Awards, Honours & Persons in News Current Affairs MCQs

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Chhattisgarh was awarded the ‘Best Performing State’ under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) for effective implementation, transparency, and near-zero claim pendency. The award was presented at the National Health Authority (NHA) Conclave held in Bhopal. 97% of hospitals empanelled under PM-JAY in Chhattisgarh are active, the highest in India, compared to 62% in Madhya Pradesh and 52% national average. The state’s health department reforms included wide-ranging inspections, disciplinary actions, and over 32,000 field audits to curb irregularities and fraud.

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Padma Shri awardee Sanjeev Kapoor was honoured as a Top Agri-Food Pioneer by the World Food Prize Foundation in Des Moines, Iowa, during the Borlaug Dialogue Week 2025. The event gathered global leaders, scientists, policymakers, and innovators to discuss food security, climate resilience, and nutrition. Kapoor was recognised for promoting healthy and sustainable eating, supporting Indian agriculture, and encouraging the use of local, nutrient-rich ingredients. He dedicated the honour to India’s farmers and culinary heritage, calling it a privilege to represent India on a global platform.

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In November 2025, the Government of Himachal Pradesh (HP) received the “People First Integration Award” from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India (GoI). The award was presented during the National Workshop and Conference on DigiLocker 2025 held in New Delhi. Ashish Singhmar, Secretary of the Department of Digital Technologies and Governance (DDT&G), accepted the award from S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY. The integration enhances citizen-centric governance by enabling secure, paperless, and transparent digital service delivery. It marks a key step toward building a unified and efficient digital ecosystem for public access in Himachal Pradesh

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In November 2025, Heritage Foods Limited (HFL), a private-sector dairy company, received the Golden Peacock Award for Excellence in Corporate Governance (GPAECG) 2025. The award was presented by the Institute of Directors (IOD), India, during the IOD London Global Convention on Corporate Governance & Sustainability held from 4th to 7th November 2025 in London, United Kingdom (UK). Heritage Foods Limited (HFL) was among 11 national winners and the only Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) firm to win the honour this year. The Golden Peacock Awards were instituted in 1991 by IOD India to promote ethical leadership, good governance, and sustainable business practices.

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In November 2025, David Szalay won the 2025 Booker Prize for his novel “Flesh”, becoming the first Hungarian-British author to win the award. The Booker Prize is the world’s leading literary award for a single work of fiction. It was founded in the United Kingdom (UK) in 1969. Initially limited to Commonwealth writers, it is now open to authors worldwide. It honors the best English-language novel published in the UK or Ireland. The novel must be original, not a translation, and published by a registered UK or Irish imprint. The winner receives £50,000, while shortlisted authors get £2,500 each.

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Kovalam beach in Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu, received the International Blue Flag certification for the fifth consecutive year in 2025-26. The certification is awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Denmark, and promotes sustainable tourism and responsible coastal management. Blue Flag recognition is based on 33 criteria, including water quality, environmental education, safety, waste management, cleanliness, and eco-friendly infrastructure. Kovalam beach first received the certification on September 21, 2021, becoming Tamil Nadu’s first Blue Flag beach.

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Kumari Kamala, early child prodigy of Indian cinema and Bharatanatyam dancer, died in the United States at 91. She performed worldwide and inspired many dancers, though very little documentation of her work exists. Kamala trained under Guru Vazhuvoor Ramiah Pillai, mastering nritta (pure dance) with grace and abhinaya (expression) with poetry. She collaborated closely with musicians like S. Rajeswari and learned music from Vidwan Ramnad Krishnan. She influenced seven decades of Bharatanatyam and respected tradition and the Thanjavur Quartet.

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On 5 December 2025, during the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., FIFA President Gianni Infantino awarded the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize to U.S. President Donald Trump. The FIFA Peace Prize, officially named “Football Unites the World,” was created to honour individuals who take exceptional actions to promote peace and global unity. Donald Trump became the first recipient of this new award category, with FIFA praising his claimed efforts in global diplomacy and conflict de-escalation.

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The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) launched the book “Bharat: That Is India – Reclaiming Our Real Identity” by Abhijeet Joag in New Delhi. The book explores India’s nationhood, rooted in an ancient cultural consciousness that predates the modern nation-state. It emphasizes the Indian tradition of dharma as a framework for duty and responsibility.

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The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has awarded the “Kendriya Grah Mantri Dakshata Padak” (Union Home Minister’s Efficiency Medal) to Dinesh Khatak, Second-in-Command (2-IC) of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) 196 Battalion, for his exceptional service, discipline, and contributions to national security. A native of Intel Kalan village in Jind district, Dinesh joined the CRPF as a Gazetted Officer in 2005 after clearing the UPSC exam. He served in Jammu & Kashmir during 2008–13 and 2017–21, contributing to Amarnath Yatra security, law and order, Article 370 abrogation duties, and COVID-19 pandemic operations.