Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Atal Dulloo, the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, was honoured with the ‘Certificate of Exemplary Leadership’ by the Election Commission of India for his outstanding role during the 18th Lok Sabha elections. Under his leadership, the region recorded the highest voter turnout since 1989, a significant rise from the 2019 elections. The successful conduct of the elections involved over 11,629 polling stations and 80,724 trained personnel, marking a milestone in the electoral process following Jammu and Kashmir's reorganization in 2019.

Dr Mayank Sharma, a 1989-batch IDAS officer, was appointed as the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) on March 1, 2025. He has extensive experience, having served in key roles within the Defence Accounts Department, Cabinet Secretariat, and as India's representative at UNODC and other UN bodies. Additionally, Dr Sharma led consular affairs at the Indian Embassy in Vienna, where he was responsible for managing high-level delegations. His appointment reflects his expertise in handling important administrative and international matters.

Ajay Seth, the Secretary of Economic Affairs, has been given the additional charge of Revenue Secretary, replacing Tuhin Kanta Pandey. Seth, a 1987 Karnataka cadre officer, brings extensive experience in economic policy, finance, and tax administration to the role. He will hold this position until a regular appointment is made. This new responsibility highlights his expertise and the trust placed in him by the government to manage important economic affairs.

Tuhin Kanta Pandey, India’s Finance Secretary, has been appointed as the 11th Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for a three-year term. He succeeds Madhabi Puri Buch, the first woman chairperson of SEBI, whose tenure concludes in February 2025. Pandey, a seasoned bureaucrat with a strong background in economics and financial management, will lead SEBI during challenging times, including managing the bearish market pressures and significant withdrawals by foreign investors.

Dorababu Daparti has been appointed as the Deputy CEO of SBI Life Insurance Company, effective from February 24, 2025. With over 29 years of experience in the financial sector, Daparti has held key leadership roles at the State Bank of India (SBI), including CEO of SBI's operations in the Maldives. His appointment strengthens SBI Life’s leadership team, bringing valuable expertise in banking and insurance. Daparti's educational background includes a Master’s degree in Sciences (M.Sc.) and CAIIB certification, further supporting his suitability for the role.