Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Rajan Bajaj has been appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Slice Small Finance Bank following approval from the bank’s board, shareholders, and the Reserve Bank of India. He is the founder of Slice, which began as a fintech startup in 2016 and later merged with North East Small Finance Bank in 2024 to become a regulated small finance bank. Under his leadership, the bank aims to strengthen AI-driven digital banking services and promote financial inclusion, particularly for underserved and rural populations across India.

R Vijay Anandh has been approved by the Reserve Bank of India as the new Managing Director and CEO of City Union Bank for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2026. His appointment is subject to shareholder approval and comes with a fixed annual remuneration of ₹2.50 crore. With over 28 years of experience in banking, including roles in risk management, credit appraisal, and retail assets, he brings extensive expertise to the position. Having served as Executive President and later Executive Director at the bank, his elevation ensures leadership continuity and stability during the transition.

The Gujarat government has appointed Uday Kotak, founder of Kotak Mahindra Bank, as the new Chairman of GIFT City, India’s first operational Smart City and maiden International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) located in Gandhinagar. He replaces Hasmukh Adhia in this role. GIFT City plays a significant role in strengthening India’s global financial presence, with substantial banking assets and international participation. The appointment of an experienced banking leader like Uday Kotak is expected to enhance the city’s global competitiveness, attract more international financial institutions, and support the continued expansion of India’s IFSC ecosystem.

Oil India Limited was honoured with the FIPI Award 2025 for ‘Oil & Gas Production Company of the Year’ (more than 1 MTOE) during India Energy Week in Goa. The award was presented by the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry in recognition of the company’s strong production growth and contribution to India’s energy security. As a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, OIL has expanded exploration activities, enhanced recovery from mature fields, and adopted advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency and strengthen domestic energy production.

Aditya Pandya has achieved the distinction of becoming India’s youngest male analog astronaut at the age of 17. He completed an eight-day lunar habitat simulation conducted in Dholavira, Kutch, where a four-member crew lived in a container-based habitat designed to replicate Moon-like conditions. The mission focused on simulating isolation and autonomous operations similar to real space missions. Advanced technologies such as digital twin systems, IoT sensors, biometric tracking, and real-time telemetry were employed to monitor habitat conditions and crew health, demonstrating innovation in space research and training methodologies.