Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Srinivas Injeti, a retired 1983-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the NSE Governing Board with SEBI’s approval. With over 40 years of experience in financial services, regulation, and governance, he has held key positions such as Secretary of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, where he implemented landmark reforms including the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. He was also the founding Chairperson of the International Financial Services Centres Authority, contributing to fintech growth and sustainable finance. His broad career includes roles in sports administration, pharmaceuticals pricing, and global governance, making him well-suited for leading the NSE’s oversight.

Hero MotoCorp, India’s leading two-wheeler manufacturer, has appointed Harshavardhan Chitale as its new CEO, effective from 5 January 2026. This leadership transition comes after the resignation of Niranjan Gupta in April 2025 and the interim role of Vikram Kasbekar. Chitale, an IIT Delhi alumnus and Director’s Gold Medalist, brings over 30 years of global leadership experience, including his role as Global CEO of Signify’s €4 billion Professional Business. His expertise in industrial automation, IoT innovation, and global operations is expected to accelerate Hero’s shift toward electric mobility, digitalisation, premiumisation, and sustainability, aligning with the company’s long-term strategic vision.

Levi’s has chosen Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt as its new global brand ambassador, reflecting the brand’s strategic move to align with changing fashion trends. Women’s fashion is shifting away from tight silhouettes towards relaxed, wide-leg, and comfort-first denim fits. Alia Bhatt, known for her strong influence in both cinema and fashion, perfectly embodies this evolution, resonating with younger audiences globally. Her association allows Levi’s to position itself as a culturally relevant, style-led brand that appeals to Gen Z and millennials. This collaboration highlights authenticity, self-expression, and Levi’s ambition to evolve beyond heritage denim into a trend-forward fashion icon.

Bhupender Gupta has been appointed as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of NHPC Limited, taking over from Raj Kumar Chaudhary, who retired in June 2025. Approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, his appointment comes at a crucial time when NHPC is diversifying beyond hydropower into solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources. With over three decades of experience in project execution, operations, and strategic planning, Gupta is well-suited to lead NHPC’s green transformation. His leadership is expected to accelerate stalled hydro projects, expand solar and wind initiatives, and strengthen India’s renewable energy mission, aligning with the 2030 clean energy targets.

R Gandhi, a former Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, has been reappointed as the part-time non-executive chairman of Yes Bank for the period from September 20, 2025, to May 13, 2027. With over 37 years of experience in central banking, Gandhi has contributed significantly to regulation, payment systems, and currency management in India. His leadership at Yes Bank is seen as vital in ensuring governance stability and reinforcing investor confidence, especially after the bank’s restructuring phase following the 2020 crisis. His regulatory credibility and oversight strengthen the bank’s long-term planning and compliance framework.