1. Which Indian institute has developed the new siphon-based thermal desalination system?
[A] Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
[B] Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
[C] CSIR – National Chemical Laboratory (NCL)
[D] Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indian Institute of Science (IISc)]
Notes:
Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has developed a new siphon-based thermal desalination system for clean drinking water. Traditional solar stills face salt buildup and scaling limits restricting output. The system uses a composite siphon of fabric wick and grooved metallic surface to draw water and flush out salt before crystallization. It is low-cost, scalable, and sustainable, made from aluminum and fabric, powered by solar or waste heat. It is useful for off-grid areas, disaster zones, coastal and island communities facing water stress.
2. What is Asphyxia, which recently caused deaths in the TVK rally stampede at Velusamypuram?
[A] Excessive bleeding due to injury
[B] Condition when the body does not get enough oxygen
[C] Poisoning from contaminated food
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Condition when the body does not get enough oxygen]
Notes:
The death toll in the stampede at Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Velusamypuram has risen to 41. Doctors reported most fatalities were due to compressive asphyxia caused by crowd crush. Asphyxia occurs when the body does not get enough oxygen. Respiration moves oxygen into the lungs and circulates it via blood to all body cells, while carbon dioxide is removed. Lack of oxygen can cause unconsciousness or death. Compressive asphyxia happens when an external force prevents chest expansion, crushing the lungs and stopping breathing. This can occur in crowded situations or from a person’s weight on the chest.
3. Which space organization launched the PUNCH Space Mission?
[A] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[B] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
[C] European Space Agency (ESA)
[D] China National Space Administration (CNSA)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)]
Notes:
Recently, the PUNCH Space Mission, launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), observed solar winds. PUNCH stands for Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere. Its aim is to study the Sun’s corona (outer atmosphere) and solar wind as a unified system. The mission has four small satellites in low Earth orbit. They make 3D global observations of the inner heliosphere and map the transition where the corona becomes solar wind.
4. What is the name of the quantum processor by Google that achieved the first “verifiable” quantum advantage?
[A] Willow
[B] Bristlecone
[C] Sycamore
[D] Falcon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Willow]
Notes:
Google announced that its quantum processor Willow has achieved the first “verifiable” quantum advantage. Quantum advantage means a quantum computer can outperform a classical computer in practice. The announcement was accompanied by an open-access paper in Nature by the Google Quantum AI and Collaborators team. Willow ran a new algorithm, Quantum Echoes, 13,000 times faster than the best classical algorithm on a supercomputer. The experiment used a technique called out-of-time-order correlator (OTOC) to track how information scrambles in quantum systems. OTOC measures how quantum information spreads, is scrambled, and can be “unscrambled” using time-reversal. Willow’s processor precisely controlled quantum bits (qubits) in a chaotic quantum system for the experiment.
5. Which country has successfully tested its new atomic-powered and nuclear-capable underwater drone named Poseidon?
[A] Russia
[B] China
[C] Australia
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Russia]
Notes:
Russia has successfully tested its new atomic-powered and nuclear-capable underwater drone named Poseidon. President Vladimir Putin announced the test, calling it a major success and saying it cannot be intercepted. The test took place just days after Russia also tested the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile. Both tests are seen as signals to the United States amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The Poseidon drone was tested using nuclear power for the first time. It reportedly surpasses all current systems in speed and depth. Its nuclear reactor is 100 times smaller than those on submarines. The drone’s nuclear warhead is said to be more powerful than the Sarmat Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
6. Which state has become the first in India to partner with Elon Musk’s Starlink for satellite internet services?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Karnataka
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Maharashtra]
Notes:
On November 5, 2025, the Government of Maharashtra became the first Indian state to sign a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Starlink Satellite Communications Pvt. Ltd., a SpaceX subsidiary, to provide satellite-based internet. The partnership aims to deliver high-speed internet to remote districts like Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Washim, and Dharashiv in Maharashtra. Satellite terminals will be installed in schools, health centres, disaster control rooms, and forest and coastal outposts, extending connectivity to ports, ferries, and coastal police networks. The initiative supports Digital Maharashtra and aligns with Digital India to connect terrain- or cost-challenged regions.
7. Which university secured a national patent for a machine learning-based technology to extract rainfall data from radar signals?
[A] Delhi University
[B] Banaras Hindu University
[C] Cochin University of Science and Technology
[D] Lucknow University
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Cochin University of Science and Technology]
Notes:
The Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) has received a national patent for a machine learning-based radar technology to extract accurate rainfall data. The system was developed at the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research (ACARR). It uses a Hybrid Adaptive Bi-Gaussian Fitting Algorithm with a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) to separate rain and air turbulence echoes. The innovation helps radars clean their data in real time, improving rainfall and wind accuracy up to 5 km in the troposphere. It enhances flood forecasting and early warning systems for Kerala, a state prone to extreme monsoon events.
8. Which species is the natural host of the Marburg virus disease that was recently reported in Ethiopia?
[A] Aedes aegypti mosquito
[B] Fruit Bat
[C] Honeybee
[D] Rat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Fruit Bat]
Notes:
Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed Ethiopia’s first-ever outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD). MVD is a severe and often fatal hemorrhagic fever caused by the Marburg virus. It was first identified in 1967 in Marburg, Germany. The causative agents are Marburg virus (MARV) and Ravn virus (RAVV) of the species Orthomarburgvirus marburgense. The natural host is the fruit bat Rousettus aegyptiacus of the Pteropodidae family. It spreads from infected bats to humans and then through contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces.
9. Which organizations have indigenously built the India’s first private PSLV rocket?
[A] Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and L&T – Larsen & Toubro
[B] Defence Research and Development Organisation and Tata Group
[C] Indian Space Research Organisation and BHEL – Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
[D] Bharat Electronics Limited and Defence Research and Development Organisation
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and L&T – Larsen & Toubro]
Notes:
The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)–Larsen & Toubro (L&T) consortium has indigenously built India’s first private Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The PSLV is scheduled to launch the Oceansat satellite early next year. India’s Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed a 2022 contract with the HAL–L&T consortium for end-to-end production of five PSLV-XL rockets. This move shifts PSLV manufacturing from ISRO to industry partners while ISRO focuses on new missions and research. The consortium has faced production challenges, resolved with ISRO’s support. HAL also received technology for the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to fully own and operate its production.
10. The Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Programme is implemented by which government department?
[A] Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
[B] Department of Biotechnology
[C] Department of Commerce
[D] Department of Science and Technology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Department of Science and Technology ]
Notes:
The Entrepreneur-in-Residence Programme is becoming popular among young startups and innovators. It works under the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations which is NIDHI. It encourages graduate students to choose entrepreneurship as a career. It provides financial and non-financial support in the form of a fellowship. It offers startup infrastructure, mentoring, technical guidance, and industry support. It is implemented by the Department of Science and Technology with NCL Venture Centre.