1940 in India

Incumbents

• Emperor of India – George VI
• Viceroy of India – Victor Hope, 2nd Marquess of Linlithgow

  Events

• 24 March Lahore Session of AIML where 'Pakistan Resolution' was propose by Bengal PM Fazlul Haq and duly passed, hence the Jinnah-Muslim League demanded a separate homeland for the Indian Muslims openly for the first time here.
• 8 Aug - Viceroy Lord Linlithgow's August Offer to seek support in war efforts which was rejected by the nationalist.
• Re-entry of Gandhiji in political scene with organisation of individual satyagrah to speak and protest against army entry, against working in ammunition factories etc. to withdraw world war 2 support. First such satyagrahi to be arrested was Vinoba Bhave.
• Arrests by Govt including Netaji and Nehru. Latter was interned for 4 years for instigating peasants of UP.
• 19 November – The Central Legislative Assembly rejects the Finance Bill.
• 21 December – The Finance Bill is certified by the Viceroy.

  Births

• 6 January – Narendra Kohli, author.
• 24 June - Murali Mohan, politician and member of parliament from Rajahmundry.
• 27 July – Bharati Mukherjee, writer.
• 7 August – Vijay Raghunath Pandharipande, physicist.
• 8 August – Dilip Sardesai, cricketer.
• 20 August – Rajendra K. Pachauri, economist and environmental scientist.
• 12 November – Amjad Khan, actor and director.
• 12 December – Sharad Pawar, politician and Minister.

  Full date unknown

• Eunice de Souza, poet, literary critic and novelist.
• Sa. Kandasamy, novelist.