Weekly Current Affairs

Awards & Honours Current Affairs – 13 to 25 August 2026

1. President Confers Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Awards

President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Awards for 2024 and 2025 at a special investiture ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on 13 August 2026.

A total of 115 artists were selected for the Fellowships and Awards, recognising distinguished contributions to India's performing arts.

Award: Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship and Awards
Years: 2024 and 2025
Artists: 115
Venue: Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi
Presented by: President Droupadi Murmu

2. Seven Eminent Artists Selected as Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellows

The Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, also known as Akademi Ratna, is the Akademi's highest honour.

The seven Fellows listed for the 2024–25 honours were Ramlal Bareth, A. V. Anand, Rita Ganguly, Puru Dadheech, Chittaranjan Jyotishi, Pasumarthi Rattaiah Sarma and Sudharani Raghupathy.

3. Akademi Ratna Carries ₹3 Lakh

The Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna) carries a cash award of ₹3 lakh, while the Akademi Puraskar carries ₹1 lakh, along with a Tamrapatra and Angavastram.

Fellowship: Akademi Ratna
Cash component: ₹3 lakh
Akademi Award: ₹1 lakh

4. T. S. Nagabharana Receives Sangeet Natak Akademi Award

Veteran Kannada filmmaker and theatre personality T. S. Nagabharana received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 2024 for his contribution to theatre.

The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi on 13 August.

Recipient: T. S. Nagabharana
Field: Theatre
State association: Karnataka

5. Veena Murthy Vijay Honoured for Kuchipudi

Bengaluru-based classical dancer Dr. Veena Murthy Vijay received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Kuchipudi for 2024.

The recognition came as her Bengaluru-based Kuchipudi school, founded in 1976, marked its 50th year in 2026.

Recipient: Dr. Veena Murthy Vijay
Art form: Kuchipudi
Award year: 2024

6. Independence Day 2026 Gallantry Awards Announced

President Droupadi Murmu approved 78 Gallantry Awards for Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces personnel on the eve of India's 80th Independence Day.

Of these, 13 were posthumous awards.

Total Gallantry Awards: 78
Posthumous: 13
Occasion: Independence Day 2026

7. Three Kirti Chakras Approved

The Independence Day honours included three Kirti Chakras.

The Kirti Chakra is among India's highest peacetime gallantry decorations.

Award: Kirti Chakra
Number: 3

8. Bar to Shaurya Chakra Included in Gallantry Honours

The Independence Day 2026 honours also included one Bar to Shaurya Chakra, recognising a recipient who had already been awarded the Shaurya Chakra and was honoured again for gallantry.

9. Rishab Shetty Wins Best Director at IFFM 2026

Kannada actor-filmmaker Rishab Shetty won the Best Director Award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2026 for Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1.

Winner: Rishab Shetty
Award: Best Director
Film: Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1
Festival: Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2026

10. Rishab Shetty Receives Leadership in Cinema Award

Rishab Shetty received a second major honour at IFFM 2026—the Leadership in Cinema Award.

He dedicated the honours to the team behind Kantara and the Kannada film industry.

Recipient: Rishab Shetty
Honour: Leadership in Cinema Award

11. Dulquer Salmaan Wins IFFM Best Actor Award

Actor Dulquer Salmaan won the Best Actor Award at the 17th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne for his performance in Kaantha.

Winner: Dulquer Salmaan
Category: Best Actor
Film: Kaantha

12. Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra Wins Best Film

Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra received the Best Film Award at IFFM 2026.

Award: Best Film
Winner: Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra

13. IFFM 2026 Held as 17th Edition

The 17th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne ran from 13 to 23 August 2026, with its awards night held on 13 August at the Palais Theatre.

Festival: Indian Film Festival of Melbourne
Edition: 17th
Dates: 13–23 August 2026

14. National Anubhav Awards 2026 Presented in New Delhi

The 9th National Anubhav Awards Ceremony was held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, during the period.

Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh conferred the honours, which recognise valuable experiences, innovative practices and institutional knowledge documented by retiring government employees.

Award: National Anubhav Awards 2026
Edition: 9th
Venue: Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi
Presented by: Dr. Jitendra Singh

15. National Anubhav Awards Preserve Institutional Knowledge

The Anubhav initiative encourages retiring government employees to document experiences and lessons from their public-service careers.

Outstanding submissions are recognised through the National Anubhav Awards, helping preserve institutional knowledge for future civil servants.

16. National Sports Awards 2025 Announced

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the National Sports Awards 2025 on 18 August 2026.

A total of 17 sportspersons were selected for the Arjuna Award.

Awards: National Sports Awards 2025
Arjuna Award winners: 17
Announced: 18 August 2026

17. No Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Awarded

An important feature of the National Sports Awards 2025 was that no sportsperson was selected for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.

Highest sports honour: Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna
Recipients for 2025: None

18. Tejaswin Shankar Wins Arjuna Award

Indian athlete Tejaswin Shankar was among the 17 sportspersons selected for the Arjuna Award.

He has represented India in athletics, particularly in high jump and combined events.

Recipient: Tejaswin Shankar
Sport: Athletics
Award: Arjuna Award

19. Divya Deshmukh Wins Arjuna Award

Indian chess star Divya Deshmukh was selected for the Arjuna Award 2025, recognising her international achievements in chess.

Recipient: Divya Deshmukh
Sport: Chess

20. Vidit Gujrathi Receives Arjuna Award

Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi was also selected for the Arjuna Award, adding another major national recognition for Indian chess.

Recipient: Vidit Gujrathi
Sport: Chess

21. Treesa Jolly Selected for Arjuna Award

Indian badminton player Treesa Jolly was named among the Arjuna Award recipients.

Recipient: Treesa Jolly
Sport: Badminton

22. Gayatri Gopichand Selected for Arjuna Award

Treesa Jolly's women's doubles partner Gayatri Gopichand was also selected for the Arjuna Award.

The pair's recognition reflects their achievements in international women's doubles badminton.

Recipient: Gayatri Gopichand
Sport: Badminton

23. Narendra Berwal Selected for Arjuna Award

Indian boxer Narendra Berwal was among the athletes selected for the Arjuna Award as part of the National Sports Awards 2025.

Recipient: Narendra Berwal
Sport: Boxing

24. Dhanush Srikanth Selected for Arjuna Award

Indian rifle shooter Dhanush Srikanth was selected for the Arjuna Award.

His inclusion recognised his achievements in international shooting.

Recipient: Dhanush Srikanth
Sport: Shooting

25. Ekta Bhyan Receives Arjuna Recognition

Para-athlete Ekta Bhyan was among the para-sportspersons selected for the Arjuna Award.

Recipient: Ekta Bhyan
Category: Para-sports

26. Rudransh Khandelwal Selected for Arjuna Award

Para-shooter Rudransh Khandelwal was also selected for the Arjuna Award, joining Ekta Bhyan among the para-athletes recognised in the 2025 awards.

Recipient: Rudransh Khandelwal
Sport: Para shooting

27. I. Arumainayagam Receives Lifetime Arjuna Award

Veteran footballer I. Arumainayagam was selected for the Arjuna Award (Lifetime) in recognition of his contribution to Indian football.

Recipient: I. Arumainayagam
Sport: Football
Category: Arjuna Award – Lifetime

28. Five Coaches Selected for Dronacharya Awards

A total of five coaches were selected for the Dronacharya Award across regular and lifetime categories.

The Dronacharya Award recognises outstanding coaches who have helped athletes achieve excellence in national and international competition.

Award: Dronacharya Award
Coaches selected: 5

29. Army Paralympic Node Receives Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar

The Army Paralympic Node, Pune was selected for the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar.

The award recognises organisations that have made significant contributions to sports promotion and development.

Recipient: Army Paralympic Node
Location: Pune
Award: Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar

30. Annapurni Subramaniam Becomes First Indian Woman to Receive COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal

Astrophysicist Prof. Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, became the first Indian woman to receive the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal.

The 2026 honour recognises outstanding contributions to space research in developing countries and was presented during the 46th COSPAR Scientific Assembly in Florence, Italy.

Recipient: Prof. Annapurni Subramaniam
Award: COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal 2026
Organisation: COSPAR
Achievement: First Indian woman recipient
Venue: Florence, Italy

31. National Teachers’ Awards 2026 Announced for 48 School Teachers

The Ministry of Education announced the selection of 48 school teachers for the National Teachers’ Awards 2026 on 21 August.

President Droupadi Murmu will confer the awards at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on 5 September 2026, coinciding with Teachers’ Day.

Award: National Teachers’ Awards 2026
School teachers selected: 48
Presentation date: 5 September 2026
Venue: Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi
Presented by: President Droupadi Murmu

32. National Teachers’ Awardees Represent 27 States and Seven UTs

The 48 selected teachers come from 27 States, seven Union Territories and six organisations under the Central Government.

The selection was conducted through a three-stage process at the District, State and National levels.

States represented: 27
Union Territories: 7
Central Government organisations: 6

33. 26 Men and 22 Women Selected for National Teachers’ Awards

Of the 48 school teachers selected for the National Teachers’ Awards 2026, 26 are men and 22 are women.

The awards recognise teachers whose commitment, innovation and work have improved the quality of school education and enriched students’ lives.

34. National Teachers’ Awards Selection Uses Three-Stage Process

Teachers selected for the 2026 awards underwent evaluation at three levels:

District level

State/Organisation level

National level.

The Ministry describes the process as rigorous, transparent and online.

35. Ratnakumari S. Selected for National Teachers’ Award from Karnataka

Ratnakumari S., in-charge headmistress of the Government Higher Primary School at Samatagaru village in Hosanagara taluk, Shivamogga, was selected for the National Teachers’ Award 2026.

She was reported as the only awardee from Karnataka among the 48 selected school teachers.

Recipient: Ratnakumari S.
State: Karnataka
District: Shivamogga
Award: National Teachers’ Award 2026

36. Lalremsiami Selected for Arjuna Award

Indian women's hockey player Lalremsiami was selected for the Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in Sports and Games 2025.

She was among the 17 athletes named by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Recipient: Lalremsiami
Sport: Hockey
Award: Arjuna Award

37. Rajkumar Pal Receives Arjuna Recognition

Indian men's hockey player Rajkumar Pal was also selected for the Arjuna Award 2025.

Recipient: Rajkumar Pal
Sport: Hockey

38. Muhammed Ajmal V Selected for Arjuna Award

Indian athlete Muhammed Ajmal V was named among the 2025 Arjuna Award recipients.

He joined fellow athletes Tejaswin Shankar and Priyanka Goswami among those recognised in athletics.

Recipient: Muhammed Ajmal V
Sport: Athletics

39. Priyanka Goswami Wins Arjuna Award

Race walker Priyanka Goswami was selected for the Arjuna Award for her achievements in athletics.

Recipient: Priyanka Goswami
Sport: Athletics

40. Surjeet Selected for Arjuna Award in Kabaddi

Kabaddi player Surjeet was included among the 17 Arjuna Award recipients announced on 18 August.

Recipient: Surjeet
Sport: Kabaddi

41. Pooja Receives Arjuna Award in Kabaddi

Indian kabaddi player Pooja was also selected for the Arjuna Award.

Her inclusion meant that two kabaddi players—Surjeet and Pooja—were recognised in the 2025 awards.

Recipient: Pooja
Sport: Kabaddi

42. Arvind Singh Selected for Arjuna Award

Indian rower Arvind Singh was among the athletes selected for the Arjuna Award.

Recipient: Arvind Singh
Sport: Rowing

43. Akhil Sheoran Selected for Arjuna Award

Indian shooter Akhil Sheoran was named among the 17 Arjuna Award recipients for 2025.

Recipient: Akhil Sheoran
Sport: Shooting

44. Dhanush Srikanth Recognised in Deaf Shooting

The official National Sports Awards list identifies Dhanush Srikanth under the discipline of Deaf Shooting.

He was one of the 17 sportspersons selected for the Arjuna Award.

Recipient: Dhanush Srikanth
Discipline: Deaf Shooting

45. Rudransh Khandelwal Recognised in Para-Shooting

Rudransh Khandelwal was selected for the Arjuna Award in Para-Shooting, reflecting the growing prominence of Indian para-athletes in national sports honours.

Recipient: Rudransh Khandelwal
Discipline: Para-Shooting

46. Ekta Bhyan Receives Arjuna Award in Para-Athletics

Ekta Bhyan was selected for the Arjuna Award in Para-Athletics.

Recipient: Ekta Bhyan
Discipline: Para-Athletics

47. Narender Selected for Arjuna Award in Boxing

Indian boxer Narender was among the 17 sportspersons selected for the Arjuna Award.

Recipient: Narender
Sport: Boxing

48. I. Arumainayagam Receives Lifetime Arjuna Award

Former footballer I. Arumainayagam was the sole recipient of the Arjuna Award (Lifetime) for outstanding performance in Sports and Games 2025.

Recipient: I. Arumainayagam
Sport: Football
Category: Arjuna Award (Lifetime)

49. Army Paralympic Node, Pune Receives Sports Promotion Honour

The Army Paralympic Node, Pune was selected for the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar 2025.

The award recognises entities that contribute significantly to the promotion and development of sports.

Recipient: Army Paralympic Node
Location: Pune
Award: Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar

50. National Sports Awards Selection Committee Headed by Justice Arun Kumar Mishra

The National Sports Awards 2025 selections were made based on recommendations of a committee chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra.

The committee included eminent sportspersons, sports journalists and sports administrators.

51. Arjuna Award Recognises Four Years of Sporting Performance

The Arjuna Award recognises athletes for good performance over the previous four years, along with qualities such as leadership, sportsmanship and discipline.

The 2025 list covered athletics, badminton, boxing, chess, deaf shooting, hockey, kabaddi, para-sports, rowing and shooting.

52. Independence Day Honours Include 11 Shaurya Chakras for Army Personnel

The Army's Independence Day 2026 honours included 11 Shaurya Chakras, of which one was posthumous.

The Shaurya Chakra is awarded for acts of gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy.

Shaurya Chakras: 11
Posthumous: 1

53. Five Bars to Sena Medal (Gallantry) Announced

The Army's Independence Day honours included five Bars to Sena Medal (Gallantry).

A Bar signifies that a person who had previously received the decoration has been recognised again.

54. 36 Sena Medals for Gallantry Announced

A total of 36 Sena Medals (Gallantry) were announced for Army personnel on the occasion of Independence Day 2026.

Of these, five were posthumous.

Sena Medal (Gallantry): 36
Posthumous: 5

55. Army Personnel Receive 75 Mentions-in-Despatches

The Army honours announced for Independence Day included 75 Mentions-in-Despatches.

Mention-in-Despatches recognises noteworthy operational service and acts deserving official recognition.

56. President Approves 89 Mentions-in-Despatches Across Armed Forces

Overall, President Droupadi Murmu approved 89 Mentions-in-Despatches for Armed Forces personnel on the eve of the 80th Independence Day, alongside 78 gallantry awards.

Gallantry Awards: 78
Mentions-in-Despatches: 89
Occasion: 80th Independence Day

57. Annapurni Subramaniam's COSPAR Medal Is Jointly Awarded by COSPAR and ISRO

The COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal, received in 2026 by astrophysicist Annapurni Subramaniam, is jointly awarded by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and ISRO.

It recognises outstanding contributions to space research in developing countries and is awarded every two years.

58. Annapurni Subramaniam Is Fourth Indian Recipient

Annapurni Subramaniam became the fourth Indian recipient of the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal.

Previous Indian recipients include U. R. Rao, Gurbax Singh Lakhina and Anil Bhardwaj.

59. IIT Bombay Presents Major Medals at 64th Convocation

IIT Bombay held its 64th Convocation and Departmental Degree Award Functions on 22–23 August 2026.

Its Medal Distribution Ceremony included the President of India Medal, Institute Gold Medal, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal, Sharad Maloo Gold Medal and G.H. Raisoni Excellence Gold Medal.

Institution: IIT Bombay
Convocation: 64th
Dates: 22–23 August 2026

60. IIT Bombay Awards 44 Institute Silver Medals

As part of the 64th Convocation, IIT Bombay's medal list included 44 Institute Silver Medals.

It also listed 50 Naik & Rastogi Excellence Awards 2024–2026.

Institute Silver Medals: 44
Naik & Rastogi Excellence Awards: 50

 

Quick Revision – Awards & Honours Current Affairs 13–25 August 2026

Sangeet Natak Akademi honours: 115 artists

Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellows: 7

Highest Sangeet Natak Akademi honour: Akademi Ratna

Akademi Ratna cash award: ₹3 lakh

T. S. Nagabharana: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award – Theatre

Veena Murthy Vijay: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award – Kuchipudi

Independence Day Gallantry Awards: 78

Posthumous Gallantry Awards: 13

Kirti Chakras: 3

Bar to Shaurya Chakra: 1

Shaurya Chakras for Army personnel: 11

Sena Medals (Gallantry): 36

Overall Mentions-in-Despatches: 89

IFFM 2026 Best Director: Rishab Shetty

Rishab Shetty's film: Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1

IFFM Leadership in Cinema Award: Rishab Shetty

IFFM Best Actor: Dulquer Salmaan

National Sports Awards announced: 18 August 2026

Arjuna Award recipients: 17

Arjuna Lifetime Award: I. Arumainayagam – Football

Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar: Army Paralympic Node, Pune

Arjuna – Athletics: Tejaswin Shankar, Muhammed Ajmal V, Priyanka Goswami

Arjuna – Badminton: Treesa Jolly, Pullela Gayatri Gopichand

Arjuna – Chess: Vidit Santosh Gujarathi, Divya Jitendra Deshmukh

Arjuna – Hockey: Lalremsiami, Rajkumar Pal

Arjuna – Kabaddi: Surjeet, Pooja

Arjuna – Para-Athletics: Ekta Bhyan

Arjuna – Para-Shooting: Rudransh Khandelwal

Arjuna – Rowing: Arvind Singh

Arjuna – Shooting: Akhil Sheoran

Arjuna – Deaf Shooting: Dhanush Srikanth

National Teachers’ Awards 2026: 48 school teachers

Male awardees: 26

Female awardees: 22

States represented: 27

UTs represented: 7

Award ceremony: 5 September 2026

Venue: Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi

Karnataka National Teachers’ Awardee: Ratnakumari S.

COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal 2026: Prof. Annapurni Subramaniam

Achievement: First Indian woman recipient

Awarded jointly by: COSPAR and ISRO

Purpose: Outstanding contribution to space research in developing countries

IIT Bombay Convocation: 64th

Institute Silver Medals: 44

Naik & Rastogi Excellence Awards: 50