Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Manika Vishwakarma from Ganganagar, Rajasthan, was crowned Miss Universe India 2025 in Jaipur, emerging victorious among 50 contestants from across the country. Her win secures her place as India’s representative at the 74th Miss Universe pageant to be held in Thailand. Manika’s journey has been remarkable, beginning with her title of Miss Universe Rajasthan 2024, which paved her way to the national stage. She credits her mentors and supporters for shaping her growth in pageantry, which she describes as a platform that develops character beyond competition. India now looks forward to continuing its legacy of Miss Universe triumphs through her.

Ravi Narayanan, a seasoned banking professional and former Group Executive at Axis Bank, has been appointed as the CEO of SMFG India Credit. His appointment is significant as it represents the first major leadership shift since SMFG’s complete acquisition of Fullerton India Credit. Narayanan brings extensive expertise in retail liabilities, branch banking, and products, making him a strong fit to lead the company into its next phase of growth. Unlike his predecessors, who were closely tied to Fullerton’s legacy, Narayanan’s entry reflects SMFG’s clear intent to drive a new strategic direction with an operational model that aligns more closely with its global vision.

The Supreme Court appointed its retired judge L. Nageswara Rao as the ombudsman of the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA). His role is to address allegations of illegal activities involving certain office bearers and ensure the association functions smoothly. The order was passed by a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan to prevent external interference and safeguard the integrity of cricket administration in Bihar. Such judicial interventions are crucial in maintaining transparency and accountability within sports bodies. Rao’s appointment highlights the judiciary’s proactive role in promoting fair governance in sports organizations across the country.

Pratyay Amrit, a 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, has been appointed as the next Chief Secretary of Bihar. He will take over the role from the outgoing Chief Secretary, Amrit Lal Meena. Prior to assuming this new position, Pratyay Amrit has been serving as the Development Commissioner of Bihar and will act as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Chief Secretary’s office until the transition is complete. His appointment was officially announced by the General Administration Department of Bihar. This change marks a significant administrative development in the state’s bureaucratic leadership.

Rajiv Anand has been appointed as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of IndusInd Bank for a three-year term starting from August 25, 2025, subject to shareholder approval. Anand previously served as the Deputy Managing Director at Axis Bank, where he played key roles in both wholesale and retail banking divisions and was instrumental in the growth of the corporate banking business. He also held leadership roles in Axis Asset Management. His appointment is seen as a strategic move by IndusInd Bank to strengthen its leadership team and drive growth in the competitive Indian banking sector.