Today, many young Indians aspire to become IAS or IPS officers, a dream that wasn’t even conceivable during British rule. However, two individuals—Satyendranath Tagore and Chakravarthi V. Narasimhan—blazed a trail that would inspire future generations of Indian civil servants.
India’s First IAS Officer: Satyendranath Tagore
Satyendranath Tagore holds the distinction of being the first Indian to become an IAS officer during the British Raj. Born in Calcutta on June 1, 1842, he came from a prominent family, being the elder brother of the renowned poet Rabindranath Tagore. At the age of 21, Satyendranath cracked the civil services examination, which the British government had introduced in 1854 to recruit Indians into the civil service. His success in 1863 marked a significant milestone, as he became the country’s first IAS officer.
After his training in England, Satyendranath returned to India, where he was initially posted in Bombay and later served in Ahmedabad. His achievements paved the way for future generations of Indians to aspire to and achieve positions in the civil services.
India’s First IPS Officer: Chakravarthi V. Narasimhan
Chakravarthi V. Narasimhan was India’s first IPS officer, a trailblazer in his own right. Born on May 21, 1915, in Tamil Nadu, Narasimhan’s educational journey took him from St. Joseph’s College in Tiruchi to Oxford University for higher studies. He joined the Indian Civil Service in 1937 and quickly rose through the ranks due to his dedication and exemplary service.
In recognition of his contributions, Narasimhan was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1946. His career set a precedent for those who would follow in his footsteps, joining the ranks of India’s law enforcement elite.
These pioneers, Satyendranath Tagore and Chakravarthi V. Narasimhan, not only broke barriers but also laid the foundation for the esteemed civil services in India, inspiring countless others to serve the nation.
