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AWARDS AND HONOURS - October 2024

Oct 2024

Aug 13, 2026

Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards 2024–25 conferred

President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships (Akademi Ratna) and Akademi Puraskar for 2024 and 2025 in August 2026. A total of 115 artists were honoured for their outstanding contributions to performing arts, including music, dance, theatre and traditional arts. The ceremony took place at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The Akademi Ratna recognises lifetime achievement, while Akademi Puraskar honours significant artistic work. The awards highlight the diversity and richness of India's cultural heritage and celebrate artists who have shaped contemporary Indian performing arts through sustained excellence and innovation. The government announced plans to promote regional arts and provide more opportunities for emerging talent.

Sangeet Natak Akademi awards conferred for 2024 and 2025.
115 artists honoured across music, dance, theatre and traditional arts.
Ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
Akademi Ratna for lifetime achievement; Akademi Puraskar for notable work.
Plans to promote regional arts and support emerging talent.

Aug 11, 2026

Deepak Dhar named recipient of 2026 Dirac Medal by ICTP

Indian theoretical physicist Deepak Dhar was named among the recipients of the 2026 Dirac Medal awarded by the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP). The award recognises Dhar's important contributions to statistical mechanics and the study of complex systems, including influential work on self-organised criticality. Dhar's career spans several Indian institutions, and he has been associated with IISER Pune as a Distinguished Emeritus Professor. The Dirac Medal is one of the field's most respected international honours and typically accompanies a lecture as part of ICTP's mission to promote theoretical science in developing regions.

Deepak Dhar named recipient of the 2026 Dirac Medal
Awarded by ICTP for work in statistical mechanics and complex systems
Noted for self-organised criticality research
Associated with IISER Pune as Distinguished Emeritus Professor
Dirac Medal is a prestigious international honour in theoretical physics

Aug 10, 2026

President's Colour awarded to Puducherry Police

Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the President's Colour to the Puducherry Police in August 2026, recognizing the force's distinguished service, discipline and contribution to maintaining law and order. The award ceremony followed months of preparations by the Puducherry Police for the national honour, which is among the highest recognitions bestowed on police and armed forces. The event highlighted the department's long-standing commitment to public safety, operational readiness and community engagement. The presentation reflects central government acknowledgment of the force's performance in coastal union territory's crime prevention, disaster response and policing across urban and rural frontiers. The ceremony underscored inter-governmental cooperation and the value of ceremonial awards in boosting morale.

President's Colour presented to Puducherry Police
Conferred by Union Home Minister Amit Shah
Award highlights service, discipline and order maintenance
Ceremony followed extensive 2026 preparations
Significance as one of the highest police honours

Aug 05, 2026

Annapurni Subramaniam wins COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal 2026, first Indian woman recipient

Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics in Bengaluru, has become the first Indian woman scientist to receive the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal in 2026. The award recognises her significant contributions to space research, including studies on stellar populations, blue straggler stars, and observations from AstroSat’s UVIT instrument. Subramaniam is the fourth Indian to receive this honour, highlighting India’s rising role in space science. The COSPAR medal underscores long-term astronomical research and the growing involvement of Indian researchers in international space programs, reflecting ongoing collaboration between Indian institutions and global space agencies.

Recipient: Annapurni Subramaniam, Director, IIA Bengaluru.
First Indian woman to receive Vikram Sarabhai Medal (2026).
Research focus: stellar populations, blue stragglers, AstroSat UVIT data.
Fourth Indian awarded the honour overall.
Significance: strengthens India’s space research profile.

Aug 04, 2026

Meena Bindra Tops Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List 2026

Meena Bindra, founder of BIBA, topped the 2026 Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List. The list recognised 117 self-made women leaders across twelve categories, highlighting leadership across business, technology, and social impact. Mumbai emerged as the city with the highest representation, followed by New Delhi. Bindra’s position reflects ongoing growth in women-led entrepreneurship and brand-building in India. The award underscores the role of women leaders in shaping consumer sectors, fashion, and inclusive business strategies. The Candere Hurun list aims to spotlight diverse leadership, promote mentorship, and encourage more women to scale enterprises in a competitive market. Experts noted increased funding and favorable policies supporting women-owned startups.

Meena Bindra topped the 2026 Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List.
117 self-made leaders recognized across 12 categories.
Mumbai had the highest representation, followed by New Delhi.
Highlights growth of women-led entrepreneurship in India.
Encourages mentorship and female leadership in business.

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