Padma Awards — Set 6

Correct Answer: B. 1954

• **1954** = The Padma Awards were first instituted in 1954 by the Government of India. • **Original classification** — They were initially classified as 'Pahela Varg', 'Dusra Varg', and 'Tisra Varg', and were renamed to their current designations in **1955**. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 1950: The Indian Republic was established in 1950, but Padma awards came later; 1947: India gained independence in 1947, but civilian awards were instituted later; 1960: This year is well after the establishment of the Padma awards.

Correct Answer: C. Padma Vibhushan

• **Padma Vibhushan** = The Padma Vibhushan is the highest in the hierarchy of Padma awards. • **Second highest** — It is the second highest civilian award overall, after the Bharat Ratna, and is given for exceptional and distinguished service. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Padma Shri: This is the lowest among the three Padma awards; Padma Bhushan: This is the middle category of Padma awards, below Padma Vibhushan; Padma Maharatna: This is not a recognized Padma award category.

Correct Answer: C. Cabinet Secretary

• **Cabinet Secretary** = The Padma Awards Committee is chaired by the Cabinet Secretary. • **Annual committee** — This committee is formed by the Prime Minister every year to review nominations received from various sources before submitting the final list for approval. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: President of India: The President approves the final list, but does not head the recommending committee; Prime Minister of India: The PM forms the committee, but the Cabinet Secretary chairs it; Home Minister: The Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal ministry, but the Home Minister does not chair the recommending committee.

Correct Answer: B. Republic Day

• **Republic Day** = Padma Awards are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day. • **January 25th** — The announcement occurs on the eve of Republic Day (January 25th) each year, honoring the spirit of the Indian Republic, with the investiture ceremony held later. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Independence Day: This day (August 15th) marks India's independence, but not the Padma awards announcement; Gandhi Jayanti: This day (October 2nd) celebrates Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, unrelated to Padma awards announcements; Diwali: This is a major festival, not associated with the Padma awards announcement.

Correct Answer: C. Padma Shri

• **Padma Shri** = The Padma Shri is the lowest among the three Padma awards. • **Fourth highest** — It is the fourth highest civilian honor in the country, following the Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, and Padma Bhushan, awarded for distinguished service. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Padma Vibhushan: This is the highest Padma award; Padma Bhushan: This is the second highest Padma award; Bharat Ratna: This is the highest civilian honor in India, not a Padma award, and is higher than all Padma awards.

Correct Answer: A. 1978, 1979

• **1978, 1979** = The Padma awards were not conferred in 1978 and 1979 due to a change in government policy. • **1993 to 1997** — The awards were also suspended from **1993 to 1997** due to legal challenges, but have been given continuously since 1998. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 1993 to 1997: While awards were suspended during this period, '1978, 1979' is also a correct period of interruption and the primary option given; Other than listed: The listed years cover the main interruptions, so this is incorrect; None of these: This is incorrect as interruptions did occur in the specified years.

Correct Answer: B. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit

• **Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit** = Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was the first woman to be awarded the Padma Vibhushan. • **1954** — She was among the first batch of recipients in **1954**, an eminent diplomat, and the first woman to serve as the President of the UN General Assembly. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Mother Teresa: She received the Padma Shri in 1962 and Bharat Ratna in 1980, but not the first Padma Vibhushan for a woman; Indira Gandhi: She received the Bharat Ratna in 1971, not the first Padma Vibhushan for a woman; Sarojini Naidu: A prominent freedom fighter, she passed away before the institution of the Padma awards.

Correct Answer: B. 120

• **120** = The maximum number of Padma awards that can be given in a year is capped at 120. • **Exclusions** — This limit explicitly excludes posthumous awards and awards to non-citizens, helping to maintain the high value and standard of the recognition. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 100: This is below the specified cap; 150: This number exceeds the prescribed limit; 200: This number significantly exceeds the prescribed limit.

Correct Answer: B. Ministry of Home Affairs

• **Ministry of Home Affairs** = The Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal ministry for the administration of Padma Awards. • **Comprehensive role** — This ministry manages the entire process, including receiving nominations, coordinating committee meetings, and making the final announcement via a gazette notification. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Ministry of Culture: This ministry is involved in cultural affairs, not the overall administration of civilian awards; Ministry of External Affairs: This ministry handles foreign relations, not the internal administration of Padma awards; President's Secretariat: While the President approves, the Secretariat does not administer the awards process.

Correct Answer: D. None of these

• **None of these** = No musician was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1954. • **1975** — M.S. Subbulakshmi received her Padma Vibhushan in **1975**, and other musicians were honored in later years as the scope of awards expanded. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: M.S. Subbulakshmi: She received the Padma Vibhushan in 1975, not 1954; Bismillah Khan: He received the Padma Vibhushan in 1980, not 1954; Ravi Shankar: He received the Padma Vibhushan in 1967, not 1954.