UPSC Prelims 2008 Q39: Current Affairs – Football
Which one of the following is correct in respect of Indian football team's performance in the
Olympic Games?
- (a) India has never participated in the Olympic Football Tournament
- (b) India played only in the First Round
- (c) India entered only up to the Quarter Finals
- (d) India entered the Semi Finals
Answer: (d) India entered the Semi Finals
Explanation
India's football performance at the Olympic Games
India's national football team achieved a notable, though often-forgotten, milestone at a historic Olympics.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) India never participated in Olympic football | Incorrect | India did participate in Olympic football on several occasions |
| (b) India played only in the First Round | Incorrect | India's performance was better than just the first round in at least one Olympics |
| (c) India entered only up to the Quarter Finals | Incorrect | India actually went further than the quarter-finals in its best Olympic football performance |
| (d) India entered the Semi Finals | Correct | India famously reached the Semi-Finals of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics football tournament, finishing 4th overall — its best-ever Olympic football result |
India's Olympic football facts:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best result | Semi-Finals, 1956 Melbourne Olympics |
| Final placing | 4th place |
Answer: (d) India entered the Semi Finals.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. India did participate in Olympic football tournaments on multiple occasions.
- (b) Incorrect. India's performance exceeded just the first round in its best showing.
- (c) Incorrect. India actually went beyond the quarter-finals, reaching the semi-finals.
- (d) CORRECT. India reached the Semi-Finals of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics football tournament.
Key point
India's best-ever Olympic football performance was reaching the Semi-Finals at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, finishing 4th overall.
Remember
India entered the Semi-Finals in Olympic football (1956 Melbourne Olympics).
Common mistakes
- Underestimating India's historical football achievement, assuming it never progressed past early rounds.
- Not knowing the specific 1956 Melbourne Olympics context for this achievement.
- Assuming India never participated in Olympic football at all.
Exam tip
India's best Olympic football result: Semi-Finals, 1956 Melbourne Olympics (4th place overall) — a surprising, often-forgotten sporting fact.
Sources
- International Olympic Committee — Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games: football results
- All India Football Federation — History of Indian football