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Q48 (IAS/2015) History & Culture › National Movement (1857–1947) › Indian National Congress Official Key

Consider the following statements : 1. The first woman President of the Indian National Congress was Sarojini Naidu. 2. The first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress was Badruddin Tyabji. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: B
Explanation

The correct answer is option B because only statement 2 is correct.

**Statement 1 is incorrect:** Sarojini Naidu became the president of the Indian National Congress in 1925[1], but she was not the first woman president. Annie Besant was the first woman to hold this position in 1917, making Sarojini Naidu the second woman president of the Congress.

**Statement 2 is correct:** Badruddin Tyabji was the first Muslim President of the third Indian National Congress held at Madras[2]. This session took place in 1887, and he was one of the founding members and the first Muslim president of the Indian National Congress[3].

Therefore, only statement 2 is accurate, making option B the correct answer.

Sources
  1. [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 8: Socio-Religious Reform Movements: General Features > Direction of Social Reform > p. 198
  2. [2] https://www.mcgm.gov.in/irj/go/km/docs/documents/D%20Ward/Heritage-Sites/81_Legacy%20of%20D%20Ward_Article_Badruddin%20Tyabji.pdf
  3. [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badruddin_Tyabji
How others answered
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PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. Consider the following statements : 1. The first woman President of the Indian National Congress was Sarojini Naidu. 2. The first Muslim …
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 5/10 · 5/10

This is a classic 'Precision Check' question. The facts are standard static history found in every basic book (Spectrum Appendix), but Statement 1 contains a legendary 'Qualifier Trap'. If you read 'First Woman' as 'First Indian Woman', you lose marks. It tests alertness, not just memory.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Was Sarojini Naidu the first woman President of the Indian National Congress?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Civil Disobedience Movement > p. 810
Presence: 5/5
“Jawaharlal Nehru was actively involved in the movement and was arrested on April 17, 1930 for defiance of the salt law. He formulated a radical agrarian programme and suggested formation of the Constituent Assembly as the prime political slogan. P. Krishna Pillai defended the national flag and resisted lathicharge on the Calicut beach on November 11, 1930. He later founded the Kerala Communist Movement. Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan formed a clan of non-violent revolutionaries, the Khudai Khidmatgars (known as Red Shirts), who played an active role in the movement. Sarojini Naidu, the first Indian woman to become the president of the Congress, was involved in a march towards the Dharsana Salt Works, a government salt depot.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly calls Sarojini Naidu 'the first Indian woman to become the president of the Congress'.
  • Links her role as Congress president to active participation in the civil disobedience movement, corroborating political leadership.
Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 8: Socio-Religious Reform Movements: General Features > Direction of Social Reform > p. 198
Presence: 4/5
“Health facilities began to be provided to women with the opening of Dufferin Hospitals in the 1880s. Participation in the swadeshi and anti-partition and the Home Rule movements during the opening decades of the twentieth century was a major liberating experience for the otherwise home-centred Indian women. After 1918, they faced lathis and bullets and were jailed during political processions, picketing, etc. They actively participated in trade union and kisan movements, or revolutionary movements. They voted in, stood for and got elected to various legislatures and local bodies. Sarojini Naidu went on to become the president of the Indian National Congress (1925) and later the governor of the United Provinces (1947-49).”
Why this source?
  • States Sarojini Naidu became president of the Indian National Congress (1925), confirming her presidency.
  • Places her presidency in the broader narrative of women's growing political participation, supporting the claim's context.
Statement 2
Was Badruddin Tyabji the first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Badruddin Tyabji was the first Muslim President of the third Indian National Congress held at Madras"
Why this source?
  • Explicitly names Badruddin Tyabji as the first Muslim President of the (third) Indian National Congress.
  • Connects his presidency to the Madras (third) session, confirming the role and timing.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"He was one of the founding members and the first Muslim president of the Indian National Congress."
Why this source?
  • States he served as the third President of the Indian National Congress and was 'the first Muslim president'.
  • Presents the claim directly and ties it to his role within the Congress leadership.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The first Muslim President of the. Indian National Congress was. Badruddin ..."
Why this source?
  • A government exam PDF explicitly lists 'The first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress was Badruddin'.
  • Provides a concise, direct statement matching the claim.

Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 12: Growth of New India—The Nationalist Movement 1858—1905 > THE INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS > p. 208
Strength: 5/5
“From this session the National Congress became 'the whole country's Congress'. The Indian National Congress was not the only channel through which Badruddin Tyabji movement during this period were Mahadev Govind Ranade. Bal. The stream of nationalism flowed. Provincial conferences, provincial and local associations, and nationalist newspapers were the other prominent organs of the growing nationalist movement. The press, in particular, was a powerful factor in developing nationalist opinion and the nationalist movement. Some of the great presidents of the National Congress during its early years were Dadabhai Naoroji, Badruddin Tawabii, Pherozeshah Mehta, P. Ananda Charlu, Surendranath Banerjee.”
Why relevant

Explicitly lists 'Badruddin Tawabii' among 'some of the great presidents of the National Congress' in the early years.

How to extend

A student could compare this claim with an authoritative chronological list of Congress presidents (external source) to see when he served and whether any earlier president was Muslim.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 11: Indian National Congress: Foundation and the Moderate Phase > Summary > p. 256
Strength: 4/5
“● Foundation of Indian National Congress First session held in 1885 (Bombay). Indian National Union, formed by A.O. Hume, became Indian National Congress. Foundational theories of INC and prominent believers: Safety Valve Theory —Lala Lajpat Rai Conspiracy Theory—R.P. Dutt Lightning conductor Theory—G.K. Gokhale Important leaders of Moderate Phase: Dadabhai Naoroji, Badruddin Tyabji, Pherozeshah Mehta, P. Ananda Charlu, Surendranath Banerjea, Romesh Chandra Dutt, Ananda Mohan Bose, G.K.”
Why relevant

Names Badruddin Tyabji as an 'important leader of the Moderate Phase', grouping him with other early presidents and leaders.

How to extend

Use the grouping to narrow the likely time window (moderate phase) and check the sequence of presidents in that period to test 'first Muslim president'.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 24: Post-War National Scenario > Evolution of the Two-Nation Theory > p. 485
Strength: 3/5
“The development of the two-nation theory over the years is as follows: 1887: There was a frontal attack on the Congress by Dufferin, the viceroy, and Colvin, the Lt. Governor of the United Provinces. Syed Ahmed Khan and Raja Shiv Prasad of Bhinga were propped up as an anti-Congress front by the government. Syed Ahmed Khan appealed to the educated Muslims to stay away from the Congress, although some Muslims did join the Congress. These included Badruddin Tyabji, Mir Musharraf Hussain, A. Bhimji and Hamid Ali Khan. 1906: Agha Khan led a Muslim delegation (called the Shimla delegation) to the viceroy, Lord Minto, to demand separate electorates for Muslims at all levels and that the Muslim representation should be commensurate not only with their numerical strength but also with their "political importance and their contribution to the British Empire".”
Why relevant

Notes that some Muslims (including Badruddin Tyabji) joined the Congress early on, implying Muslim leaders were active enough to attain high offices.

How to extend

Combine this with a timeline of early Congress sessions to see whether any Muslim among those named held the presidency before Tyabji.

History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 6: Communalism in Nationalist Politics > e) Role of Syed Ahmed Khan > p. 74
Strength: 3/5
“(e) Role of Syed Ahmed Khan Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the founder of Aligarh movement was initially supportive of the Congress. Soon he was converted to the thinking that in a country governed by Hindus, Muslims would be helpless, as They would be in a minority. However, there were Muslim leaders like Badruddin Tyabji, Rahmatullah Sayani in Mumbai, Nawab Syed Mohammed Bahadur in Chennai and A. Rasul in Bengal who supported the Congress. But the majority of Muslims in north India toed the line of Syed Ahmed Khan, and preferred to support the British. The foundation of the Indian National Congress in 1885 was an attempt to narrow the Hindu-Muslim divide and place the genuine grievances of all the communities in”
Why relevant

States Badruddin Tyabji was a Muslim leader who supported the Congress, showing his prominence within the party's early composition.

How to extend

Given his prominence, a student could reasonably search lists of early Congress presidents to confirm if he was elected and whether he was the first Muslim to hold that office.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 11: Indian National Congress: Foundation and the Moderate Phase > Foundation of Indian National Congress > p. 247
Strength: 4/5
“The first session of the Indian National Congress was attended by 72 delegates and presided over by Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee. Hereafter, the Congress met every year in December, in a different part of the country each time. Some of the great presidents of the Congress during this early phase were Dadabhai Naoroji (thrice president), 247”
Why relevant

Records that the first session was presided over by Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee and mentions 'some of the great presidents' thereafter, suggesting a known, checkable sequence of presidents.

How to extend

A student can use this hint (there is a sequential record of presidents) to locate the chronological list and verify who was the first Muslim president.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC History questions often hinge on a single missing adjective. The pattern is to present a famous 'First Indian' achiever as the 'First Ever' achiever to trap patriots who skip the details. Always audit the qualifiers (First vs First Indian).
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Trap / Sitter. Source: Spectrum (Appendices on Congress Sessions) or NCERT Class XII. Statement 1 is the trap.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Important Sessions of the Indian National Congress & The Evolution of Leadership (1885–1947).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Superlative Sessions': 1885 (W.C. Bonnerjee - First), 1887 (Badruddin Tyabji - First Muslim), 1888 (George Yule - First European), 1917 (Annie Besant - First Woman), 1925 (Sarojini Naidu - First Indian Woman), 1924 (Gandhi - Belgaum, his only session).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When studying 'Firsts' in history, always distinguish between the 'Absolute First' and the 'First Indian'. The examiner deliberately removes the adjective 'Indian' to make a true fact false (Annie Besant came before Sarojini Naidu).
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Sarojini Naidu — Congress presidency (1925)
💡 The insight

References identify Sarojini Naidu as Congress president and give the year (1925), directly bearing on the statement about her being the first woman president.

Knowing key leaders and dates is high-yield for UPSC history questions and timelines; it connects to questions on nationalist leadership and women's roles. Master by creating a timeline of major Congress presidents and cross-referencing with women's political milestones.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 8: Socio-Religious Reform Movements: General Features > Direction of Social Reform > p. 198
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Civil Disobedience Movement > p. 810
🔗 Anchor: "Was Sarojini Naidu the first woman President of the Indian National Congress?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Women’s participation in the nationalist movement
💡 The insight

Evidence highlights women's increasing political roles (e.g., Kadambini Ganguly addressing Congress and Sarojini Naidu's presidency), which frames the significance of a 'first woman' leader.

Frequently tested in social and political history: themes include gender and nationalism, women's mobilization, and leadership. Study through thematic notes linking individual biographies to broader movements and policies.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 11: Indian National Congress: Foundation and the Moderate Phase > p. 248
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 8: Socio-Religious Reform Movements: General Features > Direction of Social Reform > p. 198
🔗 Anchor: "Was Sarojini Naidu the first woman President of the Indian National Congress?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Firsts in Indian political leadership
💡 The insight

References include claims about 'first' women leaders (Sarojini Naidu for Congress, Pratibha Patil for President of India), useful for comparative 'firsts' questions.

UPSC often asks about milestones ('first X to do Y'); cataloguing such 'firsts' helps answer direct factual questions and contextual essays. Compile a curated list of institutional 'firsts' with sources and dates.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Civil Disobedience Movement > p. 810
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > New President > p. 762
🔗 Anchor: "Was Sarojini Naidu the first woman President of the Indian National Congress?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Early Presidents and Moderate Leaders of the INC
💡 The insight

Multiple references list early Congress presidents and moderate-phase leaders, and mention Badruddin Tyabji among them.

Knowing the roster of early INC presidents and moderate leaders is high-yield for questions on the Moderate phase of the nationalist movement. It helps answer timeline, leadership, and influence questions and links to topics like the evolution of Congress policies. Prepare by memorising key names, years of presidency, and their political positions; cross-check lists across standard sources for accuracy.

📚 Reading List :
  • Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 12: Growth of New India—The Nationalist Movement 1858—1905 > THE INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS > p. 208
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 11: Indian National Congress: Foundation and the Moderate Phase > Summary > p. 256
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 11: Indian National Congress: Foundation and the Moderate Phase > Foundation of Indian National Congress > p. 247
🔗 Anchor: "Was Badruddin Tyabji the first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Muslim participation and communal dynamics in the early Congress
💡 The insight

References discuss Muslim leaders who supported or opposed the Congress, and note the very small Muslim representation at the first session.

This concept is central to questions on communalism and the Congress's claim to represent all communities. It connects to the rise of separate Muslim political identity and the role of leaders like Sir Syed and Badruddin Tyabji. Study comparative positions of Muslim leaders, Congress policies on communal issues, and delegate composition of early sessions to answer source-based and analytical questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 6: Communalism in Nationalist Politics > e) Role of Syed Ahmed Khan > p. 74
  • History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 6: Communalism in Nationalist Politics > e) Role of Syed Ahmed Khan > p. 75
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 24: Post-War National Scenario > Evolution of the Two-Nation Theory > p. 485
🔗 Anchor: "Was Badruddin Tyabji the first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress?"
🌑 The Hidden Trap

George Yule (1888, Allahabad Session) was the first English/European President. Also, the second Muslim President was Rahimtullah M. Sayani (1896, Calcutta), where 'Vande Mataram' was sung for the first time.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

The 'Adjective Audit'. If a statement claims 'First Woman X was [Indian Name]', pause. Was there a European woman involved in the movement? (Annie Besant). If yes, the statement is likely false because the Indian name usually holds the record for 'First INDIAN Woman', not 'First Woman'.

🔗 Mains Connection

Mains Theme: The 'Secular Character' of Early Congress. The election of Tyabji (Muslim), George Yule (Christian), and Dadabhai Naoroji (Parsi) in the first 4 years was a deliberate strategy by the Moderates to counter the British charge that Congress was merely a 'Hindu body'. Use this demographic mix to argue against the 'Microscopic Minority' critique.

✓ Thank you! We'll review this.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2000 · Q19 Relevance score: 8.23

Consider the following statements about the Indian National Congress I. Sarojini Naidu was the first woman to be the President of the Congress. II. C.R. Das was in prison when he functioned as the President of the Congress. III. The first Britisher to become the President of the Congress was Alan Octavian Hume. IV. Alfred Webb was the President of the Congress in 1894. Which of these statements are correct ?

NDA-II · 2013 · Q44 Relevance score: 7.37

Consider the following statements : 1. Annie Besant was the first woman President of the Indian National Congress. 2. The historic Lucknow session of the Congress in 1916 was presided by Madan Mohan Malviya. 3. Mahatma Gandhi presided over the annual session of Congress only once at Belgaum in 192 4. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

IAS · 2004 · Q4 Relevance score: 4.43

Consider the following statements: 1. The First Session of the Indian National Congress was held in Calcutta. 2. The Second Session of the Indian National Congress was held under the presidentship of Dadabhai Naoroji. 3. Both Indian National Congress and Muslim League held their sessions at Lucknow in 1916 and concluded the Lucknow Pact. Which of the statements given above is, are correct?

CDS-I · 2014 · Q56 Relevance score: 3.82

Consider the following statements about the First Session of the Indian National Congress : 1. It was held in Bombay in 1885. 2. Surendranath Banerji could not attend the Session due to the simultaneous session of the Indian National Conference. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?