In the absence of Class-I heirs of schedule, who shall be preferred firstly to inherit the property of Hindu Male under Hindu Succession Act, 1956 ?

The correct answer is (a) Brother.

Under the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, the heirs of a Hindu male are divided into four classes. Class I heirs are the widow, son, daughter, son’s son, daughter’s son, mother, father, and grandmother. In the absence of Class-I heirs, the heirs of the deceased Hindu male are the Class II heirs, which include the brother, sister, and their descendants.

Therefore, in the absence of Class-I heirs, the brother of the deceased Hindu male is preferred firstly to inherit his property.

The other options are incorrect because they are not Class II heirs.