Current Affairs - Persons

T Rabi Sankar, currently serving as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has been appointed as a part-time member of the 16th Finance Commission (XVIFC) by the President of India. He fills the vacancy created by Ajay Narayan Jha's resignation and will serve until the commission submits its report (due by October 31, 2025). Sankar’s expertise in central banking and financial markets is expected to strengthen the Commission’s recommendations on Centre-State fiscal relations for 2026-2031. His reappointment as RBI Deputy Governor in May 2024 underscores his influential role in economic policymaking.

Magnus Carlsen, the Norwegian grandmaster and world number 1, secured his seventh Norway Chess tournament title in 2025 held in Stavanger. He outperformed competitors such as Fabiano Caruana, who finished second, and Gukesh, who placed third. Carlsen’s victory further solidifies his reputation as one of the strongest chess players globally. The Norway Chess tournament is a prestigious event that attracts top international players, making his seventh win a significant achievement in his career. Anna Muzychuk clinched the Women's Norway Chess 2025 title with a final score of 16.5 points, finishing undefeated in classical play.

Aravindh Chithambaram, an Indian Grandmaster, won the 6th Stepan Avagyan Memorial chess tournament held in Jermuk, Armenia. He scored 6.5 points over 9 rounds, tying with fellow Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa. However, Aravindh secured the title by winning on tie breaks using the Sonneborne-Berger system, which considers the strength of the opponents defeated. This victory highlights Aravindh’s strong performance and strategic gameplay in an internationally competitive field.

Annalena Baerbock of Germany has been elected as the President of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. In her new role, she has committed to acting as an honest broker and unifier for all 193 member states, emphasizing inclusivity and collaboration. Her election marks a significant moment in international diplomacy, reflecting Germany’s growing influence on the global stage. Alongside her appointment, Niger was selected to occupy the first seat in the Assembly Hall, and several Vice-Presidents and officers were also elected to support the functioning of the session.

Stefan Schaffer has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Bank’s India-based Global Capability Centre (GCC) as of June 2, 2025. In addition to this role, he will serve as the Global CIO for Corporate Functions and Head of Global Technology Centres. With prior experience leading the Bucharest Technology Center and the Shared Applications and Services vertical, Schaffer brings a strategic focus on reusability, simplification, and innovation. His leadership marks Deutsche Bank’s continued emphasis on India’s role in global operations, where over 20,000 employees contribute across cities like Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, and Jaipur.