The Fifth General Election in India was held in 1971. When was the Sixth General Election held ?

The correct answer is 1977.

Key Points

• The Fifth General Election in India was held in 1971, during the tenure of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
• The Sixth General Election was conducted in March 1977, marking an important political event in Indian history.
• This election followed the lifting of the Emergency period (1975–1977) imposed by Indira Gandhi, which had suspended democratic norms.
• The Janata Party, a coalition of opposition parties, emerged victorious in the 1977 elections, defeating the Indian National Congress for the first time since independence.
• Morarji Desai became the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India after the 1977 General Election.

Additional Information

• Emergency Period (1975–1977):
  • Declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 25 June 1975 under Article 352 of the Indian Constitution.
  • It was marked by suspension of civil liberties, press censorship, and political arrests.
  • The Emergency lasted for 21 months and ended in March 1977, leading to the Sixth General Election.
• Janata Party:
  • A coalition of several opposition parties formed to challenge the Indian National Congress during the Emergency.
  • It was led by leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan, Morarji Desai, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
  • The party's victory in 1977 marked the first defeat of Congress in a General Election.
• Significance of the 1977 Election:
  • It was a landmark election that restored democratic norms after the Emergency.
  • The voter turnout was high, reflecting the public's determination to uphold democracy.
  • The Congress party faced a heavy defeat, particularly in northern India.
• Morarji Desai:
  • He became the Prime Minister of India in 1977, serving as the first non-Congress head of government.
  • Desai's government focused on democratic restoration and economic reforms.