Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Dr Krishna Ella, founder of Bharat Biotech, received the INSA Fellowship for 2025 in recognition of his exceptional contributions to vaccine development, notably Covaxin. The fellowship, starting January 1, 2025, places him among distinguished scientists like Dr. S. Somanath of ISRO. Bharat Biotech has developed 18 vaccines, delivered nine billion doses globally, and introduced innovations like the intranasal vaccine iNCOVACC.

Gyanendra Pratap Singh, a 1991 batch IPS officer from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, has been appointed as the Director General of the CRPF, with tenure extending till November 30, 2027. He succeeds Anish Dayal Singh and follows the interim charge held by Vitul Kumar. Singh’s significant career achievements include serving as Assam’s Director General of Police and playing a pivotal role during the anti-CAA agitation. His appointment underscores his extensive experience and leadership within India’s police and security framework.

Justice Arun Mishra, a former Supreme Court judge, has been appointed as the Ombudsman and Ethics Officer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Known for his extensive legal expertise and leadership experience, he will address ethical issues and disputes in Indian cricket. This appointment is a significant milestone in his career, which includes serving as Chief Justice of the Rajasthan and Calcutta High Courts and as the youngest Chairman of the Bar Council of India.

V K Singh has been sworn in as the 25th Governor of Mizoram, a significant milestone in the state’s governance since it attained statehood in 1987. He brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as the Chief of Army Staff of India. The oath of office was administered on January 16, 2025, underscoring his commitment to serving the people of Mizoram in this new capacity.

Shri Vineet Joshi has been appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education. With a distinguished career in the education sector, he has previously served as the Chief Secretary of Manipur, Director-General of the National Testing Agency (NTA), and Chairman of CBSE. He holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from IIT Kanpur and an MBA from IIFT, showcasing his academic and administrative expertise.