Awards, Honours & Persons in News Current Affairs MCQs

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Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), a Maharatna PSU and India’s largest public sector steel producer, has received the ‘Great Place to Work’ certification for February 2026–February 2027. This marks the third consecutive year SAIL has earned the prestigious recognition. The certification was awarded after a company-wide assessment by the Great Place to Work Institute, India, based on extensive employee feedback. SAIL recorded a significant improvement in its Trust Index score, reflecting growing employee confidence in leadership, policies, and work environment.

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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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Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha appointed Shantmanu, a retired Indian Administrative Service officer, as State Election Commissioner. The appointment is for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It was made under sub-section 3 of Section 36 of the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989. He will hold office for five years or until he attains 70 years of age, whichever is earlier. The appointment will be effective from the date he assumes charge. The government will separately notify the detailed terms and conditions of his service.

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Bhumika Shrestha has become Nepal’s first transgender woman lawmaker, marking a historic step toward inclusivity in South Asia. She officially entered Parliament on 16 March 2026 through the proportional representation system and is associated with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). Her achievement follows political changes after 2025 protests, which led to fresh elections and the rise of new leadership in Nepal. It represents a major breakthrough for LGBTQ representation, giving the community a voice at the highest political level.

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Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel Peace Prize laureate (2014), released his new book Karuna: The Power of Compassion in March 2026. The book was launched by the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion (SMGC) in association with HarperCollins India. The launch event was attended by Justice Surya Kant and Kiran Bedi. The book highlights compassion as a transformative force to address global challenges like inequality and conflict. It introduces the concept of Compassion Quotient (CQ) to measure and enhance compassion. Kailash Satyarthi won the Nobel Peace Prize 2014 along with Malala Yousafzai.

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Karnataka Grameena Bank received the National Award for Outstanding Performance in Self-Help Group (SHG) Bank Linkage 2024-25 from the Union Ministry of Rural Development. The award recognises the bank’s role in rural economic empowerment through SHGs. It was presented at the National Conference on Financial Literacy and Capacity Building and the 25th Central Level Coordination Committee meeting in Hyderabad. The merger under the ‘One State – One Rural Bank’ policy strengthened the bank’s capacity for regional development. The bank aligns with Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) to empower rural women through SHGs.

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The book Red Lines Redrawn: Operation Sindoor and India’s New Normal was released by Upendra Dwivedi in 2026. It is authored by experts including Bipin Bakshi, Rajesh Kumar, Anil Trigunayat, and Akhelesh Bhargava. The book analyses the 88-hour Operation Sindoor, highlighting India’s response to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. It explains India’s shift from reactive to proactive counter-terror strategy, especially in Kashmir. It covers multi-domain operations including military, intelligence, drones, cyber, and diplomacy.

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Stuti Pradhan has been selected to represent India at the World Youth Parliament 2026 after winning the Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament 2025. The World Youth Parliament is an international platform where young leaders from multiple countries come together to discuss global challenges and suggest policy solutions. Her selection reflects India’s emphasis on promoting youth leadership and participation in global affairs. She will contribute to discussions on key issues such as climate change, education, and sustainable development.

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In 2026, the book The Doom Loop was released, authored by Eswar Prasad, which analyzes the growing disorder in the global economic system. The book highlights a “doom loop”, where interconnected global forces reinforce instability, making it harder to restore economic balance and global cooperation.

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Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, a former Union Minister and MP, assumed charge as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) on March 18, 2026. She succeeds the previous chairperson to lead the commission in safeguarding the rights and welfare of backward classes, with Kiran Umesh Mahalle joining as a member. The appointments aim to strengthen the commission’s role in the socio-economic development and protection of rights for OBCs. The NCBC works to advise the government on issues affecting backward classes and addresses complaints regarding rights violations.