Which of the following is the highest national award in Indian cinema, given annually by the Government of India for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema?

Introduction / Context:
This question is about Indian film honours and asks you to recognise the highest national award in Indian cinema given for lifetime contribution. The award is conferred by the Government of India and is a part of the National Film Awards framework. Awareness of this award is important for general awareness and culture related questions in competitive exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The award is a national level honour related to Indian cinema.
• It is given annually by the Government of India.
• The award recognises lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.
• The options include Ashok Chakra, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, and National Film Award for Best Feature Film.

Concept / Approach:
The highest official recognition in Indian cinema for lifetime contribution is the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. It is presented as part of the National Film Awards and is considered the top honour in Indian film for an individual artist s lifetime work. The other options are either general civilian awards, a gallantry award, a sports award, or a specific competitive film award for a single movie, not a lifetime achievement citation.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Dadasaheb Phalke Award was instituted in 1969 in honour of Dadasaheb Phalke, regarded as the father of Indian cinema.Step 2: Remember that this award is given annually to a film personality for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema over an entire career.Step 3: Compare this description with the options. Ashok Chakra is a peacetime gallantry award, Arjuna Award is for sports, Padma Shri is a general civilian award, and the National Film Award for Best Feature Film is given for one film, not for a lifetime contribution.Step 4: Only the Dadasaheb Phalke Award matches the phrase highest national award in cinema for lifetime contribution.Step 5: Select Dadasaheb Phalke Award as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
The Directorate of Film Festivals under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting publishes the list of National Film Awards and describes the Dadasaheb Phalke Award as the highest official recognition in Indian cinema. Standard GK books and exam notes also clearly state that this is the top lifetime achievement honour in Indian films. Comparing this with the descriptions of the other awards confirms that only one option fits the question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Ashok Chakra: India s highest peacetime gallantry award for acts of valour and self sacrifice, unrelated to cinema.
• Arjuna Award: A national sports award for consistent outstanding performance in sports, not a film award.
• Padma Shri: A general civilian award for distinguished service in any field, but not specifically or exclusively the highest award for contribution to cinema.
• National Film Award for Best Feature Film: A prestigious competitive award for a single film in a given year, not a lifetime achievement honour.

Common Pitfalls:
Many students confuse the Dadasaheb Phalke Award with the popular and private Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Awards, which are a separate set of honours not given by the Government of India. Others think that a high level civilian award like Padma Shri or Padma Bhushan must be the top recognition in cinema. However, the exam perspective treats the Dadasaheb Phalke Award as the highest national film award for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.

Final Answer:
Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the highest national award in Indian cinema for lifetime contribution, so option B is correct.