1. Which country has developed the world’s lightest brain control device to steer bees?
[A] India
[B] Russia
[C] China
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [China]
Notes:
Chinese researchers led by Professor Zhao Jieliang at Beijing Institute of Technology developed the world’s lightest brain control device to steer bees. It is fixed on the bee’s back with three fine needles connecting to the brain, sending signals to control direction. In trials, bees followed commands with 90% accuracy, including turning, moving forward, and reversing. The bee-based robotic model offers superior mobility, stealth, and adaptability for missions like urban combat, counterterrorism, and disaster relief.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Which country was certified by WHO as having eliminated human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) in August 2025?
[A] Somalia
[B] Ethiopia
[C] Botswana
[D] Kenya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kenya]
Notes:
Recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) certified Kenya as having eliminated human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness. It is a parasitic disease spread by infected tsetse fly bites, endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. It has two forms: Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (92% cases, chronic, found in West and Central Africa) and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (8% cases, acute, found in East and Southern Africa). Rural communities relying on farming, fishing, herding, or hunting face higher risk. WHO has validated the gambiense form’s elimination in Togo, Benin, Ivory Coast, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Chad, Guinea, and now Kenya.
5. What is “Ideonella sakaiensis” that was recently seen in news?
[A] Bacterium
[B] Invasive weed
[C] Fish
[D] Traditional medicine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bacterium]
Notes:
Researchers have identified Ideonella sakaiensis, a bacterium that can degrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. It belongs to the genus Ideonella and family Comamonadaceae. It uses polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as both a carbon and energy source, breaking it into harmless building blocks. These by-products can be consumed by I. sakaiensis and other organisms. It is discovered by researchers in Japan from PET-contaminated soil. It is Gram-negative, rod-shaped, motile, non-sporing, non-pigment-producing, and monotrichous.
6. Which company became the first in India to secure the ISCC CORSIA certification for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?
[A] Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL)
[B] Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL)
[C] Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (Indian Oil)
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (Indian Oil)]
Notes:
Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (Indian Oil) became the first company in India to secure International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) CORSIA for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at its Panipat Refinery. The certification is mandatory for commercial SAF production and aligns India with global aviation fuel standards. Certificate was handed over by Cotecna to Indian Oil Chairman A.S. Sahney in New Delhi. ISCC CORSIA, developed under Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), ensures sustainability and lifecycle carbon standards.
7. 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.
8. Which space organization has launched “Surya”, an artificial intelligence (AI) model to improve space weather forecasting?
[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: B [National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)]
Notes:
NASA has launched “Surya”, an artificial intelligence (AI) model to improve space weather forecasting. Surya was developed in collaboration with IBM and trained on over nine years of data from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). It analyses massive streams of solar activity to detect early signs of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Solar storms can disrupt satellites, communication systems, aviation, GPS navigation, and power grids on Earth. Surya generates visual forecasts up to two hours in advance with higher accuracy than traditional methods. The model is open-source to enable global researchers to improve space weather defense.
9. 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.
10. Which organisation launched CEREBO, the portable device for rapid, radiation-free diagnosis of traumatic brain injuries?
[A] Indian Council of Medical Research
[B] Indian Red Cross Society
[C] Indian Institute of Health Management Research
[D] Ministry of Science and Technology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indian Council of Medical Research ]
Notes:
On 21 August 2025, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) launched CEREBO, a portable non-invasive device to detect traumatic brain injuries (TBI). It uses near-infrared spectroscopy with machine learning to identify intracranial bleeding and edema within one minute, giving colour-coded, radiation-free results. The device is safe for infants and pregnant women and can be operated by paramedics or unskilled staff with just 30 minutes of training. It was developed by ICMR, AIIMS Bhopal, NIMHANS Bengaluru and Bioscan Research. India records over 1 lakh deaths and 10 lakh serious head injuries annually, making early TBI detection critical.