1. What is Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI), that was recently seen in news?
[A] A condition that affects the lung
[B] A condition where veins in the legs cannot properly send blood back to the heart
[C] A condition that affects the lungs
[D] A kidney malfunction affects Blood pressure
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [A condition where veins in the legs cannot properly send blood back to the heart]
Notes:
Former U.S. President Donald Trump was recently diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI). CVI is a condition where leg veins cannot efficiently return blood to the heart, causing blood to pool in the legs. Normally, vein valves help blood flow upward, but in CVI, these valves don’t function properly. It can lead to symptoms like leg pain, swelling, cramps, skin changes, varicose veins, and leg ulcers. CVI is more common in people who are overweight, pregnant, have a family history, or had leg injuries, surgery, or blood clots.
2. What is the main objective of the Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) project?
[A] To study evolution using fossil records
[B] To sequence the genomes of eukaryotic species
[C] To conserve endangered animals through breeding programs
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [To sequence the genomes of eukaryotic species]
Notes:
Recently, the first phase of the Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) project is nearing completion. The project aims to sequence the genomes of 70,000 eukaryotic species in Britain and Ireland. It is part of the global Earth BioGenome Project which targets sequencing all complex life on Earth. The project collects species samples and uses advanced DNA sequencing technologies to create high-quality genomes. It applies modern computational tools to study how DNA sequences relate to biodiversity.
3. Which organisation has reclassified the Hepatitis D virus (HDV) as carcinogenic to humans?
[A] World Health Organization
[B] United States Department of Health and Human Services
[C] United Nations Development Programme
[D] Doctors Without Borders
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [World Health Organization]
Notes:
The World Health Organization (WHO) and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have classified Hepatitis D virus (HDV) as carcinogenic to humans, alongside Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV). HBV, HCV, and HDV infect over 300 million people globally, causing 1.3 million deaths annually from liver cirrhosis and cancer. HDV affects about 5% of chronic HBV patients, mainly in Asia, Africa, Amazon Basin, and high-risk groups like drug users and haemodialysis patients. Co-infection with HBV raises liver cancer risk 2–6 times; 75% may develop cirrhosis within 15 years. No separate HDV vaccine exists; prevention relies on universal HBV vaccination and testing.
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. Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) Program is an initiative of which space organization?
[A] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[B] China National Space Administration (CNSA)
[C] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
[D] European Space Agency (ESA)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)]
Notes:
Recently, reports claim the Trump administration asked NASA to shut down Orbiting Carbon Observatories (OCO). The Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) Program, managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), is an initiative of NASA. OCO are Earth remote sensing satellites designed to monitor atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) from space to understand climate change.
6. India’s first fully indigenous commercial Earth Observation (EO) satellite constellation is led by which private company?
[A] Skyroot Aerospace
[B] Pixxel Space
[C] Agnikul Cosmo
[D] Bellatrix Aerospace
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pixxel Space]
Notes:
India recently launched its first fully indigenous commercial Earth Observation (EO) satellite constellation. It is developed by a private consortium led by Pixxel Space under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. The satellites carry advanced sensors like Panchromatic, Multispectral, Hyperspectral, and Microwave Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). They will provide Analysis Ready Data (ARD) and Value-Added Services (VAS). This reduces India’s dependence on foreign satellite data and ensures national data sovereignty. It positions India as a global leader in geospatial intelligence
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. What is the title of the Centre of Excellence established by IIT Hyderabad and Army Training Command (ATC) Shimla?
[A] VIGRAHA
[B] DRONA
[C] ARYA
[D] TEJAS
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [VIGRAHA]
Notes:
Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Army Training Command (ATC), Shimla. The partnership establishes a Centre of Excellence (CoE) named VIGRAHA (Virtual, Intelligent, Ground-breaking Research in AR/VR and High-tech Applications for Indian Army). The Simulator Development Division (SDD), Secunderabad represents the Indian Army in this collaboration. The CoE will focus on Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, unmanned systems, and emerging defense technologies. The initiative strengthens India’s self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in defense technologies.
10. 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.