Q20. In what year did India first participate in the Olympic Games?
[RRB NTPC CBT I — 2021]
A) 1900
B) 1924
C) 1920
D) 1896
Answer: A) 1900
Explanation: India is credited with its first Olympic participation in 1900 through Norman Pritchard, who won two silver medals at Paris. The first multi-athlete Indian contingent competed later, in the 1920 Antwerp Olympics. Distinguishing the exact Olympic edition prevents confusion with other notable Indian performances.
Q19. In March 2021, which Indian state or union territory announced its intention to bid for the 2048 Olympics?
[RRB NTPC CBT I — 2021]
A) Chandigarh
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Delhi
D) Andhra Pradesh
Answer: C) Delhi
Explanation: The Delhi government announced an aspiration to bid for a future Summer Olympics in 2048. This was an expression of intent, not a confirmed International Olympic Committee hosting decision. Distinguishing the exact Olympic edition prevents confusion with other notable Indian performances.
Q18. Consider these statements about the 32nd Summer Olympic Games:
1) The official motto was “A New World”.
2) Sport climbing, surfing, skateboarding, karate and baseball were included.
Which statements are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Prelims GS I — 2021]
A) Neither 1 nor 2
B) Statement 1 only
C) Statement 2 only
D) Both 1 and 2
Answer: C) Statement 2 only
Explanation: Tokyo 2020 featured five additional sports, including baseball and softball, karate, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing. “A New World” was associated with Rio 2016, not Tokyo 2020, whose official slogan was “United by Emotion”. Distinguishing the exact Olympic edition prevents confusion with other notable Indian performances.
Q17. Under what name did athletes from the Russian Federation compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games?
[UPSC CDS General Knowledge — 2021]
A) Russian Republican Committee
B) Russian Olympic Committee
C) Russian Sports Committee
D) Russian Federal Committee
Answer: B) Russian Olympic Committee
Explanation: Because of anti-doping sanctions, many Russian athletes at the Tokyo Games competed under the designation ROC, standing for Russian Olympic Committee. They did not compete under the standard Russian national flag and anthem. Distinguishing the exact Olympic edition prevents confusion with other notable Indian performances.
Q16. Which Indian cricketer was added to the ICC Hall of Fame in special inductions for the inaugural World Test Championship final?
[UPSC NDA General Ability Test — 2021]
A) Ravi Shastri
B) Vinoo Mankad
C) Mohinder Amarnath
D) Dilip Vengsarkar
Answer: B) Vinoo Mankad
Explanation: Vinoo Mankad was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2021 as part of special additions associated with the World Test Championship final. He was noted for his all-round Test cricket career. The format and tournament context are important to interpreting this cricket fact correctly.
Q15. Why was Claire Polosak in the news in connection with men’s Test cricket in early 2021?
[UPSC NDA General Ability Test — 2021]
A) She received a Pulitzer Prize
B) She became the first woman to officiate as a match official in a men’s Test
C) She won a Grand Slam tennis title
D) She was awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize
Answer: B) She became the first woman to officiate as a match official in a men’s Test
Explanation: Australian official Claire Polosak served as the fourth umpire during the India–Australia Sydney Test in January 2021. This made her the first woman to act as a match official in men’s Test cricket. The format and tournament context are important to interpreting this cricket fact correctly.
Q14. As announced by India’s sports minister on 25 July 2020, which state was to host the fourth Khelo India Youth Games in 2021?
[UPPSC PCS Prelims GS Paper I — 2020]
A) Maharashtra
B) Haryana
C) Uttar Pradesh
D) Karnataka
Answer: B) Haryana
Explanation: Haryana was announced as the host, with Panchkula a principal venue. Pandemic disruption subsequently postponed the fourth Khelo India Youth Games, and competitions were ultimately staged in June 2022 rather than 2021. Its historical edition and organising body are useful identifiers in sports general knowledge.
Q13. Which Indian football club became the first to appear on a NASDAQ billboard in New York’s Times Square on 29 July 2020?
[UPPSC PCS Prelims GS Paper I — 2020]
A) East Bengal
B) Churchill Brothers
C) Mohun Bagan
D) Bengaluru FC
Answer: C) Mohun Bagan
Explanation: Kolkata’s Mohun Bagan appeared on the NASDAQ display for Mohun Bagan Day, recalling its historic 1911 IFA Shield win. The club subsequently competed under a combined identity before adopting the name Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
Q12. Which of these athletes had received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award by 2019?
[SSC MTS — 2019]
A) Kapil Dev
B) Geeta Phogat
C) Saina Nehwal
D) Deepika Kumari
Answer: C) Saina Nehwal
Explanation: Badminton player Saina Nehwal received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in 2010. The award was renamed the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in 2021, so historical exam questions may use its earlier name. Such institution and award questions require careful identification of their original purpose.
Q11. Who won India’s first-ever gold medal at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Argentina?
[UPSC CDS General Knowledge — 2019]
A) Suraj Panwar
B) Praveen Chitravel
C) Neeraj Chopra
D) Jeremy Lalrinnunga
Answer: D) Jeremy Lalrinnunga
Explanation: Weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga won India’s first Youth Olympic gold in Buenos Aires in 2018. His performance came in the men’s 62-kilogram division, distinguishing the youth competition from the senior Olympic Games. Distinguishing the exact Olympic edition prevents confusion with other notable Indian performances.
