1. Which institute used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to enhance phosphate uptake in japonica rice?
[A] ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering (CIAE), Bhopal
[B] Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana
[C] Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi
[D] National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), Delhi]
Notes:
Scientists at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), Delhi, have recently used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to boost phosphate uptake in japonica rice varieties. CRISPR-Cas9 is a modern gene-editing tool used to precisely modify plant traits. Japonica rice is one of the two major eco-geographical races of Oryza sativa, the other being Indica. It is mainly grown in northern and eastern China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Japonica has short to medium grains, which are thick, sticky, and harder than regular white rice.
2. Which organization has launched the Agricultural Monitoring and Event Detection (AMED) API for Indian farmers?
[A] Google
[B] Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
[C] Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)
[D] Ministry of Agriculture
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Google]
Notes:
Google recently launched the Agricultural Monitoring and Event Detection (AMED) Application Programming Interface (API) to provide crop and field activity data across India. AMED API is an open-source artificial intelligence (AI)-based tool designed to monitor crops and detect agricultural events at field level. It offers data on crop type, crop season, field size, and past three years’ agricultural activity. It helps in farm management by providing insights on soil, water, climate needs, and expected harvest volume.
3. Aspergillosis disease, that was recently seen in news, is caused by which agent?
[A] Bacteria
[B] Virus
[C] Fungus
[D] Protozoa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Fungus]
Notes:
Recently, the blue rock pigeon, also called Columba livia, has been linked to concerns over spreading aspergillosis disease. Aspergillosis is an infection caused by Aspergillus, a mold genus with many species. The main infection-causing species is fungus “Aspergillus fumigatus”, which releases tiny airborne spores. These spores can cause respiratory illness when inhaled in large amounts, especially in people with weak immunity or lung issues. Aspergillosis is not contagious and doesn’t spread between people.
4. What is a “Protostar” that was recently seen in news?
[A] An early stage in star formation
[B] A cloud of dust orbiting a planet
[C] A fully formed star
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [An early stage in star formation]
Notes:
Researchers at Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram recently detected circularly polarised radio emission near a young protostar about 4,500 light-years away. A protostar is the earliest stage in star formation, formed from a collapsing giant molecular cloud in the interstellar medium. As the cloud collapses, gravitational energy turns into heat, warming the forming protostar. The protostar stage lasts from 100,000 to 10 million years depending on the star’s mass. It begins with a dense molecular cloud core and ends with a pre-main-sequence star.
5. Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO), that was recently seen in news, is located in which state/UT?
[A] Lakshadweep
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Ladakh
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ladakh]
Notes:
Indian astronomers recently photographed interstellar comet C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), also called 3I/ATLAS, using the Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) in Hanle, Ladakh. The telescope is part of the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO), also known as Hanle Observatory. Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) is located in the Hanle Valley, Ladakh, at 4500 metres above sea level. It was inaugurated in 2001 and is managed by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru. The observatory is situated in a dry, cold desert with minimal human interference and clear skies.
6. 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.
7. What kind of disease is “Chikungunya” that was recently seen in news?
[A] Viral disease
[B] Bacterial disease
[C] Fungal disease
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Viral disease]
Notes:
Recently, the Ministry of Health in China launched an emergency campaign to protect people at risk of Chikungunya fever. Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV). The name comes from the Makonde language, meaning “bent over in pain” due to joint pain. It is spread through bites of infected female mosquitoes, mainly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. These mosquitoes also transmit dengue and Zika viruses. It is not contagious and cannot spread from person to person directly.
8. 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.
9. Which institute has developed a bamboo-polymer composite as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic in vehicle interiors?
[A] IIT Guwahati
[B] IIT Delhi
[C] IIT Ahmedabad
[D] IIT Bombay
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [IIT Guwahati]
Notes:
Recently, IIT Guwahati researchers developed a bamboo-polymer composite as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic in vehicle interiors. The composite uses Bambusa tulda, a fast-growing bamboo species from Northeast India. It is fused with biodegradable polymers to create a cost-effective and sustainable material. The research was published in the journal Environment, Development and Sustainability. It shows high strength, thermal stability, and low moisture absorption, making it suitable for real-world use.
10. 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.