Who was the first woman President of Indian National Congress?

Question

Who was the first woman President of Indian National Congress?

1. A. Sarojini Naidu
2. B. Annie Besant (Correct answer)
3. C. Sucheta Kriplani
4. D. Aruna Asaf Ali

Correct Answer

Option B — Annie Besant

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Annie Besant.

Key Points

• Annie Besant was the first woman President of the Indian National Congress, presiding over the Calcutta session of 1917.
• Sarojini Naidu was the first Indian woman to hold the office, at the Kanpur session of 1925 — the distinction the question turns on.

Additional Information

• Besant was British-born, a Theosophist who settled in India, founded the Home Rule League in 1916 and published New India and Commonweal.
• The Congress's first President was W.C. Bonnerjee at the founding Bombay session of 1885; the organisation was formed with the help of A.O. Hume.
• Sarojini Naidu, the Nightingale of India, later became the first woman Governor of an Indian state, in the United Provinces.