1. R. K. Shanmukham Chetty (1947-1949): a lawyer by profession, he also became the first finance minister of independent India from 1947 to 1949. He also was the president of India's legislative assembly from 1933-1995. Due to his excellent command over economics, Chetty was chosen as the first finance minister of independent India by Jawahar Lal Nehru. Although he quit shortly after taking over as FM, he is remembered for presenting the first ever budget of India in 1947.