Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Rajneesh Karnatak and Debadatta Chand were granted three-year extensions as Managing Directors and CEOs of Bank of India and Bank of Baroda, respectively, by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. These extensions ensure leadership continuity in two major public sector banks. The approvals were based on proposals from the Department of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance. Such extensions reflect the government’s confidence in its leadership and performance. Stable executive leadership is crucial for maintaining operational efficiency, implementing reforms, and strengthening the banking sector in a competitive financial environment.

Srikanth Velamakanni, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Fractal, has been appointed as the Chairperson of Nasscom. He succeeds Sindhu Gangadharan and brings extensive experience from his prior role as Vice Chairperson and Executive Council member for over six years. Under his leadership, Nasscom is expected to focus on advancing enterprise AI, agentic AI, and autonomous multi-agent systems. His appointment reflects the growing importance of artificial intelligence in India’s technology sector. Along with Vice Chairperson Kishor Patil and President Rajesh Nambiar, he will help shape the strategic direction of the IT industry.

Parminder Singh has been appointed as the CEO of Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited, a joint venture focused on advancing enterprise artificial intelligence in India. The company combines Reliance’s infrastructure and connectivity with Meta’s AI capabilities to drive digital transformation. Parminder Singh brings extensive global experience, having held leadership roles at major technology companies such as Google, Apple, Twitter, and IBM. He has also served as Chief Commercial and Digital Officer at Mediacorp and co-founded AI-focused initiatives like ClayboxAI and WeKamp, making him well-equipped to lead REIL’s AI-driven strategy.

Rajesh Kumar Agarwal has been appointed as the Director (Finance) of Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC) with effect from April 23, 2026. He previously served as Executive Director (Finance) at PFC and brings over 31 years of experience in the power and finance sectors. His professional journey includes roles in major organisations such as NTPC Limited, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, and Delhi Transco Limited. Since joining PFC in 2009, he has handled critical areas like corporate accounts, taxation, and fund management, making him well-suited for this leadership role.

Lisa Gill was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, with effect from April 25, 2026. The appointment was made under constitutional provisions and after consultation with the Chief Justice of India. She succeeded Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur, who retired a day earlier. Prior to this elevation, Lisa Gill served as a puisne judge in the same High Court, gaining judicial experience within the institution. Her appointment reflects the established procedure under Article 217, ensuring continuity and leadership in the judiciary at the state level.