1. 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.
2. Where was India’s first government-backed Drone Forensic Laboratory inaugurated?
[A] Lucknow
[B] New Delhi
[C] Jaipur
[D] Patna
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Lucknow]
Notes:
India’s first government-backed Drone Forensic Laboratory has been set up at Uttar Pradesh State Institute of Forensic Science (UPSIFS), Lucknow. It was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The lab is designed by Milind Raj, known as the “Drone Man of India,” who is now the forensic drone advisor to UPSIFS. The lab enables real-time tracking, decoding, and forensic examination of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). It can identify launch sites, flight paths, payloads, and hazardous materials like explosives.
3. Deep Ocean Mission was launched by which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
[B] Ministry of Jal Shakti
[C] Ministry of Earth Sciences
[D] Ministry of Science and Technology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Earth Sciences]
Notes:
Two Indian aquanauts recently conducted deep-sea dives in the Atlantic Ocean under Samudrayaan Project. They collected over 100 kg of cobalt-rich polymetallic nodules from 1,173 meters depth in the Andaman Sea. Deep Ocean Mission was launched by Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) on 7 September 2021 with ₹4,077 crore for 5 years. The mission develops technologies for exploring and using deep ocean resources sustainably. It supports India’s Blue Economy with potential to push maritime economy beyond ₹100 billion. It aligns with United Nations Decade of Ocean Science (2021–2030).
4. What is “Pseudomonas aeruginosa” that was recently mentioned in news?
[A] Bacterium
[B] Newly discovered species of Fish
[C] Fungus
[D] Invasive weed
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bacterium]
Notes:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming rod bacterium commonly found in soil and water. It is the most common type of Pseudomonas causing human infections in the blood, lungs (pneumonia), urinary tract, and post-surgery sites. Researchers from Germany found that P. aeruginosa shows bistable expression of the glpD gene, meaning activity varies among genetically identical cells. This variation affects its infection-causing ability, as shown in tests on moth larvae and mouse immune cells. Targeting glpD gene’s variable expression could help combat hospital-acquired P. aeruginosa infections. This discovery highlights new directions for infection control and antibiotic strategies.
5. What is the name of the half-humanoid robot onboard the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission?
[A] Prithvi
[B] Vyommitra
[C] Chandrika
[D] Antriksha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vyommitra]
Notes:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission (G1) in December 2025. The mission will carry Vyommitra, a female half-humanoid robot. Vyommitra will monitor the module, issue alerts, and manage life-support operations. ISRO plans five launches in 2025 and four in 2026. Upcoming launches include Oceansat-3A, NVS-03 (Navigation Satellite), TDS-01 (Technology Demonstration Satellite), and BlueBird Block 2. ISRO declared 2025 as “Gaganyaan Year” to highlight its human-spaceflight ambitions. The mission is a key step towards India’s future crewed space missions.
6. Which country has launched its advanced JUPITER space camera aboard the National Advanced Optical System (NAOS) satellite?
[A] Australia
[B] Israel
[C] Iran
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Israel]
Notes:
Israeli defense technology firm Elbit Systems recently launched its advanced JUPITER space camera aboard the National Advanced Optical System (NAOS) satellite. The satellite was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. JUPITER supports military operations, environmental monitoring, scientific research, and wide-span observation missions. It features a large aperture, lightweight design, high-resolution panchromatic channel for black-and-white imaging, and a Near Infrared (NIR) channel for vegetation, water, and material analysis. The camera can capture continuous long image strips covering large areas efficiently.
7. According to the new study, which medication may be more effective than aspirin for long-term prevention of heart attacks?
[A] Metformin
[B] Clopidogrel
[C] Ibuprofen
[D] Heparin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Clopidogrel]
Notes:
For decades, aspirin was the main drug to prevent heart attacks and strokes. A new study presented at the European Society of Cardiology congress and published in The Lancet shows clopidogrel, a blood-thinning antiplatelet drug, may be more effective. Review of seven clinical trials with 29,000 coronary artery disease patients found clopidogrel 14% more effective than aspirin in lowering major cardiovascular risks. Importantly, there was no higher risk of serious bleeding compared to aspirin. Clopidogrel (a P2Y₁₂ inhibitor) works by blocking platelet receptors to stop dangerous blood clots. It is low-cost, widely available, and safe, making it a strong candidate to replace aspirin in treatment guidelines.
8. What is the name of India’s first fully indigenous 32-bit microprocessor launched at Semicon India 2025?
[A] Aryabhata 3201
[B] Chandrayaan 3201
[C] Bhaskara 3201
[D] Vikram 3201
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Vikram 3201]
Notes:
India unveiled its first fully indigenous 32-bit microprocessor, Vikram 3201, at Semicon India 2025. It is designed by Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) and fabricated by Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Chandigarh. Vikram 3201 is designed specifically for rockets and satellites, unlike processors in smartphones or laptops. It is an upgrade of Vikram 1601, a 16-bit processor used in ISRO launch vehicles since 2009. The processor manages navigation, control, and mission management in launch vehicles. The launch supports India’s semiconductor self-reliance, with five units under construction under the Design-Linked Incentive scheme.
9. Which institute discovered that protein p47 acts as a “mechanical chaperone”, enhancing protein stability under mechanical stress?
[A] Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
[B] S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS), Kolkata
[C] National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune
[D] Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS), Kolkata]
Notes:
Researchers at S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS) discovered protein p47’s new role as a “mechanical chaperone.” P47 is a cofactor protein known for assisting p97 in protein trafficking, degradation, and membrane fusion. Study revealed p47 boosts mechanical efficiency of protein extraction from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to cytoplasm. It stabilizes polypeptides under stress, guides them through pores, prevents misfolding, and improves translocation. This is the first single-molecule evidence of autonomous, force-dependent chaperone-like activity by p47. Discovery opens new therapeutic possibilities for diseases linked to protein instability.
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.