Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Ajit Doval, India's National Security Advisor, has been selected for the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 in recognition of his exceptional contribution to strengthening the country's national security framework. The award, announced by the Tilak Smarak Trust, will be presented on August 1, 2026, in Pune by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. A retired IPS officer of the 1968 Kerala cadre, Doval has played a vital role in intelligence coordination, counter-terrorism operations, and protecting India's strategic interests, making him one of the country's most respected security strategists.

Kanishka Narayan, an Indian-origin Member of Parliament from the Labour Party, was appointed as the United Kingdom's first-ever Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence (AI) on July 21, 2026, in Prime Minister Andy Burnham's cabinet. Born in Bihar, India, and raised in Cardiff, he also became the first ethnic minority MP elected from Wales, representing the Vale of Glamorgan constituency. His appointment marks a significant milestone in the UK's governance of emerging technologies and reflects the government's growing focus on artificial intelligence, innovation, and digital transformation.

Anurag Jain, a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the new CEO of NITI Aayog by the Central Government with the approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). He succeeds in the role at a crucial time as India advances its Viksit Bharat@2047 vision. With nearly four decades of administrative experience in both the state and central governments, Jain has contributed significantly to governance, industrial policy, and infrastructure development. His appointment is expected to strengthen NITI Aayog’s role in policy formulation, implementation, and driving economic and institutional reforms across the country.

Rahul Himalian, a 1999-batch Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer, has been entrusted with the additional charge of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) following the resignation of Sanjay Kumar Jain. He continues to serve as Director (Tourism & Marketing) while taking on the new responsibilities. With over 26 years of experience in railway operations, tourism, marketing, and administration, Rahul Himalian has played a significant role in IRCTC's growth. He is also known for his exceptional academic achievements, including a President's Gold Medal from IIT Delhi and a Gold Medal from NIT Hamirpur.

Vivek Nishant Nath assumed charge as the Director (Commercial) of NMDC Limited on July 18, 2026. He brings nearly fifteen years of experience with NMDC, having served in various commercial roles since 1992, along with leadership experience as Chief General Manager at Odisha Mining Corporation Limited. He has also worked with Essar Steel and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India, strengthening his expertise in the mining and steel sectors. NMDC Limited, established in 1958, is India's largest iron ore producer and a Navratna Public Sector Enterprise headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana. It functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Steel and plays a key role in India's mineral sector.