Key Appointments and Persons in News

In the previous chapter, we mastered the major national schemes and policies that drive India's development. But policies do not implement themselves; institutions do. And institutions are led by people.

If you want to understand how the country is currently being run, you need to know who is sitting in the driver's seat of its most powerful organizations. Tracking "Persons in News"—specifically those appointed to top constitutional and national posts—is not just about memorizing names. It is about understanding the architecture of the Indian state. When a new Chief Justice takes the oath, or a new scientist takes over the space agency, it signals the direction the country is heading.

In this chapter, we are going to walk through the most crucial recent appointments across the Indian government, the judiciary, the scientific community, and the economy. We will also pay tribute to prominent national figures who recently passed away, leaving behind legacies that shaped modern India. We will not just list their names; we will break down exactly what their jobs entail, so the facts stick in your memory naturally.

Understanding Constitutional Posts

Before we look at the individuals, we need to understand the nature of their offices. In India, government jobs generally fall into two categories: statutory/executive posts and constitutional posts.

Because these roles are the bedrock of Indian democracy, exams heavily test your knowledge of who currently holds them. Let us look at the three most important recent changes.

1. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)

Think of the CAG as the supreme accountant and the ultimate guardian of the public purse. If the government collects taxes from you and spends it on building a highway, the CAG's job is to audit those accounts and ensure the money was spent legally, efficiently, and without corruption.

• The Current CAG: K Sanjay Murthy
• When Appointed: November 2024
• Whom He Replaced: Girish Chandra Murmu
• The Details: K Sanjay Murthy, a 1989-batch IAS officer, was sworn in as the 15th CAG of India. Before this, he served as the Secretary in the Department of Higher Education, where he played a massive role in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The CAG is appointed by the President of India under Article 148 of the Constitution. They hold office for a term of six years or until they reach the age of 65, whichever is earlier. Because their job is to point out the government's financial mistakes, they are given immense independence—they can only be removed from office in the same manner as a Supreme Court judge.

2. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)

India conducts the largest democratic exercises in human history. The machinery that makes this possible is the Election Commission of India (ECI). The ECI is responsible for conducting free and fair elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the offices of the President and Vice President.

• The Current CEC: Gyanesh Kumar
• When Appointed: February 2025
• Whom He Replaced: Rajiv Kumar
• The Details: Gyanesh Kumar took charge as the 26th Chief Election Commissioner of India. A retired 1988-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, he previously served as the Secretary in the Ministry of Cooperation.

The Election Commission is a multi-member body consisting of one Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners. Under Article 324 of the Constitution, the CEC has the power of superintendence, direction, and control of elections. Like the CAG, the CEC enjoys security of tenure and holds office for six years or until the age of 65.

3. The Chief Justice of India (CJI)

The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial forum and the final court of appeal under the Constitution. At its head sits the Chief Justice of India, who not only presides over the most critical constitutional benches but also acts as the "Master of the Roster," deciding which judges hear which cases.

• The Current CJI: Justice Surya Kant
• When Appointed: November 2025
• Whom He Replaced: Justice B.R. Gavai
• The Details: Justice Surya Kant was sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India. Known for his deep understanding of constitutional law and his citizen-centric approach, he previously served as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court before being elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019.

The CJI is appointed by the President of India under Article 124(2) of the Constitution. By convention, the outgoing CJI recommends the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court as their successor. The CJI holds office until the age of 65.

Guardians of Science and Security

Moving beyond constitutional posts, the Indian government runs massive strategic organizations that secure our borders and push the boundaries of science. The heads of these organizations are usually top-tier scientists or veteran bureaucrats.

1. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

ISRO is India's pride. It does not just launch rockets; it builds satellites that help farmers track weather, aids the military in securing borders, and conducts deep-space exploration like the Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan missions.

• The Current Chairman: Dr. V. Narayanan
• When Appointed: January 2025
• Whom He Replaced: S. Somanath
• The Details: Dr. V. Narayanan took over as the 11th Chairman of ISRO and the Secretary of the Department of Space. He is a renowned cryogenic engineer and rocket propulsion expert. Before taking the top job, he was the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC). Under his leadership, ISRO is heavily focused on the Gaganyaan mission (India's first crewed spaceflight) and the development of the Indian Space Station, targeted for its first module launch by 2028.

2. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

While ISRO looks to the stars, DRDO looks to our borders. DRDO is the military's research and development wing. From the Agni ballistic missiles to the Tejas fighter jets and the Kusha air defence system, DRDO's job is to make India self-reliant in defence technology so we do not have to buy weapons from other countries.

• The Current Chairman: Rajesh Kumar Singh (Additional Charge)
• When Appointed: May 2026
• Whom He Replaced: Dr. Samir V. Kamat
• The Details: In a unique administrative move, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh was given the additional charge of Chairman of DRDO and Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D, following the retirement of the veteran scientist Dr. Samir V. Kamat on May 31, 2026. Singh, a 1989-batch IAS officer, took on this dual role to steer structural reforms within the defence research ecosystem, pushing for faster indigenous military modernization.

The Captain of the Economy

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

The RBI is India's central bank. It is not a bank where you and I can open a savings account; it is the banker's bank. The RBI prints our currency notes, manages the country's foreign exchange reserves, and most importantly, controls inflation by adjusting the repo rate (the rate at which it lends money to commercial banks).

• The Current Governor: Sanjay Malhotra
• When Appointed: December 2024
• Whom He Replaced: Shaktikanta Das
• The Details: Sanjay Malhotra took charge as the 26th Governor of the RBI. A 1990-batch IAS officer of the Rajasthan cadre, he previously served as the Revenue Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, where he was instrumental in implementing the new income tax regime.

The RBI Governor is appointed by the Government of India under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. The term is typically for three years, though it can be extended (as was the case with his predecessor, Shaktikanta Das, who served for six years). The Governor's signature appears on all Indian currency notes, except the one-rupee note (which is signed by the Finance Secretary).

Prominent Obituaries: Giants We Lost

Current affairs isn't just about who is taking office; it is also about remembering the titans who have left us. Over the past few years, India has lost several monumental figures whose contributions shaped the nation's industry, law, and culture.

Ratan Tata (Passed away: October 2024)

Ratan Naval Tata was one of India's most respected industrialists and philanthropists. As the Chairman of the Tata Group for over two decades, he transformed a largely domestic company into a global powerhouse, acquiring international brands like Jaguar Land Rover, Tetley, and Corus. Beyond his business acumen, he was universally revered for his absolute ethical standards, his humility, and his massive philanthropic work through the Tata Trusts. He was a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour.

Fali S. Nariman (Passed away: February 2024)

Fali Sam Nariman was a titan of the Indian legal system. An eminent jurist and senior advocate, his career spanned over seven decades. He was involved in some of the most landmark cases in Indian constitutional history, including the famous National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) case and the Bhopal gas tragedy case. He famously resigned as the Additional Solicitor General of India in 1975 to protest the declaration of the Emergency. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his unparalleled contribution to Indian law.

Manoj Kumar (Passed away: April 2025)

Born Harikishan Giri Goswami, Manoj Kumar was a legendary actor and filmmaker who left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. He earned the affectionate nickname "Bharat Kumar" because of his deeply patriotic films that blended nationalism with compelling storytelling. Classics like Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim, and Shaheed defined a generation's love for the country. He passed away at the age of 87, leaving behind a rich cultural legacy.

Dharmendra (Passed away: November 2025)

Dharam Singh Deol, universally known as Dharmendra, was Bollywood's original "He-Man." With a prolific career spanning several decades, he was one of the most successful and beloved actors in the history of Hindi cinema. From intense action roles in Sholay to brilliant comedic timing in Chupke Chupke, his versatility was unmatched. His passing at the age of 89 was mourned across the nation as the end of a golden era in Indian entertainment.

Worked Example: How to Extract Exam Gold from News

When you read the newspaper, you will see dozens of appointments every week. You cannot memorize them all. You need a systematic way to filter the noise and extract only what matters for the exam.

Whenever a major appointment happens, do not just write down the name. Build a complete mental profile using this simple flow:

By structuring your notes this way, you protect yourself against trick questions. If an exam asks, "Who was the 25th CEC?", your brain will immediately flag that Gyanesh Kumar is the 26th, so the answer must be his predecessor, Rajiv Kumar.

Quick Revision

Scan these high-yield points the night before your exam to lock in the facts:

• CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General): K Sanjay Murthy (Appointed Nov 2024, replaced Girish Chandra Murmu). Audits government spending.
• CEC (Chief Election Commissioner): Gyanesh Kumar (Appointed Feb 2025, replaced Rajiv Kumar). The 26th CEC; conducts national elections.
• CJI (Chief Justice of India): Justice Surya Kant (Appointed Nov 2025, replaced Justice B.R. Gavai). The 53rd CJI; heads the Supreme Court.
• ISRO Chairman: Dr. V. Narayanan (Appointed Jan 2025, replaced S. Somanath). Leads India's space and satellite programs.
• DRDO Chairman: Rajesh Kumar Singh (Given additional charge in May 2026, replaced Dr. Samir V. Kamat). Leads military and defence research.
• RBI Governor: Sanjay Malhotra (Appointed Dec 2024, replaced Shaktikanta Das). The 26th Governor; controls monetary policy and currency.
• Ratan Tata (Obituary): Legendary industrialist and philanthropist who took the Tata Group global; passed away in Oct 2024.
• Fali S. Nariman (Obituary): Eminent jurist and constitutional lawyer; passed away in Feb 2024.
• Manoj Kumar (Obituary): Veteran actor/director known as "Bharat Kumar" for his patriotic films; passed away in April 2025.
• Dharmendra (Obituary): Iconic Bollywood actor known as the original "He-Man"; passed away in Nov 2025.