The first general election in India on the basis of adult suffrage was held during the year

The first general election in independent India was held between October 25, 1951, and February 21, 1952 [t3][t6]. This landmark event was the first to be conducted on the basis of universal adult suffrage as provided by the Constitution of India [t1][t5]. Although the government initially aimed to hold elections as early as 1950, the immense logistical challenge of registering approximately 173 to 175 million voters—most of whom were illiterate—delayed the process until late 1951 [c3][t5][t6]. Under the leadership of the first Chief Election Commissioner, Sukumar Sen, the election covered 489 elective seats for the first Lok Sabha [c2][t2]. While some sources simply refer to it as the '1952 election' because the bulk of voting occurred then, the official period is recognized as 1951-52 [c1][c5][t4]. This election transitioned India from a constitutional monarchy under a Constituent Assembly to a fully elected parliamentary democracy [t3].

Sources

1. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1951%E2%80%9352_Indian_general_election
2. [2] https://bharatmotherofdemocracy.ignca.gov.in/contents/elections-modern-india/en
3. [3] https://www.thehindu.com/elections/lok-sabha/first-general-elections-of-india-the-free-country-in-full-bloom/article67702823.ece
4. [4] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 37: First General Elections > Groundwork for the Elections > p. 629
5. [5] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 80: Elections > ELECTION PROCESSs > p. 577
6. [6] https://cdn.downtoearth.org.in/library/0.61706000_1558592806_first-general-elections-in-india,-vol.pdf
7. [7] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 12: The Union Legislature > REFERENCES > p. 264