Indian Army Major Swathi Shantha Kumar Wins UN Secretary-General’s Award 2025

Current Context: Major Swathi Shantha Kumar of the Indian Army won the UN Secretary‑General’s Award 2025 in the Gender category.

• The award was officially announced on 7 January 2026 by UN Secretary‑General António Guterres.
• She was recognized for her project “Equal Partners, Lasting Peace” under the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
• Her initiative promoted gender‑inclusive peacekeeping, enabling over 5,000 women to participate in governance and peace processes.
• The award highlights India’s global leadership in UN peacekeeping and gender parity.

Question:

Q.1 Who was the recipient of the UN Secretary-General’s Award 2025 in the Gender category?
a) António Guterres
b) Swathi Shantha Kumar
c) A South Sudanese peace activist
d) A UNMISS official

Answer: b) Major Swathi Shantha Kumar of the Indian Army won the UN Secretary‑General’s Award 2025 in the Gender category.