1. Rice Yellow Mottle Virus, that was recently seen in news, is endemic to which continent?
[A] Asia
[B] Europe
[C] South America
[D] Africa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Africa]
Notes:
A recent genomic study revealed the spread of Rice Yellow Mottle Virus or RYMV across African rice ecosystems, posing a serious threat to rice production. Rice Yellow Mottle Virus is a plant virus that affects rice and some related grasses. It first appeared in the mid-1800s in the Eastern Arc Mountains, now in Tanzania, a region rich in biodiversity. It is mainly found in Africa and is present in most rice-growing countries on the continent.
2. 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.
3. Which institution has developed the glowing paper sensor for liver cancer detection?
[A] Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
[B] Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune
[C] Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru
[D] All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru]
Notes:
Recently, scientists at the Indian Institute of Science developed a glowing paper sensor to detect liver cancer. The sensor uses the green glow of Terbium to identify the enzyme beta-glucuronidase, which is a key biomarker for liver cancer. Terbium is a rare-earth metal belonging to the lanthanide series of the periodic table. It appears as a soft, silvery metal. Terbium is recovered from minerals like monazite and bastnaesite, and also from euxenite containing more than 1% terbium. It is used in solid-state devices and low-energy lightbulbs.
4. Which institute has launched BHARAT (Biomarkers of Healthy Aging, Resilience, Adversity, and Transitions) initiative?
[A] All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi
[B] Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
[C] Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai
[D] Bose Institute, Kolkata
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru]
Notes:
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, recently launched the BHARAT study under its Longevity India Program. BHARAT stands for Biomarkers of Healthy Aging, Resilience, Adversity, and Transitions. The study aims to map physiological, molecular, and environmental indicators that drive ageing in Indians. It will build India’s first comprehensive ageing database. It includes multiparametric analysis, advanced clinical assessment, and lifestyle factors. It will identify biomarkers for healthy ageing and set the Bharat Baseline for normal health values in India.
5. Plague, that was recently seen in news, is an infectious disease caused by which agent?
[A] Bacteria
[B] Virus
[C] Fungus
[D] Protozoa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bacteria]
Notes:
Recently, a person from northern Arizona, United States, died of pneumonic plague, marking the first such death in the region in 18 years. Plague is an infectious disease caused by the zoonotic bacteria Yersinia pestis. It spreads mainly through flea bites from fleas that fed on infected animals. The disease caused millions of deaths in Europe during the Middle Ages. Today, it is rare but still found in rural parts of the western U.S., Africa, and Asia.
6. Which institute has launched YD One, India’s lightest active wheelchair?
[A] IIT Madras
[B] IIT Delhi
[C] IIT Kanpur
[D] IIT Bombay
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [IIT Madras]
Notes:
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras recently launched YD One, India’s lightest active wheelchair. It is the first indigenously developed precision-built mono-tube rigid-frame wheelchair in India. It is developed by TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2) at IIT Madras and Thryv Mobility startup. It aims to offer affordable, high-performance mobility and reduce dependence on costly imports.
7. Which state has recently introduced the Cy-TB skin test to detect Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI)?
[A] Odisha
[B] Kerala
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Telangana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
Kerala has recently introduced the Cy-TB skin test to detect Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP). Cy-TB is a new-generation intradermal skin test using Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens called ESAT-6 and CFP-10. It is more accurate than Mantoux or IGRA (Interferon-Gamma Release Assay) tests and does not need blood samples. It helps in early detection of dormant TB to prevent it from becoming active. It is used for adults above 18, especially in high-risk or contact groups.
8. Which plant in Kerala is currently affected by the ambrosia beetle-fungus alliance?
[A] Tea
[B] Rubber
[C] Coconut
[D] Banana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rubber]
Notes:
In July 2025, Kerala’s rubber plantations faced a major threat from a beetle-fungus alliance causing severe leaf fall, tree drying, and reduced latex output. Researchers at the Kerala Forest Research Institute, Thrissur, identified the parasite as the ambrosia beetle (Euplatypus parallelus). It hosts two fungi — Fusarium ambrosia and Fusarium solani, marking the first report of F. solani with adult ambrosia beetles. The beetles bore tunnels in trees, farm fungi, and feed on fungal mycelia, while fungi weaken the tree’s structure with enzymes. These beetles were first reported in India in 2012 from cashew trees in Goa.
9. The NISAR mission is a joint Earth-observing satellite mission between which two space agencies?
[A] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[B] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and European Space Agency (ESA)
[C] Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and China National Space Administration (CNSA)
[D] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Space Agency (ESA)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)]
Notes:
Recently, India and the United States marked their first space collaboration with the successful launch of NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) by ISRO’s GSLV-F16 rocket. GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) injected NISAR into the Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO) at around 745 km altitude in a 19-minute flight. The NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is the world’s first Earth observation satellite mission between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It will study land deformation, ice movement, ecosystems, and oceanic regions with high precision.
10. 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.