1. Which institute has developed a method to significantly improve the stability of perovskite nanocrystals?
[A] Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
[B] Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru
[C] Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi
[D] Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru]
Notes:
Researchers at Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, have developed a method to reduce anion migration in CsPbX3 perovskite nanocrystals. Perovskite nanocrystals have the same structure as calcium titanium oxide (CaTiO3). They follow the chemical formula ABX₃, where ‘A’ and ‘B’ are cations, and ‘X’ is an anion. These crystals can be designed with various physical, optical, and electrical properties. They are used in optoelectronics, including solar cells, photodetectors, and LEDs. Perovskite LEDs combine the benefits of OLEDs and QLEDs, making them promising for next-generation lighting.
2. Which country has identified a new bat coronavirus named HKU5-CoV-2?
[A] Russia
[B] China
[C] Australia
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
Scientists at Wuhan Institute of Virology, China, discovered a new bat coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2. The virus shares similarities with SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19. HKU5-CoV-2 can bind to human ACE2 receptors, but its ability to spread among humans is uncertain. The virus belongs to the merbecovirus subgenus, related to Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), but its severity in humans remains unknown.
3. Which organization has developed Project Farm Vibes, a suite of AI-driven agricultural technologies?
[A] Meta
[B] Amazon
[C] Microsoft
[D] Ministry of Agriculture
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Microsoft]
Notes:
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella showcased Project Farm Vibes in Baramati, Maharashtra, demonstrating AI-driven solutions that improved crop yields by 40% and reduced fertilizer use by 25%. The Agricultural Development Trust, Baramati, in collaboration with Microsoft, is expanding the project from 1,000 to 50,000 farmers. Project Farm Vibes is an AI-driven agricultural technology suite developed by Microsoft Research to improve farming efficiency, sustainability, and productivity. The project involves partnerships with Microsoft Research, Azure AI Team, and Oxford University AI researchers.
4. Which space organization has launched Lunar Trailblazer Satellite to detect water on the moon in February 2025?
[A] European Space Agency (ESA)
[B] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
[C] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[D] Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)]
Notes:
NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer satellite was launched from Florida on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to map water on the Moon. The 200 kg satellite, built by Lockheed Martin, will search for water ice in permanently shadowed lunar craters. Lunar water is crucial for future missions, providing drinking water, oxygen, and rocket fuel. It will orbit at 100 km altitude, using two instruments to study water distribution and surface temperature. Water may come from solar wind reactions, comets, or meteorites. Understanding lunar water could reveal insights into Earth’s water origins and support future Moon missions.
5. What is the primary objective of the Blue Ghost mission?
[A] To enhance understanding of the lunar environment
[B] To analyze the atmospheres of exoplanets
[C] To investigate Jupiter’s moon Europa
[D] To study the inner heliosphere and the solar wind
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [To enhance understanding of the lunar environment]
Notes:
Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lunar lander successfully landed in the Mare Crisium region of the Moon after a controlled descent. It carries 10 NASA payloads under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program to boost private-sector lunar exploration. The mission aims to study the lunar environment, using a vacuum for soil collection and a drill measuring temperatures up to 3 meters deep. It will analyze heat flow, plume-surface interactions, and the Moon’s magnetic and electric fields to understand its geological history. The lander will function for 14 Earth days to conduct scientific studies and tech demonstrations.
6. A mysterious ‘Crying disease’ has been reported in which country recently?
[A] Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
[B] Indonesia
[C] Uganda
[D] Kenya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) ]
Notes:
A mysterious crying disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has caused over 60 deaths and infected more than 1,096 people in Western Congo. The disease was first identified in three children who ate bat and has spread rapidly. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, internal bleeding, diarrhea, body ache, intense thirst, joint pain, incessant crying, nose bleeding, and vomiting blood. The disease can kill within 48 hours, raising serious concerns. Tests ruled out Ebola, dengue, Marburg, and yellow fever, but the exact cause remains unknown. WHO is investigating whether it is an infection or a toxic agent.
7. Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE), that was recently seen in news, is associated with which viral infection?
[A] Hepatitis B
[B] Measles (Rubella)
[C] Yellow Fever
[D] Ebola
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Measles (Rubella)]
Notes:
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a fatal brain disorder linked to measles (rubella) infection. It can develop years after measles recovery, affecting children and adolescents, with men at higher risk. Low measles vaccination coverage in Uttar Pradesh has made SSPE a serious health concern. SSPE cases are reported worldwide but remain rare in Western countries.
8. India has developed its first indigenous Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine to be installed at which institute?
[A] All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
[B] Madras Medical College
[C] All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar
[D] All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi]
Notes:
India has developed its first indigenous MRI machine to reduce import dependence and treatment costs. It will be installed at AIIMS Delhi by October for trials. Currently, 80-85% of medical equipment in India is imported. The indigenous MRI machine aims to boost India’s self-reliance in medical technology. An MoU was signed between AIIMS Delhi and SAMEER, an autonomous R&D lab under the Department of Electronics. The installation will be for a 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner.
9. The government has launched ZooWIN, a digital platform to track the availability of which two types of medical supplies?
[A] Malaria medicines and dengue vaccines
[B] Anti-rabies vaccines (ARV) and anti-snake venom (ASV)
[C] COVID-19 vaccines and polio vaccines
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Anti-rabies vaccines (ARV) and anti-snake venom (ASV)]
Notes:
The government has launched ZooWIN, a digital platform to track real-time availability of anti-rabies vaccines (ARV) and anti-snake venom (ASV) nationwide. ZooWIN is similar to Co-WIN and U-WIN, centralizing data for better coordination among healthcare providers, municipal authorities, and veterinary services. It supports the Union Health Ministry’s efforts to combat rabies and snakebites under the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE). India records 3–4 million snakebites annually, causing around 50,000 deaths, half of the global snakebite mortality. The platform is initially piloted in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh.
10. What kind of satellite is “CARTOSAT-3” that was recently seen in news?
[A] Earth Observation Satellite
[B] Communications Satellite
[C] Navigation Satellite
[D] Astronomical Satellite
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Earth Observation Satellite]
Notes:
Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) CARTOSAT-3 satellite captured high-resolution images of earthquake damage in Myanmar. A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025. Post-disaster images from March 29 were compared with pre-event data from March 18 to assess damage in Mandalay and Sagaing. CARTOSAT-3 is a third-generation agile advanced Earth observation satellite developed by ISRO. It replaces the Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) series and has high-resolution imaging capabilities. It was launched aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C47).