Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Gunveer Singh was appointed as the new Executive Director of the Reserve Bank of India on May 18, 2026. Before this promotion, he served as the Chief General Manager-in-Charge within the RBI. In his new role, he will oversee the Department of Payment and Settlement Systems, which manages India’s payment infrastructure and settlement ecosystem. The appointment highlights RBI’s continued focus on strengthening digital payment systems and financial stability. Alongside his appointment, several senior officers, including Monisha Chakraborty, Suman Ray, Sudhakar Malli, and Ravi Shanker, were also empanelled for future Executive Director positions within the central bank.

The Agricola Medal 2026 was conferred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in recognition of his contributions to food security, sustainable agriculture, and rural development. The award ceremony took place at the FAO headquarters, which is located in Rome, Italy, and was presented by FAO Director-General Dr Qu Dongyu. The visit was notable as it marked the first time in 30 years that an Indian Head of Government visited the FAO headquarters. The FAO plays a global role in addressing hunger and agricultural development and is headquartered in Rome.

Tushar Kumar, a 23-year-old Labour Party councillor, was appointed as the Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood in the United Kingdom, becoming the youngest Indian-origin individual to hold a mayoral office in British history. The appointment was confirmed during the Mayor Making Ceremony held in Hertfordshire. Previously serving as Deputy Mayor, Kumar succeeded outgoing Mayor Dan Ozarow. During his tenure, he plans to focus on youth empowerment and community participation while supporting local welfare initiatives. A graduate of King’s College London, he has also gained experience as a policy advisor and research analyst, highlighting his early achievements in public service and leadership.

Saurabh Vijay officially assumed charge as the Chief Executive Officer of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on May 18, 2026. He is a 1998-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Maharashtra cadre and has extensive experience serving in various roles within the Government of India. UIDAI functions under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and is responsible for issuing Aadhaar, the 12-digit unique identification number for residents of India. His appointment is considered significant for strengthening the administration and implementation of India’s digital identity and governance systems.

Ali Falih Kadhim al-Zaidi was approved by the Iraqi Parliament as the new Prime Minister on May 16, 2026. He emerged as a consensus candidate to end a prolonged five-month political deadlock in Iraq. Despite having no prior political experience, he was chosen to lead the government during a period of economic and political challenges. His appointment came along with the approval of a partial cabinet, where only 14 out of 23 ministerial positions were filled. The remaining posts stayed vacant because of internal disagreements and external pressures influencing Iraq’s political system.