Arjuna Award — Set 3

Correct Answer: C. Bronze

• **Bronze** = The Arjuna Award statuette, depicting Arjuna, is crafted from this metal. • **Arjuna with his bow** — This iconic imagery is central to the design of the statuette, symbolizing dedication and prowess. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Gold]: Gold is typically used for first-place medals in competitions, not for the Arjuna statuette; [Silver]: Silver is often used for second-place medals, but not for this specific award statuette; [Brass]: While a metal alloy, brass is not the material used for the official Arjuna Award statuette.

Correct Answer: D. Lakshmi Mahadevan

• **Lakshmi Mahadevan** = She was the inaugural female tennis player to be conferred with the Arjuna Award. • **1964** — She received this award in a relatively early year of its inception, preceding more contemporary tennis stars. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Sania Mirza]: She is a highly successful modern tennis player but received the award in 2004; [Shikha Uberoi]: She is an American-Indian tennis player but not the first female Arjuna awardee; [Nirupama Sanjeev]: She was a prominent Indian tennis player but not the first woman to receive this specific award.

Correct Answer: D. A.S. Cheema

• **A.S. Cheema** = He was the first Indian to successfully summit Mount Everest and received the Arjuna Award for this historic feat. • **1965** — This year marked the landmark first Indian expedition to Everest, for which he and his team were honored. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Bachendri Pal]: She was the first Indian woman to climb Everest, awarded in 1984; [Santosh Yadav]: She was the first woman to climb Everest twice, awarded in 1994; [Tenzing Norgay]: He was one of the first two individuals to summit Everest in 1953, but he was Nepalese-Indian and not specifically recognized with an Arjuna Award for this Indian expedition.

Correct Answer: D. P.G. Sethi

• **P.G. Sethi** = He holds the distinction of being the first golfer to receive the Arjuna Award. • **1961** — He was recognized in the inaugural year of the awards, pioneering golf's representation. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Jeev Milkha Singh]: He is a highly acclaimed contemporary golfer, awarded in 1999; [Arjun Atwal]: He is a prominent professional golfer, awarded in 2007; [Anirban Lahiri]: He is a modern Indian golf star, awarded in 2017.

Correct Answer: A. Mountaineering

• **Mountaineering** = This sport holds the record for the most Arjuna Award recipients in a single year. • **nine** recipients in **1965** — This unprecedented number was awarded to the entire team for the first successful Indian ascent of Mount Everest. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Athletics]: While a popular sport, athletics did not have nine recipients in 1965; [Cricket]: Cricket has had multiple Arjuna awardees, but not nine in a single year; [Hockey]: Hockey is a prominent Indian sport, but it did not have nine recipients in 1965.

Correct Answer: C. Bhuvneshwari Kumari

• **Bhuvneshwari Kumari** = She was the pioneering woman to receive the Arjuna Award in the sport of Squash. • **1982** — She was honored with this award in recognition of her exceptional dominance, including a record **16** consecutive national titles. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Joshna Chinappa]: She is a prominent modern squash player, awarded in 2013; [Dipika Pallikal]: She is another leading contemporary squash player, awarded in 2012; [Anaka Alankamony]: She is a younger accomplished squash player, not the first recipient.

Correct Answer: A. 2001

• **2001** = In this year, guidelines were revised to cap the number of Arjuna Awards presented annually. • **15** awards — This limit was set to maintain the prestige and exclusivity of the Arjuna Awards in a regular year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [2011]: This year saw no such specific revision to the award limit; [2021]: This is a more recent year and the change regarding the limit was much earlier; [None of these]: This is incorrect as the year 2001 is the correct answer.

Correct Answer: B. Manuel Aaron

• **Manuel Aaron** = He was the inaugural chess player from India to receive the Arjuna Award. • **1961** — He was recognized in the very first year of the awards, pioneering chess's representation. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Viswanathan Anand]: He is a legendary Grandmaster but received the award in 1985; [Dibyendu Barua]: He is a notable Grandmaster, awarded in 1983; [Pravin Thipsay]: He is also a Grandmaster, awarded in 1984.

Correct Answer: B. Sportspersons

• **Sportspersons** = The Arjuna Award is dedicated exclusively to recognizing outstanding achievements by active athletes. • **Dronacharya** Award — This separate award category is specifically designated for coaches, acknowledging their guidance and contribution. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Coaches]: Coaches are recognized by the Dronacharya Award, not the Arjuna Award; [Referees]: Referees have different recognition schemes, not the Arjuna Award; [Sports Journalists]: Sports journalists are not eligible for the Arjuna Award, which is for athletic performance.

Correct Answer: A. Geeta Phogat

• **Geeta Phogat** = She made history as the first Indian woman wrestler to be awarded the Arjuna Award. • **2012** — She received this recognition following her landmark gold medal at the Commonwealth Games and Olympic qualification. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Vinesh Phogat]: She is also a renowned wrestler and received the award in 2016; [Sakshi Malik]: She is an Olympic medalist, awarded in 2016; [Sonika Kaliraman]: She is a prominent female wrestler but not the first Arjuna Awardee.