Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

K. Satyanarayana Raju was appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Indian Digital Payment Intelligence Corporation (IDPIC) on April 10, 2026. He brings extensive experience in the banking sector, having previously served as the MD & CEO of Canara Bank and held leadership roles in institutions like BoB Financial Solutions. IDPIC, established in 2025 as a not-for-profit entity, plays a crucial role in strengthening India’s digital payment ecosystem by using artificial intelligence to detect and prevent fraud in real time, thereby enhancing financial security and trust.

Sanjay Khanna assumed the role of Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) effective November 4, 2026. Prior to this elevation, he served as Director (Refineries) at BPCL, where he managed key refining operations in Mumbai, Kochi, and Bina. With over three decades of experience in the petroleum sector, he has developed strong expertise in refinery management, supply chain operations, and execution of strategic projects. His leadership is expected to strengthen BPCL’s operational efficiency and support its growth as a Maharatna public sector enterprise.

Vibhor Jain assumed the role of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) on April 7, 2026. He succeeded Thampy Koshy, who stepped down in April 2025. Before this appointment, Jain served as the Chief Operating Officer and had also taken on responsibilities as acting CEO, demonstrating his leadership within the organisation. ONDC, established as a not-for-profit entity under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, aims to create an open and interoperable digital commerce ecosystem in India, enhancing accessibility and competition across platforms.

Deep Jariwala, an Indian-origin scientist, was appointed as the UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair for Quantum Devices, a prestigious joint position between the University of Tennessee Knoxville and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This role involves leading cutting-edge research in quantum materials, microelectronics, and computing systems. His work will also focus on optoelectronic systems and advanced device architectures for next-generation sensing technologies. The appointment reflects ongoing efforts to attract global scientific talent and strengthen collaboration between academic and national research institutions in the field of quantum science and technology.

UB Pravin Rao was appointed as the Chairperson of the Nasscom Foundation in April 2026, succeeding Rostow Ravanan. He brings over 35 years of extensive experience in global operations and large-scale transformation. Rao previously served as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Infosys from 2014 to 2021. His long association with Nasscom includes roles such as Vice-Chairperson and Chairman. Under his leadership, the foundation is expected to align with the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat, focusing on leveraging technology and ICT initiatives for social development and inclusive growth across India.