INC
INDIA

Indian National Congress

Social liberalism, Secularism · Founded 1885

99
Lok Sabha
of 543
31
Rajya Sabha
of 245
4
States Ruling
of 36

About the Party

India's oldest political party and the principal vehicle of the independence movement. Led by figures like Gandhi, Nehru and Indira Gandhi, it dominated Indian politics for decades post-independence. After years of decline, the party has been reviving under Rahul Gandhi's leadership.

Founded
1885
Alliance
INDIA
President
Mallikarjun Kharge
HQ
New Delhi
Type
National Party (ECI recognised)
Ideology
Social liberalism, Secularism

Lok Sabha Performance

ECI data
100200300198441519891971991244199614019991142004145200920620142019202499
YearSeatsVote %
202499/ 54321.2%
201952/ 54319.5%
201444/ 54319.3%
2009206/ 54328.6%
2004145/ 54326.5%
1999114/ 54328.3%
1996140/ 54328.8%
1991244/ 54336.5%
1989197/ 54339.5%
1984415/ 54349.1%
Lok Sabha Share (2024)
272majority
99 / 543 seats
18.2% seat share

Key Facts

  • India's oldest party — founded 1885 under British rule
  • Led India's independence movement under Gandhi & Nehru
  • Ruled India for 54 of 77 years post-independence
  • Nehru-Gandhi dynasty has led the party for most of its post-independence history
  • Currently in power in Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala (2026) — and TVK's coalition partner in Tamil Nadu