Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Ravi Shankar was appointed as the Executive Director of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) with effect from 1st July 2026. Before his promotion, he served as the Adviser-In-Charge of the Department of Statistics and Information Management (DSIM). With over three decades of experience at the RBI, he has worked extensively in corporate and banking statistics, government securities, settlement systems, public debt management, and macroeconomic statistics. He has also contributed to several RBI committees and working groups focused on economic policy, financial sector analysis, statistical methodology, and data governance, making him a highly experienced central banker and statistician.

Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, received the 2026 USISPF Leadership Award at the IX US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Annual Leadership Summit held in Washington, D.C. He was recognised for his outstanding leadership in transforming India's telecommunications sector and strengthening economic and commercial ties between India and the United States. Under his leadership, Bharti Enterprises expanded into telecommunications, digital services, infrastructure, financial services, and other sectors. His efforts have promoted digital connectivity, innovation, international investment, and stronger business collaboration between India and North America.

Ravi Agrawal was reappointed as the Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) for six months, from 1st July 2026 to 31st December 2026, or until further orders. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved his extension on a contract basis by relaxing the Recruitment Rules, as he was due to retire on 30th June 2026. A 1988-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, Ravi Agrawal, has been heading the CBDT since July 2024. The CBDT is the apex authority responsible for administering direct tax laws under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.

Ravi Agrawal has been reappointed as the Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) for a further six-month term from July 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026. A 1988-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, his extension was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) after his scheduled retirement. The CBDT is the apex policymaking body for direct taxes in India and functions under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance. It is responsible for formulating direct tax policies, improving tax administration, combating tax evasion, issuing income tax guidelines, and enhancing transparency and taxpayer services across the country.

HDFC Bank has appointed former Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar as its part-time chairman for a three-year term, subject to approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He has also been appointed as an Additional Director (Independent Director) for a four-year term beginning on June 30, 2026, subject to shareholder approval. Rajiv Kumar is a 1984-batch IAS officer with extensive experience in finance and public administration. He previously served as Secretary of the Department of Financial Services and played a significant role in banking reforms, including public sector bank consolidation, capital infusion, and increasing deposit insurance coverage.