Govind Narain was a member of the Imperial Civil Service and at the time of his death, among its last living Indian members. He previously served as the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh (1958 to 1961), Home Secretary of India (1971 to 1973) and Defence Secretary of India (1973 to 1975). He is considered to be one of India's most senior and respected civil servants. He was born on 5 May 1916 in Mainpuri, British Raj. �?� He was selected as a member of the Imperial Civil Service in 1939 and was Home Secretary of India and Defence Secretary of India before retirement. As Home Secretary, he played a crucial role during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. He then became Defence Secretary, a post he occupied between 1973 and 1975. He was also chief secretary of Uttar Pradesh, and was deputised to build relations between India and Nepal in 1951 as Adviser to the King of Nepal. He was named Governor of Karnataka and held the post between 1977 and 1983. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2009.