Sahitya Akademi — Set 3

Correct Answer: D. Rajasthani

• **Rajasthani** = **Rajasthani** was formally recognized by the Sahitya Akademi, enabling its writers to compete for national literary awards. • **1960** — This was the year when Rajasthani was added to the Akademi's list of recognized languages, which currently totals 24. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Konkani]: this language was recognized later than 1960; [Nepali]: this language was also recognized by the Akademi in a later year; [Sindhi]: this language's recognition by the Akademi also occurred after 1960.

Correct Answer: C. Ministry of Culture

• **Ministry of Culture** = The Sahitya Akademi is an **autonomous organization** that functions under the **Ministry of Culture**, Government of India. • **autonomous organization** — This autonomy is crucial for the unbiased selection of literary works, even though it is funded by the government. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Ministry of Education]: this ministry primarily deals with educational policy, not autonomous literary bodies; [Ministry of Home Affairs]: this ministry is responsible for internal security, not cultural promotion; [Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]: this ministry deals with media and communication, not the direct functioning of literary academies.

Correct Answer: D. To deliver a scholarly talk on literature

• **scholarly talk** = The Samvatsar Lecture is a prestigious **scholarly talk** delivered by a distinguished writer, focusing on deep philosophical or creative aspects of Indian literature. • **Festival of Letters** — This lecture is one of the most intellectually significant events in the Akademi's calendar, presented during the annual festival. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [To teach grammar]: this lecture is a high-level scholarly address, not a basic grammar lesson; [To critique films]: the Akademi's core focus is literature, not film criticism; [To discuss printing technology]: this is a technical subject and not aligned with the literary and philosophical nature of the Samvatsar Lecture.

Correct Answer: D. R.K. Narayan

• **R.K. Narayan** = **R.K. Narayan** was the first winner of the Sahitya Akademi Award for English literature for his novel 'The Guide'. • **1960** — This was the year R.K. Narayan received the award, for a book that later became a highly successful Bollywood film. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Mulaj Raj Anand]: a notable author, but not the first Sahitya Akademi Award winner for English literature in 1960; [Anita Desai]: a celebrated author, but she received the award much later than 1960; [Vikram Seth]: a renowned contemporary author, his major works came well after the 1960 award period.

Correct Answer: B. Hindi Sahitya Patrika

• **Samkalin Bharatiya Sahitya** = **'Samkalin Bharatiya Sahitya'** is the bimonthly Hindi journal published by the Sahitya Akademi. • **bimonthly Hindi journal** — This journal focuses on contemporary Indian literature across different languages through Hindi translations, making regional works accessible to a wider audience. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Hindi Sahitya Patrika]: this is a generic term for a Hindi literary magazine, not the specific name of the Akademi's journal; [Bharat Samachar]: this sounds like a news publication, not a literary journal from the Akademi; [Sahitya Sandesh]: this is another plausible but incorrect name for the Akademi's official Hindi journal.

Correct Answer: B. If the author died after the book was submitted

• **author died after final selection** = The Sahitya Akademi Award is generally not given posthumously, except if the author dies **after the final selection** has been made. • **after the final selection** — If an author passes away after this point but before the ceremony, the award is still conferred, recognizing living contributors primarily. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Never given]: this option is incorrect, as there is one specific condition under which it is given posthumously; [If the family requests it]: family requests are not a criterion for the posthumous conferment of the award; [If the work is a masterpiece]: while high literary merit is essential for the award, it is not the condition for a posthumous exception.

Correct Answer: B. Must be a work of high literary merit

• **high literary merit** = The primary criterion for a book to be considered for the Sahitya Akademi Award is its **high literary merit**. • **original writing** — The Akademi looks for original writing that contributes significantly to the language and literature, disregarding sales figures or popularity. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Must be a bestseller]: sales figures or commercial popularity are not criteria for the award; [Must be recommended by a Minister]: political recommendations do not play a role in the selection process; [Must be translated into English]: translation into English is not a prerequisite for eligibility or consideration for the award.

Correct Answer: A. Krishna Sobti

• **Krishna Sobti** = **Krishna Sobti** was the first woman to win the Sahitya Akademi Award for Hindi literature. • **1980** — She received the award in this year for her novel 'Zindaginama', establishing her as a stalwart of contemporary Hindi literature. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Mahadevi Varma]: a prominent Hindi poet, but she was not the first woman to win the Sahitya Akademi Award for Hindi; [Mridula Garg]: a notable contemporary Hindi writer, but she was not the inaugural woman recipient of this award; [Mamta Kalia]: a well-known Hindi author, but not the first woman to be conferred with this specific award.

Correct Answer: C. It is usually half or less

• **half or less** = The Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize amount is usually **half or less** compared to the Main Award's monetary value. • **Rs 50,000 vs Rs 1,00,000** — The Translation Prize is currently Rs 50,000, while the Main Award is Rs 1,00,000, indicating a clear difference in monetary value. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [It is more]: this is incorrect as the Translation Prize amount is lower than the Main Award; [It is exactly double]: this is the inverse of the actual situation and therefore incorrect; [It is exactly the same]: this is false, as there is a notable difference in the prize money for the two awards.

Correct Answer: D. Rural areas

• **Rural areas** = The Sahitya Akademi organises 'Gramalok' programs specifically to promote literature in the **rural areas** of India. • **readings and interactions** — This initiative facilitates direct engagement between authors and rural audiences, making the Akademi's work more inclusive and accessible. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Metropolitan cities]: these areas generally have established literary access, which is not the primary target of 'Gramalok'; [Foreign countries]: the 'Gramalok' program is focused domestically within India, not internationally; [Universities]: while Akademi engages with academic institutions, 'Gramalok' specifically aims for broader outreach in non-urban, rural settings.