2002 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2002 · General Studies
Question 48: History and Culture
Who was the first Indian actress to receive the Padma Shri Award?
aSmita Patil
bNargis Dutt
cMeena Kumari
dMadhubala
AnswerThe answer is (b).
Nargis Dutt was the first Indian film actress to receive the Padma Shri, in 1958, the year after Mother India (1957) made her a star. The other names are distractors: Smita Patil received the Padma Shri much later, in 1985, and Meena Kumari and Madhubala were not the first actresses so honoured.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Smita Patil received the Padma Shri much later, in 1985.
- (b) Right: Nargis Dutt, in 1958.
- (c) Meena Kumari was not the first actress to receive it.
- (d) Madhubala was not the first actress to receive it.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2002, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.