The Jawaharlal Nehru Award is given for outstanding contribution in which broad field of activity?

Introduction / Context:
The Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding is an important international award instituted by the Government of India to honour individuals who promote goodwill and cooperation among nations. While many different awards in India recognise service in literature, science, or social work, this particular award is specifically focused on fostering international understanding. This question asks the candidate to identify the broad field for which the Jawaharlal Nehru Award is given, and the correct answer is international understanding.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The award mentioned is the Jawaharlal Nehru Award. - It is an international award that carries Jawaharlal Nehru's legacy. - The options include government service, literary work, international understanding, social work, and economic development. - Only one option matches the stated purpose of the award.

Concept / Approach:
From official descriptions, the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding is presented to people who have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of international understanding, goodwill, and friendship among peoples of the world. Therefore, the core field is not simply government service or literary achievement but the broader area of building peace and cooperation across nations. When a question refers to the Jawaharlal Nehru Award in general, it is usually pointing to this international understanding focus. The task is to recall this description and separate it from other awards that recognise literature, social work, or economic achievements.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recognise that Jawaharlal Nehru was India's first Prime Minister and an advocate of world peace and non alignment. 2. Recall that the award named after him honours contributions toward international goodwill and understanding. 3. Look at the options and identify which one most closely reflects this theme. 4. Government service, literary work, social work, and economic development are too narrow and are recognised by other awards. 5. The phrase international understanding directly matches the award's official purpose.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick check can be done by recalling examples of past recipients, such as U Thant, Martin Luther King Junior, Mother Teresa, or Angela Merkel, who have worked for international peace, human rights, and cooperation. These individuals are not limited to government service within a single country or to purely literary achievements; instead, they have significantly influenced international relations and global goodwill. This pattern of recipients confirms that the award focuses on international understanding rather than any of the other fields listed in the options.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Government service is recognised by various national honours such as Padma awards and other decorations, but the Jawaharlal Nehru Award is specifically international in character. Literary work is honoured by awards like the Jnanpith Award, Sahitya Akademi Award, and Booker Prize, rather than this Nehru award. Social work is acknowledged through awards such as the Ramon Magsaysay Award or various national civil awards, not primarily by the Jawaharlal Nehru Award. Economic development achievements may lead to national honours or international economic awards but are not the central focus of this particular award.

Common Pitfalls:
A common error is to assume that because Jawaharlal Nehru was a political leader, the award must be linked to government service. Others may confuse it with literacy or peace prizes and choose literary work or social work without considering the word international in the full title of the award. To avoid this, candidates should remember that the key phrase associated with this award is international understanding, which appears regularly in its official description. Making a mental link between Nehru, non alignment, and international cooperation helps fix this association.

Final Answer:
The Jawaharlal Nehru Award is given for outstanding contribution to international understanding.