1. The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS was recently discovered by using which telescope?
[A] Hubble Space Telescope
[B] James Webb Space Telescope
[C] ATLAS telescope
[D] Chandra X-ray Observatory
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ATLAS telescope ]
Notes:
Recently, on July 1, scientists using the ATLAS telescope in Chile reported the discovery of an interstellar object named 3I/ATLAS. It has been tracked since June 14, 2025 and is believed to be the oldest comet ever observed, possibly over 3 billion years old, predating the solar system. It is classified as an interstellar comet due to its hyperbolic orbit and high speed of 57–68 km/s relative to the Sun. The comet comes from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius, suggesting an origin in the Milky Way’s thick disk.
2. Which technology was used by the IIT Kanpur team to detect ancient Buddhist stupas in Haryana’s Yamuna Nagar district?
[A] LiDAR
[B] Ground Penetrating Radar
[C] Photogrammetry
[D] Satellite Imagery
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ground Penetrating Radar]
Notes:
Recently, a team from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur used Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to detect ancient Buddhist stupas and buried structures in Yamuna Nagar district, Haryana. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a high-resolution geophysical method that uses high-frequency electromagnetic waves to explore underground features. These waves interact with subsurface materials and are reflected, refracted, or scattered based on their type. GPR typically detects features up to a depth of around 10 meters. It is useful for locating bedrock depth, water tables, soil layers, buried stream channels, cavities, and fractures.
3. INVICTUS research programme is an initiative of which space organization?
[A] European Space Agency (ESA)
[B] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
[C] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[D] China National Space Administration (CNSA)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [European Space Agency (ESA)]
Notes:
Recently, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched the INVICTUS research programme. The INVICTUS research program is an initiative of the European Space Agency (ESA), in collaboration with the UK-based Frazer-Nash Consultancy. The goal is to develop hypersonic technologies for future reusable vehicles with horizontal launch capability. It is funded by ESA’s General Support Technology Programme (GSTP) and Technology Development Element (TDE). It will test key technologies for sustained hypersonic flight in Earth’s atmosphere.
4. Fusariosis disease, that was recently seen in news, is caused by which agent?
[A] Bacteria
[B] Virus
[C] Fungus
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Fungus]
Notes:
Recently, Indian researchers identified a key gene in pineapple that can fight the deadly Fusariosis disease. Fusariosis is caused by the fungus Fusarium moniliforme and damages stems, blackens leaves, and rots fruits from inside. It leads to major losses in pineapple farming and makes harvests unreliable. Researchers from Bose Institute under Department of Science and Technology (DST) identified AcSERK3 gene (Somatic Embryogenesis Receptor Kinase). Overexpression of this gene boosted pineapple’s natural immunity.
5. Which space organization has launched a twin satellite mission called “TRACERS” to study Earth’s magnetic shield?
[A] European Space Agency (ESA)
[B] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
[C] Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
[D] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)]
Notes:
Recently, NASA launched a twin satellite mission called TRACERS, which stands for Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites. The satellites were launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The mission aims to study magnetic reconnection, a powerful process where magnetic field lines snap and release energy. This process happens when solar wind, a stream of charged particles from the Sun, interacts with Earth’s magnetosphere (magnetic shield).
6. Human Outer Planetary Exploration (HOPE) is a moon and Mars simulation research station located in which state/UT?
[A] Lakshadweep
[B] Ladakh
[C] Goa
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ladakh]
Notes:
Recently, Bengaluru-based space company Protoplanet launched the Human Outer Planetary Exploration (HOPE) station in Ladakh’s Tso Kar region. HOPE is a moon and Mars simulation research station mimicking off-Earth terrain and environment. It is located in the high-altitude cold desert of Tso Kar basin, Ladakh. The project is developed by Protoplanet with technical and financial support from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It aims to study human psychological, physiological, and epigenetic responses in extreme isolation. It supports India’s long-term space goals including a crewed lunar mission by 2040 and a space station by 2035.
7. What is the main objective of the Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) project?
[A] To study evolution using fossil records
[B] To sequence the genomes of eukaryotic species
[C] To conserve endangered animals through breeding programs
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [To sequence the genomes of eukaryotic species]
Notes:
Recently, the first phase of the Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) project is nearing completion. The project aims to sequence the genomes of 70,000 eukaryotic species in Britain and Ireland. It is part of the global Earth BioGenome Project which targets sequencing all complex life on Earth. The project collects species samples and uses advanced DNA sequencing technologies to create high-quality genomes. It applies modern computational tools to study how DNA sequences relate to biodiversity.
8. Which two crops from Ladakh are part of NASA’s Crew-11 experiment on the International Space Station (ISS)?
[A] Barley and maize
[B] Seabuckthorn and Himalayan tartary
[C] Mizuna mustard and Black eyed pea
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Seabuckthorn and Himalayan tartary]
Notes:
Seeds of seabuckthorn and Himalayan tartary buckwheat grown in Ladakh’s cold desert are part of NASA’s Crew-11 experiment on the International Space Station (ISS). The seeds were sourced by Indian space start-up Protoplanet based in Bengaluru. The mission launched on August 1, 2025, from Florida and docked at ISS on August 2, 2025. The experiment aims to test how seeds react to space stress and microgravity before germination. It focuses on gene activation and metabolic processes vital for space agriculture. Himalayan tartary buckwheat and seabuckthorn are rich in nutrients and suitable for long-duration space missions.
9. Which port has become the first Indian port to produce green hydrogen?
[A] Jawaharlal Nehru Port
[B] Cochin Port
[C] Paradip Port
[D] V. O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [V. O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port]
Notes:
V. O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port, Thoothukudi, became the first Indian port to produce green hydrogen and achieve over 1 MW rooftop solar power generation. The announcement came during the Green Ports and Shipping Conference under NAVIC Cell-3 (Green Initiatives and Pollution Control), Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The event is part of roadshows ahead of India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, showcasing maritime sustainability and innovation. The conference discussed maritime decarbonisation, green financing, and policy frameworks for achieving India’s 2070 net-zero target.
10. Which country has launched 11 GEESATCOM (Geely Constellation) for Internet of Things (IoT) communication?
[A] China
[B] Russia
[C] Iran
[D] Israel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [China]
Notes:
On 15 August 2025, Chinese commercial aerospace company Geespace successfully completed the fourth orbital deployment of GEESATCOM (Geely Constellation) by launching 11 satellites from waters off Rizhao, Shandong Province aboard a single rocket. All satellites entered their planned 600 km orbits and are operating normally. GEESATCOM, independently developed and operated by Geespace, supports satellite Internet of Things (IoT) testing and inter-satellite communications. It also provides Earth observation for ecological and environmental monitoring.