What is the common examiner trap about Miscellaneous in UPSC exams?

They may ask the distance as 9.81m (correct) vs 9.18m (distractor) or swap the classification F57 with F56 or F58. Also, they might ask about the last para-athletics medal winner (Ranjith Kumar Jayaseelan in 2006) vs the last gold medalist (Sharmila Dhankar).

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Miscellaneous for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: Sharmila Dhankar won gold in women's shot put F57 with 9.81m at CWG 2026. 2. Target this Nodal Body: Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) - organizing body. 3. Target this Athlete: Valluri Ajaya Babu - silver medalist in men's 79kg weightlifting (total 330kg).

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CWG 2026: Sharmila Dhankar Wins Historic Gold in Para Athletics F57 Shot Put (9.81m)

Q: Which Indian athlete won the last para-athletics medal at the Commonwealth Games before Sharmila Dhankar's historic gold in 2026?

Ranjith Kumar Jayaseelan, Ranjith Kumar Jayaseelan won a medal in the men's seated discus throw event at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Sharmila Dhankar's gold in 2026 ended India's 20-year wait for a para-athletics medal at the Games.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding India's performance at the Commonwealth Games 2026: 1. Sharmila Dhankar won India's first-ever para-athletics gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. 2. Valluri Ajaya Babu won a gold medal in the men's 79kg weightlifting category. 3. Tejas Shirse became the first Indian to qualify for the men's 110m hurdles final at the Commonwealth Games. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct: Sharmila Dhankar won India's first para-athletics gold at the CWG. Statement 2 is incorrect: Valluri Ajaya Babu won silver, not gold. Statement 3 is correct: Tejas Shirse was the first Indian to qualify for the men's 110m hurdles final at the CWG.

Q: What was the winning distance achieved by Sharmila Dhankar in the women's shot put F57 event at the Commonwealth Games 2026?

9.81m, Sharmila Dhankar won the gold medal with a season-best effort of 9.81m. The other options are plausible distractors: 9.18m is a common misordering of digits, 10.02m is above the winning distance, and 9.50m is a round number often used as a distractor.

Q: What is the primary significance of Sharmila Dhankar's gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026?

It ended India's 20-year medal drought in para-athletics at the Commonwealth Games., The article explicitly states that Sharmila's gold ended India's 20-year wait for a para-athletics medal at the Games. The last medal was won by Ranjith Kumar Jayaseelan in 2006. Option A is incorrect because India had previously won para-athletics medals. Option C is too broad and not stated. Option D is not mentioned in the article.

MiscellaneousHIGH

Target:UPSCMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains Medium

27 Jul 2026

~2 min

Source: The Hindu

Key Data:9.81m20 years330kg6 medalsF57

Bodies:Commonwealth Games Federation

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.Sharmila Dhankar wins historic gold in women's shot put F57 (9.81m), India's first para-athletics gold at CWG.

2.Valluri Ajaya Babu wins silver in men's 79kg weightlifting; India's total weightlifting tally reaches 6 medals.

3.Boxers Sachin Siwach, Ankush, and Sakshi Chaudhary advance to quarterfinals; sprinter Gurindervir Singh and hurdler Tejas Shirse exit without medals.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · Medium

Sharmila Dhankar won India's first-ever para-athletics gold at the Commonwealth Games in the women's shot put F57 event, ending a 20-year medal drought in the category. India also performed strongly in weightlifting (6 medals) and boxing, while sprinter Gurindervir Singh and hurdler Tejas Shirse faced disappointment on the track.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Gold MedalistSharmila Dhankar (Women's Shot Put F57)

Winning Distance9.81m (Season Best)

Para-Athletics Medal Drought Ended20 years (last medal in 2006 by Ranjith Kumar Jayaseelan)

Weightlifting SilverValluri Ajaya Babu (Men's 79kg, Total 330kg)

India's Weightlifting Tally6 medals at CWG 2026

1-Minute Revision

›Gold Medalist: Sharmila Dhankar (Women's Shot Put F57)
›Winning Distance: 9.81m (Season Best)
›Target this Data: Sharmila Dhankar won gold in women's shot put F57 with 9.81m at CWG 2026.
›Target this Nodal Body: Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) - organizing body.
›Target this Athlete: Valluri Ajaya Babu - silver medalist in men's 79kg weightlifting (total 330kg).

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News Snapshot

🏅

Historic Para-Athletics Gold

Sharmila Dhankar wins India's first CWG para-athletics gold with a season-best throw of 9.81m in F57 category.

🏋️

Weightlifting Dominance Continues

India wins 6 medals in weightlifting including silver by Valluri Ajaya Babu (men's 79kg) and medals by Gyaneshwari Yadav and Bindyarani Devi.

🥊

Boxers in Medal Contention

Sachin Siwach, Ankush, and Sakshi Chaudhary advance to quarterfinals; Sumit loses in round of 16.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The Commonwealth Games (CWG) is a major multi-sport event held every four years, featuring nations from the Commonwealth of Nations. India has historically performed well in shooting, wrestling, weightlifting, and athletics. Para-athletics events were introduced in the CWG to promote inclusivity. India's last para-athletics medal was won in 2006 by Ranjith Kumar Jayaseelan in men's seated discus throw. Sharmila Dhankar's gold thus breaks a 20-year medal drought in this category.

Core Analysis & Implications

Sharmila's victory highlights India's growing strength in para sports, driven by increased government support through schemes like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and Khelo India. Her F57 classification (lower limb impairments) underscores the diversity of para-athletics. The weightlifting team's 6-medal haul shows India's consistent dominance in this discipline, with lifters like Valluri Ajaya Babu and Gyaneshwari Yadav setting career-best totals. However, disappointments in athletics (Gurindervir Singh, Tejas Shirse) and swimming (Sajan Prakash) indicate areas needing improvement.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

India's performance at CWG 2026 will be a benchmark for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Para-athletes like Sharmila Dhankar will be key medal prospects. The government should continue funding para-sports infrastructure and coaching. Weightlifting's success suggests a strong pipeline of talent from states like Andhra Pradesh (Valluri Ajaya Babu). Athletics and swimming need targeted interventions, including sports science support and injury management (as seen with Tejas Shirse's navicular stress fracture).

Key Facts at a Glance

Gold MedalistSharmila Dhankar (Women's Shot Put F57)

Winning Distance9.81m (Season Best)

Para-Athletics Medal Drought Ended20 years (last medal in 2006 by Ranjith Kumar Jayaseelan)

Weightlifting SilverValluri Ajaya Babu (Men's 79kg, Total 330kg)

India's Weightlifting Tally6 medals at CWG 2026

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Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, Banking, State PSC

Which Indian athlete won the last para-athletics medal at the Commonwealth Games before Sharmila Dhankar's historic gold in 2026?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding India's performance at the Commonwealth Games 2026:

1. Sharmila Dhankar won India's first-ever para-athletics gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

2. Valluri Ajaya Babu won a gold medal in the men's 79kg weightlifting category.

3. Tejas Shirse became the first Indian to qualify for the men's 110m hurdles final at the Commonwealth Games.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, Banking, SSC

What was the winning distance achieved by Sharmila Dhankar in the women's shot put F57 event at the Commonwealth Games 2026?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

What is the primary significance of Sharmila Dhankar's gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026?

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CWG 2026: Sharmila Dhankar Wins Historic Gold in Para Athletics F57 Shot Put (9.81m)

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Historic Para-Athletics Gold

Weightlifting Dominance Continues

Boxers in Medal Contention

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance