Who was first Finance Minister of independent India ?

Question

Accepted Answer

Option 1, R. K. S. Chetty, is the correct answer for the question "Who was the first Finance Minister of independent India?" Here is a detailed explanation supporting this choice:

1. **Justification for Option 1: R. K. S. Chetty**
   - R. K. Shanmukham Chetty was indeed the first Finance Minister of independent India. He served from 1947 to 1949 under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. His tenure began shortly after India gained independence on August 15, 1947. As the first Finance Minister, Chetty was responsible for presenting the first budget of independent India on November 26, 1947. His role was crucial in laying the financial foundation for the newly independent nation.

2. **Explanation for why other options are incorrect:**

- **Option 2: C. D. Deshmukh**
     - C. D. Deshmukh was not the first Finance Minister of independent India. He served as the Finance Minister from 1950 to 1956, succeeding R. K. Shanmukham Chetty. While Deshmukh played a significant role in shaping India's economic policies during his tenure, he was not the first to hold the position.

- **Option 3: Morarji Desai**
     - Morarji Desai served as the Finance Minister of India at a later date, from 1958 to 1963 and again from 1967 to 1970. Although he was a prominent figure in Indian politics and finance, he was not the first Finance Minister after independence.

- **Option 4: H. N. Bahuguna**
     - H. N. Bahuguna never served as the Finance Minister of India. He was a prominent political leader and held various other positions, but finance was not one of his portfolios. Therefore, this option is incorrect in the context of the question.

In conclusion, R. K. Shanmukham Chetty's role as the first Finance Minister of independent India is well-documented and historically accurate, making Option 1 the correct answer.