Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Satish Golcha has been appointed as the Director General (DG) of Home Guards, Delhi, and is scheduled to assume charge on October 1, 2026. He is a 1992-batch IPS officer of the AGMUT cadre. Golcha previously served as the Delhi Police Commissioner from August 22, 2025, to July 17, 2026. He has also served as DGP of Arunachal Pradesh, DG of Tihar Prisons, and Special Commissioner of Police (Intelligence). He will succeed Virender Singh, a 1991-batch IPS officer, who is due to retire on September 30, 2026. The Home Guards assist civil administration in law and order, traffic management, and disaster response.

Satish Golcha, a senior IPS officer of the AGMUT cadre, has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Directorate of Home Guards, Delhi. His OSD tenure will continue until the retirement of the current Director General, Virender Singh, on September 30, 2026. From October 1, 2026, Golcha is expected to take charge as the Director General of Home Guards. Earlier, he served as Commissioner of Police, Delhi, and Director General (Prisons), Delhi, along with holding other senior positions in the Delhi Police.

Dr. Eluri Sreedhar was appointed as the Honorary Advisor to the BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BRICS CCI) on August 17, 2026. His responsibilities include advising on economic collaboration and strategic partnerships, while supporting initiatives focused on inclusive development and social empowerment. He will also contribute to the development of sustainable opportunities in self-employment and livelihood creation and promote entrepreneurship and community empowerment at national and international levels. The appointment letter was formally presented by Sameep Shastri, Chairman of BRICS CCI. Established in 2012, BRICS CCI is a non-profit organisation headquartered in New Delhi that promotes trade, commerce, and industry among BRICS countries and emerging economies.

Somanath Sreedhara Panicker was appointed as a part-time Non-official Director on the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India on August 20, 2026. The Central Government appointed him for a four-year tenure beginning from the date of appointment. Somanath Panicker is a former Chairman of ISRO and played a significant leadership role in the Chandrayaan-3 mission. The mission achieved a historic milestone by making India the first country to land near the Moon’s south polar region and the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon. Anand Mahindra was simultaneously reappointed to the RBI Central Board.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected as the 23rd President of Bangladesh after securing 255 votes in the parliamentary election held on August 20, 2026. His opponent, Oli Ahmed, received 88 votes. The election was significant as it was Bangladesh’s first contested presidential election in 35 years, with more than one candidate competing. Alamgir, a senior Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader and former Secretary General, transitioned from party politics to the country’s highest constitutional position. He succeeded Mohammed Shahabuddin, who resigned on July 24, 2026, citing ill health.