Q. During Indian freedom struggle, the National Social Conference was formed. What was the reason for its formation? (UPSC Prelims 2012)
Answer: Indian National Congress did not want to include social reforms in its deliberations and decided to form a separate body for such a purpose
Notes: The correct answer is [B] Indian National Congress did not want to include social reforms in its deliberations and decided to form a separate body for such a purpose. The National Social Conference was founded by M. G. Ranade and Raghunath Rao. It held its first session in Madras in December 1887.

• Separation of Political and Social Issues (Statement B is Correct): In the early years of the Indian National Congress (INC), there was a rigorous debate on whether the platform should address social reforms. Leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji argued that the Congress should restrict itself to political and economic grievances common to all Indians, as jumping into sensitive social and religious issues might divide the nascent national movement. Consequently, the National Social Conference was created as the social reform cell of the INC, meeting annually at the same venue immediately after the Congress session.
• The "Social Reform" Debate: The Conference focused on issues like inter-caste marriages, opposing polygamy, and advocating for the education of women. One of its most famous initiatives was the "Pledge Movement," which inspired people to take a solemn vow against child marriage.
• Analysis of Incorrect Options:
  • Regional Consolidation (Option A): This is incorrect as the Conference was a national-level body, not restricted to the Bengal region. While Bengal was a hub for reform, the National Social Conference aimed to unify reformers from across the Indian subcontinent.
  • Behramji Malabari (Option C): While Behramji Malabari was a famous social reformer (known for his crusade against child marriage and the Age of Consent Act), the specific impetus for the "National Social Conference" as an organization came from the need to keep the INC's political platform separate from social debates. Ranade was the primary driving force behind its organizational link with the Congress.

The National Social Conference is often referred to as the "social reform cell" of the Indian National Congress during its initial decades.