Awards, Honours & Persons in News Current Affairs MCQs

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced an annual literary award named “Semmozhi Illakiya Virudhu (Classical Language Literary Award)”. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh for each language. In the first phase, awards will be given for Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odiya, Bengali, and Marathi. The initiative was announced following cancellation of the Sahitya Akademi awards due to alleged political intervention by the Union Culture Ministry. The state government will act as patron, while independent experts will handle the selection process.

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Bakul Limbasiya, founder of Bhathwari Technologies, received the APO National Award for productivity, innovation, and leadership. The award is instituted by the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) and administered in India by the National Productivity Council (NPC) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). It is among India’s highest recognitions for advancing productivity and competitiveness. The award marks a milestone for India’s lab-grown diamond (LGD) industry. Limbasiya produced India’s first lab-grown diamond in 2004 and pioneered the sector since 1998.

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Veteran journalist Mark Tully passed away in Delhi at the age of 90 on January 25, 2026. He was a long-time British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) correspondent and became a household name in South Asia. Born in Kolkata in 1935, he later returned to India as BBC’s Assistant Representative in New Delhi. He covered major events like the 1965 and 1971 India–Pakistan wars, Emergency of 1975, Punjab insurgency, and Operation Blue Star. He was knighted in 2002 and awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2005, earning the reputation as the “voice of India.”

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The results of the Republic Day Parade 2026 for Best Marching Contingents and Best Tableaux have been officially announced. Among the three Services, the Indian Navy was adjudged the Best Marching Contingent. In the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Auxiliary Forces category, the Delhi Police won the award. In the States and Union Territories category for tableaux, Maharashtra secured first place with Ganeshotsav: A Symbol of Aatmanirbharta. Jammu and Kashmir stood second for Handicrafts and Folk Dances of Jammu & Kashmir, while Kerala was third for Water Metro and 100% Digital Literacy: Aatmanirbhar Kerala for Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

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Uttarakhand won the national award for ‘Best State for Promotion of Aviation and Ecosystem’ at WINGS INDIA 2026. The event was held from 29–31 January at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad. The award was received by Uttarakhand’s Additional Secretary Ashish Chauhan from the Union Civil Aviation Minister. Recognition came for expanding air connectivity and managing a safe, smooth Char Dham Yatra. The state strengthened helicopter services to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, developing heliports and helipads.

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V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port) in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, became India’s first major port to receive the prestigious IGBC Platinum Rating for its administration building in February 2026. The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) awarded the highest Platinum certification in recognition of the port’s adoption of green, sustainable, and energy-efficient building practices. The administration building operates on 100% renewable energy, with 89% of its power generated on-site through solar energy and the remaining 11% sourced from other renewable energy sources.

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Microsoft appointed Indian-origin Asha Sharma as Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Microsoft Gaming. She joins growing list of Indian-origin leaders heading global companies. Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella announced her appointment. She earlier helped build and scale services reaching billions of users at Microsoft. She previously served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Instacart. She also worked as Vice President at Meta.

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Jawed Ashraf, former Ambassador of India to France, received the Legion of Honour (Commandeur rank) on 18 March 2026, becoming the first Indian Ambassador to get this honour for strengthening India–France ties. The award was presented in New Delhi by Thierry Mathou, in the presence of Ajit Doval (National Security Advisor – NSA). Other Indian recipients of this rank include J. R. D. Tata, Ratan Tata, Amartya Sen, Ravi Shankar, Satyajit Ray, S. H. Raza and Manna Dey.

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Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, was awarded the Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) by the United Kingdom (March 2026) for strengthening India–UK business relations. The honour was presented by Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, on behalf of King Charles III in New Delhi. An honorary knighthood for foreign nationals for exceptional contributions in business, public life, culture, and international relations; non-UK citizens use ‘KBE’ as a suffix (not ‘Sir/Dame’).

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Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA – Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts) published the book “Janjati Gaurav” to document tribal history and culture. The book highlights contributions of tribal communities in freedom struggle and nation-building. It includes archival records, research and stories of tribal leaders and movements. It mentions Mangarh Dham linked to uprising led by Govind Guru and sacrifices of tribal fighters. Ministry of Tribal Affairs approved 11 Tribal Freedom Fighters Museums across 10 states.