Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

J&K Bank has appointed veteran banker S Krishnan as its new non-executive chairman, with the appointment valid until March 2028 pending RBI approval. With over 40 years of experience in the banking sector, Krishnan has previously served as the Managing Director & CEO of Punjab & Sind Bank and Tamilnad Mercantile Bank, and is currently an Independent Director on the J&K Bank board. His extensive expertise in governance, compliance, and financial inclusion makes him a strategic choice to strengthen J&K Bank’s oversight and align with national banking standards, while also boosting investor confidence during its ongoing reforms.

Teymur Abasguliyev, a senior executive from SOCAR Turkiye Enerji A.Ş., has been appointed as the new CEO of Nayara Energy. His appointment follows the exit of Alessandro Des Dorides and other European executives, who stepped down due to European Union sanctions linked to Nayara Energy’s association with Rosneft. An Azerbaijan national, Abasguliyev is an experienced professional with a background in finance and energy, having worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers and served as CFO at SOCAR Turkiye Enerji A.Ş. His leadership is expected to provide stability for Nayara Energy, which operates one of India’s largest private refineries and a vast retail fuel network.

Rajiv Anand has been appointed as the new MD & CEO of IndusInd Bank, beginning his three-year tenure that will run until August 2028. His assumption of leadership marks a significant transition for the bank, as it has also led to the dissolution of the previously established 'Committee of Executives' and the 'Oversight Committee of the Board.' With Anand at the helm, the bank is expected to focus on stability, growth, and strategic reforms, signaling a fresh chapter in its leadership and governance framework aimed at strengthening operational efficiency and long-term performance.

Anish Dayal Singh, a 1988-batch IPS officer of the Manipur cadre and former CRPF chief, has been appointed as the Deputy National Security Advisor (NSA) to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With a distinguished career in internal security, counter-insurgency, and intelligence, Singh brings over three decades of experience to his new role. He previously led the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), where he implemented major initiatives like the establishment of Forward Operating Bases in Naxal-affected areas, election security management, and restructuring of battalions for better operational efficiency. His expertise strengthens India’s security framework under NSA Ajit Doval, enhancing inter-agency coordination and strategic planning.

Sergio Gor, a long-time aide to Donald Trump, has been appointed as the next US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asia. At just 38, Gor brings a diverse background, having been born in Uzbekistan, lived in Malta, and later migrated to the US. His career includes roles with John McCain, Rand Paul, and eventually joining Trump’s political circle. He co-founded Winning Team Publishing with Donald Trump Jr. and played a central role in Trump’s second term as Director of Presidential Personnel. His dual appointment signals Trump’s strategic shift in US-India relations amid growing trade and geopolitical tensions.