Awards, Honours & Persons in News Current Affairs MCQs

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The Bengali novel “Hara Parbati Katha” by Ramkumar Mukhopadhyay has been selected for the Saraswati Samman 2025. Saraswati Samman was instituted in 1991 by the K.K. Birla Foundation. It is awarded annually for outstanding literary work written in any Indian language by an Indian citizen. Eligible works must be published within the last 10 years. The award carries a cash prize of ₹15 lakh, along with a citation and a plaque. It is one of India’s most prestigious literary awards recognizing excellence in literature.

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Rituparna Sengupta was honoured with the Women Empowerment Award for Art and Culture at the House of Commons in the United Kingdom. The award was presented by Seema Malhotra and Virendra Sharma during an event organised by GloWomen CiC. The ceremony was held to mark International Women’s Day, celebrating women’s contributions across various fields. Rituparna Sengupta was specifically recognised for her significant contributions to art and culture.

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Nandamuri Balakrishna was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Film Festival of Delhi 2026 on March 26, 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam. The award recognises his five-decade-long contribution to Indian cinema, especially his impact on Telugu film industry. Known for his versatility, he has delivered performances in both commercial and character-driven roles, becoming an iconic figure. A key highlight of the event was the screening of his film Bhagavanth Kesari, directed by Anil Ravipudi.

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The Ashwini Bhide was appointed as the Municipal Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on March 31, 2026. She is the first woman to head one of India’s oldest and richest civic bodies. The outgoing Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani completed his tenure and handed over charge to Ms. Bhide. Ms. Bhide’s previous role as Additional Chief Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office will now be taken over by Lokesh Chandra.

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Susan Coyle has been appointed as the first-ever female Chief of Army of Australia, marking a historic milestone in April 2026, with tenure starting in July. She currently serves as Chief of Joint Capabilities and has nearly four decades of experience since joining the army in 1987. The announcement by Anthony Albanese reflects a shift towards inclusive leadership in defence. She will lead the Australian Army, becoming the first woman to head any service branch. The move aligns with reforms in the Australian Defence Force to improve gender representation and workplace conditions.

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Harivansh Narayan Singh has been elected Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha for the third consecutive term, and was elected unopposed. He is the first nominated member to hold this position, having been nominated by Droupadi Murmu after the retirement of Ranjan Gogoi. The motion for his election was moved by J. P. Nadda, Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha. His unanimous election reflects consensus and cooperation in Indian parliamentary democracy and confidence across party lines.

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Dr Ch Srinivasa Rao, Director and Vice-Chancellor of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, received the 9th Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Award. The award is instituted by the Retired ICAR Employees Association in collaboration with Nuziveedu Seeds Limited to recognise contributions to India’s food security. It coincides with the birth centenary of M S Swaminathan. Dr Rao was honoured for his work in climate-resilient agriculture and natural resource management. His initiatives have scaled resource conservation technologies across millions of hectares.

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Dr Bhaskar Jyoti Sonowal from Assam has been elected President of the BRICS Entrepreneurs Alliance (BEA) Global Forum for the 2026–27 term. This marks a significant step in strengthening India’s role within the BRICS+ economic framework. He currently serves as CEO and Executive Director of BEA India. His leadership comes as India prepares to host the BEA Global Summit in November 2026. The appointment aims to boost cross-border trade, global partnerships, and MSME opportunities. It is expected to enhance market access for Indian entrepreneurs and promote inclusive global trade.

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Medha Patkar and Perumal Murugan have been selected for the Sukumar Azhikode Birth Centenary National Award. The award is given by the Sukumar Azhikode Trust to recognise contributions to society and literature. Medha Patkar is honoured for her work in social activism, especially for displaced communities. Perumal Murugan is recognised for his contributions to Indian literature and exploration of social issues. The award includes a cash prize of ₹50,000 and a citation. The award ceremony will be held in Kannur on May 12.

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Indian journalists Anand RK and Suparna Sharma won the Pulitzer Prize in the Illustrated Reporting and Commentary category. They shared the award with Natalie Obiko Pearson for the project “trAPPed.” The work highlights digital surveillance, cyber fraud, and the concept of “digital arrest,” showcasing emerging tech-driven crimes. The Pulitzer Prizes are administered by Columbia University and are among the highest honours in journalism, literature, and music. Anand RK is a Mumbai-based illustrator, while Suparna Sharma is an experienced investigative journalist with extensive reporting on social and political issues.