beginnings of Organized Political Activity

Key Themes
‎- Foundational years: The INC was formed in 1885 under the initiative of A.O. Hume, with leaders like W.C. Bonnerjee, Dadabhai Naoroji, and Dinshaw Wacha.
‎- Moderate ideology: Early leaders believed in constitutional methods—petitions, memorandums, and loyalist demands for incremental reforms.
‎- Focus on economic critique: Dadabhai Naoroji’s Drain Theory and calls for Indianization of the civil services.
‎- Unity and inclusivity: Despite being moderate, the Congress opened its doors to all communities (e.g., Badruddin Tyabji as the first Muslim President).

1. Ideological Foundation: The emphasis on moderate demands and constitutional processes laid an institutional framework for later mass movements.
‎2. Pan-Indian Platform: Even though membership was limited to the educated elite, the INC nurtured a broader political consciousness across the subcontinent.

2. Swadeshi Era and the Rise of Extremists (1905–1907)

Catalysts
‎- Partition of Bengal (1905): Enraged Indians, especially in Bengal. Sparked Swadeshi (use of indigenous goods) and Boycott (rejection of British goods) movements.
‎- Emergence of Extremists (Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai): Advocated mass mobilization and more assertive methods (e.g., passive resistance).
‎
‎Key Sessions
‎- 1905 Banaras Session (Gopal Krishna Gokhale): Endorsed Swadeshi and the boycott movement in response to Partition.
‎- 1906 Calcutta Session (Dadabhai Naoroji): Declared Swaraj (self-government) as the Congress goal for the first time.
‎- 1907 Surat Session (Rash Behari Ghosh): Led to the infamous Surat Split between Moderates and Extremists.

1. Shift in Tactics: The period signalled a transition from purely constitutional agitation to more dynamic, people-oriented movements.
‎2. Surat Split (1907): Demonstrates internal factionalism—key for understanding Congress’s organizational evolution and the interplay of moderates vs. extremists.

3. Reunification, Lucknow Pact, and the Lead-up to Gandhian Phase (1908–1919)

Key Developments
‎After the Split, attempts were made to reconcile both wings.
‎- Annulment of Bengal Partition (1911): Partly a result of persistent protests, though “divide and rule” continued in other forms.
‎- 1916 Lucknow Pact: A historic agreement between the Congress and the Muslim League; also marked reunification of Moderates and Extremists in the Congress.
‎- Rise of Gandhi: Though not yet Congress President, Gandhi’s early satyagraha experiments (Champaran, Kheda) started to influence Congress thought.

1. Congress-Muslim League cooperation: Showcases the possibility (and later breakdown) of Hindu-Muslim unity.
‎2. Shift from moderate approach: Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1918) and Rowlatt Act (1919) fanned the transition to mass politics and open defiance (culminating in the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre).

4. Gandhian Era and Mass Movements (1920–1934)

Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22)
‎- 1920 Calcutta (Special Session) & Nagpur Sessions: Approved Gandhi’s call for Non-Cooperation (boycott of British institutions, courts, and goods).
‎- Shift from elite to mass-based struggle: peasants, students, women, and workers began participating.
‎
‎Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–34)
‎Salt Satyagraha (Dandi March, 1930) became a worldwide symbol of peaceful resistance.
‎- 1930–32: Congress declared illegal; many leaders jailed.
‎- 1931 Karachi Session (Sardar Patel): Ratified Gandhi-Irwin Pact; adopted resolutions on Fundamental Rights and economic policies (foreshadowing a future democratic constitution).
‎- 1934 Bombay Session (Rajendra Prasad): Official end of Civil Disobedience. Also introduced wearing Khadi as a rule for Congress leaders, underlining the emphasis on self-reliance.

1. Transformation into a Mass Organization: Gandhi’s leadership significantly broadened the social base, making the INC the principal vehicle of the freedom struggle.
‎2. Ideological Maturity: Congress resolutions on fundamental rights, social justice, and economic programs highlighted the shift toward nation-building ideals, not just anti-colonial agitation.

5. Constitutional Politics and Factional Developments (1935–1939)

Government of India Act (1935)
‎Provided limited provincial autonomy; Congress contested and won several provincial elections in 1937.
‎- 1936 Lucknow Session (Jawaharlal Nehru): Emphasized socialist underpinnings; growing focus on agrarian reforms.
‎- 1937 Faizpur Session (Nehru): First session in a rural setting, highlighting the importance of peasants and agriculture.
‎
‎Subhas Chandra Bose and Internal Tensions
‎- 1938 Haripura Session: Bose advocated aggressive anti-colonial strategies and rapid industrialization.
‎- 1939 Tripuri Session: Re-elected as President against Gandhi’s wishes, resulting in a split; Bose resigned and formed the Forward Bloc.

1. Debate over Congress Ministries (1937–1939): Illustrates Congress’s dual strategy of constitutional participation (forming provincial governments) alongside continued push for full independence.
‎2. Factionalism within Congress: Conflicts between Gandhian (gradual, nonviolent) approaches and Bose’s more militant stance reflect the diverse currents within the national movement.

6. World War II, Quit India, and the Final Phase (1940–1946)

1940 Individual Satyagraha
‎A cautious response to WWII; leaders protested Britain’s unconsulted involvement of India.
‎
‎1942 Quit India Movement
‎• Immediate independence demanded; “Do or Die” slogan.
‎• Most Congress leaders arrested; movement continued underground despite brutal repression.
‎
‎Post-1945 Negotiations
‎- 1946 Meerut Session (J.B. Kripalani): Prepared for the transfer of power and supported the Constituent Assembly.
‎• Emergence of communal tensions (resulting eventually in Partition), but the INC remained committed to a democratic constitution.

1. Crucial War Context: Showcases how global events influenced the nationalist strategy and forced British negotiations.
‎2. Constituent Assembly Foundations: The 1946 session set the stage for constitution-making, culminating in India’s Independence (1947).