How many meetings of the National Integration Council have taken place so far?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 3:

The correct option, 16, refers to the total number of meetings held by the National Integration Council (NIC) since its inception. The NIC is an extra-constitutional body, first established in 1961 by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru following a conference in the aftermath of widespread communal disturbances. Its main objective is to address the challenges of communalism, casteism, regionalism, and linguistic fanaticism, and to find ways to overcome these issues to strengthen the unity and integrity of India. The Council includes the Prime Minister (as Chairman), Union Ministers, Chief Ministers of all States, leaders of national and regional political parties, representatives of various public bodies, eminent public figures, and media persons. The core function of the NIC is advisory—it aims to build a consensus among diverse stakeholders on strategies for fostering national cohesion. The number 16 is factually accurate, reflecting the count of formal NIC meetings convened from its founding up to the last meeting before the time this question was set, which, according to government records, was the most recent count. The NIC meets "as per requirement from time to time," which is why the total number of meetings held over six decades can be relatively small, depending on the sociopolitical climate and the need to address specific crises related to national integration.

The incorrect option is 1:

The figure 20 is not the historically accurate count of the NIC meetings. While the NIC is an important body, it has not met as frequently as this number suggests. The number of meetings held is generally lower because the body is typically convened only when significant national integration issues arise or major policy reviews are required, often spanning several years between sessions. Therefore, selecting 20 over 16 would indicate an assumption of a greater frequency of meetings than has factually occurred in the history of the NIC.

The incorrect option is 2:

The option 18 incorrectly states the total number of NIC meetings. The National Integration Council has a documented history of its sessions, and official government records specify the exact count of meetings held since 1961. Historically, the periods between meetings have sometimes been prolonged, particularly between 1968 and 1980, and during other politically turbulent times, meaning the total aggregate number remains less than 18. This number likely represents a speculative or outdated estimate rather than the confirmed official figure.

The incorrect option is 4:

The number 19 is inaccurate for the total number of NIC meetings held so far. Students should remember that questions related to the number of times a specific official body has met require precise factual recall based on governmental or parliamentary records. The 16th meeting was, for a long time, the last recorded session before this question was posed. Choosing 19 would suggest that three additional official meetings took place that are not reflected in the confirmed data, making it an incorrect numerical estimation.