Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Piyush Goyal, a 1994 batch IAS officer from the Nagaland cadre, has been appointed as the new Mines Secretary. He took charge after V.L. Kantha Rao and brings with him rich administrative experience, having previously served as the CEO of NATGRID. His leadership comes at a pivotal moment when India is emphasizing the development of critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earths. These resources are central to supporting India’s clean energy transition, ensuring greater self-reliance in strategic sectors, and helping the country progress toward its ambitious net-zero emission targets.

Justice Shree Chandrashekhar has been sworn in as the new Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. The oath was administered by Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai. Before this elevation, he had been serving as the Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court and had also held the role of Acting Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court. His appointment reflects his significant judicial experience and contributions. As Chief Justice, he is expected to bring stability and guidance to one of India’s most prominent High Courts, playing a crucial role in upholding justice and strengthening the legal system.

Anand V. Patil, a celebrated writer known for his outstanding contributions to children’s literature, will receive the Prof. V.K. Gokak Award in Bengaluru on September 7, 2025. He has previously been honoured with the Kendra Sahitya Akademi’s Bal Sahitya Award, and his works have played a key role in nurturing creativity and values among young readers. The award, instituted in memory of Prof. Vinayaka Krishna Gokak, a Jnanpith awardee and a towering figure in Kannada literature, honours writers who significantly enrich Indian literary traditions. This recognition underscores Patil’s role in advancing children’s literature and preserving linguistic heritage.

Rajit Punhani, a 1991-batch IAS officer of the Bihar cadre, has been appointed as the new CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) from September 1, 2025. With over three decades of administrative experience, he has served in diverse roles at the Centre, state governments, and international platforms. His contributions include spearheading pension and insurance schemes for unorganised workers, reforming indirect taxes leading to the GST framework, and launching health initiatives such as the world’s largest maternal messaging program. His leadership at FSSAI comes at a crucial time as India focuses on food safety reforms, regulatory modernization, and public health priorities.

Dr. Deepak Mittal has been appointed as India’s new Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), succeeding Sunjay Sudhir, who retires in September 2025. A 1998-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, Dr. Mittal has extensive diplomatic experience, including key postings in the Prime Minister’s Office and as India’s Ambassador to Qatar. He was also pivotal in initiating India’s first formal diplomatic contact with the Taliban in 2021. His appointment comes at a crucial time, as the UAE remains one of India’s most important partners in West Asia, with strong ties in energy, trade, diaspora welfare, defence, and strategic cooperation.