Awards, Honours & Persons in News Current Affairs MCQs

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Dr. Tessy Thomas, called the Missile Woman of India, received the 8th Dr. Paulos Mar Gregorios Award 2025 for excellence in science and women empowerment. She is a senior scientist at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). She was the first Indian woman to lead a missile project and headed Agni-IV and Agni-V ballistic missile programmes. She is also known as “Agniputri”, meaning one born of fire. The award is given by the Sophia Society of the Malankara Orthodox Church in memory of Dr. Paulos Mar Gregorios.

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Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar assumes the chairship of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for 2026. India is elected as Chair under the rotational system and will hold the post till 2033. India is among the 14 founding member states of International IDEA. The charge is assumed in Stockholm, Sweden, in the presence of Ambassador Anurag Bhushan. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is globally recognised as a credible Election Management Body (EMB). India has 900+ million voters across 28 States and 8 Union Territories (UTs).

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On 5 December 2025, during the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., FIFA President Gianni Infantino awarded the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize to U.S. President Donald Trump. The FIFA Peace Prize, officially named “Football Unites the World,” was created to honour individuals who take exceptional actions to promote peace and global unity. Donald Trump became the first recipient of this new award category, with FIFA praising his claimed efforts in global diplomacy and conflict de-escalation.

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The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) launched the book “Bharat: That Is India – Reclaiming Our Real Identity” by Abhijeet Joag in New Delhi. The book explores India’s nationhood, rooted in an ancient cultural consciousness that predates the modern nation-state. It emphasizes the Indian tradition of dharma as a framework for duty and responsibility.

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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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The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has awarded the “Kendriya Grah Mantri Dakshata Padak” (Union Home Minister’s Efficiency Medal) to Dinesh Khatak, Second-in-Command (2-IC) of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) 196 Battalion, for his exceptional service, discipline, and contributions to national security. A native of Intel Kalan village in Jind district, Dinesh joined the CRPF as a Gazetted Officer in 2005 after clearing the UPSC exam. He served in Jammu & Kashmir during 2008–13 and 2017–21, contributing to Amarnath Yatra security, law and order, Article 370 abrogation duties, and COVID-19 pandemic operations.

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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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Singapore Changi Airport has been named the best international airport in the world for 2025 at India’s Best Awards by Travel+Leisure (T+L). The airport is known for sky-lit interiors, indoor gardens, art-filled spaces, and attractions like the world’s tallest indoor waterfall and butterfly gardens. The award was part of the 14th India’s Best Awards, reflecting traveller preferences through online voting. Changi Airport sets global benchmarks by combining efficiency, comfort, and design, making it a destination in itself.