20. The Swarna Kamal award is associated with which field?
[RPSC RAS Prelims — 2003]
(A) Literature
(B) Cinema
(C) Classical music
(D) Theatre
Answer: (B) Cinema
Explanation: Swarna Kamal, or Golden Lotus, is a distinction in India’s National Film Awards, presented in important cinema categories. It differs from Rajat Kamal, or Silver Lotus, another category of national film recognition.
19. Maharana Pratap Award is given for excellence in which field?
[RPSC RAS Prelims — 2003]
(A) Social work
(B) Science and technology
(C) Sports
(D) Performing arts
Answer: (C) Sports
Explanation: The Maharana Pratap Award is a state-level Rajasthan sporting distinction for exceptional athletes. It is named after the historic Mewar ruler, while the Guru Vashisht Award is associated with coaching achievements in the state.
18. Which of Desmond Tutu, Lech Wałęsa, Shimon Peres and Yasser Arafat won Nobel Peace Prizes?
[UPSC CSE Prelims — 2002]
(A) All four
(B) Wałęsa, Peres and Arafat only
(C) Tutu, Peres and Arafat only
(D) Desmond Tutu and Lech Wałęsa only
Answer: (A) All four
Explanation: Desmond Tutu received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 and Lech Wałęsa in 1983. Shimon Peres and Yasser Arafat shared the 1994 award with Yitzhak Rabin for Middle East peace efforts.
17. Match
Chinna Pillai, Kaveri Thakur, Mira Nair and Yasoda Ekambaram to
Stree Shakti, Asian swimming, Venice Golden Lion and Neerja Bhanot honours.
[UPSC CSE Prelims — 2002]
(A) Chinna Pillai–Stree Shakti; Kaveri–Swimming; Mira–Golden Lion; Yasoda–Neerja Bhanot
(B) Chinna Pillai–Stree Shakti; Kaveri–Swimming; Mira–Neerja Bhanot; Yasoda–Golden Lion
(C) Chinna Pillai–Swimming; Kaveri–Stree Shakti; Mira–Neerja Bhanot; Yasoda–Golden Lion
(D) Chinna Pillai–Swimming; Kaveri–Stree Shakti; Mira–Golden Lion; Yasoda–Neerja Bhanot
Answer: (A) Chinna Pillai–Stree Shakti; Kaveri–Swimming; Mira–Golden Lion; Yasoda–Neerja Bhanot
Explanation: Chinna Pillai was honoured for women’s empowerment; Kaveri Thakur achieved prominence in swimming; Mira Nair won Venice’s Golden Lion for Monsoon Wedding; and Yasoda Ekambaram received recognition through the Neerja Bhanot Award.
16. The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize is associated with achievement in which field?
[UPPSC Lower Subordinate Prelims — 2002]
(A) Sports
(B) Science and Technology
(C) Art and handicrafts
(D) Literature
Answer: (B) Science and Technology
Explanation: The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize is a leading Indian recognition for scientific research, administered by CSIR. Named after the organisation’s founding director, it honours important original research contributions in several scientific disciplines.
15. Who was the first Indian to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award?
[UPPSC PCS Prelims — 2002]
(A) T. N. Seshan
(B) Kiran Bedi
(C) Indira Gandhi
(D) Vinoba Bhave
Answer: (D) Vinoba Bhave
Explanation: Vinoba Bhave was recognised in 1958 for community leadership linked to his Bhoodan land-gift movement. The Ramon Magsaysay Award was founded in 1957 in the Philippines and honours outstanding public service in Asia.
14. Which musician had NOT received the Bharat Ratna at the time of this examination?
[UPPSC Lower Subordinate Prelims — 2002]
(A) Ravi Shankar
(B) Pandit Jasraj
(C) Lata Mangeshkar
(D) Bismillah Khan
Answer: (B) Pandit Jasraj
Explanation: Pandit Jasraj was a distinguished classical vocalist but never received Bharat Ratna. Lata Mangeshkar and Bismillah Khan received it in 2001, and Ravi Shankar in 1999. The question distinguishes celebrated artists from specific national awardees.
13. Which correctly matches
Indira Gandhi Peace Prize,
Jamnalal Bajaj Award,
International Gandhi Peace Prize and
Wolf Prize
with
M. S. Swaminathan,
Desmond Tutu,
Nelson Mandela and
Gurudev Khush?
[UPSC CSE Prelims — 2001]
(A) Indira–Swaminathan; Jamnalal–Tutu; Gandhi–Mandela; Wolf–Khush
(B) Indira–Swaminathan; Jamnalal–Tutu; Gandhi–Khush; Wolf–Mandela
(C) Indira–Tutu; Jamnalal–Swaminathan; Gandhi–Mandela; Wolf–Khush
(D) Indira–Tutu; Jamnalal–Swaminathan; Gandhi–Khush; Wolf–Mandela
Answer: (A) Indira–Swaminathan; Jamnalal–Tutu; Gandhi–Mandela; Wolf–Khush
Explanation: The correct historic pairings were M. S. Swaminathan with Indira Gandhi Prize, Desmond Tutu with Jamnalal Bajaj honour, Nelson Mandela with International Gandhi Peace Prize, and plant scientist Gurudev Khush with the Wolf Prize.
12.
11. The Chakradhar Fellowship relates to which field?
[MPPSC Prelims — 1999]
(A) Classical music
(B) Folk dance
(C) Literary criticism
(D) Classical dance
Answer: (A) Classical music
Explanation: The Chakradhar Fellowship is associated with classical music, commemorating Maharaja Chakradhar Singh of Raigarh. He was a noted patron and practitioner of music, particularly percussion traditions such as tabla and pakhawaj.
