A) Birbal Sahni
B) Verrier Elwin
C) G.N. Devy
D) S.C. Dube
Correct Answer: B) Verrier Elwin
Explanation: Verrier Elwin is considered the father of Indian anthropology. His extensive work among the tribal peoples of India, particularly in the Northeast and Central India, laid the foundation for anthropological studies in these regions.
A) Amartya Sen
B) Raghuram Rajan
C) Arvind Subramanian
D) Gita Gopinath
Correct Answer: D) Gita Gopinath
Explanation: Gita Gopinath served as the first Indian Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), taking office in 2019. Her expertise in international finance and economic policy has been influential in shaping global economic strategies.
A) Avani Chaturvedi
B) Bhawana Kanth
C) Gunjan Saxena
D) Harita Kaur Deol
Correct Answer: A) Avani Chaturvedi
Explanation: Avani Chaturvedi made history by becoming the first Indian woman to fly a fighter aircraft solo when she flew a MiG-21 Bison in 2018. This marked a significant milestone in the Indian Air Force’s history.
A) C.N.R. Rao
B) Romila Thapar
C) Amartya Sen
D) R.K. Narayan
Correct Answer: B) Romila Thapar
Explanation: Romila Thapar, a renowned historian specializing in ancient India, was the first Indian to win the Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize in 1996 for her contributions to Asian studies and her deep analysis of Indian history.
A) Annie Besant
B) Pandita Ramabai
C) Savitribai Phule
D) Sister Nivedita
Correct Answer: C) Savitribai Phule
Explanation: Savitribai Phule, along with her husband Jyotirao Phule, founded the first school for girls in India in 1848 in Pune. She was a pioneering figure in promoting education for women in India.
A) Swraj Paul
B) Salman Rushdie
C) S.P. Sinha
D) Bhikhu Parekh
Correct Answer: C) S.P. Sinha
Explanation: S.P. Sinha, known as Lord Sinha of Raipur, was the first Indian to become a member of the British House of Lords. His appointment in 1919 was a significant event in the context of the British Empire’s relationship with India.
A) M.S. Swaminathan
B) Verghese Kurien
C) Norman Borlaug
D) Vishala Padmanabhan
Correct Answer: D) Vishala Padmanabhan
Explanation: Vishala Padmanabhan is known as the “Grain Man of India” for his work in sustainable agriculture, particularly in the development and promotion of organic farming practices that focus on grain production.
A) Khudadad Khan
B) Sam Manekshaw
C) Jaswant Singh Rawat
D) Arjan Singh
Correct Answer: A) Khudadad Khan
Explanation: Khudadad Khan, though of Pakistani origin in modern terms, was the first South Asian to be awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He received this honor during World War I.
A) Karnam Malleswari
B) P.T. Usha
C) Kunjarani Devi
D) Shiny Wilson
Correct Answer: C) Kunjarani Devi
Explanation: Kunjarani Devi was one of the first Indian women to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games, securing a silver in weightlifting in 1987. Her achievements paved the way for future Indian sportswomen to excel on the international stage.
A) Dr. Vidyasagar
B) Dr. N.C. Surya
C) Dr. S.S. Jayaram
D) Dr. Sarada Menon
Correct Answer: A) Dr. Vidyasagar
Explanation: Dr. Vidyasagar is regarded as the “Father of Indian Psychiatry” for his pioneering work in the field of mental health and the establishment of modern psychiatric practices in India.
A) Bachendri Pal
B) Santosh Yadav
C) Arunima Sinha
D) Premlata Agarwal
Correct Answer: A) Bachendri Pal
Explanation: Bachendri Pal was the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest, achieving this feat on May 23, 1984. Her successful ascent marked a historic moment in Indian mountaineering.
A) Radhabinod Pal
B) Dalveer Bhandari
C) Nagendra Singh
D) B.N. Rau
Correct Answer: C) Nagendra Singh
Explanation: Nagendra Singh was the first Indian to serve as a judge at the International Court of Justice, and he later served as its President. His tenure contributed significantly to international law.
A) Karnam Malleswari
B) P.V. Sindhu
C) Saina Nehwal
D) Mary Kom
Correct Answer: B) P.V. Sindhu
Explanation: P.V. Sindhu won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics in badminton, becoming the first Indian woman to win a silver medal at the Olympics. Her achievement was a milestone in Indian sports history.
A) Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis
B) C.R. Rao
C) S.R. Srinivasa Varadhan
D) Harish-Chandra
Correct Answer: A) Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis
Explanation: Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis founded the Indian Statistical Institute in 1931. His contributions to statistics and economic planning are well-recognized and he is best known for the Mahalanobis distance, a statistical measure.
A) C.V. Raman
B) Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
C) Venkatraman Ramakrishnan
D) Har Gobind Khorana
Correct Answer: A) C.V. Raman
Explanation: C.V. Raman was the first Indian to receive the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for his work on the scattering of light and the effect named after him, the Raman Effect.
A) Devi Shetty
B) M.R. Rajagopal
C) Suresh Kumar
D) Prathap C. Reddy
Correct Answer: B) M.R. Rajagopal
Explanation: Dr. M.R. Rajagopal is referred to as the “Father of Palliative Care in India” due to his pioneering efforts to integrate palliative care into the public health system in India and to address the needs of patients with chronic and terminal illnesses.
A) Indira Hinduja
B) Sunita Dube
C) Ketan Desai
D) Preetha Reddy
Correct Answer: B) Sunita Dube
Explanation: Dr. Sunita Dube is renowned for her contributions to healthcare and her role in medical administration, becoming the first Indian woman to be elected as President of the World Medical Association, emphasizing the global impact of Indian medical professionals.
A) Geet Sethi
B) Wilson Jones
C) Aditya Mehta
D) Pankaj Advani
Correct Answer: D) Pankaj Advani
Explanation: Pankaj Advani won the World Snooker Championship, cementing his status as one of the premier cueists from India on the global stage. His victory brought India considerable recognition in the world of snooker.
A) Subhas Chandra Bose
B) Bhagat Singh
C) Chandrashekhar Azad
D) Rajguru
Correct Answer: A) Subhas Chandra Bose
Explanation: Subhas Chandra Bose founded the Azad Hind Fauj, or Indian National Army, to fight against British rule with the help of Axis powers during World War II. His leadership inspired many to join the cause for India’s independence.
A) Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
B) G.V. Mavalankar
C) Sumitra Mahajan
D) Meira Kumar
Correct Answer: B) G.V. Mavalankar
Explanation: Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar was the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha after India became a Republic. His role was crucial in setting up the protocols and practices of the lower house of India’s Parliament.
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