Quick Takeaway for Aspirants: Observed annually on 29th August, National Sports Day commemorates the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. The day serves as the platform for the President of India to confer the prestigious National Sports Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan, including the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, Arjuna Awards, Dronacharya Awards, and Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Historical Background: Major Dhyan Chand's Legacy
Major Dhyan Chand (born 29th August 1905 in Prayagraj) is revered as the greatest field hockey player in sports history. Known as the ‘Wizard of Hockey' for his extraordinary ball control, he led the Indian hockey team to three consecutive Olympic gold medals in Amsterdam (1928), Los Angeles (1932), and Berlin (1936).
In 2012, the Government of India officially designated 29th August as National Sports Day to inspire youth fitness and honor sports excellence across the nation.
30 High-Yield Practice MCQs with Hidden Answers & Explanations
Test your knowledge of Olympic history, National Sports Awards eligibility, Major Dhyan Chand achievements, and major national sporting federations with these 30 practice questions.
Q1. National Sports Day in India is celebrated annually on 29th August to honor the birth anniversary of which legendary sportsperson?
- (A) Milkha Singh
- (B) Major Dhyan Chand
- (C) K.D. Jadhav
- (D) Syed Abdul Rahim
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✓ Correct Answer: (B) Major Dhyan Chand
Major Dhyan Chand was born on 29th August 1905 in Allahabad (Prayagraj); his birthday was designated National Sports Day in 2012.
Q2. In which year did the Government of India officially designate 29th August as National Sports Day (Rashtriya Khel Divas)?
- (A) 2005
- (B) 2010
- (C) 2012
- (D) 2015
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (C) 2012
The Government of India declared 29th August as National Sports Day in 2012, honoring Major Dhyan Chand's contributions to Indian hockey.
Q3. At which three consecutive Olympic Games did the Indian field hockey team win gold medals led by Major Dhyan Chand?
- (A) 1924 Paris, 1928 Amsterdam, 1932 Los Angeles
- (B) 1928 Amsterdam, 1932 Los Angeles, 1936 Berlin
- (C) 1932 Los Angeles, 1936 Berlin, 1948 London
- (D) 1936 Berlin, 1948 London, 1952 Helsinki
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✓ Correct Answer: (B) 1928 Amsterdam, 1932 Los Angeles, 1936 Berlin
India won Olympic gold in Amsterdam 1928, Los Angeles 1932, and Berlin 1936, scoring hundreds of goals with Dhyan Chand as the talismanic centre-forward.
Q4. In which year was India's highest sporting honor officially renamed as the ‘Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award'?
- (A) 2018
- (B) 2020
- (C) 2021
- (D) 2023
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✓ Correct Answer: (C) 2021
The Central Government renamed the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna to Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in August 2021 in recognition of public respect for the hockey icon.
Q5. Who was the inaugural recipient of the Khel Ratna Award when it was instituted in 1991–92?
- (A) Sachin Tendulkar
- (B) Viswanathan Anand
- (C) Geet Sethi
- (D) Karnam Malleswari
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✓ Correct Answer: (B) Viswanathan Anand
Chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand was the first recipient of the Khel Ratna in 1991–92 after becoming India's first Grandmaster in 1988.
Q6. Who was the first woman sportsperson to receive the Khel Ratna Award (in 1994–95)?
- (A) P.T. Usha
- (B) Karnam Malleswari
- (C) Kunjarani Devi
- (D) Sania Mirza
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✓ Correct Answer: (B) Karnam Malleswari
Weightlifter Karnam Malleswari was the first female recipient in 1994–95; she later won Olympic bronze at Sydney 2000.
Q7. Who was the first track and field athlete from independent India to win an Olympic Gold Medal, winning the Men's Javelin Throw at Tokyo 2020?
- (A) Milkha Singh
- (B) Neeraj Chopra
- (C) Abhinav Bindra
- (D) Gurbachan Singh Randhawa
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) Neeraj Chopra
Neeraj Chopra threw 87.58 meters on 7th August 2021 in Tokyo, becoming independent India's first Olympic track and field gold medalist.
Q8. On which date is ‘National Javelin Day' celebrated annually in India in honor of Neeraj Chopra's historic Olympic Gold win?
- (A) 7th July
- (B) 7th August
- (C) 29th August
- (D) 15th September
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) 7th August
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) designated 7th August as National Javelin Day to commemorate Neeraj Chopra's Olympic gold triumph.
Q9. Who was India's first individual Olympic Gold Medalist, winning the Men's 10m Air Rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics?
- (A) Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore
- (B) Abhinav Bindra
- (C) Gagan Narang
- (D) Vijay Kumar
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✓ Correct Answer: (B) Abhinav Bindra
Abhinav Bindra made history on 11th August 2008 in Beijing by winning India's first-ever individual Olympic gold medal.
Q10. Who was the first individual athlete from independent India to win an Olympic medal, securing bronze in freestyle wrestling at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics?
- (A) Kashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav (K.D. Jadhav)
- (B) Dhyan Chand
- (C) Milkha Singh
- (D) Sushil Kumar
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (A) Kashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav (K.D. Jadhav)
K.D. Jadhav won the bronze medal in bantamweight freestyle wrestling at the 1952 Helsinki Games, independent India's maiden individual podium finish.
Q11. In which year was the prestigious Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in sports instituted by the Government of India?
- (A) 1955
- (B) 1961
- (C) 1972
- (D) 1985
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✓ Correct Answer: (B) 1961
The Arjuna Awards were instituted in 1961 to recognize consistent excellence, leadership, sportsmanship, and discipline over a four-year period.
Q12. In which year was the Dronacharya Award instituted to honor eminent sports coaches in India?
- (A) 1975
- (B) 1980
- (C) 1985
- (D) 1991
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✓ Correct Answer: (C) 1985
The Dronacharya Award was established in 1985, with Bhalchandra Bhaskar Bhagwat (wrestling), Om Prakash Bhardwaj (boxing), and O.M. Nambiar (athletics) as its first recipients.
Q13. What is the cash prize awarded to a recipient of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award?
- (A) ₹15 lakh
- (B) ₹20 lakh
- (C) ₹25 lakh
- (D) ₹50 lakh
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (C) ₹25 lakh
The Khel Ratna carries a cash prize of ₹25 lakh, a medallion, and a certificate of honor presented by the President of India.
Q14. What is the cash prize awarded to a recipient of the Arjuna Award?
- (A) ₹5 lakh
- (B) ₹10 lakh
- (C) ₹15 lakh
- (D) ₹20 lakh
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (C) ₹15 lakh
The Arjuna Award carries a bronze statuette of Arjuna, certificate, ceremonial dress, and a cash prize of ₹15 lakh.
Q15. Which rolling trophy is awarded annually to the overall top performing university in inter-university sports tournaments in India?
- (A) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy
- (B) Dhyan Chand University Cup
- (C) Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Shield
- (D) Inter-Varsity Gold Plate
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (A) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy
Instituted in 1956–57, the MAKA Trophy recognizes overall excellence in competitive sports among universities.
Q16. What is the name of the apex national scheme providing comprehensive financial support and personalized coaching to elite Indian Olympic prospects?
- (A) Khelo India
- (B) Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)
- (C) National Sports Talent Contest
- (D) Mission Gold Medal
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✓ Correct Answer: (B) Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)
Formulated in 2014 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, TOPS finances customized training, international exposure, and monthly stipends for elite athletes.
Q17. Where are the official headquarters of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) located?
- (A) Patiala
- (B) Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Complex, New Delhi
- (C) Kolkata
- (D) Bengaluru
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✓ Correct Answer: (B) Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Complex, New Delhi
SAI was established in 1984 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to manage national sports infrastructure and nurture talent.
Q18. Where is the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NIS), Asia's largest sports institute, located?
- (A) Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
- (B) Patiala, Punjab
- (C) Hyderabad, Telangana
- (D) Dehradun, Uttarakhand
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✓ Correct Answer: (B) Patiala, Punjab
NIS Patiala was founded in March 1961 at the Old Moti Bagh Palace of Patiala and serves as the premier academic centre for sports coaching.
Q19. Who was the first Indian woman badminton player to win an Olympic medal, winning bronze in Women's Singles at London 2012?
- (A) P.V. Sindhu
- (B) Saina Nehwal
- (C) Jwala Gutta
- (D) Aparna Popat
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) Saina Nehwal
Saina Nehwal made history at London 2012 by winning bronze, followed by P.V. Sindhu who won silver at Rio 2016 and bronze at Tokyo 2020.
Q20. Who is the only Indian woman athlete to win two individual Olympic medals in history?
- (A) Mary Kom
- (B) P.V. Sindhu
- (C) Mirabai Chanu
- (D) Manu Bhaker
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✓ Correct Answer: (B) P.V. Sindhu
Shuttler P.V. Sindhu won silver at Rio 2016 and bronze at Tokyo 2020; Manu Bhaker also achieved two bronze medals in single games at Paris 2024.
Q21. Which Indian woman boxer won an Olympic bronze medal at London 2012 and is a record 6-time World Amateur Boxing Champion?
- (A) Sarita Devi
- (B) Nikhat Zareen
- (C) M.C. Mary Kom
- (D) Lovlina Borgohain
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✓ Correct Answer: (C) M.C. Mary Kom
Chungneijang Mary Kom Hmangte of Manipur is celebrated as ‘Magnificent Mary' for her historic 6 World Championship gold medals and Olympic bronze.
Q22. Which female boxer from Golaghat, Assam won the Olympic bronze medal in the Welterweight division at Tokyo 2020?
- (A) Jamuna Boro
- (B) Lovlina Borgohain
- (C) Ankushita Boro
- (D) Pwilao Basumatary
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) Lovlina Borgohain
Lovlina Borgohain won bronze in Tokyo, becoming only the second Indian woman boxer after Mary Kom to win an Olympic medal.
Q23. What is the name of the nationwide fitness initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on National Sports Day in 2019?
- (A) Fit India Movement
- (B) Khelo Bharat
- (C) Swasth Bharat Mission
- (D) Yoga For Health
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✓ Correct Answer: (A) Fit India Movement
Launched on 29th August 2019 at Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi, Fit India encourages citizens to make physical activity a daily routine.
Q24. Where are the official headquarters of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) located?
- (A) Mumbai
- (B) Olympic Bhawan, New Delhi
- (C) Kolkata
- (D) Chennai
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) Olympic Bhawan, New Delhi
The IOA, founded in 1927 by Sir Dorabji Tata and Dr. A.G. Noehren, is headquartered at Olympic Bhawan in Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi.
Q25. Who was the first female President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), elected unopposed in December 2022?
- (A) Karnam Malleswari
- (B) P.T. Usha
- (C) Anju Bobby George
- (D) Shiny Wilson
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) P.T. Usha
Sprint legend P.T. Usha (the ‘Payyoli Express') became the first woman and first Olympian to head the Indian Olympic Association.
Q26. In which year did India host the Asian Games (the inaugural first edition) in New Delhi?
- (A) 1947
- (B) 1951
- (C) 1954
- (D) 1962
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✓ Correct Answer: (B) 1951
The First Asian Games were held in New Delhi from 4th to 11th March 1951 at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
Q27. In which year did India host the Asian Games for the second time in New Delhi, introducing color television to the country?
- (A) 1978
- (B) 1982
- (C) 1986
- (D) 1990
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✓ Correct Answer: (B) 1982
The 9th Asian Games were held in New Delhi in 1982, with Appu the elephant as the beloved mascot and the debut of color Doordarshan broadcasts.
Q28. In which city were the 2010 Commonwealth Games (XIX Commonwealth Games) hosted by India?
- (A) Mumbai
- (B) New Delhi
- (C) Bengaluru
- (D) Hyderabad
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✓ Correct Answer: (B) New Delhi
The 2010 Commonwealth Games were held in New Delhi from 3rd to 14th October 2010, where India finished second in the medal tally with 38 gold medals.
Q29. Which field athlete won India's first-ever gold medal at the World Athletics Championships, winning the Men's Javelin in Budapest in 2023?
- (A) Anju Bobby George
- (B) Neeraj Chopra
- (C) Avinash Sable
- (D) Kishore Jena
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) Neeraj Chopra
Neeraj Chopra threw 88.17 meters in Budapest in August 2023, becoming India's first World Athletics Championships gold medalist.
Q30. What is the primary role of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) established in 2005 in India?
- (A) Commercial sports sponsorship
- (B) Promoting, coordinating, and monitoring the doping control program in sports in compliance with WADA rules
- (C) Running sports lottery leagues
- (D) Selecting national cricket teams
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) Promoting, coordinating, and monitoring the doping control program in sports in compliance with WADA rules
NADA implements anti-doping regulations, sample testing, and educational anti-doping programs in line with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who was the first woman sportsperson to receive the Khel Ratna Award?
Weightlifter Karnam Malleswari was the first woman to be awarded the prestigious Khel Ratna in 1994–95, prior to winning an Olympic bronze medal at Sydney 2000.
What is the Fit India Movement?
Launched on National Sports Day in 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Fit India Movement is a nationwide campaign encouraging citizens to include physical activity and sports in their daily routines.
