60. Who was the first woman Director General of the CISF?
[CGPSC Prelims General Studies, 11 Feb 2024]
A) Nina Singh
B) Fatima Wasim
C) Shiva Chouhan
D) None of these
Answer: A) Nina Singh
Explanation: Nina Singh became the first woman to head the Central Industrial Security Force in December 2023. An IPS officer of the Rajasthan cadre, she earlier held senior police and administrative responsibilities before the CISF appointment.
59. Justice Fathima Beevi, who died in 2023, was India’s first woman in which role?
[CGPSC Prelims General Studies, 11 Feb 2024]
A) Mount Everest climber
B) Judge of the Supreme Court
C) Chief Minister
D) None of these
Answer: B) Judge of the Supreme Court
Explanation: M. Fathima Beevi became the first woman judge of the Supreme Court of India in 1989. After her judicial career, she also served as Governor of Tamil Nadu. She remains an important pioneer in India’s higher judiciary.
58. Who became the first woman to head the Indian mission in Islamabad after Independence?
[IB ACIO Grade-II Executive, 17 Jan 2024, Shift 3]
A) Sashastra Seema Bal
B) Geetika Srivastava
C) Archana Ramasundaram
D) C. B. Muthamma
Answer: B) Geetika Srivastava
Explanation: Indian Foreign Service officer Geetika Srivastava became India’s first woman head of mission in Islamabad when she assumed charge as chargé d’affaires in 2023. Because bilateral diplomatic representation was downgraded, this role, rather than High Commissioner, led the Indian mission.
57. Which statements about Justice Fathima Beevi are correct:
(1) first woman Supreme Court judge;
(2) Governor of Kerala from 1997 to 2001;
(3) first Muslim woman in the higher judiciary?
[UPPSC PCS Prelims General Studies]
A) 1 and 3
B) 1 only
C) 1 and 2
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A) 1 and 3
Explanation: Fathima Beevi became the first woman judge of India’s Supreme Court in 1989. She served as Governor of Tamil Nadu, not Kerala, from 1997 to 2001. Thus statements 1 and 3 are correct but statement 2 is not.
56. Which dancer became the first woman nominated as a member of the Rajya Sabha?
[SSC MTS, 11 Sep 2023, Shift 3]
A) Rukmini Devi Arundale
B) Kamala Kumari
C) Sitara Devi
D) Mrinalini Sarabhai
Answer: A) Rukmini Devi Arundale
Explanation: Rukmini Devi Arundale was the first woman nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1952. She played a central role in reviving Bharatanatyam as a respected concert art and founded Kalakshetra to preserve and teach classical arts.
55. Who became the first woman Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University?
[SSC CHSL Tier-I, 17 Aug 2023, Shift 3]
A) Geeta Bhat
B) Jayati Ghosh
C) Utsa Patnaik
D) Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit
Answer: D) Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit
Explanation: Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit was appointed the first woman Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University in 2022. JNU is a central university in New Delhi, and the appointment was a significant milestone in its leadership history.
54. Who was a pioneering first woman graduate of the University of Calcutta?
[SSC CHSL Tier-I, 8 Aug 2023, Shift 1]
A) Sarojini Naidu
B) Annie Besant
C) Kadambini Ganguly
D) Rajkumari Amrit Kaur
Answer: C) Kadambini Ganguly
Explanation: Kadambini Ganguly and Chandramukhi Basu were among the first women graduates of the University of Calcutta in 1883. Kadambini later became a pioneering woman medical practitioner, advancing professional opportunities for women in colonial India.
53. In independent India, the first woman Governor headed the state now known by which name?
[SSC CGL Tier-I, 26 Jul 2023, Shift 2]
A) West Bengal
B) Rajasthan
C) Uttar Pradesh
D) Gujarat
Answer: C) Uttar Pradesh
Explanation: Sarojini Naidu became Governor of the United Provinces in 1947, shortly after independence. The province later became Uttar Pradesh. She was the first woman state Governor in independent India and had previously led the Indian National Congress.
52. Who was elected the first woman President of the Indian Olympic Association in December 2022?
[SSC CGL Tier-I, 25 Jul 2023, Shift 3]
A) P. T. Usha
B) Rajlaxmi Singh Deo
C) Karnam Malleswari
D) Dola Banerjee
Answer: A) P. T. Usha
Explanation: P. T. Usha became the first woman to lead the Indian Olympic Association in December 2022. Known as the Payyoli Express, she represented India as an athlete at the Olympics and Asian Games before entering sports administration.
51. Who became the first woman soldier skydiver in the Indian Army to jump from approximately 10,000 feet?
[SSC CGL Tier-I, 24 Jul 2023, Shift 1]
A) Lt. Gen. Madhuri Kanitkar
B) Lance Naik Manju
C) Lt. Gen. Rajshree Ramasethu
D) Air Marshal Arti Sarin
Answer: B) Lance Naik Manju
Explanation: Lance Naik Manju of the Indian Army became its first woman soldier skydiver. Her jump was conducted from roughly 10,000 feet, demonstrating expanding opportunities for women in challenging military sporting and operational activities.
