Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Rajit Punhani, a 1991-batch IAS officer of the Bihar cadre, has been appointed as the new CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) from September 1, 2025. With over three decades of administrative experience, he has served in diverse roles at the Centre, state governments, and international platforms. His contributions include spearheading pension and insurance schemes for unorganised workers, reforming indirect taxes leading to the GST framework, and launching health initiatives such as the world’s largest maternal messaging program. His leadership at FSSAI comes at a crucial time as India focuses on food safety reforms, regulatory modernization, and public health priorities.

Dr. Deepak Mittal has been appointed as India’s new Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), succeeding Sunjay Sudhir, who retires in September 2025. A 1998-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, Dr. Mittal has extensive diplomatic experience, including key postings in the Prime Minister’s Office and as India’s Ambassador to Qatar. He was also pivotal in initiating India’s first formal diplomatic contact with the Taliban in 2021. His appointment comes at a crucial time, as the UAE remains one of India’s most important partners in West Asia, with strong ties in energy, trade, diaspora welfare, defence, and strategic cooperation.

Ms. T.C.A. Kalyani, a 1991-batch officer of the Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS), has been appointed as the 29th Controller General of Accounts (CGA) of India on September 1, 2025. With over 34 years of experience in public finance, governance, and digital transformation, she has contributed significantly to initiatives such as Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for fertilizers, digital reforms in MTNL, and financial restructuring of key PSUs. She has also held critical roles across ministries including Defence, Finance, and Home Affairs. As CGA, Ms. Kalyani will oversee central government accounts, financial reporting, and reforms, while advancing transparency and efficiency. Her appointment also marks a step forward for women’s representation in top financial leadership roles within the Indian government.

Educate Girls, an NGO founded by Safeena Husain in 2007, has been honoured with the 2025 Magsaysay Award, often regarded as Asia’s Nobel Prize for social impact. This milestone makes it the first Indian NGO ever to win this prestigious recognition. The organization has dedicated itself to enrolling out-of-school girls, ensuring their retention in classrooms, and working toward breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty. The award ceremony is scheduled for November 7 in Manila, where recipients from countries like the Maldives and the Philippines will also be recognised for their contributions to society.

Dinesh K Patnaik, a 1990-batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service, has been appointed as India’s High Commissioner to Canada, signaling a diplomatic reset between the two nations. The appointment comes after strained ties in 2023 following allegations related to the Nijjar controversy. Patnaik’s experience as Ambassador to Spain, Cambodia, and Morocco, along with his roles in the UK and ICCR, positions him to handle sensitive negotiations effectively. His parallel appointment alongside Christopher Cooter as Canada’s envoy to India reflects a joint effort to normalise relations, restore diplomatic channels, and revitalise cooperation in trade, education, and migration.