Awards, Honours & Persons in News Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Sankarshan Thakur, Editor of The Telegraph, passed away on September 8, 2025, in a Gurgaon hospital at the age of 63. Thakur was known for incisive political analysis, fearless commentary, and sharp ground reporting. He authored famous books like Making of Laloo Yadav, The Unmaking of Bihar, Single Man: The Life and Times of Nitish Kumar, and The Brothers Bihari. He began his career with Sunday magazine of Ananda Bazar Patrika group. He worked with The Indian Express and Tehelka, later becoming National Affairs Editor and then Editor of The Telegraph. He won the Prem Bhatia Award (2001) for excellence in political journalism. His ground reporting in Manipur (2001) after the ceasefire extension with NSCN-IM was widely acclaimed.

Notes:
Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) won the ‘Best State Tourism Board’ Award at the India Travel Awards 2025 in New Delhi. The award was presented by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for excellence in innovation, sustainable growth, and tourism leadership. Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) initiatives include eco-tourism circuits, community homestays, adventure tourism, and hospitality upgrades. The award strengthens Madhya Pradesh’s identity as the “Heart of Incredible India.”

Notes:
Gram Panchayats were conferred National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) 2025 under a new category for grassroots digital service delivery. Awards were presented during the 28th National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Gold Award won by Rohini Gram Panchayat, Dhule District, Maharashtra – Sarpanch Dr. Anandrao Pawara. Silver Award won by West Majlishpur Gram Panchayat, West Tripura District, Tripura – Sarpanch Smt. Anita Deb Das. Jury Awards won by Palsana Gram Panchayat, Surat District, Gujarat – Sarpanch Shri Pravinbhai Parshottambhai Ahir, and Suakati Gram Panchayat, Kendujhar District, Odisha – Sarpanch Smt. Kautuka Naik. Awards include trophies, certificates, and financial incentives (Rs.10 lakh for Gold, Rs.5 lakh for Silver).

Notes:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced the 2025 Young Champions of the Earth award recognising innovators from India, Kenya , and the United States. The award is UNEP’s flagship youth engagement initiative for entrepreneurs under 30. The Young Champions program, founded by UNEP in 2017, was relaunched in 2025 with Mr. Kemper as UNEP’s Advocate for Partnerships. Jinali Mody (India) won the 2025 UNEP Young Champions of the Earth award for founding Banofi Leather, producing eco-friendly leather from banana crop waste, reducing water use, chemical pollution, and carbon emissions. Joseph Nguthiru (Kenya) won for HyaPak, converting invasive water hyacinth into biodegradable packaging and seedling wrappers, reducing single-use plastics. Noemi Florea (United States) won for Cycleau, developing a compact greywater reuse system that turns household wastewater into drinking water with low energy consumption.

Notes:
Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud has authored his debut book “Why the Constitution Matters”. The book is published by Penguin Random House and reflects on the Indian Constitution and its contemporary relevance. Justice Chandrachud served as the 50th CJI of India from November 2022 to November 2024. The book simplifies complex constitutional principles for the common citizen and emphasizes the Constitution as the foundation of democracy, justice, and equality. Key themes include right to privacy, dissent, gender equality, environmental justice, and freedom of speech, central to his landmark judgments. It is a civic guide, not a legal treatise, encouraging citizens to engage with the Constitution actively.

Notes:
Padma Vibhushan vocalist Pandit Chhannulal Mishra passed away on 2nd October 2025 at the age of 89. He was a doyen of Hindustani classical music, known for Khayal, Thumri, Dadra, Chaiti, Kajri, and Bhajan styles. He was born in Azamgarh in 1936. He trained under his father Badri Prasad Mishra, Ustad Abdul Ghani Khan of Kirana gharana, and Thakur Jaidev Singh. He was an exponent of the Banaras gharana and the Purab Ang tradition of Thumri. He received Padma Bhushan in 2010 and Padma Vibhushan in 2020.

Notes:
R. Arthur James, Professor and Chair, Department of Marine Science, Bharathidasan University (BDU), received the Tamil Nadu Government’s Scientist Award in Environmental Science 2022. The award was presented by Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TANSA) at the Resource Centre for Tribal Development, Udhagamandalam. The award includes a cash prize of ₹50,000 and a citation. Govi. Chezhiaan, Minister for Higher Education, and M. P. Saminathan, Minister for Tamil Development, Information and Publicity, presented the award. Prof. James is recognized for pioneering research on natural nanomaterials, including antibiotic agents for wound healing and food preservatives from extremophilic micro-organisms.

Notes:
On October 7, 2025, Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), launched the book “Above and Beyond – Exploring the Amazing World of Aviation” in New Delhi. The book is authored by Shiv Kumar Mohanaka, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The 445-page book showcases India’s aviation journey, highlighting achievements from dreams to destinations. It draws on Shiv Kumar Mohanaka’s 30 years of experience in CISF, providing a detailed view of the Indian aviation sector. Research includes a survey of 1,500 Indian flyers and explores future evolution of India’s aviation ecosystem to meet global standards.

Notes:
Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences. The award, formally called the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, is worth 11 million Swedish crowns ($1.2 million). Their work explains how innovation and “creative destruction” drive economic growth, replacing old products and methods with new ones. Sustained growth over the last two centuries has lifted millions out of poverty and improved living standards.

Notes:
Shri Anil Malik, Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD), received an award from the President of India for outstanding contribution to Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN). The felicitation took place at the National Conclave on ‘Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan’ held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The recognition highlights MoWCD’s key role in implementing PM-JANMAN, focused on tribal welfare and inclusion. More than 2,000 Anganwadi Centres have been made functional in Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) areas under the scheme. The initiative aims to empower tribal communities at the last mile through better access to nutrition, education, and child care services.