The year 2024-25 has been a transformative period for leadership across India and the world, with significant appointments shaping governance, diplomacy, and public policy. From India’s first Lokpal to trailblazing international figures, these leaders are making history. Below, we explore the key national and international appointments, why these individuals are famous, and some fascinating facts to help you remember them. We’ve organized the information into clear tables for easy reference.
National Appointments in India: 2024-25
India has seen a dynamic shift in leadership across various sectors, from anti-corruption to space exploration. Here’s a look at the prominent figures appointed in 2024-25, their contributions, and intriguing details to make them memorable.
| Name | Position | Why Famous? | Interesting Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinaki Chandra Ghosh | India’s First Lokpal (2019) | Appointed as India’s first anti-corruption ombudsman in 2019, a historic role to investigate corruption among public officials. | A former Supreme Court judge, Ghosh’s appointment marked a milestone in India’s fight against corruption, with the Lokpal Act enforced in 2014. |
| General Bipin Rawat | India’s First Chief of Defence Staff (2019-2021) | Pioneered the role of CDS to integrate India’s armed forces; tragically died in a helicopter crash in 2021. | Known for his bold reforms, Rawat was a decorated soldier who loved adventure sports like paragliding. |
| Vishal V Sharma | Permanent Representative to UNESCO | Represents India in UNESCO, focusing on education, culture, and science globally. | A career diplomat, Sharma is known for his eloquent speeches on cultural heritage preservation. |
| Vanessa Nakate | Goodwill Ambassador, UNICEF | Ugandan climate activist appointed to advocate for children’s rights and climate justice. | At 25, she’s one of the youngest UNICEF ambassadors, inspiring youth with her book A Bigger Picture. |
| Ayushmann Khurrana | National Ambassador, UNICEF India | Bollywood star promoting child rights and education; known for socially impactful films. | His movie Andhadhun won a National Film Award, blending his artistic flair with social advocacy. |
| Parvataneni Harish | Permanent Representative to UN | Seasoned diplomat representing India at the UN, focusing on global peace and development. | Harish has served in multiple countries, bringing a wealth of experience to India’s UN agenda. |
| Ajay Manikrao Khanvilkar | India’s Lokpal (2024) | Former Supreme Court judge appointed to lead anti-corruption efforts; key figure in landmark rulings. | Played a pivotal role in decriminalizing homosexuality in India, a historic judicial legacy. |
| Vijaya Rahatkar | Chairperson, National Commission for Women | Grassroots activist turned NCW head, advocating for women’s rights and empowerment. | Her Mahila Samriddhi Yojna scheme empowers women financially, reflecting her practical approach. |
| Vipin Kumar | Chairman, Airports Authority of India | Oversees India’s aviation infrastructure, driving modernization of airports. | Known for his tech-savvy approach, Kumar aims to make Indian airports global hubs. |
| Ashish Khanna | Chairman, International Solar Alliance | Leads global efforts to promote solar energy, aligning with India’s renewable energy goals. | A renewable energy advocate, Khanna’s work supports India’s 2070 net-zero target. |
| Sanjay Murthy | Comptroller and Auditor General of India | Ensures financial accountability of government spending; a key administrative figure. | Murthy’s audits have exposed inefficiencies, making him a watchdog of public funds. |
| Sanjay Malhotra | Governor, Reserve Bank of India | Steers India’s monetary policy; former Revenue Secretary with deep economic expertise. | Known for his calm demeanor, Malhotra balances inflation control with growth. |
| V Ramasubramanian | Chairman, National Human Rights Commission | Former Supreme Court judge leading NHRC to protect human rights. | His rulings often emphasized social justice, earning him respect across legal circles. |
| Bhuvnesh Kumar | CEO, Unique Identification Authority of India | Manages Aadhaar, India’s biometric ID system, critical for governance. | Kumar’s tech background helps streamline Aadhaar’s massive database operations. |
| V. Narayanan | Chief, Indian Space Research Organisation | Leads ISRO’s ambitious missions, including lunar and Mars explorations. | A rocket scientist, Narayanan was key in the Chandrayaan-3 mission’s success. |
| Bahadur Singh Sagoo | President, Athletics Federation of India | Former shot-put champion promoting athletics development in India. | Won gold at the 1974 Asian Games; his nickname “Bahadur” reflects his strength. |
| Justice Arun Mishra | Ombudsman and Ethics Officer, BCCI | Former Supreme Court judge ensuring integrity in Indian cricket. | Known for his no-nonsense approach, Mishra tackled high-profile corruption cases. |
| Rajesh Nirvan | DG, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security | Oversees aviation security, ensuring safety across Indian airports. | A cybersecurity expert, Nirvan has modernized airport security protocols. |
| Vijender Gupta | Speaker, Delhi Legislative Assembly | Senior BJP leader shaping Delhi’s legislative agenda. | Known for his fiery debates, Gupta is a vocal critic of Delhi’s governance issues. |
| Monica Rani | Director, Department of Justice | Drives judicial reforms to improve access to justice. | Her work focuses on digitalizing courts, making justice more accessible. |
| Shaktikanta Das | Principal Secretary, Prime Minister | Veteran bureaucrat advising the PM on critical policy matters. | Previously RBI Governor, Das is known for his crisis management skills. |
| Gyanesh Kumar | 26th Chief Election Commissioner | Ensures free and fair elections; former Home Ministry Secretary. | His administrative prowess ensured smooth elections during turbulent times. |
| Tuhin Kant Pandey | Chairman, SEBI | Regulates India’s financial markets, ensuring investor protection. | A finance expert, Pandey has strengthened SEBI’s oversight mechanisms. |
| Dr. Mayank Sharma | Controller General of Defence Accounts | Manages defence finances; represented India at UN bodies. | His global experience at UNODC shaped his anti-corruption expertise. |
| Atul Kumar Goel | CEO, Indian Banks Association | Leads banking sector reforms, enhancing financial inclusion. | Known for turning around public sector banks with innovative strategies. |
| Manan Kumar Mishra | President, Bar Council of India | Senior advocate shaping legal education and practice standards. | A vocal defender of judicial independence, Mishra is a courtroom legend. |
| Anju Rathi Rana | First Woman Law Secretary | Pioneering legal reforms; first woman in this critical role. | Her appointment broke a glass ceiling in India’s male-dominated legal bureaucracy. |
| N Ganapathi Subramaniam | Chairman, Tata Communications | Leads digital transformation in telecom; a tech visionary. | His leadership made Tata Communications a global connectivity leader. |
| Anuj Kumar Singh | Joint Secretary, UPSC | Oversees civil service exams, shaping India’s bureaucracy. | Known for his meticulous approach to exam integrity. |
| Ajay Seth | Finance Secretary | Manages India’s fiscal policy; key figure in budget planning. | Seth’s data-driven policies have stabilized India’s economic growth. |
| Rajib Gauba | Full-time Member, NITI Aayog | Veteran IAS officer shaping India’s development policies. | Gauba’s long tenure as Cabinet Secretary makes him a governance stalwart. |
| Vineet Joshi | Chairperson, UGC | Reforms higher education, focusing on accessibility and quality. | Joshi’s NEET reforms as CBSE head earned him national recognition. |
| Nidhi Tiwari | Private Secretary, Prime Minister | Key aide to the PM, coordinating high-level decisions. | A low-profile yet powerful figure in the PMO’s inner circle. |
| Jay Bhattacharya | Director, National Health Index | Drives digital health initiatives for better healthcare access. | His tech expertise is transforming India’s health data ecosystem. |
| Mohsin Naqvi | President, Asian Cricket Council | Pakistani politician steering Asian cricket’s growth. | A media mogul, Naqvi balances cricket governance with political influence. |
| Mirabai Chanu | Chairperson, IWF’s Athletes Commission | Olympic weightlifting silver medalist advocating for athletes. | Her humble Manipur roots inspire millions; she’s India’s “weightlifting queen.” |
| Justice BR Gavai | 52nd Chief Justice of India | Senior Supreme Court judge leading India’s judiciary. | Set to be India’s first Dalit CJI, a historic milestone. |
| Mangi Lal Jat | Director, Indian Council of Agricultural Research | Drives agricultural innovation for food security. | His research on drought-resistant crops is a game-changer for farmers. |
| Dinesh Maheshwari | Chairman, 23rd Law Commission | Former Supreme Court judge shaping legal reforms. | Known for his balanced judgments in complex constitutional cases. |
| Arvind Shrivastava | Revenue Secretary, Ministry of Finance | Oversees tax policies, boosting India’s revenue collection. | His digital tax reforms have streamlined GST compliance. |
| Campbell Wilson | Chairman, Air India Express | Leads Air India Express’s expansion; former Scoot CEO. | A New Zealander, Wilson’s global aviation expertise is transforming the airline. |
Memory Tip: Associate Pinaki Chandra Ghosh and Ajay Manikrao Khanvilkar with “Lokpal Legends” fighting corruption. Picture Mirabai Chanu lifting weights for India’s pride, and imagine Sanjay Malhotra as the “money maestro” steering the RBI.
International Appointments: 2024-25
Globally, 2024-25 has been marked by groundbreaking appointments, with women and diverse leaders taking center stage. Here’s a rundown of key international figures, their significance, and memorable facts.
| Name | Position | Why Famous? | Interesting Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Padma Lakshmi | Goodwill Ambassador, UNDP | Emmy-nominated host of Top Chef, advocating for development and gender equality. | An Indian-American, Lakshmi’s cookbook Tangy Tart Hot & Sweet reflects her cultural roots. |
| Soumya Swaminathan | Chief Scientist, WHO | Leading COVID-19 research; first Indian in this WHO role. | Daughter of M.S. Swaminathan, India’s “Father of the Green Revolution.” |
| Anshula Kant | CFO, World Bank | Manages global financial strategies; first Indian woman in this role. | Her banking expertise at SBI shaped her global financial leadership. |
| Suman Kumari | First Hindu Woman Judge, Pakistan | Broke religious and gender barriers in Pakistan’s judiciary. | Her appointment is a beacon of hope for minority women in Pakistan. |
| Joe Biden | President, USA (46th) | Led the US through post-COVID recovery; ended term in 2025. | Known for his love of ice cream, often seen enjoying a cone at events. |
| Kamala Harris | Vice President, USA | First woman and Indian-American VP, championing diversity. | Her name means “lotus” in Sanskrit, symbolizing resilience. |
| S. Ramchandra Gulwani | First Hindu Woman Civil Servant, Pakistan | Trailblazer in Pakistan’s civil services, promoting inclusivity. | Her rise challenges stereotypes in a conservative society. |
| Geeta Gopinath | 1st Deputy Managing Director, IMF | Shapes global economic policies; first woman in this IMF role. | A Harvard professor, she’s known for her witty economic analyses. |
| Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas | Chief Economist, IMF | Leads IMF’s economic research, focusing on global stability. | A Frenchman, he’s an avid cyclist who pedals through economic challenges. |
| Indermeet Gill | Chief Economist, World Bank | Drives research on global poverty and development. | His work on climate economics is critical for sustainable growth. |
| Dilma Rousseff | President, New Development Bank | Former Brazilian President leading BRICS’ development bank. | Survived torture during Brazil’s dictatorship, showcasing her resilience. |
| Brijendra Navnit | Permanent Representative of India to WTO | Represents India in global trade negotiations. | His extended tenure reflects India’s growing WTO influence. |
| Reuven Azar | Israel’s Ambassador to India | Strengthens India-Israel ties in defence and technology. | A polyglot, Azar speaks fluent Hindi, charming Indian audiences. |
| Gabriel Attal | Prime Minister, France (Youngest) | At 34, France’s youngest PM, pushing progressive reforms. | A former journalist, Attal’s charisma makes him a media darling. |
| Simon Harris | Youngest Prime Minister, Ireland | At 37, leads Ireland with a focus on economic growth. | Known for his TikTok presence, connecting with young voters. |
| General Vakor Uz Zaman | Army Chief, Bangladesh | Stabilizes Bangladesh’s military amid political transitions. | A UN peacekeeping veteran, he’s respected globally. |
| Theo James | Global Goodwill Ambassador, UNHCR | British actor advocating for refugees worldwide. | Starred in Divergent, using his fame to spotlight refugee issues. |
| Claudia Sheinbaum | First Woman President, Mexico | Climate scientist leading Mexico’s progressive agenda. | Her PhD in energy engineering shapes her green policies. |
| Rachel Reeves | First Female Finance Minister, UK | Manages UK’s economy, breaking gender barriers. | An ex-chess champion, Reeves strategizes like a grandmaster. |
| Aliya Neelam | First Female Chief Justice, Pakistan | Historic judicial appointment promoting gender equality. | Her bold rulings challenge Pakistan’s patriarchal legal norms. |
| Donald Trump | President, USA (47th) | Returned as US President, known for his polarizing leadership. | His love for golf is legendary, often playing at his own resorts. |
| JD Vance | Vice-President, USA | Author of Hillbilly Elegy, representing conservative values. | His memoir inspired a Netflix film, highlighting rural America. |
| Marco Rubio | Secretary, United States | Key foreign policy figure under Trump’s administration. | A Cuban-American, Rubio’s speeches often draw on his heritage. |
| Masato Kanda | 11th President, Asian Development Bank | Leads ADB’s development initiatives in Asia. | Known as Japan’s “currency czar” for stabilizing the yen. |
| Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah | First Female President, Namibia | Veteran diplomat leading Namibia’s development. | Her name means “praise” in Oshiwambo, reflecting her legacy. |
| John Mahama | President, Ghana | Returned as Ghana’s leader, focusing on economic recovery. | A former journalist, Mahama authored a memoir on leadership. |
| Maia Sandu | President, Moldova | Pro-EU leader navigating Moldova’s geopolitical challenges. | Known for her cycling hobby, symbolizing her hands-on approach. |
| Joseph Aoun | President, Lebanon | Military general stabilizing Lebanon amid crises. | His calm leadership earned him the nickname “Lebanon’s Anchor.” |
| Michael Martin | Prime Minister, Ireland | Veteran politician succeeding Simon Harris. | A history teacher by training, Martin loves Irish literature. |
| Nawaf Salam | Prime Minister, Lebanon | Former ICJ judge leading Lebanon’s reforms. | His judicial expertise makes him a trusted figure in crises. |
| Bart De Wever | Prime Minister, Belgium | Flemish nationalist steering Belgium’s coalition government. | A history buff, De Wever hosts a podcast on European history. |
| Kash Patel | Chief, US Investigative Agency FTCP | Trump loyalist overseeing US financial investigations. | An ex-prosecutor, Patel’s memoir details his national security work. |
| Yuji Iwasawa | President, International Court of Justice | Leads global justice efforts at the ICJ. | A Japanese scholar, Iwasawa’s writings shape international law. |
| Christian Stocker | Chancellor, Austria | Conservative leader navigating Austria’s political landscape. | An avid skier, Stocker embodies Austria’s alpine spirit. |
| Stuart Young | Prime Minister, Trinidad and Tobago | Energy expert leading Caribbean nation’s growth. | A lawyer by trade, Young’s speeches are courtroom-style persuasive. |
| Mark Carney | Prime Minister, Canada | Former Bank of England Governor leading Canada’s economy. | A hockey fan, Carney’s economic policies are as sharp as a slapshot. |
| Christy Coventry | President, International Olympic Committee | First woman leading the IOC, promoting inclusivity. | Her background in sports diplomacy bridges global divides. |
| Daniel Noboa | President, Ecuador | Youngest Ecuadorian president, tackling economic crises. | A businessman, Noboa’s family owns a banana empire. |
| Brice Oligie Nguema | President, Gabon | Military leader stabilizing Gabon post-coup. | His rapid rise reflects Gabon’s dynamic political shifts. |
| Shirley Botchway | First African Female SC, Commonwealth | Ghanaian judge promoting Commonwealth legal standards. | Her advocacy for women’s rights earned her global acclaim. |
Why These Appointments Matter
These appointments reflect a global shift toward diversity, expertise, and innovation. In India, leaders like Ajay Manikrao Khanvilkar and Vijaya Rahatkar are strengthening anti-corruption and women’s rights frameworks. Internationally, trailblazers like Claudia Sheinbaum and Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah are breaking gender barriers, while figures like Geeta Gopinath and Anshula Kant elevate India’s global economic influence. These leaders are not just filling roles—they’re shaping the future.
Fun Fact to Remember: Imagine a global summit where Mirabai Chanu lifts weights, Kamala Harris discusses lotuses, and Donald Trump challenges everyone to a golf match. This mental image ties India’s sporting pride, cultural symbolism, and international flair together!
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