Awards & Honours of the Week 1–7 October 2026 | Competitive Examination Current Affairs

 


1. Visisht Gujarat Garima Award – Captain Smit Machchhar


Awardee: Captain Smit Machchhar

Award: Visisht Gujarat Garima Award

Announced by: Government of Gujarat

Date: 1 October 2026

Reason: Exceptional bravery during an in-flight emergency.


Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot, was announced as the recipient of the Visisht Gujarat Garima Award by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.


The honour recognises his extraordinary courage during a serious incident aboard a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Despite sustaining injuries, he acted decisively to protect the passengers and helped ensure the safe landing of the aircraft.


Reports state that the flight was carrying 174 passengers, whose lives were saved through the pilot's courageous response. The Gujarat government also announced a ₹25 lakh cash reward along with the honour. 


Exam Facts


Award: Visisht Gujarat Garima Award


Recipient: Captain Smit Machchhar


State: Gujarat


Awarded for: Bravery and exceptional courage


Cash component: ₹25 lakh


Announced by: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel



Exam Question:

Who was recently announced as the recipient of the Visisht Gujarat Garima Award?

Answer: Captain Smit Machchhar.



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2. Eco Warrior Awards 2026


The 4th Edition of the Eco Warrior Awards 2026 recognised forest officers, conservationists and environmental champions for their contributions to forest, wildlife and environmental conservation.


The awards ceremony was held in New Delhi and was associated with Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav. The awards recognised work involving biodiversity conservation, wildlife protection, protected-area management and community participation. 


Important Awardees


Lifetime Achievement Award


B. K. Singh, a retired senior Indian Forest Service officer, received the Lifetime Achievement Award.


He was recognised for his contribution to forest and wildlife protection and his role in the efforts against the notorious sandalwood smuggler Veerappan. 


Protected Area Management


Two awardees were recognised:


Dr. Prakash Chand Gogineni – Odisha


Manish Singh – Uttar Pradesh



Their work focused on tiger and wildlife conservation, technology-based protection measures and community participation.


Wildlife Protection and Conservation


Selvi S. Senbagapriya – Tamil Nadu


Dr. Sanjeev Sharma – Himachal Pradesh



Environment Conservation


Dharm Singh Meena – Uttarakhand


Suman Shivashankar Sivachar W.M. – Nagaland



The Nagaland officer was recognised particularly for conservation efforts involving Amur falcons, anti-poaching initiatives and protection of the Doyang Reservoir.


Community Connect Award


Dhawan Kumar Rawat – Arunachal Pradesh


Gurharsh Singh – Himachal Pradesh



The awards reportedly selected two winners in each individual category after evaluation of more than 80 nominations. 


Exam Focus


Q. Who received the Lifetime Achievement Award at Eco Warrior Awards 2026?

Ans: B. K. Singh.


Q. Which state was associated with the Eco Warrior awardee Suman Shivashankar Sivachar W.M.?

Ans: Nagaland.


Q. Which bird conservation activity was highlighted in the Eco Warrior Awards 2026?

Ans: Amur falcon conservation.



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3. Mahatma Award 2026 – IndiaMART


Award: Mahatma Award 2026

Recipient: IndiaMART

Area: Education/Corporate Social Responsibility

Ceremony: 1 October 2026

Venue: India International Centre, New Delhi


IndiaMART was honoured with the Mahatma Award 2026 for its work in the field of education and social impact.


The award recognises organisations whose activities reflect values associated with Mahatma Gandhi, including trusteeship, equality, truth and social justice.


According to the report, IndiaMART's initiatives have included support for school infrastructure, technology-enabled learning and entrepreneurship education. 


Exam Facts


Award: Mahatma Award 2026


Recipient: IndiaMART


Field: Education/CSR


Venue: India International Centre, New Delhi


Important association: Mahatma Gandhi's principles of trusteeship and social justice



Possible MCQ:

IndiaMART received the Mahatma Award 2026 primarily for its contribution to which area?


A. Sports

B. Education

C. Defence

D. Space science


Answer: B. Education



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4. Navshristi 2026 – Excellence Award


Recipient: Ferozson Exports Pvt. Ltd.

Award: Navshristi 2026 – Excellence Award for Innovative Design Pattern

Date: 6 October 2026

Event: 50th India Carpet Expo – Golden Jubilee Edition

Venue: Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh


Kashmir-based Ferozson Exports Pvt. Ltd., led by Director Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad, received the Navshristi 2026 Excellence Award for Innovative Design Pattern.


The award recognised the company's hand-knotted carpet, particularly its combination of traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design and innovation.


The entries were evaluated on parameters including:


Creativity


Innovation


Design excellence


Craftsmanship



The jury included experts and academics associated with institutions such as IIT Delhi, NID Ahmedabad, BHU and NIFT. 


Exam Facts


Question Answer


Recipient Ferozson Exports Pvt. Ltd.

Award Navshristi 2026 – Excellence Award

Category Innovative Design Pattern

Product Hand-knotted carpet

Event 50th India Carpet Expo

Location Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh

Director Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad




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5. Important National Film Awards Revision


Although the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony was held on 22 September 2026, it remains highly important for October competitive-exam revision because the award winners are among the most significant recent national honours.


President Droupadi Murmu conferred the 72nd National Film Awards at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat.


Dadasaheb Phalke Award


Recipient: Anant Nag


He received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his distinguished contribution to Indian cinema and theatre. 


Exam Fact


Q. Who received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the 72nd National Film Awards?

Answer: Anant Nag.



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Most Important Awards & Honours: Quick Revision


Award/Honour Recipient Key Area


Visisht Gujarat Garima Award Captain Smit Machchhar Bravery

Eco Warrior Awards 2026 – Lifetime Achievement B. K. Singh Forest & wildlife conservation

Eco Warrior – Protected Area Management Prakash Chand Gogineni & Manish Singh Wildlife conservation

Eco Warrior – Wildlife Protection S. Senbagapriya & Sanjeev Sharma Wildlife conservation

Eco Warrior – Environment Conservation Dharm Singh Meena & Suman S. S. W.M. Environment

Mahatma Award 2026 IndiaMART Education/CSR

Navshristi 2026 Excellence Award Ferozson Exports Pvt. Ltd. Innovative carpet design

Dadasaheb Phalke Award, 72nd National Film Awards Anant Nag Indian cinema




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10 One-Liner Questions for ADRE/APSC/SSC/UGC NET


1. Who was announced for the Visisht Gujarat Garima Award in October 2026? — Captain Smit Machchhar.



2. Which state announced the Visisht Gujarat Garima Award for Captain Smit Machchhar? — Gujarat.



3. How much cash reward was announced along with the Visisht Gujarat Garima Award? — ₹25 lakh. 



4. Who received the Lifetime Achievement Award at Eco Warrior Awards 2026? — B. K. Singh.



5. B. K. Singh is associated with which field? — Forest and wildlife conservation.



6. Which bird was particularly associated with the conservation work recognised under Eco Warrior Awards 2026? — Amur falcon.



7. Which organisation received the Mahatma Award 2026 for education-related social impact? — IndiaMART.



8. Who received the Navshristi 2026 Excellence Award for Innovative Design Pattern? — Ferozson Exports Pvt. Ltd.



9. What product was recognised in the Navshristi 2026 award? — Hand-knotted carpet.



10. Who received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the 72nd National Film Awards? — Anant Nag. 




Sources


Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India


Awards.gov.in — Government of India Awards Portal


Ministry of Information & Broadcasting


Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change


Government of Gujarat


Official/authoritative reports on the 2026 awards



The Government of India’s Awards Portal is the official platform for information on national awards and award calendars. 

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