60. Who received the 2016 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences?
[WBCS Prelims — 2017]
(A) Angus Deaton
(B) Eugene Fama and Lars Peter Hansen
(C) Richard Thaler
(D) Oliver Hart and Bengt Holmström
Answer: (D) Oliver Hart and Bengt Holmström
Explanation: Oliver Hart and Bengt Holmström won the 2016 economics prize for contract theory. Their analysis addresses how contractual terms shape incentives, responsibilities and decision-making within organisations. The award is often informally called the Nobel Prize in Economics.
59. Who received the Hridaynath Mangeshkar Award associated with 2016?
[WBCS Prelims — 2017]
(A) Viswanathan Anand
(B) Sunil Gavaskar
(C) Sachin Tendulkar
(D) Kapil Dev
Answer: (A) Viswanathan Anand
Explanation: Chess grandmaster Viswanathan Anand received this cultural honour, reflecting the recognition of outstanding personalities beyond cinema or vocal music. Anand was also the inaugural Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna recipient for 1991–92.
58. Which country conferred the Amir Amanullah Khan Award on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016?
[RPSC RAS Prelims — 2016]
(A) Afghanistan
(B) Uzbekistan
(C) Saudi Arabia
(D) Iran
Answer: (A) Afghanistan
Explanation: Afghanistan bestowed its highest civilian honour on Narendra Modi during the inauguration of the Afghan–India Friendship Dam near Herat. The decoration is named after King Amanullah Khan, associated with Afghan independence and reform.
57. Which technology company won a 2015 Aegis Graham Bell Award for Internet of Things innovation?
[WBCS Prelims — 2016]
(A) Tata Consultancy Services
(B) Wipro
(C) Infosys
(D) HCL Technologies
Answer: (B) Wipro
Explanation: Wipro received recognition in an Internet of Things innovation category at the Aegis Graham Bell Awards. The prizes recognise achievements in telecommunications and technology rather than the fields of literature or performing arts.
56. Who won a 2015 TWAS Award in engineering according to the WBCS question?
[WBCS Prelims — 2016]
(A) U. Ramamurthy
(B) Raghunath Mashelkar
(C) C. N. R. Rao
(D) A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Answer: (A) U. Ramamurthy
Explanation: The World Academy of Sciences recognises scientific contributions from developing regions. U. Ramamurthy was identified in the engineering category. This international science distinction differs from India’s Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize.
55. Which organisation received the 2014 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development?
[UPSC CSE Prelims — 2015]
(A) Indian Institute of Science
(B) Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
(C) Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
(D) Indian Space Research Organisation
Answer: (D) Indian Space Research Organisation
Explanation: ISRO was honoured for its contributions to science, technology and human welfare through space applications. The Indira Gandhi Prize recognises contributions to peace, development and international understanding beyond narrowly political achievements.
54. Ramon Magsaysay, after whom the Ramon Magsaysay Award is named, was president of which country?
[SSC CGL — 2015]
(A) Philippines
(B) Myanmar
(C) Sweden
(D) Malaysia
Answer: (A) Philippines
Explanation: Ramon Magsaysay served as President of the Philippines and died in 1957. The award established in his memory honours public service and leadership in Asia and was first presented the following year.
53. The 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics was associated with development of which colour of LED?
[WBCS Prelims — 2015]
(A) Yellow
(B) Blue
(C) Green
(D) Red
Answer: (B) Blue
Explanation: Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura shared the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics for efficient blue LEDs. Their development enabled bright, energy-saving white lighting by combining light sources or phosphor conversion.
52. Which award is presented for excellence in sports?
[BPSC 56th–59th Combined Prelims — 2015]
(A) Moortidevi Award
(B) Tagore Award
(C) Jamnalal Bajaj Award
(D) Arjuna Award
Answer: (D) Arjuna Award
Explanation: The Arjuna Award recognises outstanding sports performance and was instituted in 1961. The other listed honours are associated with Gandhian public service, cultural harmony and Indian literature rather than competitive athletic excellence.
51. Which cinema-history pairing is incorrect: the first Oscar-nominated Indian film being Mughal-e-Azam, alongside correctly paired other film milestones?
[RPSC RAS Prelims — 2013]
(A) First Tamil feature — Keechaka Vadham
(B) Early Indian playback film — Dhoop Chhaon
(C) First Indian CinemaScope film — Kaagaz Ke Phool
(D) First Indian Oscar nomination — Mughal-e-Azam
Answer: (D) First Indian Oscar nomination — Mughal-e-Azam
Explanation: Mother India, directed by Mehboob Khan, was India’s first film nominated for the Academy Award for foreign-language film, not Mughal-e-Azam. The correct distinction belongs to the 1957 film and should not be confused with Oscar wins.
