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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.
Table of content
- 1. First in India
- 2. First in India GK PDF
- 3. List of First in India Male
- 4. First in India Female
- 5. First in India – Science and Technology
- 6. First in India – Government
- 7. First in India – Politics
- 8. First in India – Defence
- 9. First in India – Sports
- 10. First in India – Architecture
- 11. First Person in India to Win Important Awards
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.
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.