1. Which institution has discovered that a protein called BBX32 helps plants grow properly from darkness into light?
[A] Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi
[B] Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal
[C] Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru
[D] Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mumbai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal]
Notes:
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal, found that a protein called BBX32 helps plants grow properly from darkness into light. BBX32 is a B-box (BBX) protein that plays a key role in plant growth and development. It helps control when a seedling starts growing above soil, improving chances of healthy growth. This discovery helps understand how seedlings grow and could help improve crop establishment in agriculture.
2. What kind of disease is “Valley Fever” that was recently seen in news?
[A] Viral infection
[B] Bacterial infection
[C] Fungal infection
[D] Parasitic infection
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Fungal infection]
Notes:
A new study highlights that dogs may help detect the early spread of Valley Fever, offering a new tool for public health. Valley Fever, or acute coccidioidomycosis, is a fungal infection caused by Coccidioides organisms found in soil. The fungi are common in the Pacific Northwest, southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America. The infection spreads when soil is disturbed and people or animals breathe in the fungal spores. Symptoms may be absent or resemble flu or pneumonia, and appear 5 to 21 days after exposure.
3. Indian Council of Medical Research has recently launched its first high-performance computing facility NAKSHATRA at which institute?
[A] Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru
[B] National Institute of Communicable Diseases, Delhi
[C] National Institute of Virology, Pune
[D] All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [National Institute of Virology, Pune]
Notes:
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recently launched its first high-performance computing facility named NAKSHATRA at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. NAKSHATRA was developed under the PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PMABHIM). It is a modern computing cluster designed to boost storage and streamline processes for genomic research. The facility aims to improve early detection of disease threats and ensure faster response to outbreaks. It will also support Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven vaccine and drug development for better public health outcomes.
4. Where was India’s first off-grid 5 megawatt (MW) green hydrogen pilot plant commissioned?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Gujarat
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gujarat]
Notes:
Adani Group has recently commissioned India’s first off-grid 5 megawatt (MW) green hydrogen pilot plant in Kutch, Gujarat. The plant has been developed by Adani New Industries Limited (ANIL), which is the clean energy arm of Adani Enterprises Limited. An off-grid green hydrogen plant produces hydrogen using electrolysis powered entirely by renewable sources like solar or wind and is not connected to the main power grid. This plant runs fully on solar energy and includes a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) for continuous operation.
5. Which institute has developed the new AI-powered, sunlight- and vibration-based water purification system?
[A] Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
[B] Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi
[C] Institute of Nanoscience and Technology (INST), Mohali
[D] National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Institute of Nanoscience and Technology (INST), Mohali]
Notes:
Recently, the Ministry of Science and Technology announced that researchers at the Institute of Nanoscience and Technology (INST), Mohali, have developed a smart water filter using sunlight, gentle vibrations, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The innovation addresses pollution caused by industrial wastewater containing harmful dyes like Methylene Blue and Congo Red, which threaten human health and ecosystems. This method ensures continuous purification, even on cloudy days, making it a smart alternative to traditional solar-powered filters.
6. Which organization has launched the new AI model named AlphaGenome for studying human DNA?
[A] Microsoft
[B] Google DeepMind
[C] Meta
[D] Amazon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Google DeepMind]
Notes:
Recently, Google DeepMind launched a new Artificial Intelligence model called AlphaGenome. AlphaGenome aims to predict accurately how individual mutations in human Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) affect their functions and impact human health. It is built on DeepMind’s earlier genomics model named Enformer and works alongside AlphaMissense, which focuses on classifying the effects of variants in protein-coding regions. The model can analyze very long DNA sequences up to one million base pairs and generate highly detailed predictions.
7. Which country has successfully tested its Feitian 2 hypersonic vehicle?
[A] United States
[B] China
[C] Japan
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
Recently, China successfully tested its Feitian 2 hypersonic vehicle. Feitian 2 can switch between propulsion modes during flight for better performance. The vehicle uses a kerosene-hydrogen peroxide fuel mix. This positions China strongly in the global hypersonic technology race. Feitian 2 has potential uses in defense and civilian sectors.
8. What is “Fentanyl” that was recently mentioned in news?
[A] Invasive weed
[B] Flowering plant
[C] Critical mineral
[D] Synthetic opioid drug
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Synthetic opioid drug]
Notes:
Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump cited the fentanyl crisis to justify imposing 35% tariffs on Canada. Fentanyl caused over 112,000 overdose deaths in the United States in 2024 alone. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid used medically as a pain reliever and anaesthetic. It is about 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. Common street names include Apache, China Girl, China Town, Dance Fever, Goodfellas, Jackpot, and King Ivory. Fentanyl overdose can cause cold skin, bluish lips (cyanosis), coma, respiratory failure, and death.
9. Shinkansen is the name of which country’s high-speed bullet train system?
[A] China
[B] France
[C] Germany
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Japan]
Notes:
Next generation E10 Shinkansen bullet trains will be introduced simultaneously in India and Japan. In India, they will operate on the 508 km Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project. Shinkansen is Japan’s high-speed bullet train known for its safety, speed, and reliability. It is the world’s safest high-speed transport system with high volume and frequency.
10. 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.