New Appointments

Paytm, the leading digital payments and financial services company, has appointed Bhavesh Gupta as its new President and Chief Operating Officer (COO). With his extensive experience in the banking and financial sector, Gupta is expected to play a crucial role in driving Paytm’s growth and strategic initiatives. This appointment reflects Paytm’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team and further expanding its market presence in the rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.

The Government of India has appointed Ravneet Kaur as the Chairperson of the Competition Commission of India (CCI). With her extensive experience in the field of competition law and regulation, Kaur is poised to lead the CCI in promoting fair competition and safeguarding consumer interests. Her appointment is a significant step towards strengthening the regulatory framework and ensuring a level playing field in India’s business landscape.

Suman Sharma, an accomplished officer from the 1990 batch, has been sworn in as a member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). With her vast administrative experience and deep understanding of governance, Sharma’s appointment will contribute to the efficient and impartial functioning of the UPSC, ensuring the selection of deserving candidates for key positions in the government.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has announced the appointment of R. Dinesh as its President for the term 2023-24. With his extensive experience and expertise in the business sector, Dinesh is poised to lead the organization towards fostering economic growth, promoting entrepreneurship, and encouraging innovation in the Indian industry.

Harsh Jain, the co-founder of Dream11, has been elected as the Chairperson of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), signaling the increasing influence of Indian entrepreneurs in the digital landscape. Jain’s appointment reflects the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation-driven approach that Indian business leaders bring to the forefront, driving the growth and development of the country’s digital ecosystem.

Jayakumar S. Pillai has been appointed as the Deputy Managing Director of IDBI Bank, adding significant expertise and leadership to the bank’s management team. With his extensive experience in the banking sector, Pillai is poised to contribute to the strategic growth and transformation of IDBI Bank, further strengthening its position in the industry.

RN Jayaprakash has been re-elected as the President of the Swimming Federation of India (SFI), reaffirming his leadership in promoting and developing swimming in the country. His re-election reflects the trust and confidence placed in him to drive the growth of swimming as a sport, nurture talent, and represent India at the international level.

Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian cricket captain, has been appointed as the brand ambassador of Tripura Tourism. This strategic move aims to promote the diverse tourism offerings of Tripura and attract visitors to explore the rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and unique experiences the state has to offer. Ganguly’s association with Tripura Tourism is expected to generate increased visibility and interest in the region among tourists and travelers.

Namdev Shirgaonkar has been elected unopposed as the President of Taekwondo India, assuming the leadership role with a vision to promote the sport of taekwondo and elevate its status in India. With his extensive experience and dedication to the discipline, Shirgaonkar’s election is expected to drive the growth and development of taekwondo and inspire a new generation of practitioners.

Dr. K. Govindaraj has been elected as the new President of the Basketball Federation of India (BFI), bringing his extensive experience and leadership to the forefront of Indian basketball. With a vision to elevate the sport and promote its development across the country, Dr. Govindaraj’s appointment is expected to invigorate the basketball community and drive the growth of the sport in India.

Geeta Rao Gupta has been appointed as the US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, assuming a critical role in advocating for gender equality and promoting women’s empowerment worldwide. With her extensive experience and dedication to women’s rights, Gupta’s appointment is expected to drive significant advancements in the global agenda for gender equality.

Renowned Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt has been named as the first Indian global ambassador of the prestigious luxury brand, Gucci. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Bhatt and highlights the growing influence of Indian actors in the global fashion industry. As the face of Gucci, Bhatt will represent the brand’s vision of style and elegance, bridging the gap between Indian and international fashion.

Acclaimed Indian actor Ayushmann Khurrana has been appointed as the ambassador for the Indian team participating in the Special Olympics Journey to Berlin. Khurrana’s association with the Special Olympics movement aims to promote inclusivity, empower athletes with intellectual disabilities, and raise awareness about their remarkable talents. His role as an ambassador highlights the importance of embracing diversity and supporting the Special Olympics cause.

Indian actress Deepika Padukone has graced the cover of TIME Magazine, garnering international recognition for her contributions to the entertainment industry and advocacy for mental health. The feature highlights her remarkable journey as an actor and her efforts in raising awareness and reducing stigma surrounding mental health issues. Padukone’s appearance on the prestigious cover is a significant milestone in her career and a testament to her global influence.

Rathendra Raman has been appointed as the new Chairman of Kolkata Port, taking charge of one of India’s crucial maritime hubs. With his extensive experience in the shipping industry, Raman is expected to bring strategic leadership and drive growth initiatives to further strengthen the port’s position in the region.

A new era begins at Larsen & Toubro (L&T) as SN Subrahmanyan takes the helm as the new Chairman and Managing Director, succeeding the accomplished leader AM Naik. With this transition, L&T aims to build on its legacy of excellence and forge ahead under the guidance of Subrahmanyan’s leadership.

Parminder Chopra’s appointment as the Chairman and Managing Director of Power Finance Corporation (PFC) not only marks a major milestone in her career but also signifies a significant step forward for gender inclusivity in the corporate sector. As the first woman to hold this prestigious position in India’s largest NBFC, Parminder Chopra is breaking barriers and inspiring aspiring women leaders.

Badminton Asia, the governing body for the sport in Asia, has appointed Omar Rashid as the Chair of the Technical Officials Committee. With his vast experience and expertise in badminton officiating, Rashid’s appointment is set to strengthen the organization’s commitment to maintaining fair play, professionalism, and high standards in badminton tournaments across the continent.

Qantas Airways Ltd., one of Australia’s largest and most renowned airlines, has appointed Vanessa Hudson as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Hudson’s appointment to this prestigious role marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first female CEO in the airline’s history. With her extensive experience in the aviation industry and strategic leadership capabilities, Hudson is poised to lead Qantas into a new era of growth, innovation, and customer-centric excellence.

Margherita Della Valle, a seasoned executive with an impressive track record in the telecommunications industry, has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vodafone. Her appointment as the CEO marks a significant milestone, as she becomes the first woman to lead the global telecommunications giant. With her extensive experience and strategic vision, Della Valle is poised to steer Vodafone towards continued growth and innovation in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment of Siddhartha Mohanty as the Chairperson of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) until June 29, 2024. Mohanty has been serving as the Managing Director (MD) and interim Chairperson of the company. Furthermore, he has been named as the Chief Executive Officer and MD of LIC until June 7, 2025, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

IT Industry body Nasscom has appointed Anant Maheshwari, president of Microsoft India, as its chairperson for 2023-24.

Tata Electronics has appointed Randhir Thakur as CEO and MD. Thakur was leading Intel Foundry Services as its President and has worked with Intel for over 5 years. The company said that Thakur brings over 40 years of experience in the global manufacturing, research and development, and profitable P&L management.

President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel (62) has clinched a second five-year term in a parliamentary vote for which he was the sole candidate in the country.
He took over the reins in 2018 as the first civilian leader of Cuba. His first five years in office were marked by the worst economic crisis in three decades.

Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan assumed charge as Controller of Personnel Services. He was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1987, and is a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare.

The New York Senate has confirmed Judge Rowan Wilson (62) as the new chief judge of the Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court. He is also New York’s first Black chief judge.

Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, who held the position of Senior Vice-President, took over as the President of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI). This change occurred as the previous president, Raninder Singh, went on a long leave after the Sports Ministry issued a directive stating that the heads of national sports federations (NSFs) cannot hold office for more than 12 years, as per the National Sports Code.

The board of members of Suzlon Energy has appointed J P Chalasani as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company. He has replaced Ashwani Kumar, who resigned from the post on account of personal reasons.

Tyre maker CEAT announced that Arnab Banerjee has been appointed as managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) after Anant Goenka resigned.

The board of Invest India has appointed Manmeet K Nanda as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the investment promotion and facilitation body under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Nanda, is joint secretary in the DPIIT and succeeds Deepak Bagla, who resigned from the post last week.

The government has appointed Deepak Mohanty as chairman of Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). He replaced Supratim Bandyopadhyay, whose term ended in January.

Honeywell International Inc (HON.O) said that Vimal Kapur, who has more than three decades of experience leading the diversified manufacturer’s various businesses, will succeed Darius Adamczyk as chief executive.

The government has appointed two Managing Directors (MD) of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) – M Jagannath and Tablesh Pandey. M Jagannath took the charge as MD.

Tim Mayopoulos, the former CEO of Fannie Mae, was appointed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to lead Silicon Valley Bank. He takes over after the startup-focused lender was shut down by regulators as a result of a run on its deposits, which left it with insufficient capital.

Mutual Fund the asset management arm of Axis Bank announced that its chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director (MD) Chandresh Nigam has quit the company after Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) order regarding the front-running in the fund house surfaced. Nigam will be replaced by B Gopkumar MD and CEO of Axis Securities.

S.S. Dubey, a 1989-batch Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) officer, has taken charge as the 28th Controller General of Accounts (CGA) effective from 6th March 2023.

Conrad K Sangma, National People’s Party president, took oath as the chief minister of Meghalaya for the second consecutive term. Later, Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP)’s Neiphiu Rio will take oath as Nagaland chief minister.

Vietnam’s National Assembly on Thursday elected Vo Van Thuong as the country’s new President, in a reshuffle of the country’s top leadership amid an anti-graft campaign. In an extraordinary session, lawmakers confirmed Thuong after the ruling Communist Party nominated him on Wednesday as President.

Benjamin Netanyahu (73) has been sworn-in as the new prime minister of Israel for a sixth time, after Israel’s parliament (Knesset) has passed a vote of confidence in new government.

The legendary former athlete P T Usha officially elected as the first woman president of Indian Olympic Association. The 58-year-old Usha, a multiple Asian Games gold medallists and a fourth-place finisher in the 1984 Olympics 400m hurdles final. 

Meghna Ahlawat has been elected as the first-ever woman president of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), while eight-time national champion Kamlesh Mehta will be taking over as new Secretary General and Patel Nagender Reddy has been elected as the Treasurer of the body.

BJP leader Bhupendra Patel was sworn in as the 18th Chief Minister of Gujarat today. He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat at the grand ceremony held at the helipad ground in Gandhinagar.

Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has been appointed as Himachal Pradesh’s new chief minister, while Mukesh Agnihotri has been appointed as deputy chief minister.

K V Shaji has been named Chairman of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). He formerly served as NABARD’s Deputy Managing Director (DMD) till May 21, 2020.

Chairman of Tata Sons, N Chandrasekaran has been appointed as the chair of B20 India which represents the entire G20 business community. Chandrasekaran will lead the business agenda during India’s G20 Presidency.

Sushmita Shukla, an Indian-origin veteran of the insurance industry, has been appointed as First Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, making her the second-ranking officer at the prominent institution.

Prof Rajeeva Laxman Karandikar, professor emeritus at Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI), has been appointed as part-time chairperson of National Statistical Commission of India (NSCI) for three years.

The legendary PT Usha is set to become the first woman President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) as she emerged as the lone candidate for the top post for the December 10 elections.

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev secured a second term in election, winning 81.31% of the vote.

IIT Guwahati Director T G Sitharam has been appointed chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). According to a government notification dated November 17, he will serve as the Council head for three years or before he turns 65 years old, whichever is earlier. 

Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority has appointed Suraj Bhan as the chairman of the National Pension System Trust (NPS Trust), responsible for managing funds under the National Pension System (NPS).

Former bureaucrat C V Ananda Bose was appointed the Governor of West Bengal, a communique from the Rashtrapati Bhavan said. Bose is a 1977 batch (retired) Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Kerala cadre. He last served as an administrator in the National Museum here before superannuating in 2011.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, announced the appointment of Sandhya Devanathan as the Vice President and Head of Meta India.

Arun Goel, a retired IAS officer has been appointed as the new Election Commissioner. The post of 3rd Election Commissioner remained vacant after the then Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar took the charge of Chief Election Commissioner in May this year.

The Central Government on November 7, 2022 appointed Justice Rituraj Awasthi, Retired High Court Chief Justice of Karnataka as chairperson along with other five members for the 22nd Law Commission.

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on Wednesday announced Subhrakant Panda as its President-Elect, who is currently serving as FICCI’s Senior Vice President.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi is set to become Attorney General of India for a second time from October 1. The tenure of the incumbent Attorney General, K.K. Venugopal, is coming to a close on September 30. 

Senior diplomat Sibi George has been appointed as the next Indian ambassador to Japan, a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on Monday said.

Justice M N Bhandari has been appointed as the Chairman of the Appellate Tribunal under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)

Volker Turk of Austria has been appointed as the next United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed Turk following approval by the General Assembly.