Awards, Honours & Persons in News Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Recently, the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) received the Udyog Vikas Award at the Udyog Vikas event organized by Janmabhumi Daily in Kerala. The National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) is India’s major infrastructure project aimed at developing new industrial cities as Smart Cities with next-generation technologies. The NICDC acts as the nodal agency responsible for managing the entire programme and ensuring seamless execution. The NICDP focuses on attracting investments from both large industries and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to boost industrial growth. It supports the government’s vision of achieving $2 trillion in exports by the year 2030.

Notes:
The Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying recently awarded the first-ever Aqua Insurance to beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Yojana (PM-MKSSY). PM-MKSSY, a sub-scheme of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, provides comprehensive aquaculture insurance. The mobile application VyAS-NAV was also launched for digital data collection for the 5th Marine Fisheries Census. The Aqua Insurance aims to provide financial support to small and marginalized fisheries farmers. Beneficiaries include registered aquafarmers, firms, cooperatives, and Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs). The insurance covers one crop cycle.

Notes:
The government has revamped the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) after the Pahalgam terror attack, appointing former intelligence chief Alok Joshi as chairman. National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) is an advisory body under the National Security Council (NSC) structure. It is chaired by the Prime Minister, supported by the National Security Advisor (NSA) and the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS). Established in 1998 after the Pokhran-II nuclear tests, it institutionalized India’s national security framework. The NSAB provides non-partisan strategic inputs on national security issues but is not a decision-making body. It reports to the NSCS and includes experts from various sectors.

Notes:
Former Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The Union Public Service Commission is a constitutional body under Part XIV of the Indian Constitution. Articles 315 to 323 define the composition, powers, functions, appointment, and removal of UPSC members. The Chairman and other members of the UPSC are appointed by the President of India. Each member holds office for six years or until reaching 65 years of age, whichever is earlier. A former member of a Public Service Commission cannot be reappointed to the same office.

Notes:
Recently, Brazilian microbiologist Mariangela Hungria was named the 2025 World Food Prize Laureate. She developed seed and soil treatments using beneficial bacteria like rhizobia and Azospirillum brasilense. These innovations help soybeans fix nitrogen naturally and boost root growth in crops like corn for better nutrient and water uptake. The World Food Prize is the top international award for those improving food quality, quantity, or access. It was established in 1986 by Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Norman E. Borlaug. Often called the Nobel Prize for Food and Agriculture, it carries a $500,000 reward and is given in October.

Notes:
President Draupadi Murmu recently presented the 58th Jnanpith Award to Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya and poet-lyricist Gulzar at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, despite being blind, has made great contributions to Sanskrit and Hindi literature by memorizing texts like ‘Ramcharitmanas’ and the ‘Gita’. Gulzar is a famous poet, songwriter, and Oscar and Grammy winner, known for his work in literature, cinema, and television. The Jnanpith Award is India’s highest literary honour, established in 1961 by the Bharatiya Jnanpith Trust. It is given to writers working in the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution and in English. The award includes ₹11 lakh, a bronze statue of Goddess Saraswati, and a citation. The first award was given in 1965 to Malayalam poet G. Sankara Kurup for ‘Odakkuzhal’.

Notes:
Indian-origin rapper and singer-songwriter Raja Kumari won an American Music Award (AMA) 2025. She was nominated at the 51st AMA held in Los Angeles for the song from Arcane League of Legends: Season 2. This made her the first Indian-origin musician ever nominated for an AMA. The song Renegade (We Never Run) was a collaboration with Stefflon Don and Jarina de Marco. It was nominated under the Favourite Soundtrack category. She was chosen for the song as the film character is Indian, and she represents Indian culture with powerful music.

Notes:
Recently, the President of India presented the National Florence Nightingale Awards for the year 2025 to nurses at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The National Florence Nightingale Award was started in 1973 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. It is a prestigious national honour given to outstanding nursing personnel from Central Government, State and Union Territories, and Voluntary Organizations. The award recognizes the meritorious services of nurses in hospitals, communities, education, or administration. The award includes a Certificate of Merit, a Cash Award of ₹1,00,000, and a medal.

Notes:
Former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was elected President of the 80th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on June 2. She won the secret ballot with 167 votes, while 14 countries chose to abstain. Baerbock is the first woman from the Western European group and the fifth woman overall to lead the UN General Assembly. The 80th session begins on September 9, 2025, and will focus on global crises and reforms like the UN80 initiative and choosing the next Secretary-General before 2026.

Notes:
On June 6, 2025, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances launched a new category in the National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) 2025. The category is called “Grassroots Level Initiatives for Deepening Service Delivery at Gram Panchayats or Equivalent Traditional Local Bodies.” It honors Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) for their digital efforts to improve ease of living and citizen-centric service delivery. From more than 1.45 lakh entries, four Gram Panchayats were awarded: Rohini (Maharashtra) won Gold; West Majlishpur (Tripura) won Silver; and Palsana (Gujarat) and Suakati (Odisha) won Jury Awards. Winners receive a trophy, certificate, and up to ₹10 lakh to further improve their public welfare projects.