Arjuna Award — Set 5

Correct Answer: C. E-sports

• **E-sports** = This category is currently not included in the list of sports recognized for the National Sports Awards in India. • **Current Rules** — The Arjuna Award guidelines specify recognized sports, and E-sports are yet to be formally added to this list. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Para Sports]: These have been integrated into the awards scheme, recognizing athletes with disabilities; [Indigenous Games]: Traditional Indian sports like Kabaddi and Kho-Kho are already eligible; [Deaf Sports]: These have also been recently integrated, recognizing athletes from the deaf community.

Correct Answer: B. Princess Rajyashree Kumari

• **Princess Rajyashree Kumari** = She was the first woman shooter to receive the Arjuna Award, continuing her family's legacy in the sport. • **1968** — Princess Rajyashree Kumari was honored in this year, becoming the pioneering female Arjuna Awardee in shooting. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Anjali Bhagwat]: A highly decorated rifle shooter, she received the Arjuna Award much later; [Raj Kumari Rajwade]: While a historical figure, she is not associated with being the first female shooter to receive this award; [Soma Dutta]: A notable Indian shooter, but she received the award later.

Correct Answer: C. 2020

• **2020** = This year witnessed a record number of 27 Arjuna Awardees being selected, a significantly high figure. • **Exceptional circumstances** — The high number was due to the committee's decision to reward athletes who showed grit during the pandemic-affected training period. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [2010]: While a year for Arjuna Awards, it did not have this record number; [2015]: This year did not see an exceptionally high number of awardees; [2022]: The number of awardees in this year was not as high as the record set in 2020.

Correct Answer: B. Shyam Lal

• **Shyam Lal** = He was the first gymnast to receive the Arjuna Award, honored during the inaugural year of the awards. • **1961** — Shyam Lal received the award in this founding year, establishing gymnastics' place among recognized sports. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Dipa Karmakar]: A highly successful contemporary gymnast and Olympian, she received the award much later; [Ashish Kumar]: A prominent male gymnast in recent times, he received the award later; [M.S. Bhola]: While a name in Indian sports, he was not the first Arjuna Awardee for gymnastics.

Correct Answer: C. Rashtrapati Bhavan

• **Rashtrapati Bhavan** = The Arjuna Award ceremony is formally organized and conferred in the Darbar Hall or Ashoka Hall of this historical venue. • **Dignity and national pride** — Holding the ceremony at the President's residence adds significant prestige and honor to the national sports awards. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Red Fort]: A historical monument, but not the venue for this award ceremony; [India Gate]: A war memorial and landmark, not where the awards are conferred; [Parliament House]: The seat of Indian legislature, but not the venue for the Arjuna Award ceremony.

Correct Answer: C. Rohini Khadilkar

• **Rohini Khadilkar** = She was the first woman to receive the Arjuna Award in the discipline of chess. • **1980** — She received the award in this year for her groundbreaking achievements in chess. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Koneru Humpy: She is a prominent Indian chess player but received the award later in 2003; Bhagyashree Thipsay: She is an Indian chess player who received the award in 1987; S. Vijayalakshmi: She is an Indian chess Grandmaster but received the award later in 2001.

Correct Answer: D. Archery

• **Archery** = This sport did not have an Arjuna Award recipient in the inaugural year of the awards. • **1961** — This year marked the inaugural awards, but Archery was not among the disciplines recognized for an awardee. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Cricket: Salim Durani received the award in 1961; Football: P.K. Banerjee received the award in 1961; Hockey: Anne Lumsden and Prithipal Singh received the award in 1961.

Correct Answer: B. Shantha Rangaswamy

• **Shantha Rangaswamy** = She was the first woman cricketer to be honored with the Arjuna Award. • **1976** — She received the award in this year for her stellar performance in women's cricket. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Mithali Raj: She is a renowned cricketer but received the award later in 2003; Jhulan Goswami: She is a celebrated fast bowler but received the award later in 2010; Diana Edulji: She is a pioneering woman cricketer but received the award after Shantha Rangaswamy in 1983.

Correct Answer: B. Sandeep Byala

• **Sandeep Byala** = He was the first judoka to receive the Arjuna Award. • **1992** — This is the specific year he was honored with the award, marking a milestone for Judo in India. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Cawas Billimoria: He is a prominent judoka but received the award later in 1998; Poonam Chopra: She is a judoka but received the award later in 1995; Akram Shah: He is a successful judoka but received the award later in 2006.

Correct Answer: B. It is headed by a retired judge or sports expert

• **a retired judge or sports expert** = The Arjuna Award selection committee is typically headed by such an individual to ensure impartiality and expertise. • **fair and merit-based evaluation** — The chairmanship by a retired judge or sports expert ensures a credible and unbiased assessment process for nominations. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: It consists only of politicians: This is incorrect; the committee comprises various experts and former athletes, not solely politicians; Members are elected by the public: The members are nominated and appointed, not elected by public vote; Only previous winners can be members: While previous winners can be members, it's not an exclusive criterion; other experts are also included.