Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

S.R.N. Mehta CBSE School from Kalaburagi, India, secured first prize in the 2025 NASA-NSS Space Settlement Design Contest in the 8th grade category. Competing among over 4,900 students from 25 countries, the school’s team of 11 students impressed judges with their innovative project “IRA,” a futuristic and sustainable space colony design. They presented their work at the International Space Development Conference (ISDC-2025) in Orlando, Florida, gaining praise from international space experts. Their visit to the NASA Kennedy Space Centre further inspired them toward careers in science and space research, marking a proud achievement for both the school and the nation.

On July 4, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the highest civilian honour of Trinidad and Tobago—the Order of the Republic—during his official two-day visit to the Caribbean nation. This recognition was given for his global leadership, contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and his deep engagement with the Indian diaspora. The award also marked a historic moment as this was the first Indian Prime Ministerial visit to Trinidad and Tobago since 1999. PM Modi’s acceptance of the honour, on behalf of the 140 crore people of India, further strengthened the cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Sunil Jayawant Kadam has been appointed as the Executive Director at the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), bringing nearly three decades of experience within the organization. His new responsibilities span key departments such as Information Technology, Investor Assistance and Education, Economic and Policy Analysis, and General Services. Kadam's prior leadership roles, including Registrar at the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) and Regional Director at SEBI’s Northern Regional Office, have given him in-depth exposure to market operations and regulatory practices. His appointment is expected to enhance SEBI’s technological and regulatory infrastructure, strengthen market oversight, and protect investor interests.

Ravi Shastri, a former Indian cricketer and head coach of the Indian national team, was among the eleven sportspersons recognised with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai. His illustrious cricketing career, followed by his impactful tenure as coach, made him a deserving recipient. The award ceremony also honoured other notable figures from diverse sports such as billiards, shooting, chess, hockey, and badminton, including names like Shubhangi Kulkarni and Michael Ferreira. Shastri’s contribution to Indian cricket, both on and off the field, has been widely acknowledged, and this award stands as a testament to his enduring legacy in sports.

Nandan Nilekani has been appointed as the Chief Mentor for the India Energy Stack, a major digital initiative launched by the Ministry of Power. The India Energy Stack aims to create a unified digital public infrastructure for the power sector, addressing the current fragmentation across energy producers, consumers, grid operators, regulators, and financial institutions. As a digital framework, it will enable real-time coordination and data exchange across the energy ecosystem. With his expertise in building large-scale digital platforms like Aadhaar, Nilekani’s leadership is expected to guide the successful development and implementation of this transformative national infrastructure.