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First in India (Men & Women) – Updated 2025 Static GK List

ByLuffysenpai
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Have you ever wondered who was the first Indian to climb Mount Everest? Or who became India’s first woman Prime Minister? Questions like these are the bread and butter of competitive exams they show up everywhere, from UPSC Prelims to SSC CHSL, from Banking GK sections to State PSCs.

This updated 2025 “First in India – Men and Women” list covers pioneers who broke barriers, took the first steps, and left permanent footprints in Indian history. These names are not just facts to memorize they’re stories of determination, intellect, and courage.

So, grab a notebook or your favorite cup of chai, and let’s dive into the people who did it first.

List of First in India Men

List Of First in India Men
List Of First in India Men

The list of first in India men highlights the pionees who achieved remarkable milestones across politics, science, sports and defense. From Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President, to Neeraj Chopra’s Olympic gold, these first achievers shaped India’s history and remain essential for Static GK and competitive exams.

First Indians in Political Leadership & Administrative Roles

Category

First Achievement / Year

First President of India

Dr. Rajendra Prasad, 1950

First Vice President

Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, 1952

First Prime Minister

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, 1947

First Indian Governor-General

C. Rajagopalachari, 1948

First Chief Justice of India

H. J. Kania

First Indian Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

General Bipin Rawat, 2020

First Indian Chief of Army Staff

General K. M. Cariappa, 1949

First Indian Chief of Naval Staff

Vice Admiral R. D. Katari, 1958

First Indian Chief of Air Staff

Subroto Mukerjee, 1954

First Indian to become Field Marshal

Sam Manekshaw, 1973

First Indian Judge at International Court of Justice

Dr. Nagendra Singh

First Indians to Win Nobel Prize & International Recognition

Category

First Achievement / Year

First Indian to win Nobel Prize

Rabindranath Tagore, 1913

First Indian to win Nobel Prize in Physics

C. V. Raman, 1930

First Indian to win Nobel Prize in Economics

Amartya Sen

First Indian to receive Nobel Peace Prize (Male)

Kailash Satyarthi, 2014

First Bharat Ratna recipients

C. Rajagopalachari, S. Radhakrishnan, C. V. Raman, 1954

First Indian to receive Magsaysay Award

Acharya Vinoba Bhave, 1958

First Indian to win Param Vir Chakra

Major Somnath Sharma

First Indians to Win Olympic Medals & Sports Championships

Category

First Achievement / Year

First Indian to win individual Olympic Gold

Abhinav Bindra, 2008 (Shooting)

First Indian to win Olympic Medal in Athletics

Neeraj Chopra, 2021

First Indian to win Paralympic Gold

Murlikant Petkar, 1972

First Indian to win a Grand Slam (Tennis)

Mahesh Bhupathi, 1997

First Indian to win Chess World Championship

Viswanathan Anand, 2000

First Indian male shooter to win World Championship Gold

Rudrankksh Patil, 2023

First Indian male to win Asin Games Gold in Archery

Ojas Deotale, 2023

First Indian male swimmer to qualify for Olympics

Sajan Prakash, 2021

First Indian Cricketer to score triple
century

Virender Sehwag

First Indian to win ICC Cricketer of the
Year twice

Virat Kohli, 2017 & 2018

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First Indians in Space, Arts, Entertainment & Cultural Excellence

Category

First Achievement / Year

First Indian to go into space

Rakesh Sharma, 1984

First Indian to climb Mount Everest

Tenzing Norgay, 1953 (Note on citizenship)

First Indian to cross English Channel

Mihir Sen, 1958

First Indian to reach South Pole

Col. J. K. Bajaj, 1989

First Indian in Antarctica

Lt. Ram Charan

First Indian to win an Oscar

Bhanu Athaiya, 1983 (Best Costume Design)

First Indian to win Oscar (Male Category)

A. R. Rahman, 2009

First Indian to win Booker Prize

Arundhati Roy, 1997

First Indian to become UNGA President

Vijay Lakshmi Pandit, 1953

First Indian to orbit Mars (Mission Head)

Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, 2014 (Mangalyaan Mission)

First Indian pilot

J. R. D. Tata

First Indian to pass ICS

Surendra Nath Banerjee

List of First in India Women

List Of First in India Women
List Of First in India Women

The List of First in India Women celebrates Indian women who broke barriers and led change — from Indira Gandhi, the first woman Prime Minister, to Avani Lekhara’s Paralympic gold. This updated 2025 list is vital for students preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other Static GK exams.

First Women to Reach Leadership Positions in Indian Government & Administration

Category

First Achievement / Year

First Woman President of India

Pratibha Patil, 2007

First Woman Prime Minister

Indira Gandhi, 1966

First Woman Governor of State

Sarojini Naidu, 1947 (Uttar Pradesh)

First Woman Chief Minister

Sucheta Kripalani, 1963 (Uttar Pradesh)

First Woman Speaker of Lok Sabha

Meira Kumar, 2009

First Woman Judge of Supreme Court

M. Fathima Beevi, 1989

First Woman Chief Justice of High Court

Leila Seth, 1991

First Woman Defence Minister

Nirmala Sitharaman, 2017

First Woman Finance Minister (Full-time)

Nirmala Sitharaman, 2019

First Woman Foreign Secretary

Nirupama Rao, 2009

First Woman Chief Secretary

S. P. Khullar, 2022

First Woman to become DGP

Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya, 2004

First Woman to become Air Marshal

Padma Bandopadhyay, 2002

First Woman to become Lieutenant Governor (UT)

Kiran Bedi, 2016

First Woman Chief Minister of a
Northeastern State

Syeda Anwara Taimur, 1980 (Assam)

First Indian Women in Armed Forces, Space & Professional Fields

Category

First Achievement / Year

First Woman IPS Officer

Kiran Bedi, 1972

First Woman IAS Officer

Anna Rajam Malhotra, 1951

First Indian Woman Astronaut

Kalpana Chawla, 1997

First Indian Woman to travel to space (2nd
Mission)

Sunita Williams, 2007

First Woman to fly a fighter jet

Avani Chaturvedi, 2018

First Indian Woman Rafale Pilot

Shivangi Singh, 2020

First Indian Woman Chief of Staff (Armed
Forces Medical)

Lt. Gen. Madhuri Kanitkar, 2021

First Indian Woman to command Navy
ship

Lieutenant Commander Prerna Deosthalee, 2023

First female doctor of Indian origin

Anandi Gopal Joshi, 1886

First female engineer of India

Lalitha Ayyalasomayajula, 1943

First female lawyer

Cornelia Sorabji

First female advocate at Bombay High
Court

Margaret Cousins

First female neurosurgeon

Thanjavur Santhanakrishna Kanaka

First Indian Women to Win Olympic Medals & International Awards

Category

First Achievement / Year

First Woman to win Bharat Ratna

Indira Gandhi, 1971

First Woman to receive Ashoka Chakra

Neerja Bhanot, 1987

First Woman to win Nobel Prize

Mother Teresa, 1979

First Woman to climb Mount Everest

Bachendri Pal, 1984

First Woman to win Olympic Medal

Karnam Malleswari, 2000 (Weightlifting)

First Woman Boxer to win Olympic Medal

Mary Kom, 2012

First Indian Woman to win Olympic Silver

P. V. Sindhu, 2016

First Indian Woman to win Paralympic
Gold

Avani Lekhara, 2021

First Indian Woman to win Grand Slam (Tennis)

Sania Mirza, 2015

First Indian Woman to win Miss Universe

Sushmita Sen, 1994

First Indian Woman to win Miss World

Reita Faria, 1966

First female musician to win Bharat Ratna

M. S. Subbulakshmi

First female pilot in India

Sarla Thakral, 1936

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List of First in India (Men & Women) PDF Download

Download First in India (Male & Female) Quick Revision PDF. For quick revision before the important exams download this PDF and stay ahead in your exam preparation.

List of first in IndiaDownload

First In India Quiz

If you believe you have mastered the first list in India, we invite you to take our quiz and test your general knowledge.

Start Quiz

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who was the first Indian male to win Olympic gold in athletics?

    Answer: Neeraj Chopra (2021 Tokyo Olympics).

  2. Who is the first woman Rafale pilot in India?

    Answer: Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh (2020).

  3. Who was India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)?

    Answer: General Bipin Rawat (2020).

  4. Who is the first Indian woman Paralympic gold medalist?

    Answer: Avani Lekhara (Shooting, 2021).

  5. Who is the first Indian woman to command a Navy ship?

    Answer: Lt. Commander Prerna Deosthalee (2023).

Conclusion

These names are not just “firsts” they’re the beginnings of India’s story of progress.
Every name here represents courage, perseverance, and an idea that changed how India looked at itself.
If you’re preparing for competitive exams, save this page or download our “First in India PDF 2025” for quick revision. Because sometimes, remembering who did it first helps you be the next one to achieve something new.

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