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Famous IAS Officers in India, List of 10 Best IAS Officer in India

Famous IAS officers in India have made remarkable contributions to the civil services. The list of 10 famous IAS Officers in India is available here.
authorImageDeeksha Dixit14 Jul, 2025
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Famous IAS Officers in India, List of the Best IAS Officers

Famous IAS Officers in India: The officers of the  Indian Administrative Service (IAS) have played pivotal roles in the governance and development of India, handling a wide range of responsibilities from implementing policies and managing administrative functions to spearheading reforms and tackling corruption. Popular names included in the list of famous IAS Officers in India are Armstrong Pame, Aruna Sundararajan, Dr Raju Narayana Swamy, Smita Sabharwal, Durga Shakti Nagpal, etc.

Famous IAS officers in India serve as an inspiration for their dedication, integrity, and impactful work in various fields, showcasing exemplary leadership and commitment to public service. The article discusses the extraordinary work of the famous IAS officers in India.

Who are Famous IAS Officers in India?

Famous IAS officers in India serve as inspiring figures due to their unwavering dedication, integrity, and impactful work in various domains. They have taken bold stands against corruption, implemented crucial reforms, and spearheaded significant developmental projects. From transforming urban infrastructure and improving water management to fighting illegal mining and promoting environmental sustainability, the efforts of famous IAS officers in India have motivated future generations of civil servants. Learning from the lives of famous IAS officers in India can also be useful for the UPSC Ethics paper.

Also Read: How to Become an IAS Officer

List of Top 10 Famous IAS Officers in India

The famous IAS officers in India hold remarkable achievements in public service and beyond. The list of the top 10 such famous IAS officers in India who have contributed to good governance and worked with dedication to serve the people is given below:

Armstrong Pame

 An IAS officer from Manipur, Armstrong Pame earned the name "Miracle Man" for his remarkable achievements. He belongs to the Zeme tribe and became the IAS officer in the second attempt in 2008. As Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Tousem in 2012, Pame was moved by the plight of people who had to walk for hours due to a lack of roads. This inspired him to build a 100-km road by raising money through crowdfunding on Facebook and convincing local contractors to provide machinery for free. His "People's Road" project transformed lives by improving connectivity and access to basic services like healthcare. IAS Armstrong Pame was nominated for the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year award in 2012 for his inspirational efforts.

Ashok Khemka

 Ashok Khemka serves as a symbol of integrity due to his unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability. Ashok Khemka is an IAS officer of the Haryana Cadre from the 1991 batch who is well known for his anti-corruption efforts. He gained prominence for canceling an illegal land deal involving the relative of a famous political figure. He has been transferred more than 50 times in his 23 years of service for exposing corruption in various departments. Despite facing numerous challenges he has continued to uphold his principles and expose corruption within the system, He has been awarded the “S R Jindal Prize in 2011” becoming a true inspiration for millions.

Smita Sabharwal

Smita Sabharwal is an IAS officer of the 2001 batch and belon gs to the Telangana cadre. She is widely recognized as "The People's Officer" due to her proactive approach to addressing citizen issues. She is known for remarkable works like "Fund your City" through public-private partnerships. IAS Smita Sabharwal received several awards for her exemplary work e-India Government Digital Initiative Award and the Chief Minister's Awards for best district initiatives. She holds the achievement of becoming the first lady to be appointed to the Chief Minister's Office.

Aruna Sundararajan

Aruna Sundararajan is a highly accomplished retired IAS officer. An IAS officer of the Kerala Cadre, 1982 batch Aruna Sundararajan held many leadership roles in her career. She played a pivotal role in establishing Kerala's IT department and spearheading the Akshaya project, a groundbreaking e-literacy initiative. IAS Aruna Sundararajan truly transforming the IT landscape of Kerala with initiatives like InfoPark in Kochi. She has been named one of the top professional women by Forbes Business Magazine and honored with the USIBC Transformative Leadership Award.

Also Read: IAS Salary

Vinod Rai

Vinod Rai is a 1972 batch Kerala cadre and former IAS officer. He is known for his role as the 11th  Comptroller and Auditor General of India. During his tenure, he presented the famous audit report that highlighted the 2G spectrum allocation scam, becoming true to the value of transparency. IAS Vinod Rai has held various key positions in both state and union governments, including Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Chairman of the Banks Board Bureau. He is currently serving as the chairperson of the UN Panel of External Auditors,

Dr. Raju Narayana Swamy

Dr. Raju Narayana Swamy is a highly respected IAS officer of the 1991 batch who is known for his unwavering stand against corruption and his significant contributions in various domains. Dr. Raju is recognized as an anti-corruption crusader and whistleblower who has been involved in investigating illegal land dealings and political corruption in Kerala. IAS Dr. Raju Narayana Swamy is also a prolific writer, having authored numerous books and received prestigious awards such as the ‘Kerala Sahitya Academy Award for his literary works. His career exemplifies his dedication to upholding integrity and making substantial contributions to the fields of governance, literature, and academia.

T. N. Seshan

 Tirunellai Narayana Iyer Seshan (T. N. Seshan) was a highly influential and transformative IAS officer of the 1955 batch who served as the Chief Election Commissioner of India from 1990 to 1996. T. N. Seshan is widely credited for introducing various electoral reforms that strengthened the independence and authority of the Election Commission. IAS T. N. Seshan has a distinguished career in various central and state government positions. He is known to take bold steps to enforce the model code of conduct, countermand tainted elections and introduce voter ID cards. His tenure was a watershed moment in the evolution of Indian democracy.

B.K. Chaturvedi

  B.K. Chaturvedi is a distinguished Indian civil servant who has held several significant positions in the government. IAS B.K. Chaturvedi belongs to the 1966 batch who served as the Cabinet Secretary of the Government of India and was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2010 for his exemplary service.

Books for UPSC Exams Preparation

He has served as a member of the Planning Commission and as the Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas. His extensive experience and expertise have made him a respected figure in the Indian bureaucracy and public service.

Ira Singhal

Famous IAS Officers in India
 Ira Singhal is the IAS topper of the 2014 batch. She achieved the All India Rank 1 in her fourth attempt to become the first woman with a disability to achieve this remarkable feat. Despite having a rare disorder called scoliosis, she emerged as the topper in UPSC while fighting the battle for inclusion and empowerment for people with disabilities. IAS Ira Singhal is a Brand Ambassador for the Department of Disability, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and is currently posted as Deputy Commissioner at Tirap District, Arunachal Pradesh. Her ultimate goal is to bring about positive change in society.

Suhas Yathiraj

Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj is an accomplished IAS officer of the 2007 batch from the Uttar Pradesh cadre. He is known for his remarkable contribution as a world-class para-badminton player. IAS Suhas Yathiraj is currently ranked world No. 2 in men's singles and is an Arjuna awardee. In 2016, he became the first Indian bureaucrat to win a professional international badminton championship. Currently, he has been serving as the Secretary and Director General of Youth Welfare and Prantiya Rakshak Dal, Uttar Pradesh. Suhas’s dedication and perseverance in multiple fields are an inspiration to many aspirants.

Also Read: How to Become an IPS Officer

List of Famous IAS Officers in India

The above list is not exhaustive, as there are many inspirational IAS who have done some outstanding work. Many such officers stood true to the values of empathy, courage, leadership, integrity, and spirit of service of IAS officers. A list of other famous IAS officers in India is given in the below table:
List of Famous IAS Officers in India
IAS Officer Known For
Santha Sheela Nair Saving the Chennai city from serious water crisis by using rainwater harvesting
Durga Shakti Nagpal Fighting the sand mafia in Uttar Pradesh
U. Sagayam Exposing illegal mining and fighting against corruption in Tamil Nadu
Gaurav Gupta Playing a key role in Bengaluru's development
Nandini K.R. Inspiring women by becoming the first woman from Karnataka to top UPSC exam
Pradeep Kumar Jena Extraordinary work after Cyclone Fani in Odisha
Tukaram Mundhe Taking on powerful politicians and bureaucrats in Maharashtra.
Supriya Sahu Playing a key role in the Swachh Bharat Mission success in Tamil Nadu
Hari Chandana Dasari Known for the "green revolution" in Hyderabad
Sanjeev Kapoor Implementing e-governance initiatives for the welfare of citizens
D. Subbarao Initiating reforms for financial inclusion and literacy as RBI governor
R.K. Laxman Transforming Mysore City Corporation through various reforms

Why Famous IAS Officers in India Inspire Aspirants

Famous IAS officers in India inspire UPSC aspirants not just because of their achievements but also because of their dedication to public service, courage in the face of challenges, and ability to create real impact. Here are some reasons why these officers serve as role models:
  • Upholding Integrity : Many famous IAS officers have stood firmly against corruption and unethical practices, showing that integrity can prevail even in difficult situations.
  • Leadership in Crisis : Officers like Pradeep Kumar Jena have demonstrated exceptional leadership during natural disasters, ensuring the safety and rehabilitation of thousands.
  • Innovative Reforms : Officers such as T.N. Seshan have brought about significant reforms, particularly in the electoral system, shaping India's democracy.
  • Social Change : From urban development to environmental sustainability, IAS officers like Hari Chandana Dasari have led initiatives that have had a lasting impact on society.
  • Perseverance : Officers such as Ira Singhal have overcome personal challenges and societal barriers to achieve success, proving that perseverance is key to achieving one's goals.
By learning about the lives and contributions of famous IAS officers in India, UPSC aspirants can find valuable insights and motivation for their own journey towards civil service. Want to serve the nation like famous IAS officers in India? Prepare for the UPSC exam with the UPSC Online Coaching at Physics Wallah!
UPSC Related Articles
UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions Paper IAS Salary UPSC Test Series
UPSC Study Material UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025 UPSC Result 2024

Famous IAS Officers in India FAQs

Who is the most famous IAS officer in India?

Anil Swarup, Smita Sabharwal, and Ashok Khemka are some of the most famous IAS officers in India.

Who is the boss of all IAS officers?

The Cabinet Secretary is the ex-officio head of the Civil Services Board and IAS.

Who is the most successful IAS?

Some of the most successful IAS are Aruna Sundararajan, Armstrong Pame, and Vinod Rai.

Who is the most powerful IAS?

The cabinet secretary is the most powerful IAS officer.

Who is the most inspiring IAS officer?

Some of the most inspiring IAS officers are Ira Singhal, T N Seshan, and IAS Ansar Ahmad Shaikh.
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