Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Vishwesh Negi was appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Islamic Republic of Iran by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on August 3, 2026. He is a 2002-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer and is currently serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. He is expected to assume charge in Tehran and oversee India-Iran strategic and trade relations. Iran’s capital is Tehran, and Chabahar Port is an important strategic asset for India, providing a maritime gateway to Central Asia.

Vishwesh Negi, a 2002-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, was appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Islamic Republic of Iran by the Ministry of External Affairs. Before this appointment, he served as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. He is expected to assume charge in Tehran and oversee India's diplomatic, strategic, and trade relations with Iran. His appointment is significant as Iran remains an important partner for India, particularly due to the strategic importance of Chabahar Port, which serves as India's gateway to Central Asia and beyond.

Monisha Chakraborty was appointed as the Executive Director of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) with effect from August 3, 2026. Before her promotion, she served as the Chief General Manager-in-Charge of the Department of Supervision and has over 30 years of experience in central banking. In her new role, she will oversee the Foreign Exchange Department and the Financial Markets Regulation Department. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and a Master's degree in Business Economics from the University of Delhi, bringing extensive expertise in banking supervision, financial regulation, and foreign exchange management.

Annapurni Subramaniam received the prestigious COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal 2026, becoming the first Indian woman scientist and the fourth Indian overall to win the honour. The award was announced during the 46th COSPAR Scientific Assembly held in Florence, Italy. Jointly presented by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the medal recognises outstanding contributions to space research by scientists from developing nations. Dr Subramaniam, Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, is internationally known for her research on stellar populations, star clusters, and galaxy evolution, further strengthening India's global reputation in space science.

Willie Walsh officially assumed charge as the new CEO of IndiGo on August 3, ushering in a new phase of leadership for India's largest airline. He succeeded Pieter Elbers and brings extensive experience from leading Aer Lingus, British Airways, International Airlines Group (IAG), and serving as Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Walsh is expected to guide IndiGo's international expansion, strengthen operational efficiency, and enhance customer service. His appointment reflects IndiGo's ambition to become a stronger global airline as India continues to emerge as one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets.