📘 IAS Prelims 2025 — GS-I | Q.93 | Classroom Explanation
(Art & Culture | Awards & Institutions | Current Affairs)

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📌 Question

Q.93)
Who amongst the following are members of the Jury to select the recipient of the Gandhi Peace Prize?

I. The President of India
II. The Prime Minister of India
III. The Chief Justice of India
IV. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) II and IV only
(b) I, II and III
(c) II, III and IV
(d) I and III only

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✅ Correct Answer: (c) II, III and IV

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🧑‍🏫 Classroom Explanation

This is a high-frequency UPSC pattern question where:

• ceremonial heads are mixed with
• executive and constitutional authorities
  to test institutional awareness.

Let us decode it cleanly.

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🕊️ Gandhi Peace Prize — Quick Context

• Instituted in 1995
• Occasion: 125th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
• Awarded for:
  • Social service
  • Non-violence
  • Humanitarian work
• Open to individuals and institutions, Indian or foreign

📌 Recent Linkage (CA Trap)
👉 Gandhi Peace Prize (2021) awarded to Gita Press, Gorakhpur (announced in 2023)

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🔍 Jury Composition (As per Government Notification)

The Jury for Gandhi Peace Prize consists of:

• 🟢 Prime Minister of India — Chairperson
• 🟢 Chief Justice of India
• 🟢 Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha
• 🟢 Two eminent persons (nominated)

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🔎 Statement-wise Analysis

🔹 Statement I: President of India ❌

• The President is not a member of the Jury
• Role is ceremonial in many awards, but not here

🔹 Statement II: Prime Minister of India ✅

• PM is the Chairperson of the Jury
• Central executive leadership role

🔹 Statement III: Chief Justice of India ✅

• Ensures constitutional and ethical balance
• Judicial presence is mandatory

🔹 Statement IV: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha ✅

• Represents parliamentary opposition
• Ensures bipartisan credibility

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🧠 Why Option (c) is Correct

✔️ Includes PM + CJI + LoP (Lok Sabha)
❌ Excludes President (correctly)

➡️ Perfect institutional match

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🧠 One-Line Memory Hook (Prelims Gold)

“Gandhi Peace Prize Jury = PM leads, CJI guards, Opposition watches.”

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📍 GS Mapping

Contemporary Cultural Affairs

GS Paper I

Art & Culture

Awards & Institutions

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