Anna Rajam Malhotra was the first Indian woman to join the Indian Administrative Service, serving as an IAS officer of the 1951 batch. She was born on July 17, 1927, in Kerala. She received her early education in the Ernakulam district of Kerala and earned a Master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Madras.
After passing the Civil Services Examination in 1950, the interview board advised her to choose foreign or central services, citing it as difficult for women. However, she remained adamant and chose the latter.
Her appointment letter also included a condition stating that she would have to leave the post upon marriage. She believed this position was not suitable for women, but she remained confident in her victory. Madras Chief Minister C. Rajagopalachari, instead of giving her charge of a district, posted her directly to the Madras Secretariat, where she worked with seven Madras Chief Ministers. She also played a key role in organizing the 1982 Asian Games. It was under her leadership that the country’s first computerized container port was built in Mumbai. She was married to former RBI Governor Ran Malhotra.
During her illustrious administrative career spanning 40 years, she accomplished many landmark milestones for the country’s development.
- Building the country’s first computerized port
She was responsible for the construction and launch of India’s first fully modern and computerized container port, Nhava Seva, near Mumbai. As its chairperson, she successfully completed this landmark infrastructure project, for which she was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1989.
- Successful Organization of the 1982 Asian Games
She worked closely with then-MP Rajiv Gandhi to ensure the success of this major global event, overseeing all the logistical and financial preparations for the 1982 Asian Games held in Delhi.
- Improvements in Agriculture and Food Production
Strengthened the country’s agricultural systems by serving as Chairperson of the National Seeds Corporation and also toured eight states to review food production with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
- Top Positions in the Ministry of Education and Culture
She was the first woman in the country to hold the position of Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Government of India. She worked closely with seven different Chief Ministers in several important departments such as Agriculture, Revenue, and Public Administration under the Government of Madras.
- International Representation
She also represented the country as Executive Director of India at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C.
Major Honours
The Padma Bhushan was a civilian award bestowed upon her by the Government of India in 1989, specifically for her contributions to the country’s administrative sphere and for successfully completing the modern Jawaharlal Nehru Port Project in Mumbai.
Furthermore, the distinction of becoming the first woman IAS officer of independent India is a major historical honor, opening the doors of the civil services for millions of Indian women to come.