Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

The term of India’s Chief Economic Adviser, V Anantha Nageswaran, has been extended by two years until March 2027. Nageswaran, who was appointed in 2022, has also previously served as a part-time member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister from 2019 to 2021. His extension will continue as he contributes to key economic decisions, including authoring India's annual economic survey, which has forecasted GDP growth in the range of 6.3%-6.8% for the upcoming fiscal year.

Salila Pande has been appointed as the new MD & CEO of SBI Cards, effective from April 1, 2025. She succeeds Abhijit Chakravorty, who will retire on March 31, 2025. Pande, currently serving as Chief General Manager at SBI, brings extensive banking experience to the role. Her appointment reflects her long tenure at SBI, including key leadership positions. With a strong academic background and certifications, Pande's leadership is expected to help SBI Cards navigate its challenges and continue its growth in the digital payments sector.

Vivek Joshi, a former Haryana Chief Secretary and a 1989 batch IAS officer, has assumed charge as Election Commissioner at the age of 58. He will serve in this capacity until February 18, 2031, as per election laws. Joshi is an alumnus of IIT-Roorkee and has previously held key positions, including Registrar General and Census Commissioner, contributing significantly to the Indian administration.

Rekha Gupta, BJP leader and Shalimar Bagh MLA, has been named the new Chief Minister of Delhi. She will succeed AAP’s Atishi Marlena and bring the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) back to power in the capital after 27 years. Gupta won her seat in the February 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, where the BJP secured a majority with 48 out of 70 seats. She will be the only woman Chief Minister in BJP-ruled states and the fourth female Chief Minister of Delhi, following Sushma Swaraj, Sheila Dixit, and Atishi Marlena.

Gyanesh Kumar was appointed as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India on February 17, 2025, following his tenure as the Election Commissioner. This significant appointment marks him as the first CEC selected under the new law governing the Election Commission's appointments. His tenure is expected to last until January 26, 2029. Before becoming CEC, he was the senior-most Election Commissioner, with a solid background in administration and governance, which positioned him as a suitable candidate for leading the Election Commission during crucial electoral events.