Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 252

Who was the first woman cabinet minister?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the early years of independent India and the roles of prominent women.

Correct Answer: B) Rajkumari Amrit Kaur.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, Civil Services

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

The question asks about the first woman cabinet minister in independent India. To understand this, it is important to consider the context of the early years of independent India and the roles of prominent women in the political landscape.

India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947. Following independence, the first cabinet of the newly formed government was formed under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, who became the first Prime Minister of India. This cabinet included several prominent figures, among whom Rajkumari Amrit Kaur was the first woman to be appointed as a cabinet minister.

Rajkumari Amrit Kaur was a social worker and politician who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement. She was appointed as the Minister of Health in the first cabinet of independent India. This appointment marked a significant milestone in the history of Indian politics, as it was the first time a woman was given a cabinet-level position in the government.

It is important to note that while other women such as Sucheta Kriplani, Vijayalakshmi Pandit, and Saroj Begum were also prominent figures in Indian politics, they did not hold the position of the first woman cabinet minister. Sucheta Kriplani became the first woman Chief Minister of a state in India, while Vijayalakshmi Pandit held important diplomatic roles, including being the first woman president of the United Nations General Assembly. Saroj Begum was also a notable figure in Indian politics but did not hold the position of the first woman cabinet minister.

Therefore, the correct answer is Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, who was the first woman cabinet minister in independent India, serving as the Health Minister in the first cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: Sucheta Kriplani was a significant figure in Indian politics and became the first woman Chief Minister of a state in India, but she was not the first woman cabinet minister.
  • Option B: Rajkumari Amrit Kaur was indeed the first woman cabinet minister in independent India, serving as the Health Minister in the first cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru.
  • Option C: Vijayalakshmi Pandit was a prominent diplomat and politician, but she was not the first woman cabinet minister in India. She held other important positions, including being the first woman president of the United Nations General Assembly.
  • Option D: Saroj Begum was a notable figure in Indian politics, but she was not the first woman cabinet minister. She held other significant roles in the political landscape of India.

Mnemonic: RAM: Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, Minister

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