GK Questions with Answers - Awards

Awards and honours play a vital role in recognizing excellence in various fields such as literature, science, sports, cinema, social service, and public affairs. Questions related to national and international awards are frequently asked in competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, Defence, and State PSCs. Having good knowledge about important awards and their winners helps aspirants stay updated with achievements that shape India and the world. Understanding the significance of awards such as the Bharat Ratna, Padma Awards, Nobel Prizes, and Filmfare Awards is essential for scoring well in the general awareness section.

In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive collection of Awards GK Questions with Answers along with brief explanations to make learning easier and more effective. These MCQs cover a wide range of topics including Indian awards, international awards, sports awards, literature prizes, and scientific recognitions. Practicing these awards general knowledge questions and answers 2025 will help you enhance your preparation, improve accuracy, and stay confident while answering GK and current affairs questions in your upcoming competitive exams.

GK Questions with Answers - Awards

1. Who was the first Indian to win a Pulitzer Prize?

1. R. K. Narayan
2. Arundhati Roy
3. Jhumpa Lahiri
4. Gobind Behari Lal

Answer: D) Gobind Behari Lal

Explanation: Gobind Behari Lal was the first Indian to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1937. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Reporting along with four other journalists for covering science-related stories in the United States. Gobind Behari Lal was a science writer and journalist, and also a relative of freedom fighter Lala Har Dayal. The Pulitzer Prize is an American award given annually for excellence in journalism, literature, and musical composition.

2. Who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize?

1. Mother Teresa
2. Rosalind Franklin
3. Marie Curie
4. Jane Addams

Answer: C) Marie Curie

Explanation: Marie Curie, a Polish-born French scientist, was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize in 1903 (Physics). She shared the prize with Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel for their work on radioactivity. She later became the only person ever to win Nobel Prizes in two different sciences — Physics (1903) and Chemistry (1911). Her discovery of radium and polonium contributed greatly to medical and nuclear research.

3. Who was the first Indian and also the first Asian to win the Nobel Prize?

1. C. V. Raman
2. Rabindranath Tagore
3. Amartya Sen
4. Mother Teresa

Answer: B) Rabindranath Tagore

Explanation: Rabindranath Tagore was the first Indian and first Asian Nobel Laureate, winning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. He received the prize for his famous book of poems “Gitanjali” (Song Offerings). Tagore’s literary work reflected Indian philosophy, spirituality, and humanism. He also composed India’s national anthem “Jana Gana Mana” and Bangladesh’s national anthem “Amar Sonar Bangla”.

4. Who was the first sportsperson to receive the Arjuna Award?

1. Gurbachan Singh Randhawa
2. Dara Singh
3. Salim Durani
4. Udey Chand

Answer: A) Gurbachan Singh Randhawa

Explanation: Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, a track and field athlete, was the first recipient of the Arjuna Award in 1961. He represented India in the 110-meter hurdles at international events, including the Olympic Games. The Arjuna Award was instituted in 1961 by the Government of India to recognize outstanding achievements in national sports. The award includes a bronze statuette of Arjuna, a certificate, and a cash prize.

5. The Dronacharya Award is given to:

1. Outstanding athletes
2. Veteran sports journalists
3. Young emerging players
4. Outstanding sports coaches

Answer: D) Outstanding sports coaches

Explanation: The Dronacharya Award is India’s highest honor for sports coaches, instituted in 1985. It is named after Guru Dronacharya, the legendary teacher of archery to Arjuna and other Pandavas in the Mahabharata. The award recognizes coaches who have produced outstanding sportspersons and contributed to India’s success in sports. It includes a bronze statuette of Dronacharya, a scroll of honor, and a cash prize. Recipients are selected by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.

6. Which is the highest civilian award in India?

1. Padma Shri
2. Padma Bhushan
3. Bharat Ratna
4. Padma Vibhushan

Answer: C) Bharat Ratna

Explanation: The Bharat Ratna is India’s highest civilian award, instituted in 1954. It is awarded for exceptional service or performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavor, including art, literature, science, and public service. The award does not carry any monetary grant, only a certificate (Sanad) and a peepal leaf–shaped medallion. The award can be given to both Indian and foreign nationals.

7. Which is the highest military award in India?

1. Ashoka Chakra
2. Param Vir Chakra
3. Mahavir Chakra
4. Vir Chakra

Answer: B) Param Vir Chakra

Explanation: The Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is India’s highest military decoration, awarded for exceptional bravery in the presence of the enemy. It was established on 26 January 1950, and is equivalent to the Medal of Honor (USA) or Victoria Cross (UK). The first recipient was Major Somnath Sharma (posthumously) for his gallantry in the 1947 Indo-Pak war. The medal is made of bronze and bears the state emblem and the words “Param Vir Chakra”. It can be awarded posthumously, and symbolizes the highest degree of valor and sacrifice.

8. Which country gives the Nobel Prize?

1. United Kingdom
2. Switzerland
3. Sweden
4. United States

Answer: C) Sweden

Explanation: The Nobel Prizes were established by Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist and inventor of dynamite, in his will of 1895. The prizes are awarded by Swedish institutions such as: 1.Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, and Economic Sciences) 2.Karolinska Institute (Physiology or Medicine) 3.Swedish Academy (Literature). The Nobel Peace Prize is an exception — it is awarded in Oslo, Norway by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. The Nobel Prizes are announced every October and awarded on 10 December, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.

9. What is the highest sports award in India?

1. Arjuna Award
2. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award
3. Dronacharya Award
4. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award

Answer: D) Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award

Explanation: The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is India’s highest sporting honor, recognizing outstanding performance at the international level. It was previously known as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, but was renamed in 2021 to honor hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. The award includes a medallion, certificate, and cash prize of ₹25 lakh (as of 2025). Recipients include Sachin Tendulkar, Mary Kom, Saina Nehwal, and Neeraj Chopra.

10. Who is eligible to receive the Padma Vibhushan award?

1. Only government officials
2. Only military personnel
3. Citizens for exceptional and distinguished service
4. Only Indian citizens living abroad

Answer: C) Citizens for exceptional and distinguished service

Explanation: The Padma Vibhushan is India’s second-highest civilian award after the Bharat Ratna. It is given for exceptional and distinguished service in any field, including arts, literature, science, public affairs, and social work. It was instituted in 1954 and is announced every year on Republic Day (26 January). The award can be given to both Indian and foreign nationals. Some famous recipients include Satyajit Ray, Lata Mangeshkar, Ratan Tata, and Dr. Manmohan Singh.