Padma Awards — Set 2

Correct Answer: A. Government Service including PSUs

• **Government Service including PSUs** = **Government Service including PSUs** is generally not covered under the eligibility for Padma Awards, with exceptions for doctors and scientists. • **Doctors and scientists** — **Doctors and scientists** in government service are exceptions to the general ineligibility rule. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Social Work]: This is a recognized field for Padma Awards; [Literature]: Contributions to literature are eligible for Padma Awards; [Public Affairs]: This is a recognized field for Padma Awards.

Correct Answer: D. Lotus

• **Lotus** = The **Lotus** symbol is present on the front of the Padma Shri medallion. • **'Padma'** — The word '**Padma'** itself means lotus in Sanskrit, making it the central and symbolic motif. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Peacock]: The peacock is India's national bird, but not the symbol on the Padma awards; [Elephant]: The elephant is not the symbol used on the Padma awards; [Tiger]: The tiger is India's national animal, but not the symbol on the Padma awards.

Correct Answer: A. 120

• **120** = The total number of Padma awards to be given in a year (excluding posthumous and foreigners) should not exceed **120**. • **120** — This annual ceiling of **120** awards helps preserve the exclusivity and prestige of the honors. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [100]: This number is below the official limit for Padma awards; [150]: This number exceeds the official limit for Padma awards; [200]: This number significantly exceeds the official limit for Padma awards.

Correct Answer: D. M.S. Subbulakshmi

• **M.S. Subbulakshmi** = **M.S. Subbulakshmi** was the first musician to be awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1975. • **1975** — She received the Padma Vibhushan in **1975**, marking her as the first musician to achieve this. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Bismillah Khan]: He was a renowned shehnai maestro but received Padma Vibhushan in 1980, later than M.S. Subbulakshmi; [Lata Mangeshkar]: She was a legendary playback singer but received Padma Vibhushan in 1999; [Ravi Shankar]: He was a sitar virtuoso but received Padma Vibhushan in 1981.

Correct Answer: A. March or April

• **March or April** = The Padma awards are presented by the President of India usually in **March or April**. • **March or April** — The investiture ceremony takes place during **March or April**, following the announcement in January. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [January]: The awards are announced in January, not presented; [August]: This month is associated with Independence Day, not the Padma award presentation; [December]: There is no significant Padma award event typically held in December.

Correct Answer: D. No, it is not allowed

• **No, it is not allowed** = Padma awards are not considered titles and cannot be used as prefixes or suffixes to names. • **Article 18** — of the Constitution explicitly prohibits the use of these awards as titles to maintain democratic equality. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Yes, by law: This is incorrect; the Constitution explicitly forbids it; Only for Padma Shri: This is incorrect; the prohibition applies to all Padma awards; Only for Padma Vibhushan: This is incorrect; the prohibition applies to all Padma awards.

Correct Answer: A. Padma Vibhushan

• **Padma Vibhushan** = The Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service in any field. • **Three** — Padma Vibhushan is the second-highest civilian award in India, ranking above Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri among the Padma categories. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Padma Bhushan: This is awarded for distinguished service of a high order; Padma Shri: This is awarded for distinguished service in any field; Bharat Ratna: This is India's highest civilian award, not categorized as a Padma award.

Correct Answer: D. Viswanathan Anand

• **Viswanathan Anand** = Viswanathan Anand was the first sportsperson to receive the Padma Vibhushan, recognized for his mastery in chess. • **2007** — Viswanathan Anand received the Padma Vibhushan in this year, setting a precedent for athletes. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Sachin Tendulkar: He received the Padma Vibhushan later in 2008; Milkha Singh: He received the Padma Shri in 1959, but not the Padma Vibhushan; Mary Kom: She received the Padma Vibhushan in 2020.

Correct Answer: D. Bronze

• **Bronze** = The Padma Bhushan medallion is primarily made of toned bronze, with the words 'Padma' and 'Bhushan' embossed in gold. • **1950s** — The design of the Padma Bhushan medallion has remained consistent since its inception in this decade. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Gold: Gold is used for embossing the text, not the entire medallion; Silver: Silver is not the primary metal used for the Padma Bhushan medallion; Copper: While bronze is an alloy containing copper, the medallion is specifically described as 'bronze'.

Correct Answer: D. Bronze

• **Bronze** = The Padma Shri award medallion is made of bronze, with all the embossing on it done in stainless steel. • **Three** — Padma Shri is the most widely distributed of the three Padma awards. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Silver: Silver is not the primary metal used for the Padma Shri medallion; Brass: Brass is not the material used; bronze is specified; Steel: Stainless steel is used for the embossing, not the primary body of the medallion.