Consider the following pairs with regard to sports awards:
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Consider the following pairs with regard to sports awards:
| Award | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award | For the most spectacular and outstanding performance by a sportsperson over period of last four years |
| 2. | Arjuna Award | For the lifetime achievement by a sportsperson |
| 3. | Dronacharya Award | To honour eminent coaches who have successfully trained sportspersons or teams |
| 4. | Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar | To recognize the contribution made by sportspersons even after their retirement |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
- AOnly one
- BOnly two
- COnly three
- DAll four
Show answer
Answer: (B) Only two
Pair 1 is correct:
Khel Ratna Award is for spectacular performance over the previous 4 years.
Pair 2 is wrong:
Arjuna Award is for outstanding performance (not the most spectacular).
Pair 3 is correct:
Dronacharya Award is for outstanding coaches.
Pair 4 is wrong:
Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar is for organizations promoting sports, not for lifetime achievement.
Only two are correct.
Answer is (b).
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award was renamed in 2021 from Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award to honor the hockey legend.
The renaming made sports awards a current affairs topic, so UPSC tested whether students know the correct criteria for each award.
Students often confuse Arjuna Award with lifetime achievement and mix up organizational awards with individual sportsperson awards.
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
Art And Culture Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award most spectacular and outstanding performance four years
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: India's Highest Sporting Honour
Highest sporting award in India, formerly called Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award
Given for spectacular and outstanding performance over 4 years
Renamed in 2021 after hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand
Cash prize of ₹25 lakh along with medal and certificate
Award Criteria
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award recognizes the most spectacular and outstanding performance by a sportsperson over the period of last four years. This makes it distinct from other sports awards that focus on single-year achievements or lifetime contributions.
Key Features
One award per year typically, though multiple can be given in exceptional cases
Covers 4-year performance window rather than single year achievements
Awarded by President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Originally instituted in 1991-92 as Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award
Selection done by 12-member committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge
Trap: Confusing the 4-year period criterion with annual performance awards
Trap: Mixing up with Arjuna Award which is for good performance over 4 years consistently
Trap: Forgetting the 2021 rename from Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna to Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna
Arjuna Award
Art And Culture Arjuna Award lifetime achievement
Arjuna Award: Recognition for Consistent Sporting Excellence
Given for good performance over 4 years consistently, not lifetime achievement
Second highest sporting award after Khel Ratna Award
Named after Arjuna from Mahabharata, instituted in 1961
Cash prize of ₹15 lakh along with bronze statuette and certificate
Correct Criteria
The Arjuna Award is given for good performance over a period of four years consistently and showing qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline. The question incorrectly states it's for lifetime achievement - this is a common UPSC trap.
Eligibility Requirements
Consistent good performance for 4 consecutive years at international level
Must show leadership, sportsmanship and discipline
Should have represented India in international competitions
Maximum 15 awards can be given in a year across all sports
Both individual and team sport athletes eligible
Major Trap: Question states Arjuna Award is for lifetime achievement - this is wrong
Trap: Confusing with Lifetime Achievement Award which is separate
Trap: Thinking it's for single outstanding performance like Khel Ratna
Dronacharya Award
Art And Culture Dronacharya Award eminent coaches trained sportspersons
Dronacharya Award: Honouring Coaching Excellence in Sports
Given to eminent coaches who successfully trained sportspersons or teams
Named after Dronacharya from Mahabharata, instituted in 1985
Two categories: Regular and Lifetime achievement in coaching
Cash prize of ₹15 lakh for regular and ₹10 lakh for lifetime category
Award Purpose
The Dronacharya Award recognizes outstanding coaches who have successfully trained sportspersons or teams and enabled them to achieve excellence at national and international levels. Named after the legendary guru Dronacharya, it honors the guru-shishya tradition in sports.
Dronacharya Award Categories
Category | Criteria | Cash Prize | Recipients Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|
Regular | Outstanding coaching over last 4 years | ₹15 lakh | Maximum 5 |
Lifetime | Lifetime contribution to coaching | ₹10 lakh | Maximum 2 |
Selection Criteria
Coach must have consistently produced medal winners at international level
Should demonstrate innovative training methods and sports science application
Must show high integrity and character in professional conduct
Preference given to coaches who developed multiple successful athletes
Safe Statement: The question correctly describes Dronacharya Award purpose
Trap: Don't confuse Regular vs Lifetime categories within Dronacharya Award
Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar
Art And Culture Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar contribution made by sportspersons retirement
Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar: Corporate Sports Promotion Award
Given to organizations and entities that promote sports, not individual sportspersons
Four categories: Identification & Nurturing, Encouragement to Sports through CSR, Employment and Sports for Development
Instituted to recognize corporate and institutional contribution to sports development
Correct Purpose
Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar is awarded to organizations, institutions, and corporate entities that have played a pivotal role in sports promotion and development. The question incorrectly states it recognizes sportspersons after retirement - this is completely wrong as it's only for organizations.
Award Categories
Category | Purpose | Typical Recipients |
|---|---|---|
Identification & Nurturing of Budding Talent | Finding and developing young athletes | Sports academies, schools |
Encouragement to Sports through CSR | Corporate social responsibility in sports | Companies, foundations |
Employment of Sports Persons and Sports Welfare | Providing jobs and welfare to athletes | PSUs, private companies |
Sports for Development | Using sports for social development | NGOs, government bodies |
Major Trap: Question says it's for retired sportspersons - completely wrong
Trap: This award is only for organizations, never for individual athletes
Trap: Don't confuse with Lifetime Achievement Award which is for individual sportspersons
National Sports Awards System
Art And Culture
Complete National Sports Awards Framework: Hierarchy & Distinctions
Individual Awards: Khel Ratna (highest) → Arjuna → Lifetime Achievement
Coach Awards: Dronacharya (Regular & Lifetime categories)
Organizational Award: Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar
Sports Awards Hierarchy & Criteria
Award | Recipient Type | Main Criteria | Time Period | Cash Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna | Individual Athletes | Most spectacular performance | 4 years | ₹25 lakh |
Arjuna Award | Individual Athletes | Consistent good performance | 4 years | ₹15 lakh |
Dronacharya (Regular) | Coaches | Outstanding coaching | 4 years | ₹15 lakh |
Dronacharya (Lifetime) | Coaches | Lifetime coaching contribution | Career span | ₹10 lakh |
Rashtriya Khel Protsahan | Organizations | Sports promotion & development | Ongoing | Trophy only |
Key Distinctions for UPSC
Khel Ratna = spectacular performance vs Arjuna = consistent performance
Arjuna is NOT for lifetime achievement - common exam trap
Rashtriya Khel Protsahan is ONLY for organizations, never individuals
4-year criterion applies to Khel Ratna, Arjuna, and regular Dronacharya
Only Dronacharya Lifetime and separate Lifetime Achievement Award are for career-long contributions
In this PYQ: Only pairs 1 and 3 are correct, making answer (B) Only two
Trap: Pair 2 wrongly calls Arjuna a lifetime achievement award
Trap: Pair 4 wrongly says Rashtriya Khel Protsahan is for retired sportspersons