Many Indians had been planning to form a political organization of all India character. In 1885 A.D.. A.O. Hume, a retired English Civil Servant, appealed to the young graduates of the Calcutta University to form an association for the social, moral and political uplift of the Indians. He got in touch with the prominent Indian leaders like Dada Bhai Naoroji, Feroz Shah Mehta. Bedur-ud-Din Toyabji and founded with their help the Indian National Congress. It held its first session in December, 1885. It was presided over by W.C. Bannerji. After the establishment of Congress, a number of other associations joined it.

Soon the Congress became the most influential political organization in the country.

Main objectives of the Congress :

• To develop friendship among the Indians who were working for national cause in various parts of the country.
• To develop sentiments of national unity by removing prejudices of race, creed, region and religion.
• To develop a mature public opinion on the social problems of the day.
• Presentation of popular demands before the Government.