Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Sandeep Bakhshi has been reappointed as the Managing Director and CEO of ICICI Bank for another two-year term, ensuring leadership continuity at India’s second-largest private sector bank. His new tenure will extend till October 2028, subject to approvals from the Reserve Bank of India, shareholders, and other statutory authorities. Since assuming the role in 2018, he has guided the bank through a challenging period by strengthening risk management, improving asset quality, and enhancing governance standards. The reappointment reflects confidence in his prudent leadership and alignment with regulatory governance norms.

IIM Rohtak gained global recognition when its Director, Prof. Dheeraj Sharma, received the Exemplary Governance Leadership Award at the 46th World Management Congress in New Delhi. The award acknowledged outstanding contributions to institution-building and governance, selected from over 1,400 nominations worldwide. During his tenure, IIM Rohtak achieved prestigious international accreditations such as AMBA and BGA, marking quality benchmarks in management education. The institute also transitioned to a permanent campus and introduced integrated programmes in management and law, strengthening its academic profile and global standing.

Shri Praveen Vashista, a 1991-batch IPS officer of the Bihar cadre, has been appointed as Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). He assumed office on 16 January 2026, bringing over three decades of experience in policing, the CBI, internal security, and economic offence investigations. His career includes key roles in Bihar’s law enforcement as SP and IG, as well as central deputation positions in the Ministry of Home Affairs involving internal security and national policy. This appointment strengthens India’s anti-corruption framework, ensuring experienced oversight and integrity administration at the national level.

Former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni has been appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador for the Pune Grand Tour 2026, India’s first UCI-recognised multi-stage professional road cycling race. The five-day international event spans 437 km across Maharashtra’s Deccan Plateau and Sahyadri Range, testing endurance, strategy, and technical skill. Dhoni’s leadership, discipline, fitness, and mental resilience bring credibility and visibility to the event. His involvement is expected to inspire young athletes, promote cycling as a professional sport in India, and attract attention from the public and corporate sectors, supporting India’s emergence on the global professional cycling map.

Dina Powell McCormick, a former Meta board member, has been appointed as President and Vice Chairman of Meta. In this role, she will join the management team to guide the company’s overall strategy, collaborate with infrastructure teams, and align major investments with long-term objectives. Additionally, she will focus on building strategic capital partnerships and expanding Meta’s investment capacity globally. Her appointment underscores the company’s emphasis on strong leadership to drive innovation, scale operations, and address global technological and financial opportunities while maintaining alignment with Meta’s strategic goals.