Who among the following was the first Indian woman to preside over a session of the Indian National Congress?

The correct option is

Sarojini Naidu

Explanation

The presidency of the Indian National Congress (INC) is a significant historical marker, often reflecting the shifting ideologies and inclusivity of the freedom struggle. The distinction between the first woman president and the first Indian woman president is a frequent point of factual inquiry.

• Annie Besant: She was the first woman to preside over a session of the Indian National Congress. She presided over the Calcutta Session in 1917. However, she was of British origin and a Theosophist, not an Indian by birth.
• Sarojini Naidu: She was the first Indian woman to preside over a session of the Indian National Congress. She held this position at the Kanpur Session in 1925. Known as the "Nightingale of India," she was a prominent poet and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi.
• Madam Bhikaiji Cama: She was a revolutionary leader known for unfurling the first version of the Indian national flag at the International Socialist Conference in Stuttgart, Germany (1907). She never presided over an INC session.
• Kasturba Gandhi: While she was deeply involved in the freedom struggle and often led movements in Mahatma Gandhi's absence, she did not serve as the President of the INC.

The third woman to preside over the INC was Nalini Sengupta at the Calcutta Session in 1933.

Key Takeaway: Annie Besant was the first woman President of the INC (1917), whereas Sarojini Naidu was the first Indian woman President of the INC (1925).