Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Naveen Chandra Jha has been appointed as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SBI General Insurance Company Ltd., succeeding Kishore Kumar Poludasu. With nearly thirty years of experience at the State Bank of India, Jha has held significant roles, including Deputy Managing Director and Chief General Manager of Amaravati Circle, Andhra Pradesh. His strategic vision aims to enhance operational excellence and drive holistic growth initiatives at SBI General Insurance, maintaining high service standards and customer-centricity. This appointment reflects SBI General Insurance’s commitment to leadership continuity and strengthening its market position under Jha's leadership.

Rajinder Khanna has been appointed as the additional National Security Adviser (NSA), marking the first time this position has been filled. He joins the existing organizational structure of the National Security Council (NSC), which includes the Strategic Policy Group (SPG), National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), and National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS). The NSC, established in 1998, plays a pivotal role in shaping India's national security policies and strategies, advising on internal and external security issues under the oversight of the Prime Minister.

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) appointed T R Sharma as its new director, replacing Ashok K Singh. Currently holding the position of Deputy Director General (Crop Science) at ICAR, Sharma brings substantial experience and expertise in agricultural sciences to his new role. His appointment is aimed at further advancing research and innovation in agriculture, aligning with India's agricultural development goals under ICAO's leadership

Challa Sreenivasulu Setty has been chosen by the Financial Services Institution Bureau (FSIB) to succeed Dinesh Khara as the next chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI). Setty, currently serving as the senior Managing Director at SBI, brings over 35 years of experience within the bank, having held various significant roles including Deputy Managing Director and Chief General Manager. His selection reflects his extensive banking expertise and leadership capabilities in navigating complex financial landscapes.

Ravi Agrawal, a 1988-batch IRS officer, has been appointed as the new chairman of the CBDT, succeeding Nitin Gupta. His appointment extends till June 2025, with a reappointment on a contract basis to ensure continuity in the CBDT’s policy framework. Agrawal's role involves overseeing critical tax policy decisions and managing the Income Tax Department's operations under the Union government's administration.