Who was the first woman to become Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh?

Introduction / Context:
Questions on first women in various political offices are very popular in competitive exams. They highlight milestones in the political and social history of India. This question asks about the first woman who became Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, one of the most politically significant states in the country.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The state concerned is Uttar Pradesh.
• The question is specifically about the first woman Chief Minister, not the first Chief Minister overall.
• The options include several prominent women leaders and one social reformer associated with India.

Concept / Approach:
The approach is to recall the chronology of female leadership in Indian states. Sucheta Kriplani, a freedom fighter and close associate of national leaders, became Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in the 1960s, making her the first woman to hold that position in the state. Other women leaders listed in the options either never served as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh or held different roles, so careful recall of their political careers is required.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on Uttar Pradesh and identify women who have served as Chief Minister there.Step 2: Recall that Sucheta Kriplani served as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh during the mid twentieth century and is widely cited as the first woman Chief Minister of any state in India.Step 3: Review the other options: Annie Besant was a theosophist and political activist but not a Chief Minister, Mayawati served as Chief Minister later, and Vijayalakshmi Pandit held diplomatic and legislative positions rather than this particular office.Step 4: Conclude that Sucheta Kriplani is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Historical records on Indian state governments confirm that Sucheta Kriplani was appointed Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in the 1960s, becoming the first woman to lead a state government in India. Subsequent female Chief Ministers in the state, such as Mayawati, came later, which supports the correctness of this choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Annie Besant: She was a prominent theosophist and freedom movement leader but never served as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
Mayawati: She has served multiple terms as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh but came much later, so she is not the first woman to hold that office.
Vijayalakshmi Pandit: She was a distinguished diplomat and the first woman President of the United Nations General Assembly, but she did not become Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to select Mayawati because she is a very well known recent Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, and candidates may overlook earlier history. Another error is to be influenced by general fame rather than specific facts about offices held. To avoid such confusion, aspirants should link each leader with the exact role and time period for which they are known. Remember that the word first in the question is crucial and must guide the choice.

Final Answer:
The first woman Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh was Sucheta Kriplani.