Awards, Honours & Persons in News Current Affairs MCQs

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The Pulitzer Prizes 2025 were recently announced by the Pulitzer Prize Board to honor excellence in journalism and the arts. The Pulitzer Prize is considered the most prestigious award in journalism in the United States. It was established in the year 1917 and is administered by Columbia University. The award is overseen by the Pulitzer Prize Board, which consists of judges appointed by Columbia University. The prize is named after Joseph Pulitzer, a famous newspaper publisher who left funds in his will to create the School of Journalism and the Pulitzer Prize.

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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.

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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.

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Prominent writer Sarah Joseph has received the 2024 Mathrubhumi Literary Award. The award was presented by Jnanpith awardee Pratibha Ray in Kozhikode. It includes ₹3 lakh cash, a citation, and a sculpture by M. V. Devan. Sarah Joseph was appreciated for her fearless voice in Malayalam literature and social issues. She earlier won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi and Sahitya Akademi Awards.

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Recently, the Indian literary world was shocked as the JCB Prize for Literature has been officially discontinued. The award, worth Rs 25 lakh for the best fiction work by an Indian author, ended with no future editions planned. It was established in 2018 by JCB India. The prize promoted Indian fiction and translations, awarding five out of seven winners for translated works in languages like Malayalam, Tamil, and Urdu. The JCB Prize, though short-lived, made a strong impact on regional literature and India’s literary ecosystem.

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Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) appointed Kesavan Ramachandran as Executive Director (ED) from July 1, 2025. As Executive Director, he will oversee the Department of Regulation (Prudential Regulation Division). Earlier, Kesavan was Principal Chief General Manager in the Risk Monitoring Department. He has over 30 years of experience in currency management, banking and non-banking supervision, training, and administration. He served as RBI’s nominee on the Board of Canara Bank for more than five years.

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Recently, Indian women’s rights activist Varsha Deshpande received the 2025 United Nations Population Award in the individual category for promoting gender equality and reproductive rights. She is the secretary of Dalit Mahila Vikas Mandal, a Maharashtra-based organisation she founded in 1990 to empower marginalised women. The award includes a gold medal, diploma, and monetary prize.

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Recently, Sonali Mishra was appointed as the first woman Director General (DG) of the Railway Protection Force (RPF). She is a 1993 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre. Her appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. She will serve as DG, RPF till her superannuation on October 31, 2026. The RPF ensures the security of railway property and passengers. RPF was created by an Act of Parliament in 1957. It got the power to enquire, arrest, and prosecute in 1966. It was declared an armed force of the Union on September 20, 1985.

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President Droupadi Murmu paid tribute to Adikabi Sarala Das on his 600th birth anniversary. Sarala Das was a 15th-century poet and scholar of Odia literature. The President honored Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan with the Kalinga Ratna Award-2024. The event marked a significant celebration of Odia literary heritage. Adikabi Sarala Das is known for composing the Mahabharata in Odia, enriching Indian literature.

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Recently, G P Birla Memorial Award was conferred on V. Narayanan, Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary of the Department of Space. The award was presented by Nirmala Birla, Chairperson of G P Birla Archaeological Astronomical and Scientific Institute. The award has a prestigious legacy and has earlier been given to 32 Nobel laureates. Past recipients include Nobel Prize winner Venkataraman Ramakrishnan, physicist Jogesh Pati, former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, and former ISRO chief Kasturirangan. The award recognises global leaders for their contributions to scientific progress and innovation.