Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Vairamuthu, a renowned Tamil poet and lyricist, received the prestigious Jnanpith Award for 2025, recognizing his exceptional contribution to Tamil literature and poetry. Over several decades, he has produced a vast body of work, including poems, novels, essays, and film lyrics that have deeply influenced both literary and popular culture. His writings often explore themes such as human emotions, social justice, rural life, and nature, blending classical Tamil traditions with modern perspectives. In addition to literature, his impactful lyrics in Tamil cinema have reached a wide audience, making his work widely appreciated across generations.

Parthanil Ghosh has been appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HDFC ERGO General Insurance, with the appointment becoming effective from April 16, 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. He will succeed Anuj Tyagi, who stepped down from the role to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities. Ghosh brings more than three decades of professional experience in financial services and the insurance sector, including over 16 years in the general insurance industry. He joined HDFC ERGO in 2016 and has held several leadership roles within the company. Before this appointment, he served as the Executive Director of the company, starting on May 1, 2025.

Dr. Partha Biswas has taken charge as a Member of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), a constitutional body responsible for safeguarding the rights and interests of Scheduled Castes in India. He holds a Ph.D. in Defence and Strategic Studies and has pursued specialized studies in Human Resources and Human Rights at reputed institutions such as the University of Calcutta, Jadavpur University, and Kanpur University. He also received a Post-Doctoral Fellowship from the Indian Council of Social Science Research at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. Dr. Biswas has contributed significantly to academic research through books, publications, and journal articles focusing on defence policy, strategic affairs, and international relations.

RM Nachammai created history by becoming the first woman to serve as the Chief Superintendent of an operational nuclear power plant in India. She assumed charge of Units 3 and 4 at the Kaiga Generating Station in Karnataka on 15 March 2026 under the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL). In this role, she is responsible for overseeing critical functions such as operations, maintenance, and engineering support at the reactor complex. The Kaiga plant is known for its strong safety standards and consistent performance in nuclear power generation. Her appointment marks a significant milestone for gender representation in India’s highly technical and traditionally male-dominated nuclear energy sector.

The Reserve Bank of India approved Ketan Merchant as the interim Chief Executive Officer of Fino Payments Bank for a temporary period of three months. The decision was taken after the arrest of the bank’s Managing Director and CEO, Rishi Gupta, in connection with an alleged GST-related case. Ketan Merchant was serving as the Chief Financial Officer of the bank at the time of his appointment. His role as interim CEO ensures leadership continuity and smooth functioning of the bank’s operations during the transition period. The appointment allows the bank’s board and regulatory authorities to review the situation and decide on the long-term leadership arrangement.