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First in India – List of First in India GK Notes PDF

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: September 25th, 2023

First in India: There have many talented and renowned personalities in India who have great achievements under their names. The list of first in India is essential to know as it will inform candidates of the various facets of development in different sectors. It is also important in the GK section of SSC exams.

In this article, we have provided First in India GK notes on the various firsts in the field of science, politics, sports, defense, and more. By going through these notes, candidate will certainly learn more about the first in India male and female list along with other important information crucial for upcoming exams.

First in India

India has a rich history of achievements. Being the first to do something is always an impressive feat. From science and technology to sports, architecture, and government, India has made significant contributions and achieved many milestones over the years. In this article, we have curated a list of firsts in India that you should know. So, scroll down to know the rich history of firsts in India in depth.

First in India GK PDF

If you want to have a comprehensive list of all the notable firsts in India, you can download a PDF that contains all the information you need. This PDF contains a detailed list of all the firsts in India, including the dates, names of the individuals involved, and the significance of the achievements.

First in India PDF

List of First in India Male

There have been many impressive men in the history of India who have achieved great feats. These men have been instrumental in the development of our country in various ways. From contributing to the cause of independence to winning novel prizes, there have been many first in India which we have tabulated below.

First Person

Name

Facts

First President of the Indian Republic

Dr Rajendra Prasad, 1950 to 1962

President of the Constituent Assembly (1948-1950)

First Prime Minister of Free India

Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru

He is also known as the architect of modern India.

Chairman of the constituent assembly.

Chairman of Union Constitution Committee, Union Powers Committee, and States Committee

First Indian to win Nobel Prize

Rabindranath Tagore

Also Known as Gurudev.

Wrote the National Anthem of India.

First President of Indian National Congress

W.C. Banerjee

 He was a barrister and was born in 1844 in Bengal.

First Muslim President of Indian National Congress

Badruddin Tayyabji

 He was a very well-known Indian lawyer, activist, and politician.

First Muslim President of India

Dr. Zakir Husain

 Zakir Husain Delhi College of the University of Delhi is named after him.

First British Governor-General of India

Lord William Bentinck (1833-1835)

Sati system was banned during his regime.

First British Governor-General of Bengal

Lord Warren Hasting (1773-1785)

The First Maratha War and Second Mysore War occurred during his regime

Founded Asiatic Society of Bengal.

First British Viceroy of India

Lord Canning

The revolt of 1857 happened during his regime.

Established 3 universities at Calcutta, Madras and Bombay.

First Governor-General of Free India

Lord Mountbatten

Indian Independence Bill 1947 was passed during his regime.

First and the last Indian to be Governor-General of free India

C. Rajgopalachari

Informally called Rajaji or C.R.

The first man who introduced the printing press in India

James Hickey (Bengal Gazette)

Bible was the first book printed in India.

The First Indian to join the I.C.S

Satyendra Nath Tagore

 He was a poet and a civil servant in the government.

First man in Space from India

Rakesh Sharma

He was a  former Indian Air Force pilot.

First Indian Commander-in-Chief of India

General Cariappa

He was born on January 28, 1899.

First Chief of Army Staff

Gen. Maharaj Rajendra Singhji

He was born on 15 June 1899.

First Indian to join Viceroy’s executive council

S.P. Sinha

He served as the first Governor of Bihar and Orissa.

First Field Marshal of India

S.H.F. Manekshaw

He was popularly known as Sam Manekshaw and Sam Bahadur.

The first person to get Nobel Prize in Physics from India

C.V.Raman

For the discovery of the Raman Effect or Raman Scattering.

First Indian to receive Bharat Ratna award

C. Rajgopalachari, Dr. Radhakrishnan & CV Raman

First and the last Indian to be Governor-General of free India

First Vice President of India: Dr Radhakrishnan

Nobel Prize Winner: CV Raman

First Indian to cross the English Channel

Mihir Sen

Was popular as a swimmer as well as a lawyer.

First Person to receive the Jnanpith award

Sri Shankar Kurup

Popular critic in the field of Malayalam literature.

First Indian Air Marshal

S. Mukherjee

 Was born on 5 March 1911.

First Indian Naval Chief

Vice Admiral R.D. Katari

 Was born on 8 October 1911.

First-person to get Param Vir Chakra

Major Somnath Sharma

 Was born on 31 January 1923.

The first person to receive Magsaysay Award

Acharya Vinoba Bhave

First-person is chosen for Individual Satyagraha.

The first person of Indian origin to receive the Nobel Prize in Medicine

Hargovind Khurana

Taught at the University of Wisconsin.

First Chinese traveler to visit India

Fahein

Visited India during the reign of Gupta emperor Chandragupta II.

The first person to receive Stalin Prize

Saifuddin Kitchlu

Jalliawala Bagh gathering in 1919 was held against the arrest of Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlu and Dr. Satyapal.

The first person to receive Nobel Prize in Economics

Amartya Sen

Known for his contributions to welfare economics.

First Indian Pilot

J.R.D. Tata

Is known as one of the biggest industrialists in the country.

First in India Female

Some of the notable firsts by women in India include the appointment of India’s first female prime minister, the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal, and the first Indian woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize. These achievements are a testament to the indomitable spirit and talent of Indian women.

First Indian Female

First Indian Woman to fly an Aircraft

Sarla Thakral

First Indian Woman to win an Olympic medal

Karnam Malleswari (Bronze)

First Indian Woman Airline Pilot

Durba Banerjee

First Indian Woman to go into space

Kalpana Chawla

First Indian Woman to climb Mt. Everest

Bachendri Pal

First Indian Woman to swim across the English Channel

Arati Saha (also known as Arati Gupta)

First Indian Woman Musician to get “Bharat Ratna”

M.S.Subbulakshmi

First Indian Woman to win Gold in Asian Games

Kamaljeet Sandhu

First Indian Woman to win the Booker Prize

Arundhati Roy

First Indian Woman to Win WTA Title

Sania Mirza

First Indian Woman to win Nobel Prize

Mother Teresa

First Indian Woman to get Jnanpith Award

Ashapurna Devi

First Indian Woman to get Ashok Chakra

Nirja Bhanot

First Indian Woman President

Mrs. Pratibha Patil

First Indian Woman Prime Minister

Mrs. Indira Gandhi

First Indian Woman Governor

Sarojini Naidu

First Indian Woman Ruler (Delhi’s throne)

Razia Sultan

First Indian Woman IPS Officer

Kiran Bedi

First Indian Woman Chief Minister of a state

Sucheta Kripalani (the State was Uttar Pradesh)

First Indian Woman Judge of the Supreme Court

Meera Sahib Fatima Bibi

First Indian Woman President at UN General Assembly

Vijayalakshmi Pandit

First Indian Woman Union Minister

Rajkumari Amrita Kaur

First Indian Woman Miss Universe

Sushmita Sen

First Indian Woman Miss World

Reita Faria

First Indian Woman Train Driver

Surekha Yadav

First in India – Science and Technology

India has a long and illustrious history of scientific achievements, and many Indian scientists have made significant contributions to various fields. Some of the notable firsts in science and technology in India include the discovery of the Raman Effect, the first successful test of an atomic bomb, the launch of India’s first satellite, and the development of India’s first supercomputer.

The below-mentioned table states the list of important achievements in the field of science and technology (India):

List of First in India – Science and Technology

First hydroelectric plant

Sidrapong (Darjeeling)

First Man in Space

Rakesh Sharma

First Nuclear Reactor

Apsara (Maharashtra)

First satellite

Aryabhatta

First successful indigenous launch vehicle

SLV-3

First genetically modified food product in India

Bt. Eggplant Hybrid [Banned]

First to pass Indian Medical Service (IMS) exam

Surjo Kumar Chakraborty

First deputy director-general of programs (DDP) of the WHO

Dr. Soumya Swaminathan

First satellite earth station for domestic communications

Secunderabad

First Indian to get Nobel Prize in Physics

C.V. Raman

First in India – Government

India is the world’s largest democracy, and its government has played a significant role in shaping the country’s destiny. Some of the notable firsts in India’s government include the establishment of the Indian National Congress, the first general elections, the appointment of India’s first female president, and the passing of the Right to information act.

The table listed below highlights the list of important people in the field of the legislature and judiciary arm of Governance

First in India – Governance

President of India

Dr Rajendra Prasad

Vice-President of India

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

President of Indian National Congress

Womesh Chandra Bannerjee

Prime Minister of India

Jawaharlal Nehru

Chief Election Commissioner of India

Sukumar Sen

Viceroy of India

Lord Canning

Governor-General of India

Lord William Bentinck

Chief Justice of India

H.J Kania

Speaker of Lok Sabha

G. V. Mavlankar

Home Minister of India

Sardar Vallabhai Patel

Chairperson of Lokpal of India

Pinaki Chandra Ghose

First in India – Politics

India has a rich political history, and many notable leaders have left their mark on the country. Some of the notable firsts in Indian politics include the appointment of India’s first prime minister, the first woman to be appointed as the chief minister of an Indian state, and the first Indian to be elected as the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

List of First in India – Politics

First Prime Minister of India who resigned without completing the full term

Morarji Desai

First President of India who died while in office

Dr. Zakir Hussain

First Muslim President of the Indian Republic

Dr. Zakir Hussain

First Prime Minister of India who did not face the Parliament

Charan Singh

The first Speaker of the Lok Sabha

Ganesh Vasudeva Mavalankar

First Vice-President of India

Dr. Radhakrishnan

First Education Minister

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

First Home Minister of India

Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel

First Indian Judge of the International Court of Justice

Dr. Nagendra Singh

First-person to reach Mt. Everest without oxygen

Sherpa Dorjee

First Chief Election Commissioner

Sukumar Sen

The first person to resign from the Central Cabinet

Shyama Prasad Mukherjee

First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Justice Hirala J. Kania

First in India – Defence

India has one of the world’s largest and most powerful armed forces, and its defense establishment has achieved many significant milestones over the years. Some of the notable firsts in Indian defense include the establishment of India’s first defense research organization, the successful test of India’s first intercontinental ballistic missile, and the development of India’s first nuclear submarine.

First in India – Defense

Defense Minister of India

Baldev Singh Chokkar

Commander-in-Chief of Free India

Kodandera Madappa Cariappa

Commander-in-Chief, Indian Air Force

Subroto Mukherjee

Field Marshal

Sam Manekshaw

Param Vir Chakra Winner

Major Somnath Sharma

Female Jawan in the Army

Shanti Tigga

Indian woman to fly fighter aircraft without a co-pilot

IAF Officer Avani Chaturvedi

Cosmonaut

Sqn Ldr Rakesh Sharma

Woman in the Indian Army who got the coveted ‘Sword of Honour’ prize

Divya Ajith Kumar

First in India – Sports

India has a rich sporting culture, and many Indian athletes have achieved international recognition for their achievements. Some of the notable firsts in Indian sports include the first Indian to win an Olympic gold medal, the first Indian to win a Grand Slam title, and the first Indian to win a World Cup in cricket.

The table enumerates the list of important achievements in the field of sports, predominantly at the Olympics.

List of First in India – Sports

Olympics Team Medal

Gold in Field Hockey (1928, Summer Olympics)

Indian woman wrestler to win an Asian gold medal

Navjot Kaur

Indian woman badminton player to win an Asian Games medal

Saina Nehwal

Indian Woman to Win a Medal at Asian Games

Santhi Soundarajan

Person to win the international bronze medal in skiing

Aanchal Thakur

Woman to Win an Olympic Silver Medal

P. V. Sindhu in Badminton

Female to represent India at the Summer Olympics

Nora Polley, 1924 Summer Olympics

Individual Gold Medal won by

Abhinav Bindra, 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing

Woman to Win a Medal in Wrestling

Sakshi Malik won Bronze in the 2016 Summer Olympics

First in India – Architecture

India has a rich architectural heritage, and many buildings are famous for their beauty and grandeur. Some of the notable firsts in Indian architecture include the construction of India’s first planned city, the establishment of India’s first school of architecture, and the construction of India’s first high-rise building. The below table gives information on Indian Architecture

List of First in India – Architecture

The first temple was constructed from a single rock

Kailasa temple at Ellora

First Church in India

St. Thomas Church, Palayoor

The first mosque in India

Cheraman Juma Mosque in Methala

First dam in India

Kallanai Dam

First Indian temple with several interconnected structures

Brihadeeswarar Temple, Tamil Nadu

First Person in India to Win Important Awards

BHARAT RATNA is the highest civilian award of the Republic of India. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is conferred in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order, without distinction of race, occupation, position, or sex.

  • 1st Indian to be awarded the Bharat Ratna: C Rajagopalachari who was the last Governor-General of India.
  • 1st person to be awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously: Lal Bahadur Shastri who was the Second Prime Minister of the Republic of India.
  • 1st woman to be awarded the Bharat Ratna: Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi who was the fourth Prime Minister of India.
  • 1st Bharat Ratna Awardee to become the President of India: Dr S. Radhakrishnan was the first Vice President of India and the second President of India from 1962 to 1967.
  • 1st Scientist to be awarded the Bharat Ratna: CV Raman who won the Nobel Prize in Physics.

First Recipients of Gallantry Awards

  • 1st winner of Param Vir Chakra: Major Somnath Sharma: Major Som Nath Sharma, (1923–1947) was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. the highest Indian gallantry award. He was awarded the medal posthumously for his bravery in the Kashmir operations in November 1947.
  • 1st and only Air Force person to receive the Param Vir Chakra: Flying Officer Nirmaljit Shekhon was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra in recognition of his lone defense of Srinagar Air Base against a PAF air raid during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
  • 1st woman to receive the Ashoka Chakra: Neerja Bhanot (1987) was murdered while saving passengers from terrorists on board the hijacked Pan Am, Flight 73 on 5 September 1986. Posthumously, she became the youngest recipient of India’s highest peacetime military award for bravery, the Ashok Chakra.

First Recipients of Literary Awards

  • 1st Indian woman to receive the Booker Prize: Arundhati Roy is best known for her novel The God of Small Things (1997), which won the Man Booker Prize for Fiction in 1997.
  • 1st Indian to receive the Pulitzer Prize: Gobind Behari Lal became the first Indian to win the Pulitzer Prize in Reporting Category in 1937 and got Padma Bhushan in 1969.

First Recipients of Sports Awards

  • 1st recipient of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award: Viswanathan Anand became India’s first grandmaster in 1988. He was also the first recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 1991–92, India’s highest sporting honor. In 2007, he was awarded India’s second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan.
  • 1st woman recipient of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award: Karnam Malleshwari is the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal. She is a recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, India’s highest sporting honor for the years 1995-1996. She is also a recipient of the civilian honor Padma Shri in 1999.
  • 1st cricket player to be awarded the Arjuna Award: Salim Durrani was the first cricketer to win an Arjuna Award.

This article covered all the crucial firsts in India and their achievements in detail. We hope candidates were able to improve their knowledge through it. For more such articles and curated study material refer to SSC online coaching to crack your job.

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