Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Dr Abhijat Sheth has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the National Medical Commission (NMC) by the Central Government in July 2025. This leadership change comes at a time when the NMC is under investigation for serious corruption allegations, including bribery and misuse of inspection data. Dr Sheth was previously serving as the President of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), an institution responsible for conducting key medical exams like NEET-PG. He takes over from Dr B.N. Gangadhar, who had resigned in October 2024 but remained in office until a suitable successor was found.

Sonali Mishra, a 1993 batch IPS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the first woman Director General of the Railway Protection Force (RPF). She will assume charge on August 1, 2025, after the retirement of Manoj Yadava. Her appointment is a historic milestone, as it marks the first time a woman will lead the RPF since its establishment. Mishra has held several significant roles in Indian policing, including being the first woman BSF commander along the India-Pakistan border and leading BSF formations in Kashmir. Her exemplary service has earned her top police honours for both distinguished and meritorious service.

Abhijit Kishore, the Chief Operating Officer of Vodafone Idea Ltd, was reappointed as the Chairperson of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) for the 2025–26 term during its Annual General Body meeting held on July 9, 2025, in New Delhi. With over 30 years of experience in the telecom sector, Kishore has been instrumental in steering Vodafone Idea through key industry transitions. His reappointment reflects the confidence the industry has in his leadership, especially as India pushes forward with 5G deployment and broader digital infrastructure goals. His continued role ensures strategic consistency at a time of significant technological evolution.

Varsha Deshpande, a dedicated women's rights activist from Satara, Maharashtra, was awarded the 2025 United Nations Population Award for her pioneering efforts in preventing sex-selective abortions and advancing gender equality. Over three decades, she has led campaigns that challenge patriarchal norms, exposed illegal abortion practices, and supported legal reforms through her organisation, Dalit Mahila Vikas Mandal. Her activism has particularly focused on marginalised women and girls, especially from Dalit communities. The award was presented on World Population Day in New York, recognising her powerful grassroots impact and contributions to reproductive rights and women’s dignity in India.

Babitha B P was appointed as the Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at the State Bank of India in June 2025. In her new position, she will be responsible for leading infrastructure security and overseeing special cybersecurity projects, ensuring the safety and trustworthiness of SBI’s digital banking platforms. With rising digital threats in the financial sector, her appointment reflects the bank’s commitment to strengthening cyber resilience. It also highlights the increasing recognition of women leaders in tech and cybersecurity, marking a significant step toward both security innovation and gender inclusivity in India's banking industry.