Who was the first Indian to receive the Nobel Prize?

Appeared in: BSF Staff Nurse - 2015

Explanation

Rabindranath Tagore was the first Indian and the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913.
He was awarded for his profoundly sensitive, fresh, and beautiful verse, as embodied in his work 'Gitanjali' (Song Offerings).
His win brought international recognition to Indian literature and philosophy.

Option A: Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, which was 66 years after Rabindranath Tagore.
Option B: C.V. Raman received his Nobel Prize in 1930, seventeen years after Tagore.
Option D: Amartya Sen received the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1998, making him a much later recipient.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain First Indian Nobel Prize Laureate as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding key figures and milestones in Indian history is a common component of the general knowledge section in nursing and other competitive examinations.
This knowledge helps in building a broader awareness of the country's cultural and scientific heritage.
What if the question asked for the first Indian-born person to win a Nobel Prize? The answer would still be Rabindranath Tagore. If it specified 'in science', the answer would be C.V. Raman.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question from the domain of general knowledge.
First, identify the key elements of the question: 'first Indian' and 'Nobel Prize'.
Next, access your memory of major Indian historical figures and their significant international recognitions.
Evaluate each option based on the timeline of their achievements. Rabindranath Tagore's prize in 1913 is the earliest among the given choices.
C.V. Raman (1930), Mother Teresa (1979), and Amartya Sen (1998) all received their awards later.
Therefore, select Rabindranath Tagore as the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full BSF Staff Nurse - 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.