Indira Nehru Gandhi Biography and Timeline — Page 2

Simla Agreement

Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto sign the Simla Agreement after the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

Role range: 1971-1977

Agreement of Simla

Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto sign the Simla Agreement after the 1971 war.

Role range: 1971-1977

Line of Control Established

India and Pakistan convert the 1971 ceasefire line in Jammu and Kashmir into the Line of Control under the Simla framework.

Role range: 1971-1977

Project Tiger

Indira Gandhi's government launches Project Tiger to protect India's remaining wild tiger populations and their habitats.

Role range: 1971-1977

Operation Smiling Buddha

India conducts its first nuclear explosive test at Pokhran under the code name Smiling Buddha.

Role range: 1971-1977

Nuclear Power

India conducts its first nuclear test at Pokhran during Indira Gandhi's premiership.

Role range: 1971-1977

Nuclear Power

India detonates a nuclear device underground at Pokhran in the test later known as Smiling Buddha.

Role range: 1971-1977

Sikkim Referendum

A referendum in Sikkim produces overwhelming support for ending the monarchy and joining India as a state.

Role range: 1971-1977

Sikkim Statehood

Sikkim becomes India's twenty-second state.

Role range: 1971-1977

Thirty-sixth Amendment

The Thirty-sixth Amendment completes Sikkim's admission as a full state of India.

Role range: 1971-1977

Election

The Allahabad High Court invalidates Indira Gandhi's 1971 election for electoral malpractice, triggering a major political crisis.

Role range: 1971-1977

Election

A judge rules the 1971 election victory invalid because of aid by civil servants.

Role range: 1971-1977

Trial

The Allahabad High Court invalidates Indira Gandhi's 1971 election, intensifying the political confrontation that precedes the Emergency.

Role range: 1971-1977

State of Emergency

Indira Gandhi's government begins the Emergency period, during which civil liberties and political opposition are sharply restricted.

Role range: 1971-1977

Arrests of Opposition Leaders

Opposition leaders and activists are arrested in nationwide raids following the declaration of Emergency.

Role range: 1971-1977

Emergency Legislation

Parliament passes measures that strengthen executive authority during the Emergency.

Role range: 1971-1977

Nuclear Suppliers Group Formation

The Nuclear Suppliers Group emerges in response to concerns raised by India's 1974 nuclear test.

Role range: 1971-1977

Constitution of India

Parliament extends its term during the Emergency and national elections are postponed.

Role range: 1971-1977

Election Postponement

Parliamentary elections are postponed during the Emergency.

Role range: 1971-1977

Conference of Pugwash

Indira Gandhi addresses the Pugwash Conference in Madras and defends India's peaceful nuclear programme.

Role range: 1971-1977

Nuclear Power

Indira Gandhi defends India's 1974 nuclear test and maintains that the programme serves national scientific and security objectives.

Role range: 1971-1977

Fundamental Duties Added

The Forty-second Amendment adds a constitutional list of Fundamental Duties for citizens.

Role range: 1971-1977

Preamble Amended

The Forty-second Amendment adds socialist, secular and integrity to the Constitution's Preamble.

Role range: 1971-1977

Constitution of India

The Forty-second Amendment adds the words socialist and secular to the Constitution's Preamble and makes wide-ranging constitutional changes.

Role range: 1971-1977

India and Pakistan restore full diplomatic relations

India and Pakistan restore full diplomatic relations after the disruption caused by the 1971 war.

Role range: 1971-1977

Sterilisation Campaign

A coercive sterilisation campaign expands during the Emergency as the government pursues aggressive population-control targets.

Role range: 1971-1977

State of Emergency

The Emergency formally ends before the transfer of power to the Janata Party.

Role range: 1971-1977

Resignation of Indira Nehru Gandhi

Indira Gandhi leaves office after Congress loses the 1977 general election.

Role range: 1971-1977

1977 General Election

The Janata Party defeats Congress in the 1977 general election, ending the Emergency-era government.

Role range: 1971-1977

Janata Party Opposition

Opposition parties unite in the Janata Party to challenge Congress in the 1977 general election.

Role range: 1971-1977

Arrest of Indira Nehru Gandhi

Leads to a sympathetic upturn in her political fortunes. Imprisoned for 1 week for breach of Parliamentary privilege

Prime Minister of India

Indira Gandhi returns as Prime Minister after Congress wins the 1980 general election.

Role range: 1980-1984

Seventh General Election

Congress wins the seventh general election and Indira Gandhi returns to national office.

Role range: 1980-1984

Forest Conservation Act

Parliament enacts the Forest Conservation Act to restrict diversion of forest land without central approval.

Role range: 1980-1984

Sixth Five-Year Plan

Indira Gandhi's government begins the Sixth Five-Year Plan with renewed emphasis on growth, poverty reduction and infrastructure.

Role range: 1980-1984

Election

Leads the Congress Party to electoral victory at the 7th General Election

Asian Games

New Delhi hosts the Asian Games, prompting major investment in sporting and urban infrastructure.

Role range: 1980-1984

Non-Aligned Summit

India hosts the seventh Non-Aligned Movement summit and Indira Gandhi becomes chair of the movement.

Role range: 1980-1984

Rakesh Sharma Spaceflight

Rakesh Sharma becomes the first Indian citizen to travel into space aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11 mission.

Role range: 1980-1984

Operation Meghdoot

India launches Operation Meghdoot and deploys troops to secure strategic positions on the Siachen Glacier.

Role range: 1980-1984