Aims and Objectives of the Congress: The main aims of the Indian National Congress in the initial stage were to— 

1. found a democratic, nationalist movement; 
2. politicise and politically educate people; 
3. establish the headquarters for a movement; 
4. promote friendly relations among nationalist political workers from different parts of the country; 
5. develop and propagate an anti-colonial nationalist ideology; 
6. formulate and present popular demands before the government with a view to unifying the people over a common economic and political programme; 
7. develop and consolidate a feeling of national unity among people irrespective of religion, caste or province. 
8. carefully promote and nurture Indian nationhood. 

Source: Spectrum’s A Brief History of Modern India.