India Explained

INC government

Jawaharlal Nehru

Indian National Congress Majority government 15 Aug 1947 to 27 May 1964 16 y 9 m

At a glance

16.8
years in office
1
Lok Sabha number
7
actions recorded under it
7
scored with party credit
Timeline of governments

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Governing parties

Partners and their share of the governing seatsCredit for this government's actions, and its years in office, are split by these shares.
PartyShareYears in power (weighted)Note
INCLead party100%16.8Single-party government; share 1.0. Covers the pre-1952 provisional Parliament and the 1st (1952), 2nd (1957) and 3rd (1962) Lok Sabha terms; INC won 364, 371 and 361 seats respectively (figures from general knowledge, not re-verified). lokSabha field = first elected Lok Sabha.

Actions under this government

  • ImplementedINCEducation

    Institutes of Technology Act 1961 and the IIT system

    Parliament declared the Indian Institutes of Technology institutions of national importance with degree-granting powers in 1961, building on IIT Kharagpur, founded in 1950-51.

    Evidence points +12.0 (range +11.0 to +13.0)

  • ImplementedINCForeign Policy

    Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan

    World Bank-brokered 1960 treaty dividing the Indus system between India (eastern rivers) and Pakistan (western rivers), with a dispute mechanism. India placed it in abeyance in April 2025.

    Evidence points +9.5 (range +8.0 to +11.0)

  • ImplementedINCPolice & Internal Security

    Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958

    Act giving armed forces special powers, with legal protection, in areas notified as "disturbed"; first applied to the Naga Hills and later to other north-eastern areas. Reviewed by the 2005 Reddy Committee.

    Evidence points −0.5 (range −1.0 to 0.0)

  • ImplementedINCGovernance & Federalism

    States Reorganisation Act 1956

    Parliament redrew India's state boundaries largely along linguistic lines in 1956, replacing the Part A to D classification with 14 states and 6 union territories.

    Evidence points +15.5 (range +15.0 to +16.0)

  • ImplementedINCEconomy & Finance

    Second Five Year Plan (public-sector heavy industry emphasis)

    The Second Plan (1956-61) put public-sector investment in capital goods and steel at the centre of planning, with a targeted 4.5% annual growth rate; the Plan reported about 4.3%.

    Evidence points +7.5 (range +7.0 to +8.0)

  • ImplementedINCLaw, Judiciary & Rights

    Hindu Marriage Act 1955 and Hindu Succession Act 1956

    Parliament codified Hindu marriage, divorce and inheritance law in 1955-56, replacing a draft code with separate Acts; daughters' coparcenary rights followed only in 2005.

    Evidence points +14.0 (range +13.0 to +15.0)

  • ImplementedINCAgriculture & Rural

    First Amendment and zamindari abolition validation 1951

    The 1951 First Amendment inserted Articles 31A and 31B to protect zamindari abolition laws from court challenge, alongside changes to free speech and equality provisions.

    Evidence points +7.0 (range +7.0 to +7.0)

Ideas that began here and were carried out later (25% credit)

  • ImplementedINCSpace, Science & Research

    Formation of ISRO and the Department of Space

    ISRO was formed in 1969 from the 1962 INCOSPAR committee, and a Space Commission and Department of Space were created in 1972, placing the space programme under dedicated government structures.

    Evidence points +13.0 (range +12.0 to +14.0)

Sources