UPSC Prelims 2025 Q93: Indian Polity – Awards and Honours
- (a) II and IV only
- (b) I, II and III
- (c) II, III and IV
- (d) I and III only
Answer: (c) II, III and IV
Explanation
Gandhi Peace Prize — Award and Jury Composition
The Gandhi Peace Prize (International Gandhi Peace Prize) is awarded annually by the Government of India since 1995, on Gandhi's birth anniversary (October 2). It carries ₹1 crore cash award + a plaque.
Jury for Gandhi Peace Prize:
| Member | Included? | Role |
|---|---|---|
| President of India | NO | The President is NOT part of the jury - the prize is awarded in the President's name but the jury selects the recipient |
| Prime Minister of India | YES | Chairperson of the jury |
| Chief Justice of India | YES | Member of jury (adds judicial independence) |
| Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha | YES | Member of jury (bipartisan representation) |
Jury members = II (PM), III (CJI), IV (Leader of Opposition) = Answer: II, III and IV
Gandhi Peace Prize — Notable Awardees:
| Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Sultan Qaboos bin Said (Oman, posthumous) |
| 2020 | Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Bangladesh, posthumous) |
| 2021 | Gita Press, Gorakhpur (India) |
| 2022 | Mahatma Gandhi (honorary - 150th birth anniversary) |
Answer: (c) II, III and IV.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. 'II and IV only' would exclude the Chief Justice of India — but CJI is a confirmed member of the Gandhi Peace Prize jury.
- (b) Incorrect. 'I, II and III' includes the President — the President is NOT a member of the selection jury. The prize is given in the President's name but the President does not sit on the jury.
- (c) CORRECT. Prime Minister (chairperson), Chief Justice of India, and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha form the Gandhi Peace Prize jury. The President is not a jury member.
- (d) Incorrect. 'I and III only' would include the President (not a jury member) and exclude the PM (who is the jury chairperson) and Leader of Opposition.
Key point
Gandhi Peace Prize jury = PM + CJI + Leader of Opposition. President is NOT on the jury — the prize is given in India's name, with the PM chairing the selection process.
Remember
Gandhi Peace Prize jury: PM (chairperson) + Chief Justice of India + Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha. The President is NOT on the jury.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the President is on the jury because the prize is prestigious — the President receives the recommendation but does not select the winner.
- Forgetting the Leader of Opposition's role in key national awards juries — LoP appears on several important selection committees (CBI Director, CVC, etc.) as a bipartisan check.
- Confusing Gandhi Peace Prize with Bharat Ratna selection — Bharat Ratna is recommended by the PM to the President; Gandhi Peace Prize has a formal jury.
Exam tip
Gandhi Peace Prize jury = PM (chair) + CJI + Leader of Opposition. No President. Similar jury-type composition: National Human Rights Commission Chairperson = former CJI. Many national prizes use PM + CJI + LoP as the standard bipartisan jury formula.
Sources
- Ministry of Culture, India — Gandhi Peace Prize Guidelines
- Gandhi Peace Prize Official Notifications