Important Obituaries Current Affairs 2025: Month-wise Complete List

The list of obituaries for 2025 is important for various competitive exams such as SSC, RRB NTPC, UPSC, and others. One or two questions from the obituaries section can often be seen in the current affairs portion of these exams.

Complete List of Obituaries 2025

April 2025

• Val Kilmer, renowned American actor known for films like Top Gun, The Doors, Tombstone, and Batman Forever, passed away at the age of 65.

• Ravikumar, veteran actor famous for his romantic roles in Malayalam and Tamil films during the 1970s and 1980s, passed away on April 4, 2025, at a private hospital in Chennai.

• Manoj Kumar, legendary Bollywood actor celebrated for his iconic patriotic films, passed away at the age of 87.

• Ram Sahay Pandey, Padma Shri awardee and a prominent figure in Indian folk culture, passed away at the age of 92.

• Kumudini Lakhia, the pioneering Kathak dancer who redefined the classical form through innovation and group choreography, passed away at the age of 94.

• Daripalli Ramaiah, environmentalist famously known as “Vanajeevi” or “Chettu Ramaiah”, passed away at the age of 87 in Khammam district, Telangana.

• Jean Marsh, British actress and co-creator of the classic period drama Upstairs, Downstairs, passed away on April 13, 2025.

• Mario Vargas Llosa, Nobel Laureate and renowned Peruvian novelist, essayist, and journalist, passed away on April 14, 2025, at the age of 89.

• Pope Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit pope in history, passed away at the age of 88, marking a solemn moment for the global Catholic community.

• Dr. K. Kasturirangan, former ISRO Chairman and key architect of India’s space programme, passed away at the age of 84 on April 25, 2025, in Bengaluru.

• M. G. S. Narayanan (Muttayil Govinda Sankara Narayanan), a renowned historian known for his scholarly work on Kerala’s ancient and medieval history, passed away at the age of 92.

March 2025

• Veteran actor Richard Chamberlain, famously known for his role in Dr. Kildare and titled the “king of the miniseries,” passed away at the age of 90.

• Tamil actor and director Manoj Bharathiraja, son of legendary filmmaker Bharathiraja, passed away due to a heart attack at his residence in Chennai on March 25, 2025.

• American boxing legend George Foreman, noted for his historic comeback and entrepreneurial success, passed away on March 21, 2025, at the age of 76.

• Renowned Naga scientist Dr. Senkalong (Senka) Yaden passed away at the age of 89 in Tyler, Texas, on March 14, 2025.

• Veteran BJP leader and former Union Minister Dr. Debendra Pradhan passed away in New Delhi after a brief illness.

• Eminent Odia poet and former IAS officer Ramakanta Rath, a pioneer of modern Odia literature, passed away at the age of 90.

• Tamil film industry comedian Bindu Ghosh passed away at the age of 76 on March 16, 2025, at a hospital in Chennai.

• Arvind Singh Mewar, descendant of Maharana Pratap and chairman of HRH Group of Hotels, passed away at the age of 81 in Udaipur, Rajasthan, on March 16, 2025.

• Renowned classical singer Garimella Balakrishna Prasad, former Asthana Vidwan of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, passed away due to a heart attack at his residence in Tirupati.

• Former Odisha Minister and BJD leader Ananta Das passed away at his residence in Bhubaneswar.

• Australian tennis legend Fred Stolle, known for his Grand Slam victories, passed away at the age of 86.

• Indian left-arm spinner Padmakar Shivalkar, a legend in domestic cricket, passed away in Mumbai at the age of 84.

• Ron Draper, the oldest living Test cricketer, passed away in Gqeberha, South Africa, at the age of 98 years and 63 days on February 25, 2025.

• Celebrated Indian sculptor and modern artist Himmat Shah passed away at the age of 92.

• Legendary Russian chess grandmaster Boris Spassky, the 10th World Chess Champion, passed away at the age of 88.

February 2025

• Navin Chawla – Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, passed away at 79.

• Horst Koehler – Former President of Germany (2004–2010) and global policymaker focused on Africa, passed away at 81 after a short illness.

• The Aga Khan – Spiritual leader of millions of Ismaili Muslims and philanthropist, passed away at 88.

• Brian Murphy – Veteran British actor, known for Man About the House and George and Mildred, passed away at 92.

• Sam Nujoma – Namibia’s first president and independence leader, passed away at 95.

• Shyam Benegal – Visionary filmmaker and pioneer of Indian parallel cinema, passed away on December 23, 2024, at 90.

• Acharya Satyendra Das – Chief priest of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Ayodhya, passed away at 85.

• Gyalo Thondup – Elder brother of the 14th Dalai Lama and key figure in Tibetan politics, passed away on February 8, 2025, in Kalimpong, West Bengal, India.

• Sukri Bommagowda (Sukrajji) – Renowned folk singer and Padma Shri awardee, passed away on February 13, 2025, at 88.

• Pratul Mukhopadhyay – Renowned Bengali vocalist, composer, and lyricist, passed away at 83.

• C Krishnaveni – Veteran Telugu actor and producer, passed away at 102 in Hyderabad due to age-related issues.

• Milind Rege – Former Mumbai cricket captain and revered domestic cricket figure, passed away on February 19, 2025, at 76 due to cardiac arrest.

• Mayadhar Raut – Renowned Odissi maestro, known as the “Father of Odissi dance,” passed away on February 22, 2025, at 92 in Delhi.

• Gene Hackman – Oscar-winning actor known for his versatility, found dead at 95 alongside his wife at their home.

January 2025

Name of the Personality	Field/Profession
Greg Bell	Oldest living Olympic gold medallist in athletics, won the long jump gold medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics
Latika Katt	India’s most prolific and celebrated sculptors
Narendra Chapalgaonkar	Former judge of the Bombay High Court and a renowned author,
Wing Commander (Retd) Dr. K. Ramchand	Former IAF officer and director of the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS)
Denis Law	The iconic Manchester United and Scotland striker. Known as “The King,” he scored 237 goals for United, won the Ballon d’Or in 1964,
David Lynch	legendary Hollywood director and writer,
H Lakshmanan	Former Executive Director of Sundaram-Clayton (now TVS Holdings Ltd),
P. Jayachandran also known as “Bhava Gayakan,	Renowned playback singer
Costas Simitis	Former Greek Prime Minister (1996-2004) and leader of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK)
Pritish Nandy	Veteran journalist, filmmaker, poet, and former Rajya Sabha member
Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram	Field of atomic energy
Kattungal Subrahmanyan Manilal	Botanist and Padma Shri awardee, renowned for translating the 17th-century Latin botanical treatise Hortus Malabaricus.

December 2024

Name of the Personality	Field/Profession	Key Points
Shyam Benegal	Renowned Filmmaker	• Cinematic Debut: Directed Ankur (1974), a breakthrough success. • Notable Films: Manthan (1976), Nishant (1975), Bhumika (1977), Junoon (1978), Zubeidaa (2001), and The Making of the Mahatma (1996). • Socially Relevant Themes: Focused on class struggles, gender dynamics, and colonial history. • Collaborations: Worked with legends like Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, and Smita Patil. • Awards: Received Padma Shri (1976), Padma Bhushan (1991), and Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2005).
Vasudevan Nair, popularly known as MT	Renowned writer, screenwriter, and filmmaker	• Notable Works: Naalukettu (The Ancestral House): Debut novel and landmark in Malayalam literature. • Other novels: Asuravithu, Manju, and Kaalam (Jnanpith Award winner). • Contributions to Cinema: Directed and wrote iconic films like Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha and Kadavu. • Awards: – Jnanpith Award (1995). – National Film Awards for Best Screenplay (4 times). – Kerala Sahitya Akademi and Kendra Sahitya Akademi Awards.
Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh	A prominent leader in Indian politics and economics	• Prime Minister: Served as India’s 13th Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014. • Role in Economic Reforms: Played a central role in the 1991 economic reforms as Finance Minister, leading India out of a balance of payments crisis. • Key Economic Policies: – Devaluation of the Indian Rupee. – Removal of trade barriers – Promotion of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) – Dismantling the License Raj • Prime Ministerial Achievements: – NREGA: Launched the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. – Focused on infrastructure development, rural poverty alleviation, and social welfare initiatives. • Foreign Policy: Strengthened ties with the United States through the Indo-US Nuclear Deal. Actively engaged in global forums like the UN, G-20, and BRICS. • Legacy: Known as the architect of India’s economic transformation and inclusive growth.
Osamu Suzuki	Long-serving chairman and CEO of Suzuki Motor Corporation	• Legacy: Credited with transforming Suzuki into a global automotive leader, particularly revolutionizing the Indian car market. • Key Achievement – The Alto: Launched the Alto in 1979, a successful, affordable 660-cc car that became iconic in Japan and globally. • India Market Investment: Boldly invested Suzuki’s earnings to establish a car-making presence in India in the 1980s, leading to the creation of Maruti Udyog. • Maruti 800: The launch of Maruti 800 in 1983, based on the Alto, became a game-changer in India’s automotive landscape, providing affordable cars to millions of middle-class Indians.
Jimmy Carter	39th U.S. President and Nobel Laureate	◾Key Achievements: • Camp David Accords (1978): Brokered peace between Israel and Egypt, a landmark achievement in Middle Eastern diplomacy. • Nobel Peace Prize (2002): Awarded for his post-presidency humanitarian work, including promoting human rights, democracy, and conflict resolution. • Founded the Carter Center (1982), focusing on health, human rights, and democratic governance globally.
Rohan Mirchandani	Well-known Businessman and Entrepreneurs	• Co-founder of Epigamia, a leading yogurt brand in India. • Known for introducing Greek yogurt to the Indian market. • Recognized for making healthy eating trendy and accessible.
Meena Ganesh	Iconic Malayalam Star	◾Film Career: – Made her film debut in 1976 with P.A. Backer’s Manimuzhakkam. – Acted in over 100 films, including Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum, Karumadikkuttan, Punaradhivasam, Meesha Madhavan, and Nandanam.
Om Prakash Chautala	Former Haryana CM	• Began his political career in the 1980s, becoming a dominant figure in Haryana’s politics. • Founded the Haryana Lok Dal (National), which later became the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) after aligning with the BSP. • Served as Haryana’s CM for five terms, with his last tenure spanning from 1999 to 2005.
Pandit Sanjay Marathe	Renowned Singer and Musician	◾Key Contributions: – Revival of Marathi Musical Theatre: Collaborated with his younger brother, Mukund Marathe, to revive the famous Marathi musical play ‘Sangeet Mandarmala’ in honor of their father’s centenary celebration. – Known for blending innovative experiments with traditional Marathi musical theatre, this production was highly praised.
Tulsi Gowda	Renowned environmentalist	◾ Key Contributions: – Planting over 1 lakh trees in her lifetime. – Worked on strengthening one community reserve, five tiger reserves, 15 conservation reserves, and 30 wildlife sanctuaries. – Actively prevented poaching and helped mitigate forest fires. – Contributed significantly to afforestation and ecological preservation in Karnataka. ◾Recognition and Awards: – Honored with the Padma Shri in 2021 for her unmatched contributions to environmental conservation. – Revered as the “Encyclopedia of Forests” by the Halakki tribal community.
Ustad Zakir Hussain	Legendary Tabla Player	◾Career Highlights: – Revolutionized Tabla: Elevated the instrument from an accompaniment to a solo performance art form, showcasing its emotional and technical depth. – Notable Collaborations: Worked with icons like Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, and international stars like John McLaughlin, George Harrison, and Mickey Hart. – Co-founder of Shakti: Created a fusion of Indian classical music and jazz, leaving a mark on global music. – Planet Drum: Won a Grammy Award, breaking new ground for world music. – Film Scores: Composed for films like Heat and Dust and In Custody, and participated in global ballet and orchestra projects. ◾ Awards and Honors – Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002), and Padma Vibhushan (2023) for his contributions to Indian culture. – Grammy Award for the project Planet Drum. Multiple honorary doctorates recognizing his global impact on music. Legacy – Innovator: Redefined Indian classical music, inspiring countless musicians. – Global Ambassador: Took Indian music to international audiences, blending it with various genres.
Purushottam Upadhyay	Legendary Gujarati Singer	• Composed music for 20+ films and 30 plays. • Created iconic Gujarati songs such as: – He Ranglo Jamyo – Divaso Judaina Jay Che – Ae Jaashe Jarur Milan Sudhi – Kahu Chu Jawanine • Recipient of prestigious honors, including: – Gujarat Gaurav Puraskar – Padma Shri
Nikki Giovanni	Famous Poet	• Published her first two poetry collections in 1968: Black Feeling, Black Talk and Black Judgement • Became a key figure in the Black Arts Movement, collaborating with luminaries like Amiri Baraka, Maya Angelou, and Audre Lorde. • Wrote Rosa, a biography of Rosa Parks, which received critical acclaim and several awards.
SM Krishna	Former Karnataka Chief Minister	• Known for his initiatives to make Bengaluru the “Silicon City of India”, cementing its status as an IT and biotech hub. • Introduced Bengaluru’s first flyover and launched several infrastructure projects to boost urban development.
Neale Fraser	Australia’s most celebrated tennis players and captains	◾Davis Cup Contributions • As a Player: – Key contributor to Australia’s Davis Cup victories in 1959, 1960, 1961, and 1962. – Played under legendary captain Harry Hopman, contributing to a golden era for Australian tennis. • As a Captain: – Served as Australia’s Davis Cup captain for 24 years (1970–1993), the longest and one of the most successful tenures in the tournament’s history. – Guided the team to 4 Davis Cup titles in 1973, 1977, 1983, and 1986.
Brigadier Raj Manchanda	Revered figure in Indian squash and fondly called the ‘Old Fox	• Six-time National Squash Champion (1977–1982). • Recipient of the prestigious Arjuna Award. • Secured fourth place at the 1984 Asian Squash Championships in Jordan. • Pioneered squash within the Indian Services. • Honored with two squash courts named after him at the NDA and IMA.

November 2024

Name of the Personality	Field/Profession	Key Points
Bibek Debroy	Chairman of PM’s Economic Advisory Council	• Renowned for translating classical Sanskrit texts like the Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, Puranas, and Upanishads. • Made ancient Indian wisdom accessible to modern audiences. • Authored numerous books, papers, and articles on economics and Indian culture.
Rohit Bal (Nicknamed: “Gudda” by close friends)	Indian Designer	• Designed for international stars like Cindy Crawford, Pamela Anderson, and Uma Thurman. • Collaborated on the set of Kaun Banega Crorepati, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan. • Known for opulent designs, luxurious fabrics, and bold motifs inspired by Indian heritage. • Co-founded Orchid Oversea Pvt. Ltd. with his brother in 1986. • Became the first Indian designer to copyright and patent his designs, setting a precedent in the fashion industry.
Sharda Sinha	Folk Singer	• Sang in iconic movies like “Maine Pyar Kiya” and “Gangs of Wasseypur Part 2”. • Recipient of the Padma Shri (1991) and Padma Bhushan (2018) for her contributions to music and culture. • Renowned for folk songs celebrating Bihar’s festivals, especially Chhath Puja. • Famous songs include “Kelwa Ke Paat Par” and “Sakal Jagatarini Hey Chhathi Mata”.
Harinder Singh Sodhi ( fondly known as ‘Billy,)	Indian Polo Player	• Achieved a rare plus-five handicap; played with legends Hanut Singh and Sawai Man Singh of Jaipur.
Pandit Ram Narayan	Sarangi Player (Indian classical music)	• Revolutionized the sarangi as a solo concert instrument. • Played at the Royal Albert Hall and BBC Proms. • Worked on iconic films like Mughal-e-Azam, Pakeezah, and Taj Mahal. • Bridged Indian classical music with international audiences. • Recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and many other honors.
Mahendra Singh Mewar	Former Member of Parliament (MP) from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a member of the erstwhile Mewar.	• A descendant of Maharana Pratap, known for his resistance against Mughal invasion. • Elected to the Lok Sabha in 1989 from Chittorgarh as a BJP member.
Delhi Ganesh	Noted Tamil Actor	• Film Debut: 1976 in Pattina Pravesam directed by K. Balachander. • Tamil Nadu State Film Award: Special Prize for Pasi (1979) • Kalaimamani Award: For excellence in the arts (1994) • Later ventured into TV and short films, including a cameo as Alfred Pennyworth in What If Batman Was from Chennai.
Madan Mohan Somtiya	Freedom Fighter and Member of Mewar Praja Mandal	• Played a critical role in the Quit India Movement. • Participated in protests such as assisting in blackening Queen Victoria’s statue in Udaipur as part of the resistance.
Varadarao Kamalakara Rao	World-Renowned Mridangam Scholar	• Performed at the United Nations Hall in New York, promoting Indian classical music globally. • Trained under Palghat Mani Iyer, became a Mridanga Vidwan at a young age. • Awards & Recognition: Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. President’s Medal, presented by Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan during his college years.
Amiya Kumar Bagchi	Renowned Economic Historian	• Founder, Institute of Development Studies, Kolkata. • Vice-Chairman, West Bengal State Planning Board.
Breyten Breytenbach	South African Writer	• Authored the memoir The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist (1985), documenting his prison experiences. • Co-founded the Goree Institute, promoting African democracy. • Remembered as one of Afrikaans’ greatest poets and a significant critic of apartheid.
Shashi Ruia	Essar Group Chairman	• Pioneered India’s first Independent Power Producer in 1991 with a 515 MW power plant at Hazira. • Held leadership roles in organizations like FICCI, Indo-US Joint Business Council, and India-Japan Business Council.
John Prescott	Former Deputy PM of Britain	• Mediated between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, earning the nickname “political marriage guidance counselor.” • Symbolized Labour’s social mobility and connection to trade unions. • Retired in 2010, joined the House of Lords, and continued advocating for environmental issues, attending COP26 in 2021.

September -October 2024

Name of the Personality	Field/Profession	Key Points
Mohanraj	Veteran Malayalam actor	Known for his legendary role as ‘Keerikkadan Jose’ in the classic film Kireedam
Ratan Tata	Tata Sons Chairman	Assam Baibhav Award 2021: Recognized for his efforts to improve cancer care in Assam. Leadership Transition: Ratan Tata took over as the chairman of Tata Sons in 1991, succeeding J.R.D. Tata. Special Postal Cover: Bihar Postal Circle released a special cover honoring his contributions to industry, philanthropy, and national development.
Dr. P. Venugopal	Former All India Institute of Medical Sciences  (AIIMS) Director	India’s First Heart Transplant: Renowned for performing the country’s first heart transplant. Over 50,000 Heart Surgeries: Successfully completed more than 50,000 heart surgeries during his illustrious career. Pioneering Achievement at AIIMS: Launched the first open-heart surgery clinic at AIIMS in 1974.
Indranand Singh Jha	Former radio presenter of Akashvani Darbhanga	Profession: Former radio presenter and compere at Akashvani Darbhanga Popular Alias: Known affectionately as Khur Khur Bhai Signature Program: Hosted the rural talk show Gamghar, which resonated deeply with local listeners.
Atul Parchure	Renowned Marathi actor	Career Start: Debuted in 1985 with the Marathi film Khichdi. Theater and Cinema: Known for his work in Marathi plays and films like Vasu Chi Sasu, Navra Majha Navsacha, Priyatama, and Tarun Turk Mhatare Arka. Hindi Television: Gained fame with shows like Comedy Nights With Kapil, R K Laxman Ki Duniya, and Comedy Circus. Notable Hindi Films: Featured in movies such as Partner, All the Best, Khatta Meetha, Salaam-E-Ishq, and Bbuddah… Hoga Terra Baap.
Vasant Anant Gadgil	Sanskrit Scholar	Founder: Established Sharda Gyan Peetham for the promotion of Sanskrit education. Teaching Career: Taught at institutions like Tilak Maharashtra University and promoted Sanskrit internationally, including in the US and Africa. Research Contributions: Specialized in ancient texts like the Vedas and Upanishads and was affiliated with the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. Publications:Launched the monthly Sanskrit magazine Sharda. Initiated the Sharada Gaurav Granthamala series, including the Sanskrit biography of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, Bhimayanam. Cultural Initiatives: Played a key role in popularizing Rishi Panchami, celebrating intellectuals over 80 for their contributions. Recognition and Awards:Honored with the Mahakavi Kalidas Sanskrit-Vrati National Award for his contributions to Sanskrit research. Felicitated by Narendra Modi in 2012 for his achievements.
Ron Ely	Hollywood Actor	Best known for portraying Tarzan in the 1966 NBC series, where he depicted a more articulate and educated version of the character. Starred in the 1975 film Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze. Featured in South Pacific (1958) and other TV shows and films. Authored two mystery novels: Night Shadows (1994) and East Beach (1995).
Rohini Godbole	Renowned Physicist and Gender Equity Proponent	Specialized in elementary particle physics, field theory, and phenomenology. Criticized the Standard Model of fundamental particles, urging the scientific community to explore new frameworks for understanding antimatter. Contributed to accelerator design at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. Co-edited Lilavati’s Daughters, a collection of biographical essays on Indian women scientists. Authored Access of Indian Women to Careers in Science, addressing the challenges Indian women face in scientific fields. Padma Shri (2019): Recognized by the Indian government for her contributions to science. French National Medal of Merit (2021): Awarded by the French government for her scientific achievements.
Justice KS Puttaswamy	Judge at the Karnataka High Court	Pivotal Role in Right to Privacy Case: Justice K.S. Puttaswamy filed the petition in 2012 challenging the Aadhaar scheme, which led to the landmark Supreme Court ruling recognizing the right to privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. Legal Career: Justice Puttaswamy served as a judge at the Karnataka High Court and was the first vice-chairperson of the Central Administrative Tribunal in Bengaluru. Key Constitutional Contribution: In 2017, the Supreme Court’s unanimous verdict upheld privacy as a fundamental right, with Justice Puttaswamy’s petition serving as a crucial catalyst for this legal milestone.

August 2024

Name of the Personality	Field/Profession	Key Points
Luis Ayala	Tennis Legend	Chile’s most celebrated athletes.
Dame Maggie Smith	British actress	Renowned for her roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey.
Daniela Larreal Chirinos	Olympic Cyclist	Venezuelan Olympic cyclist, Her participation spanned an impressive five Olympic Games.
Peter Lundgren	Former Swedish tennis player	Lundgren won three ATP titles and was ranked 25th in the world at the peak of his career.
Girish Sahni	Former director-general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)	Dr. Sahni was renowned for his research on blood clots and the development of ‘clot buster‘ drugs.
General Sundararajan Padmanabhan	Former Chief of Army Staff	Affectionately called “Paddy” by his peers, General Padmanabhan is remembered for his dedication to soldier welfare, the modernization of the Indian Army, and his strategic vision.
Maria Branyas Morera	World’s oldest person from Spain	In January 2023, Guinness World Records officially recognized Branyas as the world’s oldest person following the death of 118-year-old French nun Lucile Randon.
Rakesh Pal	Director General of the Indian Coast Guard	He was awarded the Vishist Seva medal for his significant contributions to modernizing and developing the Indian Coast Guard.
Dr. Ram Narain Agarwal	Renowned Indian scientist	Affectionately dubbed the ‘Father of Agni Missiles’, Dr. Agarwal has made revolutionary contributions to India’s defense capabilities.
Susan Wojcicki	American business executive	Former CEO of YouTube, She worked as Google’s first marketing manager in 1999,
H. Devaraj	Former Vice-Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC)	The University of Madras awarded Devaraj a D.Sc degree in Stem Cell Biology in 2007 for his significant contributions to science.
Tsung-Dao Lee	Chinese-American physicist	In 1957, Prof. Lee and Chen-Ning Yang were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their research on the symmetry of subatomic particles interacting with the fundamental force that holds atoms together.
Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee	Politician	Former chief minister of West Bengal and veteran CPIM leader.
Yamini Krishnamurthy	Classical Dancer	Renowned for her expertise in Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Odissi.
Anshuman Gaekwad	Former Indian Cricketer and Coach	In 2018, he received the C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award from the BCCI, the top honor for former Indian cricketers. His autobiography, “Guts Amid Bloodbath,” published in 2023, shares insights into his cricketing journey.

July 2024

Name of the Personality	Field/Profession	Key Points
Father Francis D’Britto	Marathi Writer	Received Sahitya Akademi award in April 2014
Hamzah Haz	Politician	Former Vice President of Indonesia
Subhash Dandekar	Industrialist	The founder of the iconic brand Camlin.
Aparna Vastarey	Kannada Actress	She became the first presenter for AIR FM Rainbow.
Dr MS Valiathan	Doctor, cardiac surgeon	Founder of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST)
Smriti Biswas	Bengali Actress	She made her acting debut with the 1930 Bengali film Sandhya
Jon Landau	Oscar-winning producer	Worked closely with director James Cameron on “Titanic” and the “Avatar” series
Bhupinder Singh Rawat	Former India midfielder (Football)	Rawat was nicknamed “Scooter” by the fans.

June 2024

Name of the Personality	Field/Profession	Key Points
Frank Duckworth	English Statistician	co-developed the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method for calculating cricket match outcomes when rain interrupts play
Donald Sutherland	Canadian actor	Known for films including The Hunger Games and Don’t Look Now.
Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare	Politician	Senior Congress leader from Maharashtra, Former Odisha Governor
Harpal Singh Bedi	Sports Journalist	Served as the national Olympic contingent’s press attache in 2012
Pandit Rajeev Taranath	Sarod maestro	He was honored with the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2019 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 2000.
aulos Chilima	Malawi’s Vice President	Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima, his wife, and eight others were killed in a plane crash in the Chikangawa mountain range.
A.J.T. Johnsingh	Wildlife field biologist and conservationist	He served as a member of the National Wildlife Board and the Tiger Conservation Authority. His groundbreaking work on elephants in the early 1980s was instrumental in the Government of India’s decision to formulate Project Elephant.

May 2024

Name of the Personality	Field/Profession	Key Points
Vinay Vir	Renowned Journalist	Vinay Vir, the publisher and editor of Daily Hindi Milap, was renowned for his commitment to advancing Hindi journalism in the southern regions of India.
Uma Ramanan	Playback Singer	Her breakthrough came with the song “Poongathave Thalthiravai” from the film “Nizhalgal,” which catapulted her to fame.
Paul Auster	American novelist and filmmaker	Best known for his acclaimed work “The New York Trilogy,” “City of Glass,” “Ghosts,” and “The Locked Room”
Richard M. Sherman	Disney Songwriter	Sherman, along with his late brother Robert, left an indelible mark on millions of childhoods with their award-winning compositions for films like “Mary Poppins,” “The Jungle Book,” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.” The Sherman Brothers won two Academy Awards for the 1964 classic “Mary Poppins” – best score and best song for “Chim Chim Cher-ee.” They also received a Grammy for best movie or TV score.
Narayanan Vaghul	Indian banker and philanthropist	He served as chairman and managing director of ICICI Bank, one of India’s largest private sector banks. In 2010, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honor.
Colonel (Retd.) Waibhav Anil Kale	former Indian Army officer	The ongoing conflict in Gaza has claimed the life of Colonel (Retd.) Waibhav Anil Kale, a former Indian Army officer serving as a staff member of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS) in the region.
Malti Joshi	Author	Malti Joshi, a prolific writer and storyteller, made a lasting impact on Hindi and Marathi literature. She received the Padma Shri award in 2018.
Kamla Beniwal	Congress Leader and Former Governor	Beniwal, a longtime Congress leader and former governor of Gujarat, Tripura, and Mizoram, made a significant impact on the nation’s political landscape through her dedication and decades of service.
Alice Munro	Nobel Prize-winning author	Despite achieving immense success and winning prestigious literary prizes such as the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2013 and the International Booker Prize in 2009 for her body of work, Munro remained remarkably modest and unassuming, much like the characters in her fiction.
Sushil Kumar Modi	Politician	He served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar for many years and was also a Member of Parliament.
Richard Slayman	an American patient	The first person to receive a genetically modified pig kidney transplant has passed away two months after the groundbreaking operation.
Surjit Patar	Punjabi Poet and Writer	Surjit Patar’s literary journey garnered him numerous accolades, notably the Sahitya Akademi Award for regional language writing. In 2012, he was bestowed with the Padma Shri for his significant contributions to Punjabi literature.
Sangeeth Sivan	Filmmaker from Kerala	He acted in films like ‘Vyooham,’ ‘Daddy,’ ‘Gandharvam,’ and ‘Yodha.’ Additionally, he made 10 Hindi movies, including ‘Kya Kool Hai Hum’ and ‘Apna Sapna Money Money.’
Salam Bin Razzaq	Urdu Writer	He received the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu literature in 2004 for his acclaimed short story collection, ‘Shikasta Buton Ke Darmiyan.’
Frank Shrontz	Former Boeing CEO	He supported the advancement of new aircraft, including the revolutionary Boeing 777 long-range jet, and enhancements to the company’s well-known 747 jumbo jet and 737 models.
Bernard Hill	British actor	In Peter Jackson’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, Hill’s performance as King Theoden of Rohan made a profound impact on audiences globally.
V. Srinivas Prasad	Politician	Prasad served as the Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government from 1999 to 2004.

April 2024

Name of the Personality	Field/Profession	Key Points
Visheshwara Rao	Tamil Actor	• One of his most memorable roles was that of Laila’s innocent father in the Suriya-starrer Pithamagan. • The jail scene from the film, featuring Laila’s famous dialogue “Loosa Pa Nee,” is considered one of the iconic moments of Rao’s acting career, highlighting his ability to leave a lasting impression with his performances.
Barbara Rush	Veteran Actress	Her breakthrough role came in 1954 with the science-fiction film “It Came from Outer Space,” which earned her the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer.
Sudhir Kakar	Father of Indian Psychology	• Groundbreaking work: “The Inner World: A Psychoanalytic Study of Childhood and Society in India.” • Fictional works include “The Seeker” and “A Book of Memory.” .
Gangu Ramsay	Legendary Cinematographer	• Gangu Ramsay’s filmography includes several horror classics like *Veerana*, *Samri*, *Bandh Darwaza*, *Do Gaz Zameen Ke Niche*, and *Purana Mandir*. • He collaborated with prominent actors and directors, including Rishi Kapoor in *Khoj* and Saif Ali Khan in his debut film *Ashiq Awara*. He also worked with Akshay Kumar in the *Khiladi* franchise. • Gangu Ramsay made a significant impact on the television industry with his groundbreaking *Zee Horror Show*, which entertained audiences for over eight years. • His other notable works on Zee TV include *Saturday Suspense*, *Naagin*, and *Zimbo*, showcasing his versatility as a filmmaker.
K.G. Jayan	Carnatic Musician	Along with his twin brother, K.G. Vijayan, they were known as the illustrious “Jaya-Vijaya” duo, a name given to them by the legendary Malayalam actor Jose Prakash.

March 2024

Name of the Personality	Field/Profession	Key Points
Dr Arun Kumar Sharma	Archaeologist	• He was the senior-most team member that excavated the Ram Janmabhoomi Ayodhya site on the order of the Allahabad High Court. • In 2004, he was appointed as the archaeological advisor to the Chhattisgarh state government. • He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2017.
Akira Toriyama	Japanese manga artist and character designer	• Akira Toriyama was a renowned Japanese manga artist and character designer. • He gained recognition with his manga series *Dr. Slump*. • He earned the 1981 Shogakukan Manga Award for best shōnen manga with *Dr. Slump*, which went on to sell over 35 million copies in Japan. • He is also famous for his works including *Sand Land*, *Dragon Quest*, and *Chrono Trigger*.
Aziz Qureshi	Congress leader	• Served as the governor of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Mizoram • His political career began when he was first elected as an MLA in 1972 from Madhya Pradesh’s Sehore seat. • He later became a Lok Sabha member in 1984, further solidifying his influence and impact in Indian politics.
Sadi Mohammad	Bangladeshi Rabindra Sangeet singer	• Completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Rabindra Sangeet from Visva-Bharati University in Shantiniketan, West Bengal, India, • He is the son of Bangladesh Liberation War martyr Salimullah and Jebunnesa Salim Ullah. • Sadi Mohammad served as the director of the cultural organization, Rabi Raag.
Lama Lobzang	Tribal leader	• Served as a member of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for 19 years, starting in 1984. • Additionally, he was a prominent Buddhist Monk of Ladakh, playing a significant role in religious and cultural affairs in the region.
Saeed Ahmed	Cricketer (former Pakistan Test captain)	• Throughout his Test career, he scored a total of 2,991 runs, demonstrating his proficiency with the bat. • Additionally, he contributed with his off-spin bowling, taking a total of 22 wickets during his Test caree.

✅ Read Also: President Droupadi Murmu Current Affairs: Latest Month-wise List

February 2024

Name of the Personality	Field/Profession	Key Points
R. Champakalakshmi	Historian	Served as a professor in the Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and president of the Indian History Congress.
Harmohan Dhawan	Former Union minister	• A former Chandigarh Member of Parliament (MP), Dhawan was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1989 as a Janta Party nominee. • He subsequently became the civil aviation minister in the Chandra Shekhar-led government.
Sukhbir Singh Gill	Chandigarh’s first hockey Olympian	Represented India at the Sydney Olympics (2000), the Hockey World Cup in Kuala Lumpur (2002), and the FIH Champions Trophy in Cologne (Germany) in 2002
Mir Mohammad Farooq Nazki	veteran broadcaster, poet	• Nazki was awarded the Sahitya Akademi award in 1995 in Kashmiri for his poetry book *Naar Hyutun Kanzal Wanas* (Fire in the Eyelashes). * He served as the media advisor to two Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers: Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah.
Sebastian Pinera	Chile’s former President	• He was a Chilean businessman and politician who served as President of Chile from 2010 to 2014 and again from 2018 to 2022. * At the time of his death, he had an estimated net worth of US$2.7 billion.
A Ramachandran	Artist	• Born in 1935 in Attingal, Kerala, Ramachandran was known for his monumental canvases and colorful oil and watercolor paintings. * In 2002, he was elected a Fellow of the Lalit Kala Akademi. * He received the Padma Bhushan award in 2005.
Kelvin Kiptum	Kenya’s marathon world record holder	The 24-year-old set the world record at the Chicago Marathon in October 2023.
Dattajirao Gaekwad	Cricketer (former India Test captain)	• Held the record of being the oldest-living Test cricketer in India. * He made his debut in England in June 1952 and earned the distinction of being India’s oldest-living Test cricketer in mid-2016 after the death of Deepak Shodhan. * Dattajirao played 11 Tests for India during his cricketing career.
Dr Usha Kiran Khan	Litterateur	• Dr. Usha Kiran Khan was an acclaimed writer in Hindi and Maithili. * In 2011, she was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award for her Maithili novel *Bhamati: Ek Avismaraniya Premkatha*. * She was honored with the Padma Shri in 2015 for her contributions to literature.
Dr Ishwar Chander Verma	Advisor in the institute of medical genetics and genomics	• He established the first Genetic centre in India at AIIMS Delhi in 1968. * He received the Padma Shri in 2023 for his significant research contributions. * He was also honored with the BC Roy National Award in 1983 for his outstanding achievements.
Andreas Brehme	German Football player	• His penalty in the 1990 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina in Italy helped Germany secure its third world title. * He had an illustrious club career, playing for top clubs like Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, among others, before retiring in 1998.
Mike Procter	South African cricketer	South Africa’s first National Coach of the Cricket Team in the post-isolation era

January 2024

Name of the Personality	Field/Profession	Key Points
Professor Ved Prakash Nanda	Professor at the University of Denver	He was awarded the Padma Bhushan award in 2018 in the field of Literature and Education.
Prabir Majumdar	Former Indian footballer	• He was a member of the Indian team in the 1974 Asian Games. • He was a part of East Bengal and Eastern Railways. • He also represented Bengal in the Santosh Trophy.
Dr Uttam Pacharne	Renowned sculptor	He was appointed Chairman of the Lalit Kala Akademi (2018).
Ustad Rashid Khan	Hindustani classical musician	• He was awarded the Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2006. • He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2022. • He belonged to the Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana, which is closely related to the Gwalior Gharana.
Pandit Hariram Dwivedi	Hindi and Bhojpuri poet	• He has written famous poetry collections like Anganaiya and Jeevandayini Ganga. • He has been awarded many awards, including: Sahitya Akademi Bhasha Samman Sahitya Bhushan Sahitya Saraswat Rahul Sankrityayan
Mario Zagallo	Brazilian football player and coach	• Zagallo holds the record for most World Cup titles in general, with four titles in total. • He also holds the record for World Cup Finals with six participations. • He was the first person to win the FIFA World Cup as both a manager and as a player, winning the competition in 1958 and 1962 as a player and in 1970 as manager. • In addition, he won the 1994 FIFA World Cup as assistant manager. • He was the first of three men, along with Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer and France’s Didier Deschamps, to have won the World Cup as a player and as a manager, and the only one who had done it more than twice. • In 1992, Zagallo received the FIFA Order of Merit, the highest honour awarded by FIFA, for his contributions to football. • He was the last surviving Brazilian player who participated in the 1958 World Cup final.
Franz Beckenbauer	German football player	• Beckenbauer was captain of the West Germany team that won the World Cup in 1974 and later led them to the title as a manager in 1990. • He is one of just three men to have won the World Cup as both a player and a manager. • He also won the European Championship with West Germany in 1972.
Prof Amrutha Someshwara	Famous Kannada, Tulu writer and folklorist	• He worked extensively for the development of the Tulu language and literature. • He carried out extensive research works on Yakshagana, a traditional theater form of Karnataka. • He also conducted research on Tulu folk traditions and Bhootharadhane, a ritualistic folk dance performed in coastal Karnataka.
Basdeo Panday	Former prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago	In 2005, he was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs
Munawwar Rana	Urdu poet	won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2014 for his poetry book ‘Shahdaba’.
Ajit Singh Gill	Singapore’s oldest Olympian and former national hockey player of Indian-origin	He competed in the men’s tournament at the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Norman Jewison	Canadian filmmaker and director	Nominated for the Academy Award (Oscars) for Best Director three times in three separate decades, for In the Heat of the Night (1967), Fiddler on the Roof (1971), and Moonstruck (1987).
Rana Talwar	Banker	• He served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Standard Chartered Bank from 1997 to 2002. • Additionally, he was the son-in-law of DLF Group chairman emeritus K P Singh.

More Related Posts: