At the Rio 2016 Olympics, which of the following was not a member of the Indian boxing team?

Introduction / Context:
India's representation at the Rio 2016 Olympics included athletes from various combat sports. Boxing has historically been a strong discipline for India, with several boxers qualifying for the Games. This question asks you to identify which of the listed sportspersons was not a member of the Indian boxing team at Rio 2016, even though his name appears alongside those of actual boxers.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The event is the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
• We focus specifically on the Indian boxing squad.
• Options: Shiv Thapa, Manoj Kumar, Vikas Krishan, and Avtar Singh.
• We assume official Olympic participation lists as reference.

Concept / Approach:
Shiv Thapa, Manoj Kumar and Vikas Krishan are all Indian boxers who have represented the country in international competitions, including the Olympics. Avtar Singh, however, is a judoka (judo player), not a boxer. He qualified for Rio 2016 in judo, competing in a different combat sport category. Therefore, although he went to Rio, he was not part of the boxing team, making him the correct answer to this “not a member” type of question.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the sports of each option: Shiv Thapa (boxing), Manoj Kumar (boxing), Vikas Krishan (boxing), Avtar Singh (judo). Step 2: Recall that the question asks for someone who was not a member of the boxing team. Step 3: Recognise that the first three names are indeed boxers selected for Rio. Step 4: Note that Avtar Singh competed in judo, a different combat sport with separate events and qualification. Step 5: Conclude that Avtar Singh is the correct choice.

Verification / Alternative check:
Official Rio 2016 participation lists show Shiv Thapa, Manoj Kumar and Vikas Krishan among India's boxing representatives in their respective weight categories. Avtar Singh appears separately under judo events and is recorded as a judoka. Sports GK summaries for competitive exams also highlight this distinction, sometimes using this very combination of names to test awareness.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Shiv Thapa: A recognised Indian boxer who qualified for Rio 2016 and competed in boxing events.
• Manoj Kumar: Another member of the Indian boxing contingent at the Rio Olympics.
• Vikas Krishan: A prominent Indian boxer who has represented the country in multiple international tournaments including Rio 2016.

Common Pitfalls:
Because all four names may sound familiar from Olympic coverage, some candidates assume they all belong to the same sport. Another pitfall is to overlook the phrase “not a member of the boxing team” and answer as if the question is asking who participated in Rio at all. Careful reading and knowledge that Avtar Singh is associated with judo, not boxing, are essential to answer correctly.

Final Answer:
The sportsperson who was not a member of India's boxing team at the Rio 2016 Olympics is Avtar Singh.