Formation of Indian National Congress MCQ: Founding & Early Presidents (1885–1889)

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Who was the founder of the Indian National Congress?

   • A.W.C. Banerjee
   • B.A.O. Hume
   • C.Surendranath Banerjee✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Annie Besant

   Explanation: Allen Octavian Hume (A.O. Hume), a retired British officer of the Indian Civil Service, founded the Indian National Congress in 1885.

2. Q2.What was the precursor organization of the Indian National Congress established in 1884?

   • A.British Indian Association
   • B.Indian Association
   • C.Indian National Union
   • D.Indian League✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: In 1884, A.O. Hume established the 'Indian National Union', which was the precursor of the Indian National Congress. It was renamed Indian National Congress in 1885.

3. Q3.Where was the first session of the Indian National Congress held?

   • A.Calcutta
   • B.Lahore
   • C.Mumbai
   • D.Pune✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The first session was held on 28th December 1885 at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit Vidyalaya in Bombay (Mumbai). It was originally scheduled for Poona but shifted due to a cholera outbreak.

4. Q4.How many delegates attended the first session of the Indian National Congress?

   • A.52
   • B.62
   • C.72
   • D.82✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: A total of 72 delegates took part in the first session of the Indian National Congress in 1885.

5. Q5.Who was the first President of the Indian National Congress?

   • A.A.O. Hume
   • B.W.C. Banerjee
   • C.Dadabhai Naoroji✓ Correct Answer
   • D.George Yule

   Explanation: Womesh Chandra Banerjee (W.C. Banerjee) presided over the first session of the Indian National Congress in 1885.

6. Q6.Who was the General Secretary of the Indian National Congress in the year 1885?

   • A.A.O. Hume
   • B.Dadabhai Naoroji✓ Correct Answer
   • C.W.C. Banerjee
   • D.Firoz Shah Mehta

   Explanation: A.O. Hume assumed office as the first General Secretary of the Indian National Congress in 1885.

7. Q7.Who was the Viceroy of India when the Indian National Congress was founded?

   • A.Lord Ripon
   • B.Lord Lytton
   • C.Lord Dufferin
   • D.Lord Curzon✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Lord Dufferin (1884-1888) was the Viceroy of India during the establishment of the Congress in 1885.

8. Q8.Who ridiculed Congress as representing only a 'microscopic minority' of the people?

   • A.Lord Ripon
   • B.Lord Dufferin
   • C.Lord Curzon✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Lord Wellesley

   Explanation: Lord Dufferin ridiculed the Congress, stating it represented only a 'microscopic minority' of the people.

9. Q9.Who presided over the second session of the Indian National Congress in 1886?

   • A.Ganesh Agarkar
   • B.Surendranath Banerjee
   • C.Dadabhai Naoroji
   • D.Feroz Shah Mehta✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The second session was held in Calcutta in 1886 and was presided over by Dadabhai Naoroji.

10. Q10.How many Muslim delegates participated in the Second Session of the Indian National Congress?

    • A.2
    • B.33
    • C.30✓ Correct Answer
    • D.41

    Explanation: In the second session of Congress held at Calcutta in 1886, 33 Muslim delegates participated.

11. Q11.Who was the first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress?

    • A.Abul Kalam Azad
    • B.Rafi Ahmad Kidwai
    • C.M.A. Ansari
    • D.Badruddin Tyabji

    Explanation: Badruddin Tyabji was the first Muslim President of the INC, presiding over the 3rd session in Madras in 1887.

12. Q12.Who was the first European to be elected as President of the Indian National Congress?

    • A.A.O. Hume
    • B.George Yule
    • C.Alfred Webb✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Annie Besant

    Explanation: George Yule was the first elected European President of the INC. He presided over the 4th session at Allahabad in 1888.

13. Q13.Who among the following was NOT present at the founding session of the Indian National Congress?

    • A.Dadabhai Naoroji
    • B.G. Subramaniya Iyer
    • C.Justice Ranade
    • D.Surendranath Banerjee

    Explanation: Surendranath Banerjee was not present as he was presiding over the second session of the Indian National Conference in Calcutta at the same time.

14. Q14.In 1889, a committee was set up in Britain to gain support for the Congress. Who was its President?

    • A.Sir W. Wedderburn
    • B.Mr. Digby
    • C.Dadabhai Naoroji✓ Correct Answer
    • D.W.C. Banerjee

    Explanation: The 'British Committee of India' was founded in London in 1889 under the presidency of William Digby.

15. Q15.Which weekly magazine was started by the British Committee of India to spread awareness?

    • A.India
    • B.Hindustan✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Nation
    • D.Opinion

    Explanation: The British Committee of India started a weekly magazine called 'India' to spread awareness about Indian matters in Britain.

16. Q16.Who was the second Muslim President of the Indian National Congress?

    • A.Abul Kalam Azad
    • B.Zakir Hussain
    • C.Rahimtulla M. Sayani
    • D.Badruddin Tyabji✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Rahimtulla M. Sayani was the second Muslim President, presiding over the Calcutta session in 1896.

17. Q17.Who was the first woman President of the Indian National Congress?

    • A.Sarojini Naidu
    • B.Annie Besant
    • C.N. Sengupta✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Kadambini Bose

    Explanation: Annie Besant became the first woman President of the INC at the Calcutta Session in 1917.

18. Q18.Who was the first Indian woman President of the Indian National Congress?

    • A.Annie Besant
    • B.Sucheta Kriplani
    • C.Sarojini Naidu
    • D.Indira Gandhi✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Sarojini Naidu was the first Indian woman to become the President of the INC at the Kanpur session in 1925.

19. Q19.Who among the following was the youngest person to become the President of the Indian National Congress?

    • A.Jawaharlal Nehru
    • B.Abul Kalam Azad
    • C.Ananda Mohan Bose✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Bhupendra Nath Bose

    Explanation: Abul Kalam Azad became the youngest President of the INC when he presided over the special session in Delhi in 1923.

20. Q20.Who among the following never presided over a session of the Indian National Congress?

    • A.Lala Lajpat Rai
    • B.Bal Gangadhar Tilak
    • C.Gopal Krishna Gokhale✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Subhash Chandra Bose

    Explanation: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, despite being a prominent leader, never presided over a session of the Indian National Congress.