12 Civil Servants Who Changed the Course of Indian History

21 April 2025

1) VP Menon – A key bureaucrat in India’s transition from British rule, he worked closely with Sardar Patel and played a crucial role in integrating princely states into India.

2) Sukumar Sen – India’s first Chief Election Commissioner, he laid the foundation for the country’s democratic electoral process, ensuring free and fair elections at a time when the world remained sceptical.

3) PS Appu – The Director of LBSNAA, who would define the highest standards of public service in the IAS. He resigned on finding that the government would not punish a trainee guilty of reprehensible conduct.

4) TN Seshan – Though he became famous later as Chief Election Commissioner, he was an IAS officer who redefined governance and electoral reforms.

5) Anna Rajam Malhotra – The first woman to join the IAS, she played a key role in large infrastructure projects, including Mumbai's JN Port and the Mumbai-Pune expressway.

6) BN Mullik – The first Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) after independence, this IPS officer played a crucial role in shaping India’s intelligence and internal security framework.

7) KF Rustamji – A legendary IPS officer who was instrumental in founding the Border Security Force (BSF) in 1965.

8) KPS Menon – India’s first Foreign Secretary, this IFS officer played a vital role in defining India's foreign policy in the early years.

9) JN Dixit – As Foreign Secretary (1991–94), he shaped India’s neighbourhood policy during the post-liberalisation era, especially with Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and China.

10) Badruddin Tyabji – Among the earliest Indian ambassadors, he bolstered ties with the US and Africa, expanding India’s global footprint.

11) Shivshankar Menon – Key architect of the Indo-US nuclear deal and India-China border talks, he sharpened India’s strategic outlook as NSA.

12) MK Ranjitsinh – He transformed wildlife conservation efforts in India by establishing 14 new sanctuaries and 8 national parks.