Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, a 1996 batch IAS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), succeeding Vikram Dev Dutt. With experience as an Additional Secretary in the Department of Agriculture, Kidwai is expected to address critical issues in the aviation sector, including pilot safety and fatigue management. This appointment highlights efforts to enhance regulatory oversight and address challenges in India's expanding aviation industry.

Arif Mohammad Khan was sworn in as the 42nd Governor of Bihar, succeeding Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Raj Bhawan, where Patna High Court Chief Justice K. Vinod Chandran administered the oath. Prominent political figures, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, attended the event, marking a significant political transition in the state.

Manish Singhal, with over 35 years of experience in the industry, has been appointed as the new Secretary General of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). He takes over from Deepak Sood, who led the chamber for five years and strengthened its operations. Singhal’s extensive leadership background includes roles at Tata Motors, Eicher (Volvo), and FICCI, where he was Deputy Secretary General. He is expected to further elevate ASSOCHAM’s role in advocating for economic growth and policy reforms in India.

Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, a distinguished IAS officer of the 1995 batch from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has taken charge as the CEO of UIDAI. Alongside this role, he continues as the Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). A gold medalist from NIT Kurukshetra, his illustrious career includes significant positions in various sectors like finance, MSME, and sports, reflecting his versatile expertise and commitment to public service.

Rajat Verma, currently heading the Institutional Banking Group at DBS Bank India, will take over as the new CEO of DBS Bank India starting March 1, 2025. He succeeds Surojit Shome, who retires after a successful tenure. Verma brings over 27 years of experience in banking, including significant contributions to DBS’ institutional banking growth and recognition in sustainable finance. His appointment aligns with DBS Bank India’s vision to continue its growth and leverage its strong platform to participate in India's expanding financial landscape.