Why this matters now
Indira Gandhi is tested for: bank nationalisation (19 July 1969, 14 banks); the 1971 Bangladesh war + Simla Agreement (2 July 1972); Pokhran-I “Smiling Buddha” (18 May 1974); the Emergency (25 June 1975 - 21 March 1977); her assassination by Sikh bodyguards on 31 October 1984 in response to Operation Blue Star (June 1984); and Bharat Ratna 1971.
Early life: in Nehru’s shadow
Born on 19 November 1917 at Anand Bhavan, Allahabad, to Jawaharlal Nehru and Kamala Nehru. Educated at Visva-Bharati Santiniketan (under Tagore), Somerville College Oxford (1937-41, didn’t finish), trained as her father’s confidante and political secretary. Married Feroze Gandhi (no relation to Mahatma Gandhi) on 26 March 1942 at Anand Bhavan; sons Rajiv (1944) and Sanjay (1946). Congress Working Committee member 1955. Congress President 1959-60.
Served as Minister of Information & Broadcasting (1964-66) under Shastri.
1st PM stint 1966-77
Chosen by the Congress Syndicate (K. Kamaraj, S. Nijalingappa, Atulya Ghosh, N. Sanjeeva Reddy) over Morarji Desai expecting a pliable “Goongi Gudiya” (dumb doll). She defied them.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1966 | Sworn in 24 Jan. Devaluation of rupee (Rs 4.76→Rs 7.50/USD, 36.5%) under World Bank pressure — criticized. |
| 1969 | Congress split — Indira’s “Congress(R) Requisition” vs Syndicate’s Congress(O) Organisation. Bank Nationalisation 19 July 1969 (14 banks ≥ Rs 50 cr deposits) — SC overturned but ordinance re-promulgated. |
| 1970 | Abolition of Privy Purses ordinance (princely-state stipends). |
| 1971 | “Garibi Hatao” election landslide (352/518). Bangladesh Liberation War Dec 1971 (Gen. Sam Manekshaw); Pakistan surrender 16 Dec 1971 Dhaka. |
| 1972 | Simla Agreement 2 July with Bhutto. Bharat Ratna conferred 1971. |
| 1973-74 | 26th Amendment abolished Privy Purses. Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace & Friendship August 1971. Pokhran-I “Smiling Buddha” 18 May 1974 — India 1st nuclear test. |
| 12 June 1975 | Allahabad HC (J. Jagmohanlal Sinha) sets aside her Rae Bareli 1971 election win for “corrupt practices”. Indira appeals to SC. |
| 25 June 1975 | EMERGENCY declared under Article 352 (internal disturbance). President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed. Civil rights suspended; Opposition jailed; 42nd Amendment 1976; forced sterilisation; press censorship. |
| 21 Mar 1977 | Emergency lifted. Lok Sabha elections — Janata wave; Indira lost Rae Bareli to Raj Narain. |
2nd PM stint 1980-84
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1980 | Indira returns 14 Jan with 353/542. Son Sanjay Gandhi dies in plane crash 23 June 1980. |
| 1982 | 9th Asian Games at Delhi (Asiad 82) — doordarshan colour begins. Charan Singh defection drama. |
| 1983 | NAM 7th Summit New Delhi (Indira chair). World Cup cricket win — Kapil’s Devils. |
| 1984 | Operation Blue Star 1-10 June — Indian Army assault on Golden Temple to flush out Bhindranwale. ASSASSINATED at 1 Safdarjung Road, New Delhi 31 October 1984 by Sikh bodyguards Beant Singh and Satwant Singh. Anti-Sikh riots 31 Oct - 3 Nov killed ~3,000 in Delhi. |
UPSC angle
Know Indira Gandhi (b. Anand Bhavan Allahabad 19 Nov 1917, d. 1 Safdarjung Rd Delhi 31 Oct 1984) — daughter Nehru+Kamala Nehru; Santiniketan + Somerville Oxford; married Feroze Gandhi (no Mahatma relation) 26 March 1942; sons Rajiv (1944) + Sanjay (1946); Congress Pres 1959-60; Info & Broadcasting Min 1964-66; 3RD PM stints 24 Jan 1966-24 March 1977 + 14 Jan 1980-31 Oct 1984 (15 yr 350 d 2nd longest); BANK NATIONALISATION 19 July 1969 (14 banks ≥ Rs 50 cr); 1969 Congress split into Indira’s Congress(R) + Syndicate’s Congress(O); abolition Privy Purses 1970→26th Amendment; “GARIBI HATAO” 1971 landslide 352/518; BANGLADESH LIBERATION WAR Dec 1971 Sam Manekshaw, Pak surrender 16 Dec 1971 Dhaka; SIMLA AGREEMENT 2 July 1972 with Bhutto; Indo-Soviet Treaty Aug 1971; POKHRAN-I SMILING BUDDHA 18 May 1974; ALLAHABAD HC J. Jagmohanlal Sinha 12 June 1975 set aside Rae Bareli; EMERGENCY 25 June 1975 - 21 March 1977 Article 352 President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (42nd Amendment 1976 + forced sterilisation + press censorship); Janata Wave 1977 lost Rae Bareli to Raj Narain; Sanjay Gandhi died plane crash 23 June 1980; Asiad 82 Delhi; OPERATION BLUE STAR 1-10 June 1984 Golden Temple; ASSASSINATED 31 Oct 1984 by Sikh bodyguards Beant Singh + Satwant Singh; anti-Sikh riots ~3000 killed; BHARAT RATNA 1971.
Frequently asked questions
When was Bank Nationalisation?
19 July 1969 — 14 commercial banks with deposits ≥ Rs 50 crore were nationalised by ordinance. SC struck it down; Indira re-promulgated.
What was the Emergency?
Declared by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed on 25 June 1975 under Article 352 (internal disturbance) on Indira’s advice, lifted 21 March 1977. Civil rights suspended, opposition jailed, 42nd Amendment 1976.
What was Pokhran-I?
India’s first nuclear test — codenamed “Smiling Buddha” — on 18 May 1974 at Pokhran. Indira’s decision; led to formation of NSG 1975.
How was Indira Gandhi assassinated?
On 31 October 1984 at her 1 Safdarjung Road residence by her Sikh bodyguards Beant Singh and Satwant Singh — in retaliation for Operation Blue Star (June 1984).