Arjuna Award — Set 1

Correct Answer: A. 1961

• **1961** = The Arjuna Award was instituted to recognize outstanding achievement in National sports. • **1961** — This was the year the award was established by the Government of India. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [1951]: The award was not established in 1951; [1971]: The award was not established in 1971; [1981]: The award was not established in 1981.

Correct Answer: C. Stephanie D'Souza

• **Stephanie D'Souza** = She was the first woman to receive the Arjuna Award in Athletics. • **1961** — She received the award in its inaugural year for her exceptional performance. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [P.T. Usha]: She received the award later for her achievements; [Kamaljeet Sandhu]: She was the first Indian woman to win an Asian Games gold in athletics but not the first Arjuna Awardee in athletics; [M.D. Valsamma]: She also received the award later for her contributions to athletics.

Correct Answer: C. 15 Lakh

• **15 Lakh** = This is the current cash prize for the Arjuna Award, as revised in 2020. • **2020** — The year when the cash prize was increased from 5 Lakh to 15 Lakh rupees. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [5 Lakh]: This was the previous cash prize before the 2020 revision; [10 Lakh]: This is not the current or previous cash prize for the Arjuna Award; [25 Lakh]: This is the cash prize for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, not the Arjuna Award.

Correct Answer: A. Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

• **Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports** = This ministry is responsible for selecting and conferring the Arjuna Awards. • **President of India** — The awards are generally presented by the President of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Ministry of Home Affairs]: This ministry primarily deals with internal security and policing; [Ministry of Culture]: This ministry focuses on cultural heritage and arts, not sports awards; [Ministry of Education]: This ministry is responsible for education policy and development.

Correct Answer: D. Salim Durani

• **Salim Durani** = He was the first cricketer to be honored with the Arjuna Award. • **1961** — He received the award in the inaugural year of its institution, making him the first cricketer. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Vinoo Mankad]: He was a legendary all-rounder but not the first Arjuna awardee in cricket; [Vijay Hazare]: A renowned batsman, he was not the first cricketer to receive the Arjuna Award; [Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi]: A former Indian captain, he received the award in 1964, not 1961.

Correct Answer: D. August

• **August** = The National Sports Awards, including the Arjuna Award, are usually presented in this month. • **August 29th** — This date coincides with National Sports Day, marking Major Dhyan Chand's birth anniversary. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [January]: No major sports awards are traditionally presented in January; [December]: No major sports awards are traditionally presented in December; [September]: While possible for shifts, August is the traditional month for the awards ceremony.

Correct Answer: C. Four

• **Four** = A sportsperson needs to show consistent good performance for the previous four years at the international level to be eligible for the Arjuna Award. • **Four years** — This duration signifies the requirement for sustained excellence and consistency in performance. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Two]: Two years is not the specified duration for consistent performance; [Three]: Three years is not the specified duration for consistent performance; [Five]: Five years is not the specified duration for consistent performance, the current guideline specifies four years.

Correct Answer: D. P.K. Banerjee

• **P.K. Banerjee** = He was the first footballer to be honored with the Arjuna Award. • **1961** — He was the inaugural recipient for Football, marking the first time a footballer received this honor. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Chuni Goswami]: He was a legendary footballer but received the award in 1962, after P.K. Banerjee; [Jarnail Singh]: He was also a prominent footballer and received the award in 1967; [Tulsidas Balaram]: A celebrated forward, he received the award in 1962.

Correct Answer: D. Krishna Das

• **Krishna Das** = He was the first archer to receive the Arjuna Award in 1961. • **1961** — He was among the initial group of athletes recognized in the award's inaugural year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Limba Ram]: A notable archer, he received the award much later in 1991; [Deepika Kumari]: A contemporary world-renowned archer, she received the award in 2012; [Dola Banerjee]: Another acclaimed archer, she received the award in 2005.

Correct Answer: C. 20

• **20** = Exactly 20 sportspersons were honored in the first batch of Arjuna Awards. • **1961** — This was the inaugural year, and 20 athletes were selected from various disciplines. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [11]: This is not the correct number of recipients for the first batch; [15]: This is not the correct number of recipients for the first batch; [25]: This is not the correct number of recipients for the first batch.