Current Affairs - Awards and Honours

Rajiv Gauba, the former Cabinet Secretary of India, has been appointed as a Full-Time Member of NITI Aayog, a position he assumed with immediate effect. Gauba, a 1982-batch IAS officer of the Jharkhand cadre, has had a distinguished administrative career, including serving as India’s top bureaucrat from 2019 to August 2024. His extensive experience in governance, policy-making, and administration will be instrumental in contributing to NITI Aayog’s role in formulating long-term strategies and promoting national development.

Ajay Seth has been appointed as the new Finance Secretary of India, succeeding Tuhin Kanta Pandey. Seth has been serving as the Economic Affairs Secretary since 2021 and has played a crucial role in shaping financial policies and infrastructure financing. With over 30 years of experience in public finance and taxation, his leadership is expected to guide India’s economic growth while maintaining fiscal discipline. Seth has also been instrumental in Karnataka's tax reforms and has significantly contributed to the nation’s economic reforms.

R.K. Shriramkumar, a celebrated violinist, has been selected for the prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi Award for 2025, to be presented by the Music Academy. This recognition is for his significant contributions to Carnatic music, particularly in the field of violin accompaniment. He has collaborated with several legendary and contemporary artists and is an authority on Muthuswami Dikshitar’s compositions. The award will be presented during the Music Academy’s 99th annual conference, scheduled from December 15, 2025, to January 1, 2026.

Parminder Chopra has taken on the additional role of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) at REC Limited for a three-month tenure while continuing her existing role as CMD of Power Finance Corporation Ltd. (PFC). With over 35 years of experience in the power and financial sectors, Chopra has been instrumental in financial restructuring and renewable energy financing. Her appointment to this role highlights her leadership in the energy sector, alongside her notable achievements at PFC, including leading the company to record-high profits and pioneering its transition into renewable energy financing.

Ashok Singh Thakur has been elected as the Chairman of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) for a 3-year term. INTACH, founded in 1984, is a leading organization in India focused on the preservation of cultural, natural, tangible, and intangible heritage. Under Thakur’s leadership, the organization is working to revise its Charter to adopt an interdisciplinary approach to heritage conservation, reflecting its commitment to preserving India's diverse heritage in a holistic manner.