Awards, Honours & Persons in News Current Affairs MCQs

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The Government of India announced that Shri Mohanlal will receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2023. The award is the highest recognition in Indian cinema for outstanding contribution. The presentation will take place at the 71st National Film Awards on 23rd September 2025. Mohanlal Viswanathan Nair, born 21 May 1960 in Kerala, is an acclaimed actor, producer, and playback singer, primarily in Malayalam cinema. He is known as “The Complete Actor” with over 360 films and landmark performances in Kireedam, Bharatham, Vanaprastham, and Drishyam. Recipient of five National Film Awards, multiple Kerala State Film Awards, Padma Shri (2001), and Padma Bhushan (2019).

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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.

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Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department won the Global Tourism Award 2025 for its initiatives to promote the State as a top tourist destination. The award was received by tourism consultant Nishitha Goyal at a function in New Delhi. The department implemented a new tourism policy and guided investors in developing tourist destinations. It contributed to building an eco-friendly capital city and boosting the State’s economy. It created employment opportunities and mobilised the private sector through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models.

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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.

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On October 9, 2025, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the Nobel Prize in Literature 2025 for László Krasznahorkai, a Hungarian author. He was awarded for his compelling and visionary works that explore art amidst apocalyptic terror. Born in 1954 near the Romanian border, he rose to fame with his first novel ‘Sátántangó’ (1985; English 2012). His latest work, ‘Herscht 07769’ (2025), portrays social unrest in a small town in Thüringen, Germany, blending violence and beauty. The Nobel Prize carries a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor (~₹1.03 crore) and will be presented on December 10, 2025. Last year, the Literature Nobel was awarded to Han Kang, South Korea.

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The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Maria Corina Machado, a Venezuelan politician, as the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner. She was recognized for her work in promoting democratic rights. The laureate receives a cash prize of 11 million Swedish kronor (around USD 1.17 million), a diploma, and a medal. Among the six Nobel categories, the Peace Prize attracts the most global attention. US President Donald Trump was also nominated and campaigned for the award, citing ending seven wars. Nobel Committee President Jorgen Watne Frydnes emphasized decisions are based on work and Alfred Nobel’s will, not media or campaigns.

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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.

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The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) has named Anant Goenka as its president-elect for 2025-26. Anant Goenka is currently the senior vice president of FICCI. He will take over from Harsha Vardhan Agarwal at FICCI’s 98th Annual General Meeting next month. Goenka is the vice chairman of RPG Group, a $5 billion conglomerate operating in tyre, infrastructure, pharmaceutical, IT, and other sectors. He served as managing director and CEO of CEAT from 2012 to 2023. Under his leadership, CEAT’s market capitalisation increased 25 times. He has also been chairman of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA).

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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.

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The ‘Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak’ for 2025 has been announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). It was instituted in 2024 to promote professional excellence and morale among officers. The award recognizes outstanding work in Special Operations, Investigation, Intelligence, and Forensic Science. It was formed by merging four MHA awards. They are Special Operation Medal, Medal for Excellence in Investigation, Exceptional Intelligence Efficiency Medal, and Union Home Minister’s Award for Meritorious Service. It is announced every year on 31st October, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.