Remarkable Stories of India’s First IAS and IPS Officers

First Published Aug 15, 2024, 9:40 AM IST

This Independence Day let’s learn about India’s first IAS and IPS officers, who cleared the civil services exams during the British rule.

Every year, lakhs of young people appear for UPSC exams to join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS). But did you know that even during British rule, there were Indians who made a significant impact in the civil services? Despite the era of colonial oppression, they became the country's first IAS and IPS officers. Let's learn more about them.

The first IAS officer of India was Satyendranath Tagore. During the British rule, the foundation of the Indian Administrative Service was established, and in 1854, the Civil Services Examination was introduced for Indians. This exam was notoriously difficult, and it was widely believed that it was nearly impossible for Indians to succeed in it. However, in 1863, Satyendranath Tagore shattered this belief by passing the Civil Services Examination, making him the first Indian to join the IAS.

Who was Satyendranath Tagore?

Satyendranath Tagore's name remains etched in the history of Indian civil services. He was the elder brother of the renowned poet Rabindranath Tagore. Born on June 1, 1842, into a prominent Bengali family in Kolkata, he received his early education there. Later, he travelled to England to prepare for the Civil Services Examination, which he passed at the age of 21. At that time, the exam was held in England and was predominantly cleared by the British. Satyendranath Tagore's first posting was in Mumbai, and he later served in Ahmedabad as well.

Who was the first IPS officer of India?

CV Narasimhan was the first Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of India. He joined the Indian Civil Service in 1937. Born on May 21, 1915, in Tamil Nadu, he received his early education at St Joseph's College in Trichy and later pursued higher education at Oxford University. He is credited with implementing several reforms in the Indian Police Service. In 1946, the British Government awarded him the 'Order of the British Empire,' which was considered a significant honour at the time.