What were the early goals of the Indian National Congress?

When the Indian National Congress was formed in 1885, its primary objective was not immediate independence, but rather to serve as a forum for educated Indians to advocate for moderate constitutional reforms within the British Empire.12

The early Congress, composed largely of Western-educated professionals, utilized petitions, press campaigns, and meetings to pursue several key goals:

• Governance: They called for the inclusion of elected nonofficial representatives in supreme and provincial legislative councils and demanded equality of opportunity for Indians to enter the Indian Civil Service through simultaneous examinations in India and Britain.3
• Economic Reform: Leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji championed the "drain" theory, arguing that British exploitation caused Indian poverty. Consequently, the Congress demanded a reduction in "home charges" (revenue sent to Britain), lower military expenditures, and the reimposition of import duties on British manufactured goods.32
• Administrative Accountability: The party sought the retrenchment of administrative expenses and consistently petitioned the government to redress grievances related to the socioeconomic impact of colonial policies.32