Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Shri Praveen Vashista, a 1991-batch IPS officer of the Bihar cadre, has been appointed as Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). He assumed office on 16 January 2026, bringing over three decades of experience in policing, the CBI, internal security, and economic offence investigations. His career includes key roles in Bihar’s law enforcement as SP and IG, as well as central deputation positions in the Ministry of Home Affairs involving internal security and national policy. This appointment strengthens India’s anti-corruption framework, ensuring experienced oversight and integrity administration at the national level.

Former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni has been appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador for the Pune Grand Tour 2026, India’s first UCI-recognised multi-stage professional road cycling race. The five-day international event spans 437 km across Maharashtra’s Deccan Plateau and Sahyadri Range, testing endurance, strategy, and technical skill. Dhoni’s leadership, discipline, fitness, and mental resilience bring credibility and visibility to the event. His involvement is expected to inspire young athletes, promote cycling as a professional sport in India, and attract attention from the public and corporate sectors, supporting India’s emergence on the global professional cycling map.

Dina Powell McCormick, a former Meta board member, has been appointed as President and Vice Chairman of Meta. In this role, she will join the management team to guide the company’s overall strategy, collaborate with infrastructure teams, and align major investments with long-term objectives. Additionally, she will focus on building strategic capital partnerships and expanding Meta’s investment capacity globally. Her appointment underscores the company’s emphasis on strong leadership to drive innovation, scale operations, and address global technological and financial opportunities while maintaining alignment with Meta’s strategic goals.

Senior IPS officer Rakesh Aggarwal, a 1994-batch officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) with tenure approved until his retirement on August 31, 2028. Prior to this, he served as Special Director General in the NIA and was holding additional charge as DG. His appointment, approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, ensures continuity in leadership at India’s premier counter-terrorism body. Aggarwal’s extensive experience in counter-terrorism will strengthen operational efficiency, inter-agency coordination, and the prosecution of terror-related cases nationwide.

The Centre appointed senior IPS officer Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor as the Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on January 14, 2026. Kapoor, a 1990-batch officer from Haryana cadre, succeeds Praveen Kumar, who has been reassigned as DG of the Border Security Force (BSF). The appointment ensures experienced leadership for ITBP, responsible for guarding India’s Himalayan borders, and strengthens internal security management. Such high-level postings are approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) and are crucial for continuity, operational efficiency, and strategic oversight of India’s border forces.