For Prelims: Arjuna Award, Olympic bronze medal, Field hockey
For Mains: Sports: Sports awards and Olympic achievements; Background GK: Uttar Pradesh sports personalities
Source:
Hindustan
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- Rajkumar Pal is scheduled to receive the Arjuna Award on 13 November 2026.
- Pal was part of India's Paris Olympics bronze medal-winning hockey team.
- He began his hockey journey at Meghbaran Singh Hockey Stadium in Karampur.
- The stadium is in Ghazipur district, Uttar Pradesh.
- The Uttar Pradesh government appointed Pal Deputy Superintendent of Police.
The news
Hockey player Rajkumar Pal, a member of India's bronze medal-winning team at the Paris Olympics, is scheduled to receive the Arjuna Award on 13 November 2026. The announcement was made by the government, recognising his contribution to the sport. Pal began his hockey journey at the Meghbaran Singh Hockey Stadium in Karampur, Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, and has also been appointed Deputy Superintendent of Police by the state government.
Pal's father died when he was young, and his mother Manraji Devi raised him and his brothers Jokhan and Raju amid financial hardship. The founder of the stadium, the late Rajbahadur Singh, supported the family by providing accommodation, food and training facilities. Jokhan Pal and Raju Pal also made a name in hockey, while Rajkumar represented India internationally. His scheduled Arjuna Award has brought a sense of pride and joy to Karampur and the entire Ghazipur district.
Why in the news?
The government has scheduled the Arjuna Award for Rajkumar Pal on 13 November 2026, making it a current news event. The award recognises his performance as part of India's bronze medal-winning hockey team at the Paris Olympics.
When was the Arjuna Award instituted?
The Arjuna Award was instituted in 1961 by the Government of India to recognise outstanding achievement in sports. It is named after Arjuna, a central figure in the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata, symbolising focus and dedication. The award is given by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and carries a bronze statuette of Arjuna, a scroll, and a cash prize. It is the second-highest sporting honour in India, after the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
How did Rajkumar Pal's hockey journey begin?
Rajkumar Pal started playing hockey at the Meghbaran Singh Hockey Stadium in Karampur, Ghazipur. After his father's death, his mother Manraji Devi raised him and his brothers Jokhan and Raju. Stadium founder Rajbahadur Singh supported the family, enabling the brothers to pursue training with access to accommodation, food and coaching.
What has the government done for the player?
The Uttar Pradesh government appointed Rajkumar Pal as Deputy Superintendent of Police, linking his sporting performance to public employment. The scheduled Arjuna Award on 13 November 2026 will give national recognition to his family's years of struggle.
Uttar Pradesh connection
Matters for these Uttar Pradesh exams:UPSSSC PET
Facts and terms for exams
- Arjuna Award:
- An Indian national sports award recognising outstanding performance in sports and games.
- Olympic bronze medal:
- A medal awarded for third place in an Olympic event.
- Field hockey:
- A team sport in which players use sticks to move a ball and score goals.
Why it matters for exams
Exams: UPSSSC PET
Syllabus: Sports: Sports awards and Olympic achievements; Background GK: Uttar Pradesh sports personalities
Common mistake: Examiners may swap bronze for gold or describe the scheduled Arjuna Award as already presented: Pal's team won bronze, and the award is scheduled for 13 November 2026.
Stuck? Get it in one tap
Rajkumar Pal is a hockey player who represented India at the Paris Olympics, where the team won bronze. He is scheduled to receive the Arjuna Award, an Indian award for sporting achievement. He began training at a stadium in Karampur, Uttar Pradesh.
- Rajkumar Pal is scheduled to receive the Arjuna Award on 13 November 2026.
- Pal was part of India's Paris Olympics bronze medal-winning hockey team.
- He began his hockey journey at Meghbaran Singh Hockey Stadium in Karampur.
- The stadium is in Ghazipur district, Uttar Pradesh.
- The Uttar Pradesh government appointed Pal Deputy Superintendent of Police.
- Sports: Sports awards and Olympic achievements
- Background GK: Uttar Pradesh sports personalities
Related concepts: Arjuna Award, Olympic bronze medal, Field hockey
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which sport is associated with Arjuna Award recipient-designate Rajkumar Pal?
Explanation: Rajkumar Pal represents India in hockey and played in the bronze medal-winning team at the Paris Olympics. Cricket, football and badminton are different sports.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements about hockey player Rajkumar Pal:
- 1.He was part of India's bronze medal-winning hockey team at the Paris Olympics.
- 2.He is scheduled to receive the Arjuna Award on 13 November 2026 for cricket.
- 3.He began his hockey journey at Meghbaran Singh Hockey Stadium in Karampur.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct: Pal played for the Paris bronze-winning hockey team and began at the Karampur stadium. Statement 2 is incorrect because his sporting achievements are in hockey, not cricket.
- Q3Medium
On which date is hockey player Rajkumar Pal scheduled to receive the Arjuna Award in 2026?
Explanation: Rajkumar Pal's Arjuna Award presentation is scheduled for 13 November 2026. The other dates do not match the scheduled presentation.
- Q4Medium
Which facilities at Meghbaran Singh Hockey Stadium supported Rajkumar Pal's early sporting development?
Explanation: The Karampur stadium provided accommodation, food and training to support Pal and his brothers. Public employment, an Olympic medal and an Arjuna Award are distinct from those early training facilities.
Frequently asked questions
1. When is Rajkumar Pal scheduled to receive the Arjuna Award?
He is scheduled to receive the Arjuna Award on 13 November 2026.
2. Which Olympic medal did Rajkumar Pal's hockey team win?
India's hockey team won bronze at the Paris Olympics, with Rajkumar Pal as a team member.
3. Where did Rajkumar Pal begin his hockey journey?
He began at Meghbaran Singh Hockey Stadium in Karampur, Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh.
4. What government post was given to hockey player Rajkumar Pal?
The Uttar Pradesh government appointed him Deputy Superintendent of Police.
All sources
- Original10 November 2026 · Read story