Major Dhyan Chand — Set 4

Correct Answer: D. Haryana

• **Haryana** = Haryana has consistently produced top-tier athletes, leading to many Khel Ratna awardees. • **Robust sports policy** — This policy and infrastructure have been instrumental in fostering athletic talent within the state. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Punjab]: Known for hockey and other sports, but not as dominant in Khel Ratna numbers as Haryana in recent decades; [Manipur]: Produces excellent athletes (like Mary Kom), but not the highest number of Khel Ratna awardees overall; [Kerala]: Strong in athletics and football, but not leading in Khel Ratna recipients compared to Haryana.

Correct Answer: D. Anju Bobby George

• **Anju Bobby George** = Anju Bobby George won the bronze medal in long jump at the World Championships. • **2003** — She was the first Indian to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships, earning her the Khel Ratna. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Milkha Singh]: Legendary runner, but his prime was before 2003 and not specifically for a World Athletics Championships medal leading to a Khel Ratna; [Neeraj Chopra]: Won an Olympic gold and World Championship silver, but much later than 2003; [Hima Das]: Won medals at junior levels and Asian Games, but not the first to win a World Athletics Championship medal leading to a Khel Ratna.

Correct Answer: A. Mary Kom

• **Mary Kom** = Mary Kom is a six-time world champion and an Olympic bronze medalist, making her the first woman boxer to receive the Khel Ratna. • **2009** — This was the year she received the Khel Ratna, cementing her legacy as a pioneer in Indian boxing. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Lovlina Borgohain]: Olympic medalist, but received Khel Ratna later; [Nikhat Zareen]: World Champion, but received Khel Ratna much later; [Sarita Devi]: Prominent boxer, but not the first woman boxer Khel Ratna recipient.

Correct Answer: B. National Sports Awards Committee

• **National Sports Awards Committee** = The National Sports Awards Committee is a specialized panel responsible for selecting Khel Ratna winners. • **Sports Ministry** — This committee recommends names to the Sports Ministry for final approval. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Sports Authority of India]: Promotes sports, but does not solely select awardees; [Olympic Selection Board]: Focuses on selecting athletes for the Olympics, not national awards; [Ministry of Home Affairs]: Deals with internal security, unrelated to sports awards selection.

Correct Answer: A. Sharath Kamal

• **Sharath Kamal** = Achanta Sharath Kamal, a legend in Indian table tennis, won the Khel Ratna in 2022. • **2022** — He received the award for his long and distinguished career, including over **10 Commonwealth Games medals**. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Sathiyan Gnanasekaran]: Prominent TT player, but not the 2022 Khel Ratna awardee; [Manika Batra]: Khel Ratna awardee in 2020, but not 2022; [Mouma Das]: Veteran TT player, but not the 2022 Khel Ratna awardee.

Correct Answer: C. 2018

• **2018** = Virat Kohli received the Khel Ratna in **2018** for his record-breaking performances in international cricket. • **Third cricketer** — He was the third cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar and M.S. Dhoni to win the award. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [2016]: Not the correct year for Virat Kohli's Khel Ratna; [2017]: Not the correct year for Virat Kohli's Khel Ratna; [2019]: Not the correct year for Virat Kohli's Khel Ratna, Bajrang Punia and Deepa Malik received it then.

Correct Answer: A. Sushil Kumar

• **Sushil Kumar** = Sushil Kumar, a two-time Olympic medalist, received the Khel Ratna for his world championship gold and Asian Games gold in wrestling. • **2010** — He won the World Championship gold in 2010, which was a significant factor in his Khel Ratna selection. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Yogeshwar Dutt]: Olympic medalist in wrestling, but received Khel Ratna later; [Narsingh Yadav]: Wrestler, but not the recipient of Khel Ratna in 2010 for those achievements; [Sandeep Singh]: Hockey player, not a wrestler.

Correct Answer: A. 1993-94

• **1993-94** = The Khel Ratna was withheld in **1993-94** because the selection committee found no suitable candidates meeting its high standards. • **High standards** — This decision underscored the rigorous criteria and exclusivity of the Khel Ratna award. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [2008]: Khel Ratna was awarded (to Abhinav Bindra); [2014]: Khel Ratna was awarded (to Sania Mirza); [None of these]: Incorrect, as there was indeed a year it was withheld.

Correct Answer: B. Bajrang Punia

• **Bajrang Punia** = Bajrang Punia, a world-class wrestler known for his dominance, received the Khel Ratna in 2019. • **2019** — He was awarded alongside para-athlete Deepa Malik in this year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Vinesh Phogat]: Prominent wrestler and Khel Ratna recipient, but in 2020; [Deepak Punia]: Accomplished wrestler, but not a Khel Ratna awardee in 2019; [Ravi Dahiya]: Olympic medalist and Khel Ratna recipient, but in 2021.

Correct Answer: B. A.M. Khanwilkar

• **A.M. Khanwilkar** = Justice (Retd.) **A.M. Khanwilkar** chaired the National Sports Awards 2024 committee, ensuring neutrality in selections. • **2024 committee** — This committee selects the recipients of prestigious awards like the Khel Ratna. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Abhinav Bindra]: Khel Ratna winner, but not the chairman of the 2024 committee; [Sourav Ganguly]: Prominent cricketer, but not the chairman of the 2024 committee; [M.C. Mary Kom]: Khel Ratna winner and prominent boxer, but not the chairman of the 2024 committee.