General Awareness

AWARDS AND HONOURS - April 2024

Apr 2024

May 18, 2026

Padma Awards 2026: President to confer honours on May 25

President Droupadi Murmu will confer Padma Awards for 2026 on 25 May at Rashtrapati Bhavan, as announced by the Home Affairs Ministry. A total of 131 Padma Awards have been announced, including five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri. Among the awardees, 19 are women, and 16 will be posthumous. The Padma Awards recognize distinguished service across fields such as arts, literature, education, science, public affairs and industry. The civil investiture ceremony marks one of India’s highest civilian honours, conferred annually on Republic Day or special occasions.

Date of ceremony: 25 May 2026; location: Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Total awards: 131 (5 Vibhushan, 13 Bhushan, 113 Shri).
Notable demographics: 19 women recipients; 16 posthumous awards.
Fields recognized: arts, literature, education, science, public affairs, industry.
Significance: among India’s premier civilian honours.

May 11, 2026

Archibald Prize 2026 Held; Richard Lewer Wins

The Archibald Prize 2026 was awarded on 8 May 2026 to Melbourne‑based artist Richard Lewer for a portrait of Pitjantjatjara Elder Iluwanti Ken. The prize carries a cash award of $100,000. The Archibald Prize is Australia’s premier portraiture award, established in 1921 and administered by the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The winner was selected from 1,034 entries. Lewer is a six‑time Archibald finalist, with previous nominations in 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025, and 2026. The winning portrait highlights Indigenous representation in contemporary Australian art.

Winner: Richard Lewer, 8 May 2026
Prize: $100,000
Subject: Pitjantjatjara Elder Iluwanti Ken
Entries: 1,034; Prize administered by Art Gallery of New South Wales
Lewer: six‑time Archibald finalist
Significance: Indigenous representation in art

Kuljeet Kaur Marhas Becomes First Indian Woman Fellow of The Meteoritical Society

Kuljeet Kaur Marhas was elected a Fellow of The Meteoritical Society for 2026 on 9 May 2026, becoming the first Indian woman to receive this international honour in meteoritics and planetary science. She is affiliated with the Planetary Science Division of the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad. The Society recognises researchers for work on meteorites, planetary materials, and Solar System studies. Marhas has studied short‑lived radionuclides and stable isotopes in extraterrestrial materials, including pre‑solar grains, Calcium‑Aluminium‑rich Inclusions, chondrules, and organic matter in meteorites, contributing to cosmochemistry and early Solar System research.

Fellowship announced: 9 May 2026
First Indian woman fellow in meteoritics (The Meteoritical Society)
Affiliation: Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad
Research areas: radionuclides, isotopes, cosmochemistry
Impact: recognition in planetary science

Archibald Prize Exhibition Opens in Sydney

The Archibald, Wynne, and Sulman Prizes exhibition opened on 9 May 2026 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney. The show features 59 finalist works across three prize categories and runs through 16 August 2026. The Archibald Prize draws significant public and media interest in portraiture, with works from leading Australian artists alongside emerging talents. The concurrent Wynne and Sulman Prizes showcase landscape and narrative painting. The 2026 exhibition emphasizes diversity in subject matter and technique while attracting international attention to Australia’s contemporary art scene.

Opening date: 9 May 2026
Venue: Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney
Finalists: 59 across Archibald, Wynne, Sulman Prizes
Exhibition runs until 16 August 2026
Focus: diversity in portraiture and contemporary art
Public and media interest high

May 09, 2026

Soma Mandal recognized as South Asia regional winner in Cambridge Awards 2026

Soma Mandal has been named the South Asia regional winner of the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards 2026, for outstanding work in environmental and climate change education. The accolade, announced by Cambridge University Press & Assessment, highlights Mandal’s efforts to engage students with climate issues, promote sustainability, and foster practical problem solving. Her approach emphasizes safe and inspiring classroom environments and leadership development among students. The Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards annually honor educators who transform student lives through innovative teaching. Mandal’s recognition reflects India’s strong commitment to integrating environmental literacy into school curricula and community outreach.

Award: Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards 2026, South Asia regional winner
Field: Environmental and climate change education
Recognizing body: Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Impact: Student engagement and practical climate solutions
Focus: Safe classrooms and student leadership
Significance: International recognition for Indian educators

May 06, 2026

Anand RK, Suparna Sharma Win 2026 Pulitzer Prize

Indian illustrator Anand RK, freelance investigative journalist Suparna Sharma and Bloomberg’s Natalie Obiko Pearson won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in Illustrated Reporting and Commentary on 4 May 2026 for a visual investigation into India’s digital arrest scam, titled trAPPed. Anand RK is based in Mumbai and is known for graphic storytelling in investigative journalism. Suparna Sharma has three decades of experience addressing systemic failures and human impact. The Pulitzer Prize, administered by Columbia University, recognises a combination of reporting and visual storytelling that uncovers important societal issues for readers worldwide.

Winners: Anand RK, Suparna Sharma, Natalie Obiko Pearson
Category: Illustrated Reporting and Commentary
Work: trAPPed on India’s digital arrest scam
Award date: 4 May 2026
Pulitzer administered by Columbia University

Apr 23, 2026

PM Modi congratulates Indian winners at Brazil Dairy Awards 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Indian cheesemakers for a strong showing at Mundial do Queijo do Brasil 2026, noting an impressive debut as Indian artisanal entries won four medals, including a Super Gold. Eleftheria Gulmarg (Brie-style) secured the Super Gold, while Yak Churpi-Soft from Leh’s Nordic Farm and Eleftheria Brunost (Whey Cheese) won Gold. Eleftheria Kaali Miri (Belper Knolle style) earned Silver. Officials Mausam Narang and Thenlay Nurboo were also acknowledged. Modi described the results as a milestone for India’s global dairy reputation and a testament to the growing skill and creativity of Indian cheese makers on the world stage.

Four medals won by Indian cheesemakers
Eleftheria Gulmarg wins Super Gold (Brie-style)
Gold: Yak Churpi-Soft (Nordic Farm) and Eleftheria Brunost
Silver: Eleftheria Kaali Miri (Belper Knolle style)
Winners Mausam Narang and Thenlay Nurboo acknowledged
PM Modi calls it a milestone for India’s dairy export profile

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

June GK, May GK, April GK, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEFENCE, PERSONS IN NEWS, DAYS AND EVENTS, AWARDS AND HONOURS, GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES, GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION, ART AND CULTURE, BOOKS AND AUTHORS, TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS, ART AND CULTURE, LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Start Discussion

On any topic

Take Tests

Compiled from GK updates

Login

Sign Up

Forgot Password

Download TCY App

Unlock All Services And Enjoy The Premium Benefits

US$ 10

US$ 13

US$ 15

US$ 17

US$ 19

US$ 20

US$ 21

US$ 22

US$ 23

US$ 24

US$ 25

US$ 26