Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Dr P L Gautam was appointed as the Chairperson of the Expert Committee on Agrobiodiversity by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) on June 13, 2026. A Padma Shri awardee, he has previously served as the head of both the National Biodiversity Authority and the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA). The committee was reconstituted under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and is tasked with promoting the conservation of agricultural genetic resources and strengthening Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) mechanisms. It also provides guidance on international agreements related to plant genetic resources and supports India's biodiversity and sustainable development commitments.

Dinesh Trivedi assumed charge as India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh after arriving in Dhaka on June 12, 2026. He succeeded Pranay Verma in this important diplomatic position and had received his Letters of Credence from President Droupadi Murmu shortly before taking up the assignment. Dinesh Trivedi has had a distinguished political and parliamentary career, serving as the Union Minister for Railways and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare. He also represented the Barrackpore constituency in the Lok Sabha and served in the Rajya Sabha. His appointment reflects India's commitment to strengthening diplomatic and strategic relations with Bangladesh.

Sanjay Lohiya was nominated by the Central Government as a Director on the Central Boards of both the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the State Bank of India (SBI) on June 11, 2026. A 1994-batch IAS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, he serves as the Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) under the Ministry of Finance and assumed charge on June 1, 2026. His nomination followed the retirement of Nagaraju Maddirala. The appointment became effective immediately and will remain in force until further orders, strengthening coordination between the government and key financial institutions.

Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, launched the Land Port Management System (LPMS) ‘VINIMAY’ in New Delhi on 9 June 2026. The digital platform is designed to modernise border management by integrating cargo handling, passenger movement, vehicle processing, and inter-agency coordination into a single system. LPMS aims to reduce paperwork by around 90%, improve trade efficiency, strengthen security, and enable real-time information sharing among multiple government agencies. The initiative forms a key component of India’s Smart Border strategy, which focuses on technology-driven operations, enhanced surveillance, smoother cross-border trade, and improved connectivity at land ports.

Sameer Kanodia was recognised in India’s Top 50 CEOs, MDs, and Founders list for 2026 by the Great Manager Institute (GMI). This marked the second consecutive year he received this prestigious leadership honour. The recognition is awarded to leaders who demonstrate exceptional ability in inspiring, empowering, and developing teams while achieving strong business outcomes. Sameer Kanodia serves as the Vice Chairman and CEO of both Lumina Datamatics and TNQTech. His leadership has been acknowledged for fostering organisational growth, promoting employee development, and delivering sustained business success through effective management practices and strategic vision.