Important Dates in Indian History

The Padma Awards were instituted in 1954. For exams remember that Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards began in the same year.

The first Bharat Ratna awards were given in 1954. For exams remember the institution year and first award year together.

The categories of Padma Awards were changed in 1955. For exams remember 1954 for institution and 1955 for category change separately.

The Param Vir Chakra is considered instituted on 26 January 1950. For exams remember it as India's highest wartime gallantry award.

The Param Vir Chakra was made effective from 15 August 1947. For exams remember the institution date and effective date separately.

Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra are also gallantry awards linked with 26 January 1950. For exams remember the date of wartime gallantry awards together.

The Ashoka Chakra series is considered to have begun in 1952. For exams remember the date of peacetime gallantry awards.

The direct answer is C, 1967 CE. The Ashoka Chakra series originally had three classes of awards for exceptional bravery. In 1967, the names were changed to Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra. Therefore C is correct. A, 1954, is connected with the institution of the Ashoka Chakra series, not the later renaming asked here. B, 1961, is not the year of this official change. D, 1971, is also not the renaming year; it belongs to a much later period and should not be selected merely because it is a date in the history of independent India. Read the wording carefully: the question asks about renaming, not creation. Memory cue: 1954—series instituted; 1967—names changed.

The Arjuna Award was instituted in 1961. For exams remember it as an old national award for sports achievements.

Direct answer: Option C, 1985 CE. The Dronacharya Award was instituted in 1985 to honour outstanding sports coaches for their contribution to producing and training successful sportspersons. Step by step: identify the award as a sports-coaching award; distinguish it from awards mainly given to athletes; recall the institution year 1985; match that year with option C. Option A, 1961, is not the institution year. Option B, 1969, is also incorrect. Option C is correct because 1985 is the recognised starting year. Option D, 1991, is a later year and does not fit the award’s establishment date. Do not confuse the Dronacharya Award with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, which is a major athlete honour associated with a different year. Memory cue: Dronacharya was a teacher, so connect the award with coaches; “coach award—1985.”

Direct answer: Option B, 1991 CE, with an important wording note. The award was instituted in 1991 and was first presented in 1992; the question asks for the starting or institution year, so 1991 is the intended answer. Step by step: identify the award as India’s top sporting honour for outstanding sportspersons; recall that it began in 1991; distinguish institution from the first presentation; select option B. Option A, 1985, is associated with the Dronacharya Award for coaches, not the Khel Ratna’s starting year. Option B is correct for the institution year. Option C, 1999, is not the beginning year. Option D, 2002, is also later and incorrect. The award was renamed the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021, but that renaming does not change its 1991 origin. Memory cue: Khel Ratna began in 1991; Dronacharya for coaches began in 1985.

The Khel Ratna was renamed after Major Dhyan Chand in 2021. For exams remember dates of award renaming.

The Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award was instituted in 2002. For exams remember separate starting years of sports awards.

The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy began in 1956. For exams connect it with university sports performance.

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award was instituted in 1969. For exams remember it as the highest honour in Indian cinema.

The first Dadasaheb Phalke Award was given to Devika Rani in 1969. For exams remember the first recipient and year together.

The National Film Awards were instituted in 1954. For exams keep the year of film awards and Dadasaheb Phalke Award separate.

The Sahitya Akademi Awards were first given in 1955. For exams remember dates of literary awards separately.

The Jnanpith Award was instituted in 1961. For exams remember it as a major honour in Indian literature.

The first Jnanpith Award was presented in 1965. For exams keep the institution year and first award year separate.

The direct answer is option C: 1991 CE. The Saraswati Samman is a major Indian literary award associated with outstanding works in Indian languages, and it was instituted in 1991. To solve the question, identify the award, recall its establishment year, and match that year with the options: 1965 is not the institution year, 1981 is not the institution year, 1991 matches, and 2001 is later. Option A is therefore wrong because 1965 is an unrelated date here. Option B is wrong because 1981 does not match the known beginning of this award. Option C is correct because the award was instituted in 1991. Option D is wrong because 2001 is also too late. Do not confuse the year of institution with the year of a particular recipient or winning work. Memory cue: Saraswati Samman began in the early 1990s—1991.

The Vyas Samman was instituted in 1991. For exams remember Saraswati Samman and Vyas Samman began in the same year.

The Moortidevi Award is considered to have begun in 1983. For exams remember years of awards linked with Bharatiya Jnanpith.

The National Child Award scheme was named Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar in 2018. For exams remember dates of new award names.

The Gandhi Peace Prize was instituted in 1995. For exams connect it with Gandhi's 125th birth anniversary.