1. Which space organization has launched a twin satellite mission called “TRACERS” to study Earth’s magnetic shield?
[A] European Space Agency (ESA)
[B] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
[C] Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
[D] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)]
Notes:
Recently, NASA launched a twin satellite mission called TRACERS, which stands for Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites. The satellites were launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The mission aims to study magnetic reconnection, a powerful process where magnetic field lines snap and release energy. This process happens when solar wind, a stream of charged particles from the Sun, interacts with Earth’s magnetosphere (magnetic shield).
2. Which institute has developed a new drug candidate, Compound 3b, to fight deadly drug-resistant bacteria?
[A] IIT Kanpur
[B] IIT Bombay
[C] IIT Roorkee
[D] IIT Ahmedabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [IIT Roorkee]
Notes:
Recently, IIT Roorkee developed a new drug candidate, Compound 3b, to fight deadly drug-resistant bacteria. It targets KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, a World Health Organization (WHO) top-priority superbug. Compound 3b is a β-lactamase inhibitor that stops bacterial enzymes from breaking down antibiotics. It works with the antibiotic Meropenem, restoring its effectiveness against resistant infections. Preclinical lab and animal tests showed major infection reduction in lungs and safety to human cells. It marks a major step against antimicrobial resistance and boosts India’s role in global biomedical research.
3. Which country has launched 11 GEESATCOM (Geely Constellation) for Internet of Things (IoT) communication?
[A] China
[B] Russia
[C] Iran
[D] Israel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [China]
Notes:
On 15 August 2025, Chinese commercial aerospace company Geespace successfully completed the fourth orbital deployment of GEESATCOM (Geely Constellation) by launching 11 satellites from waters off Rizhao, Shandong Province aboard a single rocket. All satellites entered their planned 600 km orbits and are operating normally. GEESATCOM, independently developed and operated by Geespace, supports satellite Internet of Things (IoT) testing and inter-satellite communications. It also provides Earth observation for ecological and environmental monitoring.
4. Rubella disease, that was recently seen in news, is caused by which agent?
[A] Bacteria
[B] Virus
[C] Fungus
[D] Protozoa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Virus]
Notes:
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced that Nepal has eliminated rubella as a public health problem. Rubella, also called German measles or three-day measles, is a contagious viral infection known for its red rash. It is caused by the Rubella virus, a single-stranded RNA virus, different from the measles virus. Rubella spreads through coughing, sneezing, contaminated surfaces, and from mother to fetus during pregnancy. This can lead to fetal death or Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS), causing hearing loss, eye and heart defects, autism, diabetes mellitus, and thyroid problems.
5. National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories functions under the administrative control of which department?
[A] Department of Science & Technology
[B] Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
[C] Department of Pharmaceuticals
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade]
Notes:
Recently, the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) launched its new Medical Application Portal. NABL is a non-profit autonomous organisation registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860. It functions under the administrative control of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The new portal aims to streamline medical testing and accreditation processes efficiently.
6. The Solar Orbiter mission is a joint mission conducted by which two space organizations?
[A] European Space Agency (ESA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
[B] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
[C] China National Space Administration (CNSA) and European Space Agency (ESA)
[D] Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [European Space Agency (ESA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)]
Notes:
European Space Agency (ESA) Solar Orbiter, a joint project with NASA, was launched in 2020 to study the Sun closely. It became the first spacecraft to image the Sun’s poles. A new study in Astronomy and Astrophysics traced the origin of Solar Energetic Electrons (SEE) emitted by the Sun. Solar Energetic Electrons (SEE) linked to solar flares arise from small surface explosions, while others are released gradually with Coronal Mass Ejections (CME), huge eruptions of plasma and magnetic fields. The Solar Orbiter flew through electron streams and studied the space environment between the Sun and spacecraft. Understanding SEE and CMEs is crucial for space weather prediction, protecting satellites, GPS, power grids, and astronauts. The mission aims to study the Sun’s 11-year magnetic cycle, corona heating, solar wind formation, and acceleration.
7. Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) programme is jointly developed by which two space agencies?
[A] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Space Agency (ESA)
[B] China National Space Administration (CNSA) and European Space Agency (ESA)
[C] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and European Space Agency (ESA)
[D] Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)]
Notes:
Prime Minister of India welcomed the agreement between Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for the Chandrayaan-5 mission under the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) programme. LUPEX is jointly developed by ISRO and JAXA to explore the Moon’s southern polar region. The mission aims to investigate the presence of water and other elements, potentially as surface ice, and demonstrate innovative surface exploration technologies. It features a lander developed by ISRO and a rover developed by JAXA. The rover will autonomously search for water-rich areas, drill, sample soil, and analyze it with onboard instruments.
8. Which NASA mission recently spotted two rocky exoplanets orbiting the star TOI-2322?
[A] Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)
[B] Artemis Program
[C] James Webb Space Telescope
[D] Hubble Space Telescope
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)]
Notes:
NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission has discovered two rocky exoplanets around star TOI-2322, located 195 light-years away. Scientists detected them by observing small dips in the star’s brightness, indicating planets passing in front. TOI-2322 b is nearly Earth-sized, completes one orbit in 11 days, and has a very hot surface temperature of about 330°C. TOI-2322 c is almost twice Earth’s size, about 18 times heavier, and has a dense structure similar to Earth’s layers. The planets were confirmed using space telescopes and ground tools, showing successful global collaboration in astronomy.
9. Acanthamoeba, recently emerging as a public health concern in Kerala, is what kind of organism?
[A] Free-living amoeba
[B] Bacteria
[C] Virus
[D] Fungus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Free-living amoeba]
Notes:
Acanthamoeba, a free-living amoeba, is now a public health concern in Kerala causing eye (keratitis) and brain infections (amoebic meningoencephalitis). Acanthamoeba is a free-living amoeba found in water, soil, dust, swimming pools, hot tubs, and drinking water systems. It can also exist in humidifiers and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. It causes infections in brain, skin, eyes, and sinuses. It enters through cuts, wounds, inhalation, or contact lens use.
10. Which organization developed India’s first indigenous multi-stage malaria vaccine (AdFalciVax)?
[A] Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
[B] National Institute of Virology (NIV)
[C] All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi
[D] Serum Institute of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)]
Notes:
India has licensed Indian Immunologicals Limited, Techinvention Lifecare Private Limited, Panacea Biotec Limited, Biological E Limited, and Zydus Lifesciences for manufacturing its first indigenous multi-stage malaria vaccine (AdFalciVax). The vaccine was developed by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and partners. It targets Plasmodium falciparum before it enters the bloodstream to prevent transmission. The vaccine is affordable, stable, scalable, and effective for over 9 months at room temperature.