Awards, Honours & Persons in News Current Affairs MCQs

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In November 2025, Dr. Sai Gautam Gopalakrishnan, Associate Professor of Materials Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, Karnataka, received the 3rd Manohar Parrikar Yuva Scientist Award. He was honored for his exceptional work in computational materials science and advanced modeling of complex alloys. His research contributes to sustainable technologies and industrial innovation. The award will be formally presented on 13th December 2025 at the Manohar Parrikar Vigyan Mahotsav, held at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa.

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Mohan Chandra Kandpal becomes the first person from Uttarakhand to receive the National Water Award for Best Individual in the Water Sector (North Zone). President Droupadi Murmu presented the award at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. He has worked over 36 years reviving springs, naulas and water sources in Himalayan villages. He leads the grassroots campaign “Pani Boao–Pani Uggao” (Sow Water–Grow Water). His efforts replenished water in nearly 40 villages in the Riskan river belt, combating deforestation and soil degradation.

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The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2024 was awarded to Michelle Bachelet, the first and only woman President of Chile and former UN (United Nations) High Commissioner for Human Rights. Bachelet served two presidential terms in Chile (2006–2010, 2014–2018) and led major education, tax, human rights, and gender equality reforms. It is awarded annually to any person or organisation regardless of nationality, race, or religion. It honours efforts promoting international peace, disarmament, racial equality, goodwill, and harmony. It recognises work supporting global economic cooperation and a new international economic order.

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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.

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Anant Ambani, founder of Vantara, received the Global Humanitarian Award in the United States for his outstanding contributions to wildlife conservation and animal welfare. He was honoured for his leadership in the rescue, treatment, rehabilitation, and conservation of animals through the Vantara initiative. Anant Ambani is the youngest and the first Asian to ever receive this prestigious award. The award has brought global recognition to Vantara, which is considered one of the world’s largest and most unique wildlife conservation projects.

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UN Environment Programme (UNEP) awarded IAS officer Supriya Sahu the 2025 UN Champions of the Earth award in the Inspiration and Action category. She was honoured for her long-standing leadership in plastic reduction, wildlife conservation, and especially sustainable cooling. Her key initiative, Tamil Nadu’s Cool Roof Project, lowered indoor temperatures by 5–8°C using high Solar Reflective Index paint, offering a low-cost cooling solution. UNEP called it a game changer for cities facing extreme heat, showing scalable climate action.

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Senior journalist Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty was elected the first woman president of the Press Club of India on December 14, 2025. Her team won all office-bearer and managing committee positions with a 21-0 sweep in the elections held on December 13. Afzal Imam was elected Secretary General. Jatin Gandhi became Vice-President. Aditi Rajput (Treasurer) and P R Sunil (Joint Secretary) were elected unopposed.

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Retired Indian Administrative Service officer Raj Kumar Goyal was sworn in as the Chief Information Commissioner of the Central Information Commission. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Raj Kumar Goyal is a 1990-batch Indian Administrative Service officer. He retired as Secretary in the Department of Justice under the Ministry of Law and Justice. He also served as Secretary for Border Management in the Ministry of Home Affairs. He succeeded Heeralal Samariya as Chief Information Commissioner. His appointment was made under Section 12 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, and took effect from December 15.

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The Vice-President of India, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, released the book Sanatan Sanskriti Ki Atal Drishti by Shri Vasudev Devnani, Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, at the Vice-President’s Enclave, New Delhi. The book is a tribute to former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his centenary birth anniversary. The Vice-President praised Vajpayee as an institution whose life embodied principles, values, and visionary leadership.

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Renowned litterateur and Jnanpith Awardee Vinod Kumar Shukla passed away in Raipur on 23 December 2025 at the age of around 88. Vinod Kumar Shukla was recently honoured with the prestigious Jnanpith Award. He also received the Sahitya Akademi Award for his novel Deewar Mein Ek Khidki. His notable works include the poetry collection Lagbhag Jai Hind and the novel Naukar Ki Kameez. His works have been translated into several languages and earned widespread acclaim.