Ananya Gupta
August 21, 2023 10:42
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Discover inspiring stories of best IAS officers in India who have made a significant impact on the lives of citizens. Learn about their journeys, achievements, and contributions to public service.
The title of the “Best IAS Officer in India” is subjective and can vary depending on different factors and opinions. The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is a prestigious civil service in India, and there have been many outstanding officers who have made significant contributions to society. These officers excel in various areas such as governance, policy implementation, social development, and more. Some of them gain recognition for their innovative approaches, dedication to public service, and effective administration. However, determining the best IAS officer is a matter of perspective and can change over time as new officers take on roles and make their mark.
It’s important for all UPSC aspirants to review the list of famous IAS officers to inspire themselves for rigorous preparation for the exam. Those featured in the list of renowned IAS officers remained dedicated to their roles and made admirable contributions that positively impacted people’s lives. Some people who joined the Indian Administrative Service came from underprivileged area, while others have faced a lot of hardships in their life to join Indian Administrative Service.
1. Armstrong Pame
A prominent figure known by the name “Miracle Man,” Armstrong Pame, an IAS officer hailing from Manipur, has gained substantial recognition. His remarkable achievement involves the solo endeavor of constructing a road in Manipur’s Tamenglong district during his tenure as the Sub-divisional Magistrate. The exceptional aspect lies in the fact that this road was built entirely with the active involvement and support of the local populace, devoid of any assistance from government machinery. The outcome of this initiative was transformative, fundamentally altering the lives of the region’s inhabitants. By enhancing connectivity and accessibility, the road facilitated access to essential services such as healthcare and education, thereby leaving an indelible positive impact on the community.
2. Aruna Sundararajan
Aruna Sundararajan is a notable name with an accomplished career trajectory. Having served in various administrative capacities, she has made a significant impact. Notably, she has been described as an ‘IAS officer who thinks like a businesswoman’ by Forbes magazine. Her role as the IT secretary was pivotal in propelling the development of e-governance in Kerala, showcasing her dedication to technological advancement. Her leadership of the Kudumbashree project has become a symbol of women’s empowerment, generating sustainable employment opportunities for women from less privileged backgrounds. Through her multifaceted contributions, Aruna Sundararajan stands as a testament to effective and impactful public service.
3. Santha Sheela Nair
Santha Sheela Nair is a highly respected individual who belongs to the 1973 batch of IAS officers. She’s renowned for her exceptional skills in administration, making her stand out. After her retirement, she took on the role of Officer on Special Duty at the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s office for a brief period before deciding to step down. Her official retirement occurred in July 2010.
Throughout her impressive career, she held various important positions. Notably, she served as the Vice-Chairperson of the Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission from 2011 to 2016. Also, she held significant roles as Secretary at the central level (overseeing areas like Steel and Drinking Water Supply) and within the Tamil Nadu government (in charge of Rural Development, Municipal Administration, and Water Supply).
One of her remarkable accomplishments was preventing a water crisis in Chennai during the early 2000s. Her ingenious decision to make rainwater harvesting mandatory, complete with special tanks and pipelines for every household, played a pivotal role in overcoming the challenge.
Santha Sheela Nair’s influence goes beyond her administrative achievements; she’s left a lasting impact on people’s lives. Her contribution was so significant that in villages where she worked, parents started naming their daughters ‘Santha’ in her honor, as a mark of deep respect and gratitude.
4. Durga Shakti Nagpal
Durga Shakti Nagpal is a remarkable woman who made a significant mark. Back in 2009, she secured an impressive 20th rank in the UPSC civil services exam. Starting her journey in the Punjab cadre, during her initial days as a trainee IAS officer, she exposed a land scam in Mohali.
In 2011, she moved to the UP cadre, taking up the role of SDM (Sub-Divisional Magistrate) in Sadar, Noida. In this position, she fearlessly took on the illegal sand mining happening along the banks of the Yamuna and Hindon rivers, where the sand mafia operated. Her strong stance against these unlawful activities garnered significant attention.
However, her brave efforts against the sand mafia led to her suspension by the state government, based on weak reasons. This move sparked public outrage, causing the government to eventually reverse the suspension.
Currently, Durga Shakti Nagpal serves as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister of India, showcasing her continued dedication to impactful roles in the government.
5. Smita Sabharwal
Smita Sabharwal is also known as the ‘People’s Officer.’ She holds the distinction of being the first female IAS officer in India to work in a Chief Minister’s Office. She made a significant impact during her time as the District Collector of Karimnagar district in Andhra Pradesh, receiving praise for her work.
During her tenure as the Municipal Commissioner in Warangal, Smita Sabharwal introduced an innovative initiative called the “Fund your City” program. This initiative led to the construction of various public facilities like foot over bridges, traffic junctions, parks, and bus stops through partnerships between the public and private sectors. Her dedication to these progressive partnerships showcased her commitment to improving the community.
6. Hari Chandana Dasari
Hari Chandana Dasari, an IAS officer from the Telangana cadre, is known for her impressive ‘green revolution’ in Hyderabad. She kickstarted various projects for recycling plastic, which earned the city numerous awards and recognition.
She serves as the Collector and District Magistrate of Telangana’s Narayanpet District. Throughout her career, she has introduced several well-regarded initiatives. Some of these include Pet Parks, She Toilets, She Marts, and Feed The Need, a program where fridges are placed around the city for people to donate food to those in need.
Her contributions also extend to environmental conservation, such as the restoration of Durgam Cheruvu. Notably, she played a vital role in employing drones to combat dengue by using them to spray disinfectants, effectively reducing the mosquito population and controlling the spread of the disease.
7. Krishna Gopal Tiwari
Krishna Gopal Tiwari is an IAS officer who sets a role model for many people with disabilities in India. He is notable for being the country’s first visually impaired collector and currently serves as the District Collector in Umaria, Madhya Pradesh.
8. U. Sagayam
U. Sagayam is a civil servant from Tamil Nadu who has experienced around 20 transfers during his 20 years of service. He’s well-known for his strong stance against corruption. He was also the first IAS officer to openly reveal his assets.
One of his notable achievements was investigating illegal stone-mining in Madurai. This led to charges against various politicians and businesspeople involved. He also took action against the misuse of over 5,000 subsidized gas cylinders that were meant for households but were being used by restaurants against the rules.
Sagayam didn’t stop there; he also spoke out against the practice of buying votes in elections. When he was moved from his position as Madurai Collector to becoming the MD of Co-optex, many people protested against this decision by the government. This shows how impactful his work has been and how much people appreciate his efforts.
9. D Subbarao
D Subbarao, an IAS officer from the 1972 batch in Andhra Pradesh, held a prestigious role as the 22nd Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). During his time at the RBI, he introduced reforms to make finance more accessible and to promote financial knowledge. He also organized programs to connect with villages and rural areas.
He put forward a fresh idea called the ‘Holy Trinity’ that addresses the challenges faced by central bankers today, in contrast to the ‘Impossible Trinity’ theory by Robert Mundell and Marcus Fleming.
Beyond his work in economics, Subbarao also has a post-graduate degree in Physics from IIT Kanpur before he took on the civil services. He even holds the distinction of being the first person to review Stephen Hawking’s famous book, ‘A Brief History of Time.’
In 1998, Dr. Subbarao obtained a PhD in economics from Andhra University for his research on ‘Fiscal Reforms at the Sub-national Level.’ His diverse achievements showcase his wide-ranging expertise and significant contributions.
10. IAS Vinod Rai
IAS Vinod Rai is a member of the 1972 Batch from the Kerala cadre. He began his career as the sub-collector of Thrissur District. He’s known for his significant role in the development of Thrissur City, often referred to as the second Sakthan Thampuran for his contributions.
Originally from a Bhumihar family in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, he attended Birla Public School in Pilani, Rajasthan for his schooling. He completed his higher education at Hindu College, University of Delhi.
Throughout his career, he served as the Managing Director of Kerala State Co-operative Marketing Federation from 1977 to 1980. He later held the position of Principal Secretary (Finance) in the State Government of Kerala.
In February 2016, Rai was appointed as the chairman of the Banks Board Bureau (BBB). This organization is responsible for advising the government on appointments at the top level in public sector banks and devising strategies to tackle the issue of bad loans.
11. Ashok Khemka
Ashok Khemka is a well-known IAS officer celebrated for his active stance against corruption. Originally from Kolkata, he’s an IIT graduate who joined the Haryana cadre as an IAS officer in 1991. His notable achievement involves exposing irregularities in a land deal worth Rs 57 crore involving the prominent real estate company DLF group.
Before this, he had also uncovered a scandal within the Haryana Seed Development Corporation, where seeds were being bought at inflated prices. As a result of his commendable work, Ashok Khemka has experienced 45 transfers during his 23 years of service, highlighting the recognition he’s received for his diligent efforts.
12. Rajni Sekhri Sibal
Rajni Sekhri Sibal, an officer from the Haryana cadre who graduated in 1986, is currently serving as the Secretary of the Department of Fisheries in the Government of India. While working as the Director of Primary Education in the state, she showed immense courage by standing up against government pressure and uncovering the JBT recruitment scam.
In this scandal, lists of selected teachers were altered to favor candidates who had paid bribes. Rather than going along with this deception, Sibal took a principled stance. She securely locked and sealed the cabinet containing the original list, using thick cotton bandages, and had her junior colleagues sign the bandages in different spots and take photos for proof.
Even though she faced being transferred as a consequence, the subsequent investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) revealed that the Chief Minister of Haryana was also involved in the wrongdoing. Sibal’s actions, in the face of challenges, played a crucial role in exposing the truth and ensuring accountability for those responsible.
Civil servants are individuals who work in government roles to serve the public and help run the country smoothly. They are responsible for various tasks, such as implementing policies, managing government departments, and ensuring that services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure are provided efficiently. Some civil servants become well-known for their exceptional work and contributions to society. Here are some other noteworthy civil servants:
| Name | Achievements |
|---|---|
| T. N. Seshan | IAS officer who served as the Chief Election Commissioner of India, T. N. Seshan is credited with bringing significant electoral reforms and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. |
| Kiran Bedi | An iconic figure, Dr. Kiran Bedi was the first woman to join the Indian Police Service (IPS). She’s recognized for her efforts in police reforms, community policing, and promoting transparency and accountability. |
| Manohar Parrikar | A respected IIT alumnus and IAS officer, Manohar Parrikar made his mark in politics as well, serving as the Chief Minister of Goa and later as the Defence Minister of India. |
| Arvind Kejriwal | Initially an IAS officer, Arvind Kejriwal transitioned into politics and became the Chief Minister of Delhi. He is known for his advocacy of transparency and anti-corruption initiatives. |
| Amitabh Kant | Amitabh Kant is a prominent figure known for his contributions in the field of administration and policy-making. He currently serves as the CEO of NITI Aayog, a government think tank in India. |
| Pranjal Patil | As the first visually impaired woman IAS officer in India, Pranjal Patil’s story of determination and success has inspired many. She has contributed to various developmental projects. |
| Rajiv Mehrishi | Rajiv Mehrishi has held important positions, including serving as the Home Secretary of India and later as the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India. |
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