Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Dr. Partha Biswas has taken charge as a Member of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), a constitutional body responsible for safeguarding the rights and interests of Scheduled Castes in India. He holds a Ph.D. in Defence and Strategic Studies and has pursued specialized studies in Human Resources and Human Rights at reputed institutions such as the University of Calcutta, Jadavpur University, and Kanpur University. He also received a Post-Doctoral Fellowship from the Indian Council of Social Science Research at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. Dr. Biswas has contributed significantly to academic research through books, publications, and journal articles focusing on defence policy, strategic affairs, and international relations.

RM Nachammai created history by becoming the first woman to serve as the Chief Superintendent of an operational nuclear power plant in India. She assumed charge of Units 3 and 4 at the Kaiga Generating Station in Karnataka on 15 March 2026 under the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL). In this role, she is responsible for overseeing critical functions such as operations, maintenance, and engineering support at the reactor complex. The Kaiga plant is known for its strong safety standards and consistent performance in nuclear power generation. Her appointment marks a significant milestone for gender representation in India’s highly technical and traditionally male-dominated nuclear energy sector.

The Reserve Bank of India approved Ketan Merchant as the interim Chief Executive Officer of Fino Payments Bank for a temporary period of three months. The decision was taken after the arrest of the bank’s Managing Director and CEO, Rishi Gupta, in connection with an alleged GST-related case. Ketan Merchant was serving as the Chief Financial Officer of the bank at the time of his appointment. His role as interim CEO ensures leadership continuity and smooth functioning of the bank’s operations during the transition period. The appointment allows the bank’s board and regulatory authorities to review the situation and decide on the long-term leadership arrangement.

KV Subramanian became the first Indian economist to receive the prestigious University of Chicago Alumni Award for Professional Achievement in the award’s 85-year history. The honour recognises his significant contributions to economic policy and research. During his tenure as Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India from 2018 to 2021, he authored three influential Economic Surveys that provided key insights into India’s economic strategy, emphasising competitive markets, policy autonomy, and inclusive growth. He has also served as Executive Director for India at the International Monetary Fund, focusing on issues affecting emerging markets. Currently, he works as a Professor of Finance at the Indian School of Business (ISB).

Justice SA Dharmadhikari was appointed as the 55th Chief Justice of the Madras High Court in 2026 after the retirement of Justice Manindra Mohan Srivastava on March 5, 2026. The oath of office was administered by Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi. Justice Dharmadhikari began his legal career after enrolling as an advocate in 1992 and primarily practised before the Madhya Pradesh High Court. He also served as standing counsel for the Union of India. In 2016, he was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court and later confirmed as a Permanent Judge. In 2025, he was transferred to the Kerala High Court before being elevated as Chief Justice of the Madras High Court in 2026.