Who among the following was not associated with the founda- tion of the All India Trade Union Congress ?

1. Origins of Labour Activism in India (basic)

The seeds of labour activism in India were sown in the late 19th century, triggered by the grim realities of the early Industrial Revolution. In the 1800s, workers in Indian factories and plantations endured miserable working conditions, including excessively long hours, low wages, and a total lack of safety measures in poorly ventilated spaces Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), Survey of British Policies in India, p.534. Interestingly, the first push for factory legislation did not come from Indian nationalists, but from the Lancashire textile capitalist lobby in Britain. They feared that Indian mills, using cheap and unregulated labour, would become too competitive and threaten British profits.

Early attempts to improve these conditions were primarily philanthropic and sporadic rather than organized political movements. These pioneers sought to help workers based on humanitarian grounds rather than class-based struggle. Key figures included:

• Sasipada Banerjea (1870): He founded a workingmen’s club and started the newspaper Bharat Shramjeevi (The Indian Worker) to educate and organize labourers Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), The Movement of the Working Class, p.586.
• Sorabjee Shapoorji Bengalee (1878): He campaigned for better working conditions and attempted to pass a bill in the Bombay Legislative Council to regulate labour Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), The Movement of the Working Class, p.586.

Initially, many Indian nationalists were hesitant to support labour laws. They worried that such regulations would reduce the competitive edge of Indian-owned industries against British ones and didn't want to create internal divisions within the anti-colonial movement Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), The Movement of the Working Class, p.586. However, as the 20th century approached, the movement shifted from isolated grievances to a more organized force, exemplified by events like the Ahmedabad Mill Strike, where social workers like Anusuya Sarabhai played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between workers and owners Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), Emergence of Gandhi, p.318.

Sources: Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), Survey of British Policies in India, p.534; Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), The Movement of the Working Class, p.586; Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), Emergence of Gandhi, p.318

2. Post-WWI Catalyst and the ILO (basic)

To understand the birth of organized labor in India, we must look at the world immediately following World War I (1914–1918). While the war brought massive profits to Indian industrialists through increased exports, the workers faced a different reality: skyrocketing inflation, stagnant wages, and severe food shortages. This economic distress created a tinderbox of discontent. Simultaneously, the Russian Revolution of 1917 sent shockwaves across the globe, proving that a worker-led state was a possibility and inspiring Indian nationalists like Jawaharlal Nehru and Rabindranath Tagore NCERT Class IX, Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution, p.46. This 'ideological pull' from the Soviet Union suggested that labor was not just a factor of production, but a political force Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India, The Movement of the Working Class, p.587.

However, the most direct 'institutional push' came from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), founded in 1919 as part of the Treaty of Versailles. Because India had contributed over a million soldiers to the British war effort, it was granted a seat as a founding member of the League of Nations and the ILO Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India, The Evolution of Nationalist Foreign Policy, p.619. The ILO rules required that labor delegates to its international conferences be nominated by the 'most representative' labor organization of the country. India, at the time, had many small, scattered unions but no national body. To ensure Indian workers had a voice on this new global stage—and to prevent the British government from hand-picking its own 'yes-men' as delegates—Indian leaders realized they needed a centralized platform.

This necessity led to the formation of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) on October 31, 1920, in Bombay. The organization brought together diverse leaders: Lala Lajpat Rai (the first President), Dewan Chaman Lal (the first General Secretary), N.M. Joshi, and Joseph Baptista. It is important to note that while V.V. Giri later became a towering figure in the labor movement and the President of India, he was not among the original founders in 1920; his major leadership role emerged later, particularly during the splits in the movement in the late 1920s.

Sources: NCERT Class IX, Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution, p.46; Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India, The Movement of the Working Class, p.587; Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India, The Evolution of Nationalist Foreign Policy, p.619

3. Gandhian Approach to Labour: The ATLA (intermediate)

The Gandhian approach to labour is rooted in the Ahmedabad Mill Strike of 1918, a pivotal moment where Mahatma Gandhi applied the principles of Satyagraha to an industrial dispute for the first time. The conflict arose when mill owners in Ahmedabad sought to withdraw the 'plague bonus' offered during an epidemic, despite soaring inflation caused by World War I. While workers demanded a 50% wage hike to cope with the cost of living, owners were only willing to offer 20% Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), Emergence of Gandhi, p.318. Gandhi intervened at the request of Anusuya Sarabhai, a social worker and the sister of the Mill Owners’ Association president, Ambalal Sarabhai. Gandhi proposed a middle path of 35%, advising workers to remain non-violent and firm in their resolve.

To prevent the workers from weakening, Gandhi undertook his first 'fast unto death' in a labour dispute. This moral pressure forced the mill owners to agree to arbitration, which ultimately awarded the workers the full 35% increase History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Advent of Gandhi and Mass Mobilisation, p.43. This success led to the formal establishment of the Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association (ATLA), also known as the Majoor Mahajan Sangh, in 1920 by Anusuya Behn Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), Emergence of Gandhi, p.318. Unlike the radical trade unions of the time that focused on class struggle, the ATLA was built on the unique Gandhian philosophy of Trusteeship.

The Trusteeship Theory suggests that capitalists (mill owners) are not the sole owners of wealth but are 'trustees' of the wealth produced by the collective effort of labour and capital. Gandhi advocated for class collaboration rather than class conflict. He believed that disputes should be settled through arbitration and mutual negotiation rather than prolonged strikes, which he saw as a last resort. This approach sought to protect the dignity of the worker while ensuring the industry remained productive, making the ATLA one of the most stable and influential labour organizations in Indian history.

Sources: Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM., Emergence of Gandhi, p.318; History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Advent of Gandhi and Mass Mobilisation, p.43

4. Evolution of Trade Union Legislation (intermediate)

To understand how trade unions became the powerful entities they are today, we must look at the transition from criminal conspiracy to legal recognition. In the early 20th century, specifically after the formation of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) in 1920, the British government realized that the labor movement was no longer a scattered series of strikes but an organized force. This necessitated a formal legal framework to both regulate and, at times, suppress these activities Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India, Growth of Trade Unionism, p.347.

The first major milestone was the Trade Unions Act of 1926. Before this, workers organizing for higher wages could be prosecuted for 'criminal conspiracy.' This Act was revolutionary because it provided legal status to registered trade unions and granted their members immunity from civil and criminal liability for activities performed in furtherance of a trade dispute. However, as the movement grew more radical and influenced by communist ideologies, the British pivoted toward control. The Trade Disputes Act of 1929 was introduced to curb this 'radicalism.' It made strikes in public utility services (like railways and electricity) illegal unless a one-month notice was given and strictly forbade 'sympathetic strikes' or those of a purely political nature Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India, The Movement of the Working Class, p.588.

Fast forward to the modern era, India has moved toward rationalization and simplification. Based on the recommendations of the 2nd National Commission on Labour, the government has consolidated these colonial-era and post-independence laws into the Industrial Relations Code, 2020. This new Code subsumes the Trade Unions Act (1926), the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act (1946), and the Industrial Disputes Act (1947) to create a more flexible environment for industry while maintaining worker protections Nitin Singhania. Indian Economy, Indian Industry, p.392.

Feature	Trade Unions Act, 1926	Trade Disputes Act, 1929
Primary Goal	Recognition & Protection	Regulation & Suppression
Key Provision	Immunity from civil/criminal liability	Compulsory Courts of Inquiry for disputes
Strike Policy	Permitted for trade purposes	Illegal in public utilities without notice

Sources: A Brief History of Modern India, Growth of Trade Unionism, p.347; A Brief History of Modern India, The Movement of the Working Class, p.588; Indian Economy (Nitin Singhania), Indian Industry, p.392

5. The Leftward Shift in the National Movement (intermediate)

During the 1920s and 30s, the Indian National Movement underwent a profound ideological transformation known as the Leftward Shift. While the earlier leadership primarily focused on constitutional reforms and moderate pressure, a new, younger generation of leaders—most notably Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose—began to infuse the struggle with Socialist and Marxist ideas. This shift was largely triggered by the global impact of the Russian Revolution (1917) and the economic distress following World War I, which made the plight of workers and peasants impossible to ignore Modern India (Old NCERT), Struggle for Swaraj, p.292.

This radicalization changed the very goals of the national movement. Nehru and Bose were instrumental in pushing the Congress to move beyond the demand for "Dominion Status" toward Poorna Swaraj (Complete Independence). Bose, in particular, saw the trade union movement and youth organizations as the backbone of a militant struggle against imperialism Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India, Nationalist Response in the Wake of World War II, p.417. He argued that political freedom would be hollow without economic freedom for the masses. In his landmark Lucknow Session (1936) presidential address, Nehru explicitly urged the Congress to adopt Socialism as its goal to bring the movement closer to the working class Modern India (Old NCERT), Struggle for Swaraj, p.292.

The British response to this growing radicalism was swift and repressive. Seeing the rise of communist influence within trade unions, the government initiated the Meerut Conspiracy Case (1929), arresting over thirty labor leaders. However, this state repression actually backfired; it provided a platform for these leaders to spread their socialist ideas during the trial, further embedding the labor struggle into the heart of the national movement History Class XII (Tamilnadu), Period of Radicalism, p.63.

Sources: Modern India (Bipin Chandra, Old NCERT), Struggle for Swaraj, p.292; Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India (Spectrum), Nationalist Response in the Wake of World War II, p.417; History Class XII (Tamilnadu State Board), Period of Radicalism in Anti-imperialist Struggles, p.63

6. Foundation of AITUC (1920) (exam-level)

The year 1920 stands as a watershed moment in the Indian labour movement with the birth of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC). Until this point, labour strikes were largely sporadic and localized. However, the aftermath of World War I—characterized by high inflation, the success of the Russian Revolution, and the establishment of the International Labour Organization (ILO)—necessitated a central body that could represent Indian workers on a global stage and coordinate their domestic struggles Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM, Chapter 17, p.347.

The inaugural session took place on October 31, 1920, in Bombay. It was a gathering of giants: Lala Lajpat Rai, who was also the President of the Indian National Congress that year, was elected as the first President of AITUC. He famously linked the plight of the worker to the broader anti-colonial struggle, stating that "imperialism and militarism are the twin children of capitalism" Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM, Chapter 32, p.587. While Dewan Chaman Lal took charge as the first General Secretary, other pioneers like N.M. Joshi and Joseph Baptista were instrumental in its inception. Bal Gangadhar Tilak was also one of the 'moving spirits' behind this foundation, though he passed away shortly before the first session.

It is important to distinguish the founding members from later leaders to avoid common exam traps. For instance, while V.V. Giri (who later became the President of India) was a titan of the trade union movement, he was not associated with the initial foundation in 1920. He rose to prominence later, particularly leading the Indian Trade Union Federation after the AITUC split in 1929. The early AITUC enjoyed strong political patronage; the Gaya session of the Congress (1922) even formed a committee to assist its growth, and leaders like C.R. Das presided over its subsequent sessions Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM, Chapter 32, p.587.

Sources: Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM, Emergence of Swarajists, Socialist Ideas, Revolutionary Activities and Other New Forces, p.347; Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM, The Movement of the Working Class, p.587

7. Splits and Internal Ideologies in AITUC (exam-level)

The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was never a monolith; it was a vibrant, often volatile melting pot of ideologies. In its early years, three main ideological streams co-existed: the Nationalists (who saw labor as a tool for the independence struggle), the Moderates/Reformists (who focused on legal reforms and collective bargaining), and the Communists (who viewed unions as a revolutionary vanguard for class struggle). As the 1920s progressed, these differing visions on whether unions should focus on 'economic' issues or 'political' revolution led to significant fractures. Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India, Chapter 17, p.347. By the mid-1930s, the AITUC evolved into a Left Front comprising communists, Congress socialists, and leftist nationalists like Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose. Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India, Chapter 32, p.589. This internal ideological struggle highlights a recurring theme in Indian history: the tension between 'reform' from within the system and 'radical' change from outside it. Even today, major trade unions remain ideologically and organizationally linked to specific political parties, a legacy of these early splits. M. Laxmikanth, Indian Polity, Chapter 86, p.602.

Sources: A Brief History of Modern India (Spectrum), Chapter 17: Emergence of Swarajists, Socialist Ideas, Revolutionary Activities and Other New Forces, p.347; A Brief History of Modern India (Spectrum), Chapter 32: The Movement of the Working Class, p.589; Indian Polity (M. Laxmikanth), Chapter 86: Pressure Groups, p.602

8. Solving the Original PYQ (exam-level)

This question tests your ability to synthesize the post-World War I labor surge with the specific organizational history of the Indian national movement. Having learned about the impact of the Russian Revolution and the rising cost of living in 1920, you can see how the need for a central coordinating body led to the birth of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC). To answer this correctly, you must differentiate between the founding pioneers of 1920 and the second-generation leaders who rose to prominence as the movement matured and eventually split during the late 1920s.

When analyzing the options, recall that the first session in Bombay was a star-studded political event. Lala Lajpat Rai was chosen as the first President to link the labor cause with the national struggle, while Joseph Baptista and N.M. Joshi served as the operational backbone of the new organization. The trap here lies in chronological association; (C) V.V. Giri is a name synonymous with trade unionism in India, but his most significant contributions occurred after the foundation phase. As detailed in A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Giri became a prominent leader during the ideological shifts of the late 1920s, eventually leading the Indian Trade Union Federation (ITUF) after the AITUC split in 1929.

UPSC frequently uses "Famous Figure Traps" where all names are technically correct in the context of the subject (labor movement), but only some are correct in the context of the specific timeline (1920 foundation). By identifying that N.M. Joshi, Lajpat Rai, and Joseph Baptista were the architects of the 1920 session, you can confidently isolate V.V. Giri as the outlier who joined the leadership ranks in the subsequent decade.