Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Bharat Singh Chauhan was unanimously re-elected as the Chairman of the Commonwealth Chess Association (CCA) for a four-year term on May 17, 2026. The election took place during the Annual General Body Meeting held in Wasakaduwa, Sri Lanka. Under his leadership, the association approved the launch of the Commonwealth School Chess Championship, with the inaugural edition scheduled to be hosted by Malaysia in October 2026. Chauhan is a prominent chess administrator who also serves as Chairman of the FIDE Advisory Board and Deputy President of the Asian Chess Federation, contributing significantly to the growth and development of chess across the region and the Commonwealth.

Dave Cousins, a former American world champion archer, was appointed as the chief coach of India’s national compound archery team by the Archery Association of India (AAI) on May 21, 2026. He will serve as the full-time coach until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and receive a monthly salary of USD 12,000. Cousins was expected to join the Indian team before the World Cup Stage 3 event in Antalya, Turkey. His appointment is particularly significant as compound archery is set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games through a mixed team event, creating new opportunities for Indian archers on the global stage.

Gunveer Singh was appointed as the new Executive Director of the Reserve Bank of India on May 18, 2026. Before this promotion, he served as the Chief General Manager-in-Charge within the RBI. In his new role, he will oversee the Department of Payment and Settlement Systems, which manages India’s payment infrastructure and settlement ecosystem. The appointment highlights RBI’s continued focus on strengthening digital payment systems and financial stability. Alongside his appointment, several senior officers, including Monisha Chakraborty, Suman Ray, Sudhakar Malli, and Ravi Shanker, were also empanelled for future Executive Director positions within the central bank.

The Agricola Medal 2026 was conferred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in recognition of his contributions to food security, sustainable agriculture, and rural development. The award ceremony took place at the FAO headquarters, which is located in Rome, Italy, and was presented by FAO Director-General Dr Qu Dongyu. The visit was notable as it marked the first time in 30 years that an Indian Head of Government visited the FAO headquarters. The FAO plays a global role in addressing hunger and agricultural development and is headquartered in Rome.

Tushar Kumar, a 23-year-old Labour Party councillor, was appointed as the Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood in the United Kingdom, becoming the youngest Indian-origin individual to hold a mayoral office in British history. The appointment was confirmed during the Mayor Making Ceremony held in Hertfordshire. Previously serving as Deputy Mayor, Kumar succeeded outgoing Mayor Dan Ozarow. During his tenure, he plans to focus on youth empowerment and community participation while supporting local welfare initiatives. A graduate of King’s College London, he has also gained experience as a policy advisor and research analyst, highlighting his early achievements in public service and leadership.