Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Manish Singhal, with over 35 years of experience in the industry, has been appointed as the new Secretary General of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). He takes over from Deepak Sood, who led the chamber for five years and strengthened its operations. Singhal’s extensive leadership background includes roles at Tata Motors, Eicher (Volvo), and FICCI, where he was Deputy Secretary General. He is expected to further elevate ASSOCHAM’s role in advocating for economic growth and policy reforms in India.

Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, a distinguished IAS officer of the 1995 batch from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has taken charge as the CEO of UIDAI. Alongside this role, he continues as the Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). A gold medalist from NIT Kurukshetra, his illustrious career includes significant positions in various sectors like finance, MSME, and sports, reflecting his versatile expertise and commitment to public service.

Rajat Verma, currently heading the Institutional Banking Group at DBS Bank India, will take over as the new CEO of DBS Bank India starting March 1, 2025. He succeeds Surojit Shome, who retires after a successful tenure. Verma brings over 27 years of experience in banking, including significant contributions to DBS’ institutional banking growth and recognition in sustainable finance. His appointment aligns with DBS Bank India’s vision to continue its growth and leverage its strong platform to participate in India's expanding financial landscape.

Dr. Sandip Shah, a highly experienced professional with over 35 years of expertise in healthcare and diagnostics, was appointed as the Chairperson of NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories). He succeeded Prof. Subbanna Ayyappan. NABL is responsible for accrediting testing and calibration laboratories to ensure global competitiveness and consumer safety. Additionally, QCI (Quality Council of India), under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), works towards promoting quality across various products and services in India.

Dr Arunish Chawla, a 1992-batch IAS officer from the Bihar cadre, has been appointed as Secretary of, the Department of Revenue, in the Ministry of Finance. With a strong academic background, including a Master’s and Doctorate in Economics from the London School of Economics, Dr. Chawla has previously served in significant roles such as Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Managing Director of Patna Metro, and Senior Economist at the IMF. His extensive experience in administration and economics makes him well-suited for this critical position.