Awards, Honours & Persons in News Current Affairs MCQs

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In the year 2024, the President approved the conferment of 132 Padma awards on the eve of Republic Day. This prestigious list includes five Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan, and 110 Padma Shri awards, recognizing exceptional contributions across various fields. Additionally, the list comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds, as it features nine awardees from the category of “Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI.”

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The President of India approved the Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards-2023 for 31 individuals, including 3 posthumous awardees. The awards, recognizing meritorious acts of saving lives, consist of Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak (3 recipients), Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak (7 recipients), and Jeevan Raksha Padak (21 recipients).

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Ajit Mishra, a distinguished India-born lawyer in the UK, received the prestigious ‘Freedom of the City of London’ award for his remarkable contributions to legal and public life. The Founder and Chair of UK India Legal Partnership, Mishra, a dual-qualified lawyer, and corporate partner at Knights, boasts over two decades of experience in facilitating M&A and commercial transactions between India and the UK.

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Champion trap shooter Preeti Rajak made history as the first woman subedar in the Army, promoted from havildar. This marks a significant milestone as the Army recently opened soldier ranks to women in the Corps of Military Police (CMP). Subedar Rajak, a meritorious sportswoman in shooting, joined the Army in 2022 based on her trap shooting prowess. Currently, the CMP is the only Army branch with enlisted women, offering opportunities for aspiring female Agniveers.

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The Union Home Ministry announced the appointment of Dr. Sharat Chauhan as the new Chief Secretary of Puducherry. Chauhan is a member of the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory)cadre and previously served in Arunachal Pradesh.

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Justice Ritu Bahri made history by becoming the first woman Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court, taking the oath administered by Governor Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh. Previously a senior judge in Punjab and Haryana High Court, Bahri’s appointment marks a milestone for Uttarakhand. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj, Higher Education Minister Dhan Singh Rawat, and Chief Secretary Radha Raturi were present at the swearing-in ceremony.

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Rajendra Prasad Gupta is the new Advocate General of Rajasthan. In India, the Advocate General is a legal advisor to the state government. The Governor of each state appoints an Advocate General who is qualified to be appointed as a Judge of a High Court.

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Namibia’s President, Hage Geingob, has died at 82 following cancer treatment. The first prime minister post-independence, he became Namibia’s third president in 2014, securing re-election in 2019. Geingob, a key figure since independence from South Africa, held the record for Namibia’s longest-serving prime minister before assuming the presidency. His passing marks the end of a significant era in Namibian political history.

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REC Limited received the 2024 Best Green Bond-Corporate Award at The Asset Triple A Awards for Sustainable Finance. The award recognizes REC’s commitment to environmental and sustainable finance. REC Limited is a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power and a leading NBFC. In April 2023, REC issued $750 million in Green Bonds, which is why they received the award.

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Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi has been strategically appointed as the Indian Army’s new Vice Chief, succeeding Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar. Dwivedi, with a distinguished career, held key positions like Deputy Chief and Director General of Infantry. His operational expertise during the India-China standoff in the Northern Command makes him well-suited for the role. This move ensures a seamless succession plan, with Lt Gen Suchindra Kumar set to command the Northern Army in Udhampur.