Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Shri Chanchal Kumar has been appointed as the Secretary of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, assuming charge on April 1, 2026. A 1992-batch IAS officer from the Bihar cadre, he has held several important positions in both central and state governments. His prior roles include serving as Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, as well as Managing Director of NHIDCL. In Bihar, he has worked closely with the Chief Minister in key administrative roles. His vast experience is expected to contribute significantly to policy implementation and governance in the ministry.

Vir Vikram Yadav has been appointed as the Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), replacing Faiz Ahmed Kidwai. A senior Indian Administrative Service officer from the Odisha cadre, he brings significant administrative experience to the role. Prior to this appointment, he served as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. His appointment is part of a key administrative reshuffle approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. With his leadership, the DGCA is expected to further strengthen aviation safety, regulatory oversight, and operational efficiency in India’s rapidly growing civil aviation sector.

Ashwini Bhide has been appointed as the first woman Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, marking a historic milestone in the civic body's history. A 1995-batch Indian Administrative Service officer, she brings extensive administrative experience and is known for her significant contributions to Mumbai’s infrastructure development, particularly metro expansion projects. Her appointment reflects a broader initiative by the Maharashtra government to promote women into key leadership roles. With prior experience as Additional Municipal Commissioner, she possesses strong operational knowledge, ensuring continuity and effective governance in one of India’s largest civic bodies.

Burra Vamsi Rama Mohan has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director of Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, a key public sector enterprise in the power transmission sector. He assumed office on April 1, 2026, and his tenure is set to continue until July 31, 2030, or until further government directives. With over 33 years of professional experience, he has developed strong expertise across multiple domains, including project management, procurement, regulatory affairs, and telecommunications. His leadership is expected to strengthen operational efficiency and support the expansion of India’s power transmission infrastructure.

Dr Thomas Pucadyil has been appointed as the Director of the Biotechnology Research Innovation Council-National Centre for Cell Science (BRIC-NCCS) in Pune. He succeeded Dr Manisha Inamdar, who was serving as interim director after the retirement of Dr Sharmila Bapat. Prior to this role, he was a Professor at IISER Pune and is widely recognised for his contributions to biological sciences. He received the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in 2018 and is a fellow of leading scientific academies in India, reflecting his excellence in research and leadership.