Arjuna Award — Set 4

Correct Answer: B. Maharajah Prem Singh

• **Maharajah Prem Singh** = He was the first polo player to receive the Arjuna Award. • **1961** — This year marked the inception of the Arjuna Awards, with Prem Singh being among the first recipients for Polo. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Maharaja Karni Singh]: He was an Arjuna Awardee for shooting, not polo; [Maharaja Sawai Mansingh II]: He was a patron of polo but not the first Arjuna Awardee; [Major Kishen Singh]: While a notable polo player, he was not the first Arjuna Awardee for the sport.

Correct Answer: B. Yes, in exceptional cases

• **Yes, in exceptional cases** = The rules of the Arjuna Award allow for posthumous conferment if an athlete died during the period under consideration. • **Rules** — This provision ensures that the performance and sacrifice of deceased athletes are duly recognized. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [No, never]: The rules explicitly allow for it in certain situations; [Only for wartime heroes]: The criteria are based on athletic performance, not military service; [Only for Olympic medalists]: While Olympians are often recognized, this is not a specific criterion for posthumous awards.

Correct Answer: B. Rima Datta

• **Rima Datta** = She was the first woman to receive the Arjuna Award for swimming. • **1966** — Rima Datta was honored in this year for her excellence in national and international swimming competitions. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Arati Saha]: She was famous for crossing the English Channel but was not the first woman Arjuna Awardee in swimming; [Bula Choudhury]: A renowned long-distance swimmer, she received the award later; [Shikha Tandon]: A contemporary swimmer, she received the award much later.

Correct Answer: A. Maharaja Karni Singh

• **Maharaja Karni Singh** = He was the first shooter to receive the Arjuna Award, specifically for clay pigeon trap and skeet shooting. • **1961** — Maharaja Karni Singh was among the inaugural batch of Arjuna Awardees, marking the first recognition for shooting. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Randhir Singh]: He was also an Olympic shooter and Arjuna Awardee but not the first; [Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore]: An Olympic silver medalist in shooting, he received the award later; [Abhinav Bindra]: India's first individual Olympic gold medalist, he received the award much later.

Correct Answer: B. Arjuna with a bow and arrow

• **Arjuna with a bow and arrow** = The statuette depicts the legendary warrior Arjuna in a standing posture holding his iconic bow, Gandiva. • **Warrior spirit** — This depiction symbolizes the focus, precision, and dedication required of a sportsperson. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Arjuna with a shield]: While a warrior, the statuette specifically features his bow; [Arjuna driving a chariot]: This represents a different phase or role of Arjuna, not the statuette's design; [Arjuna meditating]: Meditation is a spiritual aspect, not the visual representation of the award statuette.

Correct Answer: B. A. Palanisamy

• **A. Palanisamy** = He was the first recipient of the Arjuna Award from the sport of Volleyball. • **1961** — Palanisamy received the award in the inaugural year, highlighting early recognition for team sports like volleyball. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Jimmy George]: A legendary volleyball player, he received the award later; [Nripjit Singh]: He was also a prominent volleyball player and Arjuna Awardee but not the first; [K.U. Panicker]: While associated with volleyball, he was not the first Arjuna Awardee for the sport.

Correct Answer: B. Om Agarwal

• **Om Agarwal** = He was the first snooker player to receive the Arjuna Award, after winning the World Amateur Snooker Championship. • **1984** — This year marked the first time a snooker player, Om Agarwal, was honored with the Arjuna Award. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Geet Sethi]: A legendary billiards player and multiple world champion, he received the Arjuna Award for billiards; [Michael Ferreira]: A famous billiards player, not primarily snooker, and received his award earlier; [Yasin Merchant]: A notable snooker player, but he received the award later than Om Agarwal.

Correct Answer: A. Meena Shah

• **Meena Shah** = She was the first woman to receive the Arjuna Award in Badminton, recognized for her national dominance. • **1962** — Meena Shah received the award in this year, becoming the pioneer female badminton Arjuna Awardee. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Saina Nehwal]: A modern badminton icon and Olympic medalist, she received the award much later; [Madhumita Bisht]: A prominent badminton player, but she received the award later than Meena Shah; [Ami Ghia]: Another notable badminton player, she received the award later.

Correct Answer: D. Amar Singh Billing

• **Amar Singh Billing** = He was the first cyclist to receive the Arjuna Award, recognized for his contributions to competitive cycling. • **1975** — This year marked the first time a cyclist was honored with the prestigious Arjuna Award. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Amar Singh]: This is an incomplete name that could refer to others, not the correct cyclist; [H.S. Bhullar]: While a known name in Indian sports, he was not the first cyclist Arjuna Awardee; [Minati Mahapatra]: A notable woman cyclist, but Amar Singh Billing was the first overall cyclist to receive the award.

Correct Answer: C. Sandeep Singh Maan

• **Sandeep Singh Maan** = He was the first para-athlete to receive the Arjuna Award under the newly introduced inclusive categories. • **2012** — This year marked a significant shift, as Sandeep Singh Maan became the first recognized para-athlete Arjuna Awardee. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Deepa Malik]: A renowned para-athlete and Khel Ratna recipient, she received the Arjuna Award later; [Devendra Jhajharia]: A multiple Paralympic medalist, he also received the Arjuna Award later; [Murlikant Petkar]: A pioneering Paralympic gold medalist, he received other recognitions but not the first Arjuna Award for a para-athlete.