Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

The position of Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) at the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) was assumed on 27 April 2026 by Dilip Kumar. He is a senior officer from the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) with extensive experience in the railway sector. His previous roles include Additional Divisional Railway Manager in East Central Railway and Chief Workshop Manager in Bihar. Known for innovation, he contributed to ISO-certified train development and advanced maintenance techniques. As CVO, his role involves ensuring transparency, preventing corruption, and maintaining vigilance standards within SAIL operations.

The OTM administrative complex for the Coast Guard District Headquarters No. 13 in Puducherry was inaugurated on 25 April 2026. The inauguration was carried out by DG Paramesh Sivamani, who serves as the Director General of the Indian Coast Guard. This facility includes an advanced Operations Centre and integrates the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre, creating a unified hub for coordination and command. The complex plays a key role in overseeing maritime operations across Puducherry and Central Tamil Nadu, ensuring safety at sea, environmental protection, and safeguarding offshore interests.

Vivek Tripathi was appointed as the Whole-Time Director of AU Small Finance Bank, marking an important addition to the bank’s leadership structure. As a Whole-Time Director, he becomes part of the full-time executive management, contributing to strategic and operational decisions. Such appointments in banking institutions require regulatory oversight and alignment with provisions under the Companies Act, 2013. AU Small Finance Bank, headquartered in Jaipur, has evolved from a Non-Banking Financial Company into a Scheduled Commercial Bank, and leadership appointments like this play a key role in guiding its growth and governance.

Nitu Samra was appointed as the interim Chief Executive Officer of Noida International Airport following regulatory requirements set by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). She has served as the Chief Financial Officer since October 2021, bringing financial and administrative experience to the role. The appointment aligns with BCAS norms mandating that the CEO of an Indian airport must be an Indian national. This leadership change is part of the broader development of the airport, which is being built under a Public-Private Partnership and is expected to significantly expand passenger handling capacity in the coming years.

Ashok Kumar Lahiri was appointed as the Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog, the premier policy think tank of the Government of India. He succeeded Suman K. Bery and took charge following the reconstitution of the institution. Lahiri, a noted economist, brings extensive experience in economic policy and governance. His appointment is part of a broader restructuring that also introduced new full-time members to the Aayog. NITI Aayog plays a crucial role in shaping India’s development agenda through cooperative federalism and strategic policy planning, making this leadership change significant for governance and policymaking.