Who Was C. B. Muthamma? Meet India’s First Woman IFS Officer Who Broke Gender Barriers

C. B. Muthamma was a brave woman who created history in India. At a time when very few women worked in high government positions, she became the first woman to join the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). She did not just get a job; she fought against unfair rules to make things better for all women in the future.

Early Life and Education of C. B. Muthamma

C. B. Muthamma was born on January 24, 1924. She was born in a place called Virajpet in Coorg, which is in Karnataka. Her father worked in the forest department. Sadly, her father passed away when she was only nine years old. Even though the family faced money problems, her mother made sure that all the children went to school.

Muthamma was a very bright student. She went to St. Joseph’s Girls School in Madikeri. Later, she moved to Chennai for higher studies. She studied at the Women’s Christian College and won three gold medals for her hard work. After that, she finished her MA in English Literature from the famous Presidency College.

Success in UPSC and Joining the IFS

In 1948, Muthamma decided to take the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination. In those days, it was very rare for women to take this difficult test. She did not just pass the exam; she got a very high rank. In 1949, she joined the Indian Foreign Service. This made her the first woman officer in the history of the IFS.

Detail	Information
Full Name	C. B. Muthamma (Chonira Belliappa Muthamma)
Date of Birth	January 24, 1924
Place of Birth	Virajpet, Coorg, Karnataka
UPSC Exam Year	1948
Year of Joining IFS	1949

Fighting Against Unfair Rules

When Muthamma joined the service, women faced a lot of discrimination. She was told to sign a special paper. This paper said that she would have to resign from her job if she got married. In those days, people thought married women should not have professional careers. Muthamma did not like this rule. She later raised her voice against these unfair policies and fought for the rights of women officers.

Career, Postings, and Salary Details

Muthamma had a very long and successful career. Her first job outside India was at the Indian Embassy in Paris. She also worked in many other places around the world. She represented India in Asia, Europe, and Africa. In 1970, she became India’s ambassador to Hungary. This was another record, as she was the first woman from the IFS to become an ambassador.

Salary in the 1950s

In the early 1950s, the salary for an IFS officer was very different from today. Here is what she earned:

Type of Pay	Amount (Per Month)
Basic Salary	Rs 350
Allowance	Rs 90 (approx)

Important Postings

• Indian Embassy in Paris (First posting)
• Rangoon, Myanmar
• London, United Kingdom
• Ministry of External Affairs, Delhi
• Ambassador to Hungary (1970)
• High Commissioner to Ghana
• Representative in The Hague, Netherlands

A Pioneer Who Inspired Others

C. B. Muthamma’s life was not just about her own success. She showed everyone that women could be great leaders and diplomats. She broke the “glass ceiling” and proved that gender should not stop anyone from serving their country. Her courage and hard work continue to inspire many young women in India who want to join the civil services today.

FAQs

Who was the first woman IFS officer in India?

C. B. Muthamma was the first woman to join the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1949.

Where was C. B. Muthamma born?

She was born in Virajpet, Coorg, which is located in the state of Karnataka.

Was she the first woman ambassador of India?

Yes, she became the first woman from the IFS to be appointed as an ambassador when she was posted to Hungary in 1970.

What was the salary of an IFS officer in the 1950s?

In the early 1950s, an IFS officer earned a basic salary of about Rs 350 per month plus an allowance of around Rs 90.

What unfair rule did she face regarding marriage?

She was asked to sign a document stating she would resign from her job if she got married, a rule she later fought against.