Indian National Movement MCQ & Notes — INC, Gandhian Era and the Road to Independence for UPSC, SSC

The Indian National Movement MCQ set is one of the highest-yield topics in Modern Indian History for UPSC Prelims, SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, Railways and State PSC exams — every phase, from the founding of the Indian National Congress to Independence in 1947, is fair game for objective questions. This guide covers exam-ready notes on each phase of the freedom struggle, followed by 10 practice MCQs with answers.

Formation of the Indian National Congress (1885)

The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 by Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant, with the aim of creating a platform for educated Indians to voice political demands. Its first session was held in Bombay under the presidency of Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee. Early leaders — Dadabhai Naoroji, Surendranath Banerjee, Gopal Krishna Gokhale — form the Moderate phase (1885–1905), which relied on petitions, resolutions and constitutional methods rather than mass agitation. Dadabhai Naoroji's "Drain of Wealth" theory, explaining how British policies impoverished India, is frequently tested.

Partition of Bengal and the Extremist Phase (1905–1909)

Viceroy Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal in 1905, ostensibly for administration but widely seen as a "divide and rule" move along communal lines. This triggered the Swadeshi Movement and gave rise to the Extremist phase, led by the trio known as Lal-Bal-Pal — Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal — who pushed for Swaraj through boycott, national education and self-reliance. Differences between Moderates and Extremists led to the Surat Split of 1907. The All India Muslim League was formed in 1906, and the Morley-Minto Reforms (1909) introduced separate electorates for Muslims.

Gandhi's Early Satyagrahas (1917–1918)

After returning from South Africa, Mahatma Gandhi launched his first mass movements on Indian soil: the Champaran Satyagraha (1917) against indigo planters in Bihar, the Kheda Satyagraha (1918) for tax relief for Gujarat farmers, and the Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918) for fair wages for textile workers.

Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh (1919)

The Rowlatt Act (1919) allowed detention without trial and triggered nationwide protests. On 13 April 1919, troops under Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer opened fire on an unarmed crowd at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, killing hundreds — a turning point that radicalized the freedom movement.

Non-Cooperation and Khilafat Movement (1920–1922)

Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920, linked with the Khilafat Movement, calling for boycott of British goods, titles, courts and schools. The movement was withdrawn after the Chauri Chaura incident (February 1922), where a violent clash led to police deaths, prompting Gandhi to call off the agitation to preserve its non-violent character.

Simon Commission and Purna Swaraj (1927–1930)

The Simon Commission (1927), an all-British body set up to review constitutional reforms, was boycotted with cries of "Simon Go Back" since it had no Indian members. The Nehru Report (1928) was India's own counter-proposal for a constitution. At the Lahore Session (December 1929), under the presidency of Jawaharlal Nehru, the Congress adopted the goal of Purna Swaraj (complete independence), and 26 January 1930 was observed as the first Independence Day pledge.

Civil Disobedience Movement and Dandi March (1930–1934)

Gandhi began the Salt Satyagraha (Dandi March) on 12 March 1930, walking about 240 miles from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi over 24 days, breaking the salt law on 6 April 1930. This launched the Civil Disobedience Movement. The Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931) followed, leading to the Second Round Table Conference. Back in India, the Poona Pact (1932), signed between Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar, replaced separate electorates for the depressed classes with reserved seats in joint electorates.

Quit India Movement and the INA (1942–1945)

After the failure of the Cripps Mission (1942), Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement on 8 August 1942 with the call "Do or Die." Meanwhile, Subhas Chandra Bose revitalised the Indian National Army (INA/Azad Hind Fauj), giving the slogans "Delhi Chalo" and "Jai Hind," seeking to liberate India with Axis support during WWII.

Towards Independence (1946–1947)

The Cabinet Mission (1946) proposed a federal structure but ultimately failed to prevent Partition. India became independent on 15 August 1947 under the Mountbatten Plan, with Pakistan created as a separate dominion.

Indian National Movement — Practice MCQs

Q1. In which year was the Indian National Congress founded?
A. 1857 B. 1885 C. 1905 D. 1920
Answer: B. 1885

Q2. Who founded the Indian National Congress?
A. W.C. Bonnerjee B. Lord Curzon C. Allan Octavian Hume D. Dadabhai Naoroji
Answer: C. Allan Octavian Hume

Q3. Who was the first President of the Indian National Congress?
A. Dadabhai Naoroji B. Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee C. Surendranath Banerjee D. A.O. Hume
Answer: B. Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee

Q4. Which Viceroy partitioned Bengal in 1905?
A. Lord Ripon B. Lord Minto C. Lord Curzon D. Lord Dalhousie
Answer: C. Lord Curzon

Q5. Which of the following leaders was NOT part of the "Lal-Bal-Pal" trio?
A. Lala Lajpat Rai B. Bal Gangadhar Tilak C. Bipin Chandra Pal D. Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Answer: D. Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Q6. On which date did the Jallianwala Bagh massacre take place?
A. 13 April 1919 B. 6 April 1930 C. 8 August 1942 D. 30 January 1919
Answer: A. 13 April 1919

Q7. The Non-Cooperation Movement was withdrawn after which incident?
A. Jallianwala Bagh massacre B. Chauri Chaura incident C. Dandi March D. Champaran Satyagraha
Answer: B. Chauri Chaura incident

Q8. From where did Gandhi begin the Dandi March on 12 March 1930?
A. Sabarmati Ashram B. Champaran C. Kheda D. Ahmedabad Mill premises
Answer: A. Sabarmati Ashram

Q9. The Poona Pact of 1932 was signed between which two leaders?
A. Gandhi and Jinnah B. Nehru and Jinnah C. Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar D. Gandhi and Lord Irwin
Answer: C. Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar

Q10. Who gave the slogan "Delhi Chalo" and led the Indian National Army?
A. Bhagat Singh B. Subhas Chandra Bose C. Chandrashekhar Azad D. Rash Behari Bose
Answer: B. Subhas Chandra Bose

Practice More on the Indian National Movement

Test your understanding with free topic quizzes on FreePrep: Formation of the Indian National Congress, Indian National Movement, Gandhian Era: First Phase, Gandhian Era: Second Phase, and Towards Independence. This topic pairs naturally with the Revolt of 1857 MCQ & Notes — read both together for a complete Modern History timeline. You can also attempt today's free daily quiz for a mix of current affairs and history questions.