1. Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO), that was recently seen in news, is located in which state/UT?
[A] Lakshadweep
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Ladakh
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ladakh]
Notes:
Indian astronomers recently photographed interstellar comet C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), also called 3I/ATLAS, using the Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) in Hanle, Ladakh. The telescope is part of the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO), also known as Hanle Observatory. Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) is located in the Hanle Valley, Ladakh, at 4500 metres above sea level. It was inaugurated in 2001 and is managed by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru. The observatory is situated in a dry, cold desert with minimal human interference and clear skies.
2. What kind of disease is “Chikungunya” that was recently seen in news?
[A] Viral disease
[B] Bacterial disease
[C] Fungal disease
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Viral disease]
Notes:
Recently, the Ministry of Health in China launched an emergency campaign to protect people at risk of Chikungunya fever. Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV). The name comes from the Makonde language, meaning “bent over in pain” due to joint pain. It is spread through bites of infected female mosquitoes, mainly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. These mosquitoes also transmit dengue and Zika viruses. It is not contagious and cannot spread from person to person directly.
3. 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).
4. Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) is developed by which organization?
[A] Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
[B] Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
[C] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)]
Notes:
Recently, ISRO is preparing to launch three navigation satellites for the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) by next year. Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), also called Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), is developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It is an independent and fully indigenous satellite navigation system, under India’s full control. Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) was designed as a 7-satellite constellation to cover India and 1,500 km around it.
5. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), that was recently seen in news, is caused by which agent?
[A] Protozoa
[B] Bacteria
[C] Fungus
[D] Virus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Virus]
Notes:
Recently, 16 chitals (spotted deer) died at Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Pune due to Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), as confirmed by lab reports. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting all cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, goats, sheep, deer, and pigs. It is caused by an aphthovirus from the Picornaviridae family. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) first gave official recognition to this disease.
6. Which organisation launched the Cancer AI & Technology Challenge (CATCH) Grant Program along with the National Cancer Grid (NCG)?
[A] Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR
[B] IndiaAI Independent Business Division (IBD)
[C] All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IndiaAI Independent Business Division (IBD)]
Notes:
IndiaAI Independent Business Division (IBD) and National Cancer Grid (NCG) launched the Cancer AI & Technology Challenge (CATCH) Grant Program. The program supports Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions for cancer screening, diagnostics, treatment support, and healthcare operations in India. Grants of up to ₹50 lakh per project will be co-funded by IndiaAI and NCG for selected technology–clinical teams.
7. 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.
8. Amoebic Meningoencephalitis, that was recently seen in the news, affects which part of the body?
[A] Kidney
[B] Brain
[C] Heart
[D] Lungs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Brain]
Notes:
Recently, Kerala’s health department issued an alert in Kozhikode after three cases of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) were reported. Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, also called the “brain-eating amoeba.” This amoeba lives in warm freshwater, soil, swimming pools, hot tubs, and infects through the nose. It mainly affects young, active people and has a mortality rate above 95%. Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) progresses rapidly and is often fatal within days, while Granulomatous Amebic Encephalitis (GAE) progresses slowly.
9. 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.
10. Which company has launched the Learning Accelerator program in India to empower the education ecosystem with Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
[A] OpenAI
[B] Microsoft AI
[C] Scale AI
[D] Nvidia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [OpenAI]
Notes:
OpenAI has launched the Learning Accelerator program in India to empower the education ecosystem with Artificial Intelligence (AI). India is one of the largest ChatGPT markets, with millions of students using AI for assignments, research, and learning. The initiative will distribute 5 lakh ChatGPT licences to students and educators across schools, universities, and research institutes. Government schools (Classes 1–12) will receive ChatGPT access through the Ministry of Education for lesson planning and personalized student engagement. Technical institutes under All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) will get AI tools for skill-building.