Aditi Sinha
October 03, 2023 11:12
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Discover India's pioneering figures! Learn about the first Nobel laureate, astronaut, prime minister, and more in this comprehensive list.
India has a rich history of many “Firsts” that have shaped its diverse and vibrant culture. From significant achievements in politics, science, and literature to groundbreaking milestones in sports, architecture, and technology, India’s pioneering spirit has left an indelible mark on the world. The country boasts the first Indian Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, and the first Indian in space, Rakesh Sharma. Notable figures like Indira Gandhi, C.V. Raman, and Kalpana Chawla have also made history as trailblazers in their respective fields. These “Firsts” in India serve as a testament to the nation’s relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation, setting an inspiring example for generations to come.
Knowing important “Firsts” in India is vital for competitive exams. From leaders like Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Rabindranath Tagore to milestones in space exploration and nuclear technology, these achievements shape India’s identity and progress. Familiarity with these significant “Firsts” demonstrates a strong grasp of history and can enhance success in competitive exams. Below is a list of all the important firsts in India that may come up in exams like UPSC.
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List of Important First in India |
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| S.I. No. | First in India | Name |
| 1 | First British to Visit India | Thomas Roe |
| 2 | First Chinese pilgrim to Visit India | Fa-Hien/Faxian |
| 3 | First Indian to reach Antarctica | Lt. Ram Charan |
| 4 | First Judge in International Court of Justice | Dr. Nagender Singh |
| 5 | First Muslim President of the Indian National Congress | Badruddin Tayyabji |
| 6 | First Post Office Opened in India | Kolkata(1727) |
| 7 | First Wax statue of a Living Indian | Mahatma Gandhi at Madame Tussaud’s in 1939 |
| 8 | India’s First Lok Sabha Member to be elected with a record maximum number of votes | P.V. Narasimha Rao |
| 9 | India’s First Open University | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University |
| 10 | India’s First University | Nalanda University |
| 11 | India’s first man in Space | Rakesh Sharma |
| 12 | The first Speaker of the Lok Sabha | Ganesh Vasudeva Mavalankar |
| 13 | The first and last Muslim woman ruler of India | Razia Sultan |
| 14 | The first and the last Indian to be Governor-General of free India | C. Rajagopalachari |
| 15 | The first British Governor-General of Bengal | Lord Warren Hastings (1774-1885) |
| 16 | The first British Governor-General of India | Lord William Bentinck (1833-1835) |
| 17 | The first British Viceroy of India | Lord Canning |
| 18 | The first Chief Election Commissioner | Sukumar Sen |
| 19 | The first Chief Justice of Supreme Court | Justice Hiralal J. Kania |
| 20 | The first Chief of Army Staff | Gen. Maharaj Rajendra Singhji |
| 21 | The first Education Minister | Maulana Abul Kalam Azad |
| 22 | The first Field Marshal of India | S.H.F. Manekshaw |
| 23 | The first Governor-General of free India | Lord Mountbatten |
| 24 | The first Home Minister of India | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel |
| 25 | The first Indian Air Chief Marshal | S. Mukherjee |
| 26 | The first Indian Commander-in-Chief of India | General Cariappa |
| 27 | The first Indian Member of the Viceroy’s executive council | S.P. Sinha |
| 28 | The first Indian Naval Chief | Vice-Admiral R.D. Katari |
| 29 | The first Indian Pilot | J.R.D. Tata (1929) |
| 30 | The first Indian to cross English Channel | Mihir Sen |
| 31 | The first Indian to get Nobel Prize in Physics | C.V. Raman |
| 32 | The first Indian to join the Indian Civil Services | Satyendra Nath Tagore |
| 33 | The first Indian to receive Bharat Ratna award | Dr. Radhakrishnan |
| 34 | The first Indian to win Nobel Prize | Rabindranath Tagore |
| 35 | The first Judge of International Court of Justice | Dr. Nagendra Singh |
| 36 | The first lady to become Miss World | Rita Faria |
| 37 | The first man who introduced printing press in India | James Hicky |
| 38 | The first Muslim President of India | Dr. Zakir Hussain |
| 39 | The first Muslim President of Indian National Congress | Badruddin Tayyabji |
| 40 | The first Muslim President of Indian Republic | Dr. Zakir Hussain |
| 41 | The first person of Indian origin to receive Nobel Prize in Medicine | Hargovind Khurana |
| 42 | The first person to get Param Vir Chakra | Major Somnath Sharma |
| 43 | The first person to reach Mt. Everest without oxygen | Sherpa Anga Dorjee |
| 44 | The first Person to receive Jnanpith award | Sri Shankar Kurup |
| 45 | The first person to receive Magsaysay Award | Acharya Vinoba Bhave |
| 46 | The first person to receive Nobel Prize in Economics | Amartya Sen |
| 47 | The first person to receive Stalin Prize | Saifuddin Kitchlu |
| 48 | The first person to resign from the Central Cabinet | Shyama Prasad Mukherjee |
| 49 | The first President of India who died while in office | Dr. Zakir Hussain |
| 50 | The first President of Indian National Congress | W.C. Banerjee |
| 51 | The first President of Indian Republic | Dr. Rajendra Prasad |
| 52 | The first Prime Minister of free India | Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru |
| 53 | The first Prime Minister of India who did not face the Parliament | Charan Singh |
| 54 | The first Prime Minister of India who resigned without completing the full term | Morarji Desai |
| 55 | The first Vice-President of India | Dr. Radhakrishnan |
| 56 | The first woman Air Vice Marshal | P. Bandopadhyaya |
| 57 | The first woman Airline Pilot | Durba Banerjee |
| 58 | The first woman Ambassador | Miss C.B. Muthamma |
| 59 | The first woman Asian Games Gold Medal Winner | Kamlijit Sandhu |
| 60 | The first woman Chairman of Union Public Service Commission | Roze Millian Bethew |
| 61 | The first woman chairperson of Indian Airlines | Sushma Chawla |
| 62 | The first woman Chief Justice of High Court | Mrs. Leela Seth (Himachal Pradesh High Court) |
| 63 | The first woman Chief Minister of an Indian State | Mrs. Sucheta Kripalani |
| 64 | The first woman Director General of Police | Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya |
| 65 | The first woman Governor of a state in free India | Mrs. Sarojini Naidu |
| 66 | The first woman Graduates | Kadambini Ganguly and Chandramukhi Basu, 1883 |
| 67 | The first woman Honours Graduate | Kamini Roy, 1886 |
| 68 | The first woman IPS officer | Mrs. Kiran Bedi |
| 69 | The first woman Judge | Anna Chandy (She became judge in a district court in 1937) |
| 70 | The first woman judge in Supreme Court | Mrs. Meera Sahib Fatima Bibi |
| 71 | The first woman Judge in Supreme Court of India | Kumari Justice M. Fathima Beevi |
| 72 | The first woman Lawyer | Cornelia Sorabjee |
| 73 | The first woman Lieutenant General | Puneeta Arora |
| 74 | The first woman Minister in a Government | Rajkumari Amrit Kaur |
| 75 | The first woman Olympic medal Winner | Karnam Malleswari, 2000 |
| 76 | The first woman pilot in Indian Air Force | Harita Kaur Dayal |
| 77 | The first woman President of Indian National Congress | Mrs. Annie Besant |
| 78 | The first woman President of United Nations General Assembly | Mrs. Vijaya Laxmi Pandit |
| 79 | The first woman Prime Minister | Mrs. Indira Gandhi |
| 80 | The first woman Speaker of a State Assembly | Shanno Devi |
| 81 | The first woman to climb Mount Everest | Bachhendri Pal |
| 82 | The first woman to climb Mount Everest twice | Santosh Yadav |
| 83 | The first woman to cross English Channel | Aarti Saha |
| 84 | The first woman to receive Ashoka Chakra | Nirja Bhanot |
| 85 | The first woman to receive Bharat Ratna | Mrs. Indira Gandhi |
| 86 | The first woman to receive Jnanpith Award | Ashapurna Devi |
| 87 | The first woman to receive Jnanpith Award | Ashpurna Devi |
| 88 | The first woman to receive the Nobel Prize | Mother Teresa |
India’s political history is adorned with remarkable “Firsts” that have shaped the nation’s governance. From Dr. Rajendra Prasad becoming the First President to Jawaharlal Nehru as the First Prime Minister, these leaders laid the foundation of independent India. Notable women like Indira Gandhi and Sucheta Kripalani broke barriers, while Dr. Zakir Hussain became the First Muslim President. Understanding these historical milestones is crucial for a comprehensive grasp of Indian politics and a valuable asset for competitive exams.
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First in India: Politics |
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| First in India | Name |
| First President of India | Dr. Rajendra Prasad |
| First Prime Minister of India | Jawaharlal Nehru |
| First Vice President of India | Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan |
| First Female President of India | Pratibha Patil |
| First Female Prime Minister of India | Indira Gandhi |
| First and last Indian Governor General of Independent India | C. Rajgopalachari |
| First and last Muslim woman ruler of India (Before Independence) | Razia Sultan |
| First British Governor General of Bengal | Lord Warren Hastings |
| First British Governor General of India | Lord William Bentinck |
| First British Viceroy of India | Lord Canning |
| First Cabinet Secretary of India | N.P. Pillai |
| First Chairman of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India | Ranganath Misra |
| First Chief Election Commissioner of India | Sukumar Sen |
| First Chief Justice of India | H. J. Kania |
| First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court | Justice Hirala J. Kania |
| First Dalit President of India | K.R. Narayana |
| First Education Minister of India | Maulana Abul Kalam Azad |
| First Female Chief Justice of India | Leila Seth |
| First Female Chief Minister of a State | Sucheta Kripalani |
| First Female Governor of India | Sarojini Naidu |
| First Female Minister of External Affairs | Sushma Swaraj |
| First Finance Minister of India | R.K. Shanmukham Chetty |
| First Foreign Secretary of India | K.P.S Menon |
| First General Election in India | 1951-1952 |
| First Governor-General of Independent India | Lord Mountbatten |
| First Home Minister of India | Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel |
| First Indian Member of the Viceroy’s executive council | S.P. Sinha |
| First Indian Prime Minister who did not face the Parliament | Charan Singh |
| First Indian Prime Minister who resigned without completing the full term | Morarji Desai |
| First Lok Sabha Member with the highest number of Votes | P.V. Narasimha Rao |
| First Minister of Information and Broadcasting | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel |
| First Muslim President of India | Zakir Hussain |
| First Muslim President of the Indian National Congress | Badruddin Tayyabji |
| First person to resign from the Central Cabinet | Shyama Prasad Mukherjee |
| First President of India who died during his tenure | Dr. Zakir Hussain |
| First President of Indian National Congress | W.C. Banerjee |
| First Speaker of Lok Sabha | Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar |
| First Transgender Mayer of India | Madhu Bai Kinnar |
| First Viceroy of India | Lord Canning |
| First woman Minister in a Government | Rajkumari Amrit Kaur |
| First woman President of the Indian National Congress | Mrs. Annie Besant |
| First woman President of the United Nations General Assembly | Mrs. Vijaya Laxmi Pandit |
| First woman Speaker of a State Assembly | Shanno Devi |
India’s journey in the field of science is dotted with significant “Firsts” that have propelled the nation’s advancements. C.V. Raman‘s pioneering work earned him the distinction of being the First Indian Nobel Laureate in Physics. Rakesh Sharma‘s historic spaceflight made him India’s First man in space. In medicine, Hargobind Khorana became the First person of Indian origin to receive a Nobel Prize. These exceptional achievements showcase India’s brilliance in scientific endeavors and serve as an important topic for competitive exam preparations.
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First In India: Science |
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| First in India | Name |
| First Computer developed in India | TIFRAC |
| First Female Doctor in India | Rukhmabai Bhimrao Raut |
| First female mining engineer in India | Chandrani Prasad Verma |
| First Genetically Modified (GM) food product in India | Bt. Eggplant Hybrid [Banned] |
| First Hydroelectric Plant | Sidrapong (Darjeeling) |
| First Indian appointed in the World Health Organization (WHO) as the Deputy Director-general of Programmes (DDP) | Dr. Soumya Swaminathan |
| First Indian in Space | Rakesh Sharma |
| First Indian Pilot in India | J.R.D. Tata |
| First Indian to develop an Airplane | Shivkar Bapuji Talpade |
| First moon mission of India | Chandrayan-1 (2008-2009) |
| First Nuclear Plant in India | Tarapur Atomic Power Plant-1 |
| First Nuclear Reactor in India | Apsara (Located in Maharashtra) |
| First satellite earth station in India for domestic communications | Secunderabad |
| First Satellite of India | Aryabhatta |
| First Space Shuttle launched in India | RLV-TD, 2016 |
| First successful indigenous launch vehicle | SLV-3 |
| First successful nuclear test in India | Operation Smiling Buddha, 18th May 1974 |
| First to pass the Indian Medical Service (IMS) Examination | Surjo Kumar Chakroborty |
| First woman to go to space from India | Kalpana Chawla |
India’s defence sector boasts several noteworthy “Firsts” that have contributed to the nation’s security and military prowess. Baldev Singh Chokkar became India’s First Defence Minister, overseeing the country’s armed forces. Sam Manekshaw’s appointment as the First Field Marshal exemplified his exceptional leadership. Kodandera Madappa Cariappa held the distinction of being the First Commander-in-Chief of the independent Indian army. These milestones highlight India’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and provide vital content for competitive exam preparations.
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First in India: Defence |
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| First in India | Name |
| First Chief of Army Staff | Gen. Maharaj Rajendra Singhji |
| First Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army of Independent India | Kodandera Madappa Cariappa |
| First Cosmonaut of India | Sqn Ldr Rakesh Sharma |
| First Defence Minister of India | Baldev Singh Chokkar |
| First Female Jawan in the Indian Army | Shanti Tigga |
| First Field Marshal of India | Sam Manekshaw |
| First Indian Chief of the Air Force of Independent India | Subroto Mukherjee |
| First Indian Naval Chief | Vice-Admiral R.D. Katari |
| First Indian Woman to Fly a Fighter Aircraft Solo | IAF Officer Avani Chaturvedi |
| First Recipient of the Param Vir Chakra | Major Somnath Sharma |
| First woman Air Vice Marshal | P. Bandopadhyaya |
| First woman Airline Pilot | Durba Banerjee |
| First woman in the Indian Army Conferred with the Sword of Honour Prize | Divya Ajith Kumar |
| First woman Lieutenant General | Puneeta Arora |
| First woman pilot in the Indian Air Force | Harita Kaur Dayal |
India’s sports history is adorned with several notable “Firsts” that have brought glory to the nation. Abhinav Bindra secured India’s First individual Gold Medal at the Olympics in shooting. Karnam Malleswari created history as the First Indian woman to win an Olympic medal by clinching a bronze in weightlifting. These remarkable achievements exemplify India’s growing prominence in the world of sports and are essential knowledge for competitive exam aspirants.
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First in India: Sports |
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| First in India | Names |
| First Asian Games in India | New Delhi, 1951 |
| First Indian Chess Grandmaster | Viswanathan Anand |
| First Olympic Medal for India | KD Jadhav |
| First Indian to receive Gold Medal at Olympics | Abhinav Bindra |
| First Indian Woman Badminton Player to win a medal in Olympics | Saina Nehwal |
| First Indian Woman to win a medal in Wrestling | Sakshi Malik |
| First Indian Woman to win in Olympics | Karnam Malleswari (2000) |
| First Indian Woman to win Silver in Olympics | P.V. Sindhu |
| First Paralympics Gold Medal | Murlikant Petkar (Swimming) in 1974 |
| First Team Medal at Olympics | Field Hockey, Gold Medal |
| First time Indians win Cricket World Cup | 1983 |
| First woman Asian Games Gold Medal Winner | Kamlijit Sandhu |
| First Woman to be awarded the Padma Shri | Arati Saha |
India has witnessed several significant “Firsts” in the field of awards and recognition. Rabindranath Tagore holds the distinction of being the First Indian Nobel Laureate, winning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan received the First Bharat Ratna award, India’s highest civilian honor, in 1954. C.V. Raman was the First Indian scientist to receive the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. Mother Teresa became the First Indian to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her humanitarian work. These pioneering achievements have not only brought honor to the nation but also serve as inspiration for generations to come.
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First in India: Awards |
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| First in India | Name |
| First Bharat Ratna Award | Dr. S. Radhakrishnan |
| First Indian Nobel Laureate | Rabindranath Tagore |
| First Indian to get Ashok Chakra | Rakesh Sharma (Astronaut) |
| First Indian to get Jnanpith Award | G. Shankar Kurup |
| First Indian to receive an Oscar Award | Bhanu Athaiya |
| First Indian to receive Magsaysay Award | Acharya Vinoba Bhave |
| First Indian to receive Nobel Prize in Economics | Amartya Sen |
| First Indian to receive Nobel Prize in Medicine | Hargovind Khurana |
| First Indian to receive Nobel Prize in Physics | C.V Raman |
| First Indian to receive Paramvir Chakra | Major Somnath Sharma |
| First Indian to receive Stalin Prize | Saifuddin Kitchlu |
| First Scientist to get Nobel Prize | C.V. Raman |
| First Sportsperson to get Padma Shri | Balbir Singh Dosanjh |
| First Transgender to get Padma Shri | Narthaki Nataraj |
| First Woman to get Ashok Chakra | Nirja Bhanot |
| First Woman to get Bharat Ratna Award | Indira Gandhi |
| First woman to receive Jnanpith Award | Ashapoorna Devi |
| The first woman to receive the Nobel Prize | Mother Teresa |
India’s architectural heritage boasts several remarkable “Firsts” that showcase the nation’s ingenuity and craftsmanship. The Kailasa Temple at Ellora stands as the First temple constructed from a single rock, a marvel of ancient engineering. St. Thomas Church, Palayoor, holds the distinction of being the First church in India, dating back to ancient times. The Cheraman Juma Mosque in Methala stands as India’s First mosque, reflecting the country’s diverse religious heritage. The Brihadeeswarar Temple in Tamil Nadu is India’s First temple with interconnected structures, a testament to the country’s architectural brilliance. These architectural “Firsts” showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and are essential knowledge for enthusiasts and competitive exam aspirants alike.
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First in India: Architecture |
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| First in India | Name |
| First temple constructed from a single rock | Kailasa temple at Ellora |
| First Indian temple with many interconnected structures | Brihadeeswarar Temple, Tamil Nadu |
| First church in India | St. Thomas Church, Palayoor |
| First dam in India | Kallanai Dam |
| First mosque in India | Cheraman Juma Mosque in Methala |
India’s entertainment and other fields have witnessed several significant “Firsts” that have left a lasting impact on the nation’s cultural landscape. Rita Faria became the First lady to become Miss World. India’s First open university, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University, has played a crucial role in providing education to millions of students. These achievements in entertainment, education, and other fields reflect India’s growing prominence and serve as valuable content for competitive exam preparations.
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First in India: Entertainment and Other Fields |
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| First in India | Name |
| First Newspaper in India | The Bengal Gazette, 1780 |
| First silent movie in India | Raja Harishchandra |
| First female entrepreneur in India | Kalpana Saroj |
| First IAS officer of India | Satyendranath Tagore |
| First woman IPS officer in India | Kiran Bedi |
| First Hindi newspaper in India | Udant Martand (30 May 1826) |
| First woman to climb Mount Everest | Bachhendri Pal |
| First Temple built with Single Rock | Kailasa Temple at Ellora |
| First Dam in India | Kallanai Dam |
| First Church in India | St. Thomas Church, Palayoor |
| First Mosque in India | Cheraman Juma Mosque, Methala |
| First Indian to reach Antarctica | Lt. Ram Charan |
| First Indian temple with Interconnected Structures | Brihadeeswarar Temple (Tamil Nadu) |
| First British to Visit India | Thomas Roe |
| First Chinese Pilgrim to Visit India | Fa-Hien |
| First Indian Judge in International Court of Justice | Dr. Nagender Singh |
| First Post Office Opened in India | Kolkata (1727) |
| First Wax statue of a Living Indian | Mahatma Gandhi at Madame Tussaud’s in 1939 |
| India’s First Open University | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University |
| India’s First University | Nalanda University |
| First Indian to cross the English Channel | Mihir Sen |
| First Judge of the International Court of Justice | Dr. Nagendra Singh |
| First lady to become Miss World | Rita Faria |
| First man who introduced the printing press in India | James Hicky |
| First person to reach Mt. Everest without oxygen | Sherpa Anga Dorjee |
| First woman Ambassador | Miss C.B. Muthamma |
| First woman Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission | Roze Millian Bethew |
| First woman chairperson of Indian Airlines | Sushma Chawla |
| First woman Chief Justice of the High Court | Mrs. Leela Seth (Himachal Pradesh High Court) |
| First woman Director General of Police | Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya |
| First woman Graduates | Kadambini Ganguly & Chandramukhi Basu, 1883 |
| First woman Honours Graduate | Kamini Roy, 1886 |
| First woman Judge | Anna Chandy (District Court Judge in 1937) |
| First woman judge in Supreme Court | Mrs. Meera Sahib Fatima Bibi |
| First woman Lawyer | Cornelia Sorabjee |
| First woman to climb Mount Everest twice | Santosh Yadav |
| First woman to cross the English Channel | Aarti Saha |
| First RBI Governor of India | Sir Osborne Smith |
| Must Read | |
| NCERT Notes For UPSC | UPSC Daily Current Affairs |
| UPSC Blogs | UPSC Daily Editorials |
| Daily Current Affairs Quiz | Daily Main Answer Writing |
| UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers | UPSC Test Series 2024 |
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