1. e-Raktkosh is an online blood bank management system implemented under which mission?
[A] National Ayush Mission
[B] Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram
[C] National Health Mission
[D] Ayushman Bharat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [National Health Mission ]
Notes:
Recently, the Union Health Ministry announced plans to integrate India’s Rare Donor Registry with the national online blood management platform called e-Rakt Kosh. e-Rakt Kosh is an online blood bank management system implemented under the National Health Mission. It is the official portal for all blood-related services in India. It provides real-time information on blood availability, blood banks, and donation camps across the country.
2. What is “Gwada negative” that was recently mentioned in news?
[A] Asteroid
[B] Traditional medicine
[C] Spider
[D] Blood group system
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Blood group system]
Notes:
Recently, France’s national blood agency, the French Blood Establishment (EFS), discovered a new blood group system called “Gwada negative,” officially recognised by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT). It is scientifically named EMM-negative and registered as ISBT042. The name “Gwada negative” refers to the Guadeloupean origin of the woman who carries this rare blood type. This blood group is defined by the absence of the EMM antigen, a high-incidence antigen usually present in almost all humans.
3. What is “Candida tropicalis” that was recently seen in news?
[A] Fungus
[B] Bacteria
[C] Virus
[D] Parasite
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Fungus]
Notes:
Recently, Candida tropicalis, a major fungal pathogen in India and globally, was found using chromosome changes to resist common antifungal drugs like fluconazole and voriconazole. Candida tropicalis is a yeast species from the Candida genus and causes serious infections with high mortality rates. It lives in tropical and subtropical marine environments like seawater, marine plants, and fish intestines. It is also found in human guts, fruit surfaces, soil, and various foods. It mainly affects people with weak immune systems or those with neutropenia, a condition of low neutrophil white blood cells.
4. Who has become the first Indian to complete NASA’s Air and Space Program?
[A] Jahnavi Dangeti
[B] Shivangi Singh
[C] Bhawna Dhami
[D] Avani Chaturvedi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Jahnavi Dangeti]
Notes:
Recently, India’s Jahnavi Dangeti was announced as the first Indian astronaut to join the Titans Space mission scheduled for 2029. She is a graduate of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s International Air and Space Program and has received global training. Jahnavi is also a strong promoter of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education among youth. The mission will be led by retired U.S. Army Colonel and veteran NASA astronaut William McArthur Jr., who is now Chief Astronaut at Titans Space.
5. What kind of disease is Leptospirosis that was recently seen in news?
[A] Zoonotic bacterial disease
[B] Fungal disease
[C] Cardiovascular disease
[D] Rare genetic disorder
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Zoonotic bacterial disease]
Notes:
Recently, five people died due to leptospirosis in Ernakulam district of Kerala within the past three weeks. Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Leptospira interrogans. The bacteria are commonly found in the urine of animals like rats, cattle, pigs, and dogs. Humans can get infected when the bacteria enter the body through small cracks or wounds on the skin, especially the soles of the feet. The disease is more common in warm and humid countries and can spread in both rural and urban areas.
6. Which organization has launched the new AI model named AlphaGenome for studying human DNA?
[A] Microsoft
[B] Google DeepMind
[C] Meta
[D] Amazon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Google DeepMind]
Notes:
Recently, Google DeepMind launched a new Artificial Intelligence model called AlphaGenome. AlphaGenome aims to predict accurately how individual mutations in human Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) affect their functions and impact human health. It is built on DeepMind’s earlier genomics model named Enformer and works alongside AlphaMissense, which focuses on classifying the effects of variants in protein-coding regions. The model can analyze very long DNA sequences up to one million base pairs and generate highly detailed predictions.
7. Mobile Biosafety Level-3 (MBSL-3) Laboratory is developed under which mission?
[A] National Health Protection Mission
[B] Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission
[C] National Ayush Mission
[D] National Rural Health Mission
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission]
Notes:
Recently, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) decided to expand its Mobile Biosafety Level-3 (MBSL-3) laboratory network to boost India’s outbreak response and public health. The Mobile BSL-3 lab is also called Rapid Action Mobile BSL-3 Advanced Augmented Network (RAMBAAN). It is an advanced “lab on wheels” developed under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. It was first used during the Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala in 2023.
8. What is the name of the programme under which the Union government recently fast-tracked the launch of 52 dedicated surveillance satellites?
[A] Defence Satellite Initiative
[B] Space-Based Surveillance-III
[C] Secure Space Communications
[D] Military Reconnaissance Network
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Space-Based Surveillance-III ]
Notes:
Recently, the Union government ordered fast-tracking of 52 surveillance satellites under the Space-Based Surveillance-III (SBS-III) programme. The SBS-III was approved in October 2023 by the Cabinet Committee on Security led by the Prime Minister. It plans 21 satellites by Indian Space Research Organisation and 31 by private companies. The first launch is due by April 2026, with the full network ready by 2029. The Defence Space Agency under Integrated Defence Staff leads this project and coordinates with Indian Space Research Organisation, Defence Research and Development Organisation, and the armed forces for space security.
9. Which ministry has launched the WAVEX Startup Challenge 2025 to develop an AI-powered multilingual translation solution?
[A] Ministry of Finance
[B] Ministry of Science and Technology
[C] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
[D] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]
Notes:
Recently, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting launched the WAVEX Startup Challenge 2025 under its WaveX startup accelerator program. The challenge is titled BhashaSetu – Real-Time Language Tech for Bharat. It is a national hackathon to build Artificial Intelligence-based multilingual translation tools for at least 12 major Indian languages. WaveX is a startup accelerator under the Ministry’s WAVES initiative to promote innovation in media, entertainment, and language technology.
10. What is the main raw material used for producing microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), which is commonly applied in pharmaceuticals?
[A] Resins
[B] Rice husk
[C] Refined wood pulp
[D] Sugarcane pulp
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Refined wood pulp]
Notes:
Recently, a deadly accident occurred at the pharma unit of Sigachi Industries in Hyderabad, raising the death toll to 36. The unit manufactures Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC). Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) is a free-flowing powder extracted from refined wood pulp. It is inert, nontoxic, fiber-rich, chewable, and not absorbed during digestion. Wood is the main source of pharmaceutical MCC, with cellulose chains bound by polymers and hydrogen bonds.