Comprehension
Read the paragraph and answer the questions given below:
Our Army has been involved in five major wars with our neighbouring countries. We have fought four wars with Pakistan and one with China. Other major operations undertaken by the Army include Operations Meghdoot, Pawan, Cactus and Rakshak. Many gallantry awards have been awarded to the Indian Army for displaying courage, bravery and selfless dedication beyond the call of duty.
The Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is India’s highest military decoration awarded for the highest degree of valour or self-sacrifice in the face of enemy. So far, the medal has been awarded 21 times, 14 of which were posthumous awards. Literally meaning ‘‘Wheels (or cross) of the Ultimate Brave’’, it is similar to the Medal of Honour in the United States and the Victoria Cross in the United Kingdom. The PVC was established on 26 January, 1950 by the President of India, with effect from 15 August, 1947.
The PVC was designed by Mrs. Savitri Khanolkar who was married to an Indian Army Officer, Major General Vikram Khanolkar. This was done following a request from the first Adjutant General, Major General Hira Lal Atal, who in turn had been entrusted with the responsibility of coming up with an Indian equivalent of the Victoria Cross by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The medal is a circular bronze disc 1·375 inches (3·49 cms) in diameter. The state emblem appears in the centre, on a raised circle surrounding this, four replicas of Vajra, the all-powerful mythic weapon of Indra, the ancient Vedic King of Gods. The motif symbolizes the sacrifice of Rishi Dadhichi, who had donated his bones to Gods for making a Vajra.
Our Army has been involved in five major wars with our neighbouring countries. We have fought four wars with Pakistan and one with China. Other major operations undertaken by the Army include Operations Meghdoot, Pawan, Cactus and Rakshak. Many gallantry awards have been awarded to the Indian Army for displaying courage, bravery and selfless dedication beyond the call of duty.
The Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is India’s highest military decoration awarded for the highest degree of valour or self-sacrifice in the face of enemy. So far, the medal has been awarded 21 times, 14 of which were posthumous awards. Literally meaning ‘‘Wheels (or cross) of the Ultimate Brave’’, it is similar to the Medal of Honour in the United States and the Victoria Cross in the United Kingdom. The PVC was established on 26 January, 1950 by the President of India, with effect from 15 August, 1947.
The PVC was designed by Mrs. Savitri Khanolkar who was married to an Indian Army Officer, Major General Vikram Khanolkar. This was done following a request from the first Adjutant General, Major General Hira Lal Atal, who in turn had been entrusted with the responsibility of coming up with an Indian equivalent of the Victoria Cross by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The medal is a circular bronze disc 1·375 inches (3·49 cms) in diameter. The state emblem appears in the centre, on a raised circle surrounding this, four replicas of Vajra, the all-powerful mythic weapon of Indra, the ancient Vedic King of Gods. The motif symbolizes the sacrifice of Rishi Dadhichi, who had donated his bones to Gods for making a Vajra.
Question: 1
How many major wars has our Army been involved in with our enemies?
How many major wars has our Army been involved in with our enemies?
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The five major wars are: the Indo-Pakistani Wars of 1947--48, 1965, 1971, the 1999 Kargil War, and the Sino-Indian War of 1962.
Updated On: Jul 2, 2026
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Reading and Analyzing the Text:
We scan the first paragraph of the passage to locate details regarding major military conflicts.
Step 2: Identifying the Direct Textual Evidence:
The text explicitly states: “Our Army has been involved in five major wars with our neighbouring countries. We have fought four wars with Pakistan and one with China.”
Step 3: Selecting the Correct Option:
The textual evidence confirms that the total number of major wars fought is $5$ ($4$ with Pakistan and $1$ with China). This corresponds to option (D).
We scan the first paragraph of the passage to locate details regarding major military conflicts.
Step 2: Identifying the Direct Textual Evidence:
The text explicitly states: “Our Army has been involved in five major wars with our neighbouring countries. We have fought four wars with Pakistan and one with China.”
Step 3: Selecting the Correct Option:
The textual evidence confirms that the total number of major wars fought is $5$ ($4$ with Pakistan and $1$ with China). This corresponds to option (D).
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Question: 2
How many times has the Param Vir Chakra been awarded so far?
How many times has the Param Vir Chakra been awarded so far?
Show Hint
Of the $21$ Param Vir Chakra recipients, only $7$ survived to receive the award in person, while $14$ were awarded posthumously (after their self-sacrifice).
Updated On: Jul 2, 2026
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Scanning the Text for Medal Award Counts:
We scan the second paragraph of the text for numbers associated with the frequency of the Param Vir Chakra awards.
Step 2: Extracting the Matching Text:
The second paragraph records: “So far, the medal has been awarded 21 times, 14 of which were posthumous awards.”
Step 3: Matching with the Options:
The text confirms the PVC has been awarded $21$ times, which matches option (B).
We scan the second paragraph of the text for numbers associated with the frequency of the Param Vir Chakra awards.
Step 2: Extracting the Matching Text:
The second paragraph records: “So far, the medal has been awarded 21 times, 14 of which were posthumous awards.”
Step 3: Matching with the Options:
The text confirms the PVC has been awarded $21$ times, which matches option (B).
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Question: 3
When was the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) established by the President of India?
When was the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) established by the President of India?
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The first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra was Major Somnath Sharma of the 4th Battalion, Kumaon Regiment, for his heroic action during the Battle of Badgam in November 1947.
Updated On: Jul 2, 2026
- 26 January, 1950
- 26 November, 1950
- 26 January, 1947
- 26 November, 1947
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Scanning the Text for Dates of Establishment:
We scan the latter part of the second paragraph to find the official date when the President of India established the award.
Step 2: Pinpointing the Textual Evidence:
According to the second paragraph: “The PVC was established on 26 January, 1950 by the President of India, with effect from 15 August, 1947.”
Step 3: Distinguishing Between the Active Date and the Retroactive Date:
• The award was officially established on 26 January, 1950 (coinciding with India becoming a Republic).
• It was made retroactive with effect from 15 August, 1947 to cover heroic acts performed during the $1947$--$48$ war in Jammu & Kashmir. Therefore, option (A) is the correct answer.
We scan the latter part of the second paragraph to find the official date when the President of India established the award.
Step 2: Pinpointing the Textual Evidence:
According to the second paragraph: “The PVC was established on 26 January, 1950 by the President of India, with effect from 15 August, 1947.”
Step 3: Distinguishing Between the Active Date and the Retroactive Date:
• The award was officially established on 26 January, 1950 (coinciding with India becoming a Republic).
• It was made retroactive with effect from 15 August, 1947 to cover heroic acts performed during the $1947$--$48$ war in Jammu & Kashmir. Therefore, option (A) is the correct answer.
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Question: 4
Who was behind the idea of coming up with an Indian equivalent of the Victoria Cross?
Who was behind the idea of coming up with an Indian equivalent of the Victoria Cross?
Show Hint
To remember the creation chain of the PVC:
$$\text{Jawaharlal Nehru (Concept)} \rightarrow \text{Gen. Hira Lal Atal (Execution)} \rightarrow \text{Savitri Khanolkar (Design)}$$
Updated On: Jul 2, 2026
- Major General Vikram Khanolkar
- Major General Hira Lal Atal
- Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Identifying Key Historical Characters in the Text:
We evaluate the third paragraph to trace the chain of requests and responsibilities behind creating the medal.
Step 2: Mapping the Roles Mentioned in the Text:
• Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru: Entrusted the primary responsibility of creating an Indian equivalent of the Victoria Cross. He was the prime political driver and visionary behind the idea.
• Major General Hira Lal Atal: The first Adjutant General who was given this task by Nehru. He executed the order by requesting a design.
• Mrs. Savitri Khanolkar: The artist who designed the actual physical medal.
• Major General Vikram Khanolkar: Mentioned as the husband of Mrs. Savitri Khanolkar.
Step 3: Selecting the Correct Candidate:
Since Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru initiated the entire process by delegating the responsibility to Major General Hira Lal Atal, he is the key figure behind the idea. This corresponds to option (C).
We evaluate the third paragraph to trace the chain of requests and responsibilities behind creating the medal.
Step 2: Mapping the Roles Mentioned in the Text:
• Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru: Entrusted the primary responsibility of creating an Indian equivalent of the Victoria Cross. He was the prime political driver and visionary behind the idea.
• Major General Hira Lal Atal: The first Adjutant General who was given this task by Nehru. He executed the order by requesting a design.
• Mrs. Savitri Khanolkar: The artist who designed the actual physical medal.
• Major General Vikram Khanolkar: Mentioned as the husband of Mrs. Savitri Khanolkar.
Step 3: Selecting the Correct Candidate:
Since Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru initiated the entire process by delegating the responsibility to Major General Hira Lal Atal, he is the key figure behind the idea. This corresponds to option (C).
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