Bharat Ratna — Set 1

Correct Answer: D. 1954

• **1954** = The Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, was instituted in this year. • **1954** — It was established on 2 January and initially did not allow posthumous awards. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [1950]: Incorrect; the award was not instituted in this year; [1952]: Incorrect; this year is not associated with the institution of the Bharat Ratna; [1956]: Incorrect; this year is not the founding year of the Bharat Ratna.

Correct Answer: D. Peepal

• **Peepal leaf** = The Bharat Ratna award is designed in the shape of this specific leaf. • **bronze** — The leaf-shaped medal is made of toned bronze with the sun's image and 'Bharat Ratna' inscribed. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Banyan]: Incorrect; the award is not shaped like a Banyan leaf; [Neem]: Incorrect; the Neem tree leaf is not the design inspiration for the award; [Mango]: Incorrect; the Mango leaf shape is not used for the Bharat Ratna medal.

Correct Answer: D. Lal Bahadur Shastri

• **Lal Bahadur Shastri** = He was the first individual to receive the Bharat Ratna posthumously. • **1966** — He received the award posthumously in this year after his sudden demise in Tashkent. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [K. Kamaraj]: Incorrect; he received it posthumously later in 1976; [Vinoba Bhave]: Incorrect; he received it posthumously in 1983; [Indira Gandhi]: Incorrect; she received the award during her lifetime in 1971.

Correct Answer: A. C.V. Raman

• **C.V. Raman** = He was the first scientist to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, being among the initial recipients. • **1954** — He was one of the first three recipients of the Bharat Ratna in this year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Homi J. Bhabha]: Incorrect; he was a prominent scientist but not the first to receive the Bharat Ratna; [Vikram Sarabhai]: Incorrect; he was a key figure in India's space program but did not receive the Bharat Ratna; [M. Visvesvaraya]: Incorrect; he was an engineer and statesman who received the Bharat Ratna in 1955.

Correct Answer: D. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan

• **Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan** = He was the first non-citizen of India to be conferred with the Bharat Ratna. • **1987** — Popularly known as Frontier Gandhi, he received the award in this year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Nelson Mandela]: Incorrect; he was the second non-citizen to receive it, in 1990; [Mother Teresa]: Incorrect; she was a naturalized Indian citizen when she received the award in 1980; [Clement Attlee]: Incorrect; he was a British Prime Minister and never received the Bharat Ratna.

Correct Answer: C. Indira Gandhi

• **Indira Gandhi** = She was the first woman to be awarded the Bharat Ratna. • **1971** — She received the Bharat Ratna in this year while serving as India's first female Prime Minister. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Sarojini Naidu]: Incorrect; she was a prominent political activist but did not receive the Bharat Ratna; [Mother Teresa]: Incorrect; she received the award in 1980, after Indira Gandhi; [M.S. Subbulakshmi]: Incorrect; she received the award in 1998, after Indira Gandhi.

Correct Answer: D. Three

• **Three** = The Bharat Ratna award is usually restricted to a maximum of this many individuals in a single year. • **1999** — This year, along with 2024, was an exceptional case where more than three awards were announced. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Two]: Incorrect; the usual maximum is three, not two; [Unlimited]: Incorrect; there is a stated maximum number, it's not unlimited; [Five]: Incorrect; while more than three have been awarded in exceptional years, the general rule is three.

Correct Answer: D. White

• **White** = The Bharat Ratna medal is worn around the neck with a ribbon of this color. • **Article 18(1)** — Under this article of the Constitution, the award does not carry any monetary grant or title. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Red]: Incorrect; the ribbon is not red; [Blue]: Incorrect; the ribbon is not blue; [Saffron]: Incorrect; the ribbon is not saffron.

Correct Answer: C. M.S. Subbulakshmi

• **M.S. Subbulakshmi** = She was the first musician to be honored with the Bharat Ratna. • **1998** — She received the Bharat Ratna in this year, becoming the first musician to do so. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Pt. Ravi Shankar]: Incorrect; he received the award in 1999, after M.S. Subbulakshmi; [Lata Mangeshkar]: Incorrect; she received the award in 2001, after M.S. Subbulakshmi; [Bismillah Khan]: Incorrect; he received the award in 2001, after M.S. Subbulakshmi.

Correct Answer: D. B.R. Ambedkar

• **B.R. Ambedkar** = He was the primary architect of the Indian Constitution and a Bharat Ratna recipient. • **1990** — He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in this year for his monumental contributions. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Sardar Patel]: Incorrect; he was a key figure in unification but not the primary architect of the Constitution; [Rajendra Prasad]: Incorrect; he was the first President and head of the Constituent Assembly but not the primary architect; [Jawaharlal Nehru]: Incorrect; he was the first Prime Minister but not the primary architect of the Constitution.