150. Who received the Rohini Nayyar Prize in 2023?
[CGPSC State Service Prelims — 2024]
(A) Deenanath Rajput
(B) Neil Shanker
(C) Amolkar Sangam
(D) Surya Charan
Answer: (A) Deenanath Rajput
Explanation: Deenanath Rajput was recognised for his work empowering tribal women in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. The Rohini Nayyar Prize acknowledges outstanding grassroots contributions to rural development and social progress in India.
149. Which statement about the Padma Awards is correct?
[SSC MTS — 2024]
(A) A Padma award is used as a title before a name
(B) The Padma Awards are conferred annually
(C) At most 150 Padma awards can be given annually
(D) Awardee names are never published in the Gazette
Answer: (B) The Padma Awards are conferred annually
Explanation: Padma awards are normally announced around Republic Day every year and conferred by the President. Recipients may not use them as titles attached to names, and the number of awards follows specified government guidelines.
148. What is the correct descending order of the three Padma Awards?
[SSC MTS — 2024]
(A) Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Padma Vibhushan
(B) Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan
(C) Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri
(D) Padma Shri, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan
Answer: (C) Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri
Explanation: Padma Vibhushan is the highest of the three Padma categories, followed by Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. Bharat Ratna ranks above them as India’s highest civilian honour. The Padma awards were instituted in 1954.
147. Which statements about Padma Subrahmanyam are true: (1) Bharatanatyam dancer, (2) Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan recipient, (3) Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee?
[SSC MTS — 2024]
(A) Only 1 and 2
(B) Only 1 and 3
(C) Only 2 and 3
(D) All three
Answer: (D) All three
Explanation: Padma Subrahmanyam is a distinguished Bharatanatyam dancer and scholar. She received Padma Shri in 1981, Padma Bhushan in 2003 and a Sangeet Natak Akademi honour. She was subsequently selected for Padma Vibhushan in 2024.
146. Shovana Narayan, a Padma Shri recipient, is a leading exponent of which classical dance?
[SSC MTS — 2024]
(A) Bharatanatyam
(B) Sattriya
(C) Kuchipudi
(D) Kathak
Answer: (D) Kathak
Explanation: Shovana Narayan is an accomplished Kathak dancer, choreographer and author. She received Padma Shri for artistic contribution and is recognised for exploring narrative themes through the North Indian classical Kathak tradition.
145. Mukund Nayak received Padma Shri in 2017 for promoting which folk performance tradition?
[SSC MTS — 2024]
(A) Yakshagana
(B) Sattriya
(C) Garba
(D) Nagpuri Jhumar
Answer: (D) Nagpuri Jhumar
Explanation: Mukund Nayak is a folk singer and artist from Jharkhand known for preserving Nagpuri and Jhumar traditions. His Padma Shri acknowledged outstanding contributions to the region’s performing arts and intangible cultural heritage.
144. Usha Barle, honoured with Padma Shri in 2023, is associated with which Chhattisgarh folk narrative tradition?
[SSC MTS — 2024]
(A) Panihari
(B) Kajari
(C) Pandwani
(D) Lavani
Answer: (C) Pandwani
Explanation: Pandwani is an oral singing and storytelling tradition of Chhattisgarh that narrates episodes from the Mahabharata. Performer Usha Barle was recognised for preserving this genre, which blends song, dramatic narration and musical accompaniment.
143. Who wrote the Sahitya Akademi Award-winning Hindi novel Zindaginama?
[SSC MTS — 2024]
(A) Mahadevi Verma
(B) Amrita Pritam
(C) Mannu Bhandari
(D) Krishna Sobti
Answer: (D) Krishna Sobti
Explanation: Hindi author Krishna Sobti won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1980 for Zindaginama. The novel evokes rural Punjab and its social life. Sobti later received the Jnanpith Award for her distinguished literary career.
142. Who received the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy as the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year for 2021?
[SSC CGL Tier-I — 2023]
(A) Mithali Raj
(B) Ellyse Perry
(C) Smriti Mandhana
(D) Lizelle Lee
Answer: (C) Smriti Mandhana
Explanation: Indian opener Smriti Mandhana was recognised for her performances across international cricket formats during 2021. The Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy bears the name of the pioneering England women’s cricket captain. It is distinct from the men’s Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy.
141. For which contribution did Padma Shri awardee Narthaki Nataraj receive recognition in 2019?
[SSC CGL Tier-I — 2023]
(A) Agricultural women’s empowerment
(B) Bharatanatyam and overcoming social exclusion
(C) Nyayashastra scholarship
(D) Promotion of Indian cuisine
Answer: (B) Bharatanatyam and overcoming social exclusion
Explanation: Narthaki Nataraj is a Bharatanatyam exponent and a pioneering transgender cultural figure. Her Padma Shri in the art category honoured both artistic work and the crossing of social barriers. She trained in classical dance traditions in Tamil Nadu.
