Awards, Honours & Persons in News Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD), released the book Civil-Military Fusion as a Metric of National Power and Comprehensive Security in October 2025. Lieutenant General Raj Shukla (Retired) authored the book. The book release event was held at the United Service Institution of India (USI), New Delhi, Delhi. The book was published by Notion Press. The book focuses on evolving civil-military relations into Civil-Military Fusion (CMF) for deeper integration of civilian industry, academia, and defense technology. The book emphasizes asset-based thinking rather than deficit-based thinking.

Notes:
Eminent physicist Jayant Vishnu Narlikar has been posthumously selected for the Vigyan Ratna Puraskar 2025 for his lifetime contributions in physics. The award is part of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025, the country’s highest recognition for excellence in science, technology, and innovation, modeled on the Padma Awards. A total of 23 individuals and one institution have been selected this year. Vigyan Yuva recognizes young scientists across similar domains for their research and innovation. The Vigyan Team Award has been conferred on Aroma Mission CSIR in agricultural science.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
France’s oldest living Olympic champion, Charles Coste, passed away at the age of 101, marking the end of a golden era in Olympic history. Born on February 8, 1924, in Ollioules, France, he symbolized strength, dedication, and post-war recovery through sport. Coste won gold in team cycling at the 1948 London Olympics with teammates Pierre Adam, Serge Blusson, and Fernand Decanali, bringing pride to post-war France. In 1949, he triumphed in the Grand Prix des Nations, defeating Italy’s Fausto Coppi. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, just before his 100th birthday, he carried the Olympic torch, earning worldwide applause.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
The 6th National Water Awards 2024 highlighted India’s push for better water management in the recent context of rising water challenges. Maharashtra ranked 1st in the Best State category, followed by Gujarat and Haryana. The National Water Awards are given by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The awards aim to create awareness about the importance of water and promote best water-use practices. They are presented in 10 categories, including Best State, Best District, Best Village Panchayat, Best Urban Local Body, Best School or College, Best Industry, Best Water User Association, Best Institution, Best Civil Society and Best Individual.

Notes:
Velamala Simmanna has been selected for the Lok Nayak Foundation (LNF) Literary Award 2025. He has written over 100 books and is a former Head of Department of Telugu at Andhra University. The award carries a cash prize of 2 lakh rupees and will be given on 18 January 2026. The award is presented every year by the Lok Nayak Foundation. It commemorates the death anniversaries of N. T. Rama Rao and Harivansh Rai Bachchan.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan launched his autobiography The One: Cricket, My Life and More at an event in New Delhi. The launch highlighted how mindset and manifestation shaped his cricket career and life decisions. The book reflects principles that guide his venture Da One Group, which focuses on structured athlete development and grassroots sports. He also linked the book’s philosophy to the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation, working in education and community development.

Notes:
Sai Jadhav, at 23, became the first woman officer to graduate from the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, breaking a 93-year tradition since its opening in 1932. More than 67,000 cadets have graduated from IMA until now; Sai is the first woman to do so. Sai has been commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Territorial Army, the first woman from IMA to join through this route. She will make history again in June 2026 during the IMA parade at Chetwode Building, symbolizing institutional change.