Saraswati Award — Set 1

Correct Answer: B. K.K. Birla Foundation

• **K.K. Birla Foundation** = This foundation instituted the Saraswati Samman and Vyas Samman. • **1991** — Both awards were established in this year to promote Indian literature. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Sahitya Akademi: Administers its own awards like the Sahitya Akademi Award; Bharatiya Jnanpith: Administers the Jnanpith Award; Ministry of Culture: A government body, not a private foundation for these specific awards.

Correct Answer: C. Hindi only

• **Hindi only** = The Vyas Samman is exclusively awarded to outstanding literary works published in the Hindi language. • **10 years** — To be eligible, the work must have been published within the last 10 years. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Any language in the 8th Schedule: This applies to the Saraswati Samman, not Vyas Samman; English only: Vyas Samman is for Hindi literature, not English; Sanskrit only: While Sanskrit is an important language, Vyas Samman is specifically for Hindi.

Correct Answer: C. 22

• **22** = The Saraswati Samman is open to works in any of the 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. • **Eighth Schedule** — This constitutional schedule lists the official languages of India, all of which are eligible for the Saraswati Samman. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 18: This was the number of languages before some additions, not the current count; 20: This is not the correct number of languages in the Eighth Schedule; 24: This number is incorrect for the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule.

Correct Answer: D. Harivansh Rai Bachchan

• **Harivansh Rai Bachchan** = He received the inaugural Saraswati Samman in 1991 for his four-volume autobiography 'Kya Bhoolun Kya Yaad Karun'. • **1991** — This year marked the first time the Saraswati Samman was awarded, with him as the recipient. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Amrita Pritam: A celebrated Punjabi writer, but not the first recipient of this award; Ram Dhari Singh Dinkar: A renowned Hindi poet, but not the first Saraswati Samman awardee; Vijay Tendulkar: A prominent Marathi playwright, not associated with the first Saraswati Samman.

Correct Answer: C. 15 Lakh Rupees

• **15 Lakh Rupees** = The Saraswati Samman carries a cash prize of 15 lakh rupees along with a citation and a plaque. • **15 lakh** — This substantial amount reflects its status as one of India's most generous literary awards. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 5 Lakh Rupees: This is a common prize amount for some awards, but not for Saraswati Samman; 10 Lakh Rupees: This was a previous prize amount, but it has since been increased; 20 Lakh Rupees: This amount is higher than the current cash prize for the Saraswati Samman.

Correct Answer: B. Ram Vilas Sharma

• **Ram Vilas Sharma** = He was the first to receive the Vyas Samman in 1991 for his critical work 'Bharat ke Pracheen Bhasha Parivar aur Hindi'. • **1991** — He was honored with the inaugural Vyas Samman in this year for his profound contribution to Hindi literary criticism. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Shiv Prasad Singh: A notable Hindi writer, but not the first Vyas Samman recipient; Dharamvir Bharati: An acclaimed Hindi writer and poet, not the inaugural Vyas Samman winner; Hazari Prasad Dwivedi: A highly respected Hindi literary historian and critic, but passed away before the institution of the award.

Correct Answer: B. Sivasankari

• **Sivasankari** = She won the Saraswati Samman in 2022 for her Tamil book 'Surya Vamsam', a memoir. • **2022** — In this year, her significant memoir 'Surya Vamsam' was recognized with the prestigious Saraswati Samman. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Perumal Murugan: A prominent Tamil writer known for 'One Part Woman', but not the 2022 recipient for this specific work; Pratibha Ray: An Odia writer and Jnanpith awardee, not a Tamil writer; Sugathakumari: A renowned Malayalam poet, not the recipient of this particular award.

Correct Answer: C. Pachrang Chola Pahar Sakhi Ri

• **Pachrang Chola Pahar Sakhi Ri** = This critical study by Dr. Madhav Hada on Mira Bai was selected for the 32nd Vyas Samman (2022). • **32nd** — This edition of the Vyas Samman recognized Dr. Madhav Hada's significant contribution to Hindi literary criticism. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Mahabali: This play by Asghar Wajahat won the 31st Vyas Samman (2021); Patliputra ki Samragyi: This novel by Sharad Pagare won the 30th Vyas Samman (2020); Kavita ke naye Pratiman: A classic work of literary criticism by Namvar Singh, but not the winning book for this particular year.

Correct Answer: B. 1991

• **1991** = The K.K. Birla Foundation announced the first sets of Saraswati and Vyas Samman in this pivotal year. • **1991** — This year inaugurated the foundation's mission to encourage Indian literature through these prestigious awards. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 1989: The awards were instituted later than this year; 1995: While significant awards were given in 1995, it was not the inaugural year; 2000: This year saw several awards, but was not when the awards were first announced.

Correct Answer: B. Balamani Amma

• **Balamani Amma** = This legendary Malayalam poet was the first woman to win the Saraswati Samman. • **1995** — She received the award in this year for her poetry collection 'Nivedyam'. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Amrita Pritam: A renowned Punjabi writer and Jnanpith awardee, but not the first female Saraswati Samman winner; Mahasweta Devi: An eminent Bengali writer and activist, not the first woman to receive this award; Pratibha Ray: An Odia writer who won the Saraswati Samman later, not the first woman.