Major Dhyan Chand — Set 5

Correct Answer: B. M.S. Dhoni

• **M.S. Dhoni** = Mahendra Singh Dhoni, captain of the inaugural T20 World Cup-winning team, received the Khel Ratna in 2007-08. • **2007-08** — This was the year he was honored for his leadership and performance, notably leading India to the T20 World Cup title. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Yuvraj Singh]: Key player in the T20 World Cup win, but not the captain or Khel Ratna recipient for that; [Gautam Gambhir]: Top scorer in the final, but not the captain or Khel Ratna recipient for that; [Irfan Pathan]: Important bowler in the tournament, but not the captain or Khel Ratna recipient for that.

Correct Answer: A. Deepa Malik

• **Deepa Malik** = Deepa Malik became the first para-woman athlete to receive the Khel Ratna for her dedication to para-sports and her Paralympic medal. • **2019** — She received the Khel Ratna in 2019, recognizing her trailblazing achievements. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Bhavina Patel]: Para table tennis player, Khel Ratna recipient, but not the first para-woman; [Avani Lekhara]: Para shooter, Khel Ratna recipient, but not the first para-woman; [Deepthi Jeevanji]: Accomplished para-athlete, but not a Khel Ratna recipient yet or the first para-woman.

Correct Answer: C. 2010

• **2010** = Saina Nehwal received the Khel Ratna in **2010** for her significant achievements in badminton, including winning several Super Series titles. • **Olympic bronze medal** — She later won an Olympic bronze medal at the London 2012 games, further cementing her legacy. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [2008]: Abhinav Bindra received Khel Ratna; [2009]: Mary Kom, Vijender Singh, and Sushil Kumar received Khel Ratna; [2012]: Not the year for Saina Nehwal's Khel Ratna, but she won an Olympic medal that year.

Correct Answer: B. Deepika Pallikal

• **Deepika Pallikal** = Deepika Pallikal was the first squash player to be nominated for the Khel Ratna, also achieving a top 10 world ranking. • **Top 10 world ranking** — This significant achievement highlighted her pioneering role in Indian squash. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Saurav Ghosal]: Prominent male squash player, but Deepika Pallikal was the first for Khel Ratna nomination; [Joshna Chinappa]: Another leading female squash player, but Deepika Pallikal was the first to be nominated; [Anaka Alankamony]: Accomplished squash player, but not the first for Khel Ratna nomination.

Correct Answer: B. 25m Rapid Fire Pistol

• **25m Rapid Fire Pistol** = Shooter Vijay Kumar won a silver medal in the **25m Rapid Fire Pistol** event at the 2012 London Olympics, for which he shared the Khel Ratna. • **2012 London Olympics** — His silver medal was a highlight of India's Olympic performance that year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [10m Air Pistol]: Gagan Narang won a bronze medal in this event at the same Olympics; [50m Rifle Prone]: Not the event in which Vijay Kumar won his Olympic medal; [Trap Shooting]: Not the event in which Vijay Kumar won his Olympic medal.

Correct Answer: D. None of these

• **None of these** = As of now, no Indian archer has been awarded the Khel Ratna. • **Khel Ratna award** — It is the highest sporting honour in India. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Deepika Kumari: An accomplished archer, she has received Arjuna Award and Padma Shri, but not Khel Ratna; Dola Banerjee: A prominent archer, she has not received the Khel Ratna; Laxmi Rani Majhi: An Indian archer, she has not been awarded the Khel Ratna.

Correct Answer: A. Pramod Bhagat

• **Pramod Bhagat** = He won the Khel Ratna in 2021 for his gold medal performance in Para-Badminton at the Tokyo Paralympics. • **2021** — A record 12 athletes, including Pramod Bhagat and Krishna Nagar, received the Khel Ratna in this year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Krishna Nagar: He also won the Khel Ratna in 2021 for Para-Badminton, but Pramod Bhagat is the specific answer for this question's format; Other than listed: Incorrect, as Pramod Bhagat is listed and won; Suhas Yathiraj: He won a silver medal in para-badminton at the Tokyo Paralympics and received the Arjuna Award, not Khel Ratna in 2021.

Correct Answer: B. Wrestling

• **Wrestling** = Ravi Kumar Dahiya won a silver medal in the 57 kg freestyle wrestling category at the Tokyo Olympics. • **2021** — Ravi Kumar Dahiya was awarded the Khel Ratna in this year for his outstanding performance in wrestling. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Boxing: Incorrect; Ravi Kumar Dahiya is a wrestler, not a boxer; Archery: Incorrect; Ravi Kumar Dahiya does not participate in archery; Shooting: Incorrect; Ravi Kumar Dahiya is not a shooter.

Correct Answer: A. Mirabai Chanu

• **Mirabai Chanu** = She was awarded the Khel Ratna in 2018 along with cricketer Virat Kohli for her achievements in weightlifting. • **2018** — Mirabai Chanu and Virat Kohli jointly received the Khel Ratna award in this year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Sakshi Malik: A wrestler, she won the Khel Ratna in 2016, not 2018; Mary Kom: A boxer, she won the Khel Ratna in 2009, not 2018; Tessy Thomas: She is an eminent scientist, not a sportsperson, and has not received the Khel Ratna.

Correct Answer: A. Haryana

• **Haryana** = The government of Haryana is well-known for providing substantial additional cash rewards to its athletes who win national honors like the Khel Ratna. • **Highest cash rewards** — Haryana is recognized for offering some of the most generous cash incentives to its international medal-winning athletes. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Punjab: While Punjab also rewards its athletes, Haryana is specifically known for its high cash incentives for Khel Ratna winners; Odisha: Odisha is a prominent state for promoting sports, but Haryana is more noted for its high cash rewards for Khel Ratna winners; Not specified: Incorrect, as Haryana is a specific state known for this policy.