Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 304

This award is given for the highest literary honour in India?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Think about the award specifically given for literary excellence.

Correct Answer: B) Jnanpith award.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, CLAT

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

The Jnanpith Award is the highest literary honour in India, given annually to an author for their contribution to Indian literature. It is awarded by the Bharatiya Jnanpith, a literary and research institution established in 1947. The award is given to an author who has made significant contributions to Indian literature, regardless of the language in which the work is written. The award is a gold medal and a cash prize, and the recipient is also given a black marble sculpture called "Amar Sinha" created by the renowned sculptor Devi Prasad Roy Choudhary.

The Jnanpith Award is distinct from other literary awards in India, such as the Sahitya Akademi Award, which is also prestigious but not considered the highest honour. The Sahitya Akademi Award is given by the Sahitya Akademi, the national academy of letters, and is awarded annually to authors for their outstanding literary works in 24 Indian languages.

It is important to distinguish the Jnanpith Award from other awards that are not related to literature. For example, the Dada Saheb Phalke Award is given for outstanding contributions to Indian cinema, and the Padma Awards are given for distinguished service in various fields, including literature, but are not specific to literary achievements.

The Jnanpith Award is a significant recognition of an author's contribution to Indian literature and is considered a mark of the highest literary excellence. It is a testament to the author's ability to create works that resonate with readers and contribute to the rich tapestry of Indian literature.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is incorrect. The Dada Saheb Phalke Award is given for outstanding contributions to Indian cinema, not for literary achievements. It is named after Dada Saheb Phalke, a pioneer of Indian cinema.
  • Option B: This option is correct. The Jnanpith Award is the highest literary honour in India, given annually to an author for their contribution to Indian literature. It is awarded by the Bharatiya Jnanpith, a literary and research institution.
  • Option C: This option is incorrect. The Rajiv Gandhi Kher Ratna is not a real award. It is a distractor option designed to test the student's knowledge of Indian literary awards.
  • Option D: This option is incorrect. The Jnanpith Award is a real and prestigious award, so "None of the above" is not the correct answer.

Mnemonic: Jnanpith: Jnan (knowledge) + Pith (seat) = Seat of Knowledge

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