20. Who was appointed India’s first Lokpal?
[West Bengal Police Constable (2019)]
A) M. N. Venkatachaliah
B) Anna Hazare
C) Pinaki Chandra Ghose
D) Veerappa Moily
Answer: C) Pinaki Chandra Ghose
Explanation: Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose was appointed India’s first Lokpal chairperson in March 2019. The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act of 2013 established the institutional framework for investigating specified allegations of corruption against public functionaries. The important distinction is the inaugural achievement, not later national fame or service in a related position.
19. India’s first non-Congress central ministry was formed under whose leadership?
[TNUSRB Fingerprint SI (23 Dec 2018)]
A) V. P. Singh
B) Narasimha Rao
C) Morarji Desai
D) A. B. Vajpayee
Answer: C) Morarji Desai
Explanation: Morarji Desai became Prime Minister in March 1977 after the Janata Party defeated the Congress in the general election. He led India’s first non-Congress government at the Centre. His premiership ended in 1979 before a full five-year term. The important distinction is the inaugural achievement, not later national fame or service in a related position.
18. Who was the first Speaker of Lok Sabha?
[UPSSSC Lower PCS (15 Jul 2018)]
A) G. V. Mavalankar
B) S. Radhakrishnan
C) M. A. Ayyangar
D) P. V. Cherian
Answer: A) G. V. Mavalankar
Explanation: Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar became the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha when the first House was constituted in 1952. He had earlier presided over the Constituent Assembly acting as the provisional Parliament. M. A. Ayyangar succeeded him. The important distinction is the inaugural achievement, not later national fame or service in a related position.
17. Who was the first non-Congress Prime Minister to complete a full five-year term?
[SJVNL JE Mechanical (2018)]
A) Morarji Desai
B) Chandra Shekhar
C) P. V. Narasimha Rao
D) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Answer: D) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Explanation: Atal Bihari Vajpayee headed a non-Congress-led central government that completed its full term from 1999 to 2004. Earlier non-Congress Prime Minister Morarji Desai took office in 1977, but his Janata government did not complete five years.
16. M. C. Setalvad was the first Attorney General of India and had right of audience in all courts. Which statement is incorrect: he may also vote in both Houses of Parliament?
[MPSC Group C (2018)]
A) Only the first statement
B) First and voting statements
C) Only the voting statement
D) All statements
Answer: C) Only the voting statement
Explanation: M. C. Setalvad was India’s first Attorney General, holding office from 1950 to 1963. Article 76 governs the position. The Attorney General can speak and take part in parliamentary proceedings but cannot vote solely by virtue of holding that office.
15. Who was the first Indian to receive an honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement in cinema?
[SSC Stenographer (11 Sept 2017, Shift 1)]
A) Anil Kapoor
B) Bhanu Athaiya
C) Satyajit Ray
D) Bimal Roy
Answer: C) Satyajit Ray
Explanation: Filmmaker Satyajit Ray received an honorary Academy Award for lifetime achievement in 1992, becoming the first Indian filmmaker so honoured. The recognition celebrated his influential body of work, including the Apu Trilogy, rather than a competitive acting prize.
14. Who was the first Governor-General of India?
[SSC CGL (12 Aug 2017, Shift 2)]
A) William Bentinck
B) Dalhousie
C) Cornwallis
D) None of these
Answer: A) William Bentinck
Explanation: Lord William Bentinck was the first Governor-General of India under the Charter Act of 1833, serving in that expanded role from 1833. Before this, the highest East India Company administrative office had been styled Governor-General of Bengal.
13. Who was the first Governor-General of Bengal?
[West Bengal Group D (2017)]
A) Robert Clive
B) Warren Hastings
C) William Bentinck
D) Lord Canning
Answer: B) Warren Hastings
Explanation: Warren Hastings became the first Governor-General of Bengal under the Regulating Act of 1773. His title and jurisdiction differed from the later Governor-General of India office created in 1833, first held by Lord William Bentinck.
12. Who was the first Indian to win a Ramon Magsaysay Award?
[AP Police Constable (6 Nov 2016)]
A) Jayaprakash Narayan
B) Vinoba Bhave
C) Arvind Kejriwal
D) T. N. Seshan
Answer: B) Vinoba Bhave
Explanation: Vinoba Bhave received a Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1958 in the Community Leadership category, becoming one of the earliest Indian recipients and the first Indian recipient in that category. He was known for the Bhoodan land-gift movement. The alternatives in this paper refer to different people, records or offices and do not displace this historical first.
11. Who was the first Comptroller and Auditor General of independent India?
[MP Police SI (8 Sept 2016, Shift 2)]
A) Shashi Kant Sharma
B) Vinod Rai
C) A. K. Roy
D) V. Narahari Rao
Answer: D) V. Narahari Rao
Explanation: V. Narahari Rao became independent India’s first Comptroller and Auditor General in 1948. The CAG audits public spending and government accounts; Article 148 of the Constitution provides for the office. The first Chief Election Commissioner held a separate constitutional responsibility.
