Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Roman Gofman is the individual appointed as the new head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency. He succeeds the outgoing chief and is set to begin his five-year tenure in June 2026. His appointment is notable because he does not come from a traditional intelligence background, making him the first leader of the agency with such a profile. Having migrated from Belarus at a young age, he built a distinguished military career in the Israel Defence Forces, serving in key command roles and later as military secretary to the Prime Minister before assuming this position.

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.