Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Rajiv Anand has been appointed as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of IndusInd Bank for a three-year term starting from August 25, 2025, subject to shareholder approval. Anand previously served as the Deputy Managing Director at Axis Bank, where he played key roles in both wholesale and retail banking divisions and was instrumental in the growth of the corporate banking business. He also held leadership roles in Axis Asset Management. His appointment is seen as a strategic move by IndusInd Bank to strengthen its leadership team and drive growth in the competitive Indian banking sector.

PB Balaji, currently serving as the Group CFO of Tata Motors, has been appointed as the new CEO of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), effective from 17 November 2025. He will succeed Adrian Mardell, who will retire after a distinguished 35-year career with JLR. Balaji brings over 30 years of leadership experience in the automotive and consumer goods sectors and has held key roles across major global markets. An alumnus of IIT-Chennai and IIM-Kolkata, he has played a vital role in Tata Motors’ financial turnaround since joining in 2017. His appointment marks a strategic move to lead JLR’s next phase of innovation and growth.

T. N. Manoharan, a prominent figure in India’s banking and financial sector, passed away on July 30, 2025. As the Chairman of IDBI Bank and a Padma Shri awardee, he was widely recognised for his integrity, leadership, and dedication to corporate governance. His crucial involvement in the revival of Satyam Computers after the 2009 scandal marked a defining moment in his career. He also held key roles at Canara Bank, Mahindra Group, and Sahara India Finance Corporation. Manoharan's legacy is reflected in his commitment to financial reform, ethics in business, and nation-building through public service.

On August 1, 2025, Vice Admiral Manish Chadha, AVSM, VSM, took over as the Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, succeeding Vice Admiral CR Praveen Nair. With 34 years of distinguished service in the Indian Navy, Vice Admiral Chadha brings vast operational experience and specialised expertise in Communication and Electronic Warfare. His leadership background includes commanding frontline warships like INS Mysore, INS Veer, and INS Kirpan. An alumnus of the NDA, DSSC Wellington, and the National Defence University in Washington, he has a strong foundation in both strategic thinking and naval operations, making him well-suited for this prestigious role.+

Dr. Mayank Sharma, a senior officer from the 1989 batch of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS), officially took charge as the Financial Advisor (Defence Services) on August 1, 2025. With over 30 years of experience in defence accounts and policymaking, he has held numerous important positions, including Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA). His previous roles in the Cabinet Secretariat as Under Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Joint Secretary, along with his international representation at institutions like the UNODC and UNCITRAL, reflect his broad expertise. His appointment signifies a strategic move to enhance financial oversight and efficiency within the defence sector.