The 1929 Session of Indian National Congress is of significance in the history of the Freedom Movement because the
Answer & explanation
Answer: (b) attainment of Poorna Swaraj was adopted as the goal of the Congress
The Congress met at Lahore in December 1929 under Jawaharlal Nehru's presidency. There it committed itself to Purna Swaraj, or complete independence. On 26 January 1930 it observed "Independence Day", and the Civil Disobedience Movement began soon after.
- ✗ (a) At Lahore the Congress went beyond self-government or dominion status and demanded full independence. Self-rule within the empire was the older, more moderate position.
- ✓ (b) The Lahore session of December 1929 adopted Purna Swaraj (complete independence) as the Congress goal. Jawaharlal Nehru was elected President at the same session.
- ✗ (c) The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched in 1920–21, alongside the Khilafat movement. It was withdrawn after Chauri Chaura in February 1922, so it has no link to the 1929 session.
- ✗ (d) The Congress took part only in the Second Round Table Conference, held from September to December 1931, after the Gandhi-Irwin Pact of March 1931. In 1929 it was moving towards confrontation, not conference talks.
Remember · Lahore Congress, December 1929, President Jawaharlal Nehru: Purna Swaraj became the goal. Independence Day was observed on 26 January 1930, and Civil Disobedience followed in March 1930.
📘 Read it in NCERT: Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part III, Ch 3 (practise this chapter) · Class 10 India and the Contemporary World – II, Ch 2 (practise this chapter)
Sources
- NCERT Class 12 · Themes in Indian History, Part III, Chapter 3 “The meeting was significant for two things: the election of Jawaharlal Nehru as President, signifying the passing of the baton of leadership to the younger generation; and the proclamation of commitment to "Purna Swaraj", or complete independence.”
- NCERT Class 10 · India and the Contemporary World – II, Chapter 2 “In December 1929, under the presidency of Jawaharlal Nehru, the Lahore Congress formalised the demand of 'Purna Swaraj' or full independence for India.”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2014, General Studies Paper I. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 25 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·
