Being an IAS officer is a precious dream of many Indian students. That prestigious position is not only offers honor but also responsibilities. Therefore, many UPSC candidates prepare for years to achieve that position. But ever wonder who was the first IAS or Indian civil service officer in India? Who was the first IAS of India? Here, in the following article, we are going to talk about that. You will learn about the first IAS of India who held that position. So, without any delay, let’s start with 1st IAS officer in India.
Satyendranath Tagore – The First Indian Civil Service Officer in India
East India Company had started Covenanted Civil service (CCS). It was British India then. It later turned into the Indian Civil Service. Like current time, candidates also had to pass a competitive exam as well. In addition, this exam was conducted in England. Satyendranath Tagore went to England in 1862 to compete in the examination. He returned to India in 1864. By then he completed the training period in that country. His biography and his lifestyle are worth learning. Because he was the first IAS officer in India,
Biography, Education, and More
Biography and Education of First IAS Officer of India
Satyendranath comes from a famous family. He was the older brother of Rabindranath Tagore. He won the Nobel Prize for his “Song Offerings”. Thus, it is obvious that the son of the Tagore Family was enriched with culture and heritage. He was born on 1st June 1842 in Calcutta’s famous Tagore family. At that time, the Tagore family of Jorasanko was one of the most influential families in Bengal and India. Satyendranath was the second oldest son of the family.
Satyendranath Tagore also had a great contribution to society. it was a legacy of the Tagore family. Other than being the first Indian Civil service officer in India, he was a gem. This person was talented. This person was an author, song composer, and linguist. He did many things for women’s freedom in Indian society. He was married to Jnanadanandini Devi.
Satyendranath learned Sanskrit and Hindi at home. He was one of the firsts who appeared in the entrance exam of Calcutta University in 1857. Later, he studied at Presidency College. He was a student of Hindu School. As it was mentioned before, he was not only the first IAS of India.
Brahmo Samaj and Women Freedom
Satyendranath wanted to work for women‘s progress in modern society. After marriage, he made his wish fulfill through his wife. In England, He witnessed social growth among them. The situation of Indian women troubled him. He worked for them as being1st IAS officer in India. One of the major work of the first IAS of India was ending “Purdah” for Indian women.
Brahmo Samaj’s ideology heavily influenced the first IAS officer of India. Raja Rammohan Roy establishes this path during Bengal Renaissance. In fact, Devendranath Tagore was also the leader of it. He was Satyeandranath’s father. However, in later future, he implemented this ideology in the reformation of Indian women.
Apart from this, he was a remarkable writer as well. His brother was Rabindranath Tagore. He amazed the world of literature with “Song offerings”. Like him, Satyendranath also influenced Bengali literature. He inherited the cultural heritage of the Tagore family. Some of his literary works are – Sushila O Birsinha, Amar Balyakatha, Bombay Chitra, and more.
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Journey to Be First IAS of India
It was not easy to become the first Indian IAS officer of India. Satyendranath Tagore has to overcome a lot of struggle as well. During British rule, it was highly inspiring for others. In the first place, only the British could join the Indian Civil Service. However, from the mid-nineteenth century, Indians could also apply. But, it was only for some posts through competitive exams. In 1861, ICS was set after the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Also, Indian has to go to England to compete with British candidates. It was a hard task for common Indians of that time.
Monomohum Ghose offered and encouraged him for this. He was Satyendranath’s friend. With his motivation, two of them set for England. Their target was to prepare and compete in the IAS exam. In 1863, he was selected as 1st IAS officer in India. After completing trial training for IAS, he returned to India in 1864. Satyendranath was appointed in the Bombay Presidency. However, it was four months of initial training. Later, Satyendranath was posted in Ahmedabad as 1st IAS officer in India.
Due to his posting in different regions, Satyendranath learned various languages. It enhanced his literature talent effectively. He translated “Geetarahasya” and “Abhang Poems” in Bengali. Although, Rabindranath Tagore also helped with Abhang Poems. Apart from that, Satyendranath also took part in Brahmo Samaj’s operations in Maharashtra. He was in service for 30 years as the first Indian Civil service officer of India. Satyendranath retired as a judge of Satara in 1897.
Other Activities of Satyendranath Tagore
Not only as of the first IAS officer of India, but Satyendranath also engaged with various activities. His house was a center for literary gatherings. There, most of the famous persons of Kolkata used to present. They used to discuss the Bengali language, love in men and women, etc. Further, there was a record for deliberations. It was not allowed to publish outside of the family. Apart from the first IAS officer of India, he had done many things. Satyendranath was president of Bangiya Sahitya Parishad. Also, he was president of the 10th Bengal provincial conference.
He preached Brahmo Samaj’s ideals even his busy schedules. He was a part of the strong patriot family of that time. Tagore’s family nurtured Bengali culture even in Indian high society. Thus, who is the first IAS officer in India will always present a portrait of a Bengali person. Along with the positivity of British culture, he started to change Indian Society. Through Hindu Mela, he initiated Patriotism among ordinary Indians.
Satyendranath had written many patriotic songs as well. His song “India’s Children” is considered the first national anthem of India. Furthermore, it was shown previously, he has done many things for Indian women. His visit to England made him realize Indian women’s situation. Thus he focused on their reformation. When the question arises of who is the first IAS officer in India, it will also rise. He witnessed the freedom of women. He tried to bring that to Indian society as well.
Important frequently Asked Questions
Satyendranath Tagore was the 1st IAS officer of India. He became an IAS officer in 1863. Satyendranath had to pass the civil service examination from England. He was born in the Tagore family of Calcutta.
Yes. He was the older brother of Rabindranath Tagore.
In British rule, only a British could become an IAS officer. They had an exam back in England. There they also conducted a training period for selected candidates. Candidates had to pass the competitive exam in the first place.
Yes. Satyendranath was from the famous Tagore family of Calcutta, West Bengal. At that time, the Tagore family was one of the most influential families in Bengal. That’s why; he was also rich in Bengali culture and heritage. His brother Rabindranath Tagore was a Nobel laureate. Satyendranath himself was a great composer and writer.
Satyendranath was not only a part of Brahmo Samaj but an active member as well. His father was also a key part of activities. Despite being an IAS officer, he had taken crucial parts in operations. It was Satyendranath’s ideology. He in fact tried to implement it for women’s emancipation.
Satyandranath had always tried to improve Indian society. The position of women in this society was his main priority. Therefore, he put his focus on social reformation. He witnessed women’s prosperity in England. Hence, he wanted to bring that change to our country too.
Editor’s Note | First IAS Officer of India
The life story of Satyendranath Tagore taught us many things. He was not only the first IAS officer of India. Satyendranath was much more than that. He was a social reformer as well. Satyendranath has done many things for our country. This country will be forever in his gratitude. He enriched this country with his talent. His songs helped in the awakening of patriotism among Indians. His writings are still relevant in this current situation. As an IAS officer, he served his country efficiently. Satyendranath’s work life was glorious. It can be an inspiration for the next-gen IAS aspirants.
Satyendranath broadened the path for Indians to be IAS officers. Because of him, Indians started to enlist in the IAS position. He proved Indians can handle such positions. It is still a motivation for many students. Thus, aspirants need to look up to such role models. This will keep them motivated. Hence, achieving dreams will be a lot easier for them. His journey to become the first IAS officer is significant for IAS history. Satyendranath Tagore’s influence cannot be forgotten as an IAS officer. It has great significance on the Indian Civil Service exam.
