Who was the First Woman IAS Officer of India, Check Here

Anna Rajam Malhotra was India's first woman IAS officer. Born in 1924 in Kerala's Ernakulam district, she completed her education in Kozhikode and later at Madras University.

In 1951, she cleared the civil services examination, joining the Madras cadre. Despite societal norms, she chose the administrative service over the foreign service. Throughout her career, she worked with two Prime Ministers and seven Chief Ministers.

Notably, she contributed to the success of the 1982 Asian Games and played a key role in developing Mumbai's Nhava Sheva port. In 1989, she was awarded the Padma Bhushan for her services. Anna Rajam Malhotra passed away in 2018 at the age of 91.

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Who Was India’s First Woman IAS Officer?

Source: GirlsBuzz

India's first woman IAS officer was Anna Rajam Malhotra (née George). She joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1951, overcoming societal and institutional resistance to women in administrative roles. Born on July 17, 1927, in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, she completed her education in English literature at the University of Madras.

Despite being encouraged to join the Indian Foreign Service, she insisted on pursuing the IAS and was eventually appointed as the Sub-Collector of Tirupattur in the Madras State under Chief Minister C. Rajagopalachari.

Throughout her career, Anna Rajam Malhotra held several significant positions, including Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Deputy Secretary in the Department of Revenue, and Chairperson of the Nhava Sheva Port Trust, where she played a key role in developing India's first computerized port.

She also contributed to major projects like the 1982 Asian Games and served under seven Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers. For her exemplary service, she was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1989.

Anna Rajam Malhotra passed away in September 2018 at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy of determination and empowerment for women in Indian bureaucracy.

Anna Rajam Malhotra’s Journey to Becoming an IAS Officer

Anna Rajam Malhotra, born on July 17, 1927, in Kerala's Ernakulam district, was a trailblazer as India’s first woman IAS officer. After completing her schooling in Kozhikode, she pursued higher education in English Literature at the University of Madras.

She cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 1950, a time when societal norms discouraged women from entering administrative roles. During her interview, she was advised to opt for the Foreign or Central Services, deemed "more suitable" for women, but she insisted on joining the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

Anna joined the Madras cadre in 1951, serving under Chief Minister C. Rajagopalachari. Her initial posting as a district sub-collector faced resistance due to gender biases; however, she overcame these challenges with resilience. She also became the first female secretary in the Central Government, breaking barriers and setting a precedent for future generations of women.

Key Contributions and Achievements of Anna Rajam Malhotra

Anna Rajam Malhotra’s career exemplifies resilience, determination, and a commitment to excellence. Here are some of her key contributions as the 1st woman IAS of India.

1. Trailblazing Role as India's First Woman IAS Officer:

• Anna Rajam Malhotra became the first woman to join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1951, breaking gender barriers in a male-dominated field.

2. Significant Infrastructure Projects:

• Played a pivotal role in the development of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) near Mumbai, India's largest container port, as its chairperson.
• Contributed to the planning and execution of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, one of India’s first six-lane concrete highways, boosting regional connectivity and economic activity.

3. Leadership in Central and State Governments:

• Served under seven Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers, showcasing her administrative expertise in various state roles.
• Worked closely with Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on organizing the 1982 Asian Games, contributing to its success.
• Held significant positions in the Union Home Ministry and other central departments, where she was involved in policy formulation and implementation.

4. Recognition and Awards:

• Honored with the Padma Bhushan in 1989 for her exemplary contributions to public administration.

5. Mentorship and Advocacy for Women:

• Advocated for women in civil services and mentored numerous young officers, inspiring future generations to pursue excellence and leadership roles in public administration.

6. Post-Retirement Contributions:

• After retiring from civil services, she served as a director at Hotel Leela Venture Ltd., continuing her impactful career.

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