1. What is “Climaconeis heteropolaris” that was recently mentioned in news?
[A] A new species of fish
[B] A new species of diatom
[C] A new type of bacteria
[D] A new variety of seaweed
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [A new species of diatom]
Notes:
A team of Indian and international researchers has discovered a new diatom species named Climaconeis heteropolaris in Udupi estuarine waters. It was found where the Sita and Swarna rivers meet before entering the Arabian Sea, Karnataka. Diatoms are photosynthetic, single-celled microscopic algae forming a key part of phytoplankton. They are found in lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and oceans worldwide. Some float freely in water, while others attach to plants, rocks, or sediments as benthic diatoms. Diatoms produce oxygen, support aquatic life, and generate up to 50% of global atmospheric oxygen annually. They are vital in nutrient cycling of both marine and freshwater ecosystems.
2. Which NASA mission recently spotted two rocky exoplanets orbiting the star TOI-2322?
[A] Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)
[B] Artemis Program
[C] James Webb Space Telescope
[D] Hubble Space Telescope
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)]
Notes:
NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission has discovered two rocky exoplanets around star TOI-2322, located 195 light-years away. Scientists detected them by observing small dips in the star’s brightness, indicating planets passing in front. TOI-2322 b is nearly Earth-sized, completes one orbit in 11 days, and has a very hot surface temperature of about 330°C. TOI-2322 c is almost twice Earth’s size, about 18 times heavier, and has a dense structure similar to Earth’s layers. The planets were confirmed using space telescopes and ground tools, showing successful global collaboration in astronomy.
3. Where was India’s largest lithium-ion battery manufacturing plant launched?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Haryana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Haryana]
Notes:
India’s largest Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery manufacturing plant was inaugurated in Haryana on 5 September 2025. When fully operational, it will produce 20 crore battery packs annually, meeting nearly 40% of India’s 50 crore pack requirement. The plant was set up under the Centre’s Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) scheme. Li-ion batteries are rechargeable, with lithium ions moving between graphite (negative electrode) and lithium metal oxides (positive electrode) through a non-aqueous electrolyte. They offer high energy density (75-200 Wh/kg), are lightweight, use fewer toxic metals, and provide good cycle stability and efficiency. They have low self-discharge and no memory effect, ensuring reliable performance.
4. By using which method did scientists study fossil leaves from Nagaland to understand the evolution of Indian monsoons?
[A] Radiocarbon Dating
[B] Ice Core Analysis
[C] Dendrochronology
[D] CLAMP (Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [CLAMP (Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program)]
Notes:
A study of fossil leaves from Nagaland revealed how Antarctica influenced the Indian Monsoons. Fossil leaves from the Laisong Formation in Nagaland revealed that the region once had a warm and wet climate with very high rainfall and temperatures. The fossils matched the period when massive ice sheets began forming in Antarctica, showing a global connection. Growth of Antarctic ice reshaped global wind and rainfall patterns by shifting the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) toward the tropics. This shift brought intense monsoonal rains to Northeast India and led to the evolution of the monsoon system. The research used CLAMP (Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program) method to analyze fossil leaves. CLAMP treats fossil leaves as “climate fingerprints” to reconstruct past climates.
5. Melioidosis, the disease responsible for the public health emergency in Turakapalem village of Andhra Pradesh, is caused by which pathogen?
[A] Fungus
[B] Bacteria
[C] Fungus
[D] Protozoa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bacteria]
Notes:
Turakapalem village in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, has seen 29 deaths due to Melioidosis. It is caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei found in soil and water. The government has declared a public health emergency in the area. The disease is seasonal, with 75–85% of cases during the rainy season. It has a high case fatality rate (CFR) of 16% to 50% in endemic regions. Endemic areas include Southeast Asia, northern Australia, Indian subcontinent, southern China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Currently, no vaccine is available, but early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.
6. Which institute has become the first government medical college in India to offer training on the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System?
[A] Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Puducherry
[B] Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh
[C] All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi (AIIMS New Delhi)
[D] National institute of mental health and Neuro science, Bengaluru
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi (AIIMS New Delhi)]
Notes:
AIIMS New Delhi has become the first government medical college in India to offer training on the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System. The advanced system was inaugurated at the Skills, E-Learning and Telemedicine (SET) Facility. AIIMS Delhi now becomes the only institution in India with two robotic systems for training—the da Vinci system and the Hugo robotic trainer by Medtronic. The initiative provides hands-on training for students, residents, nurses, and faculty. Training will cover urology, gynaecology, general surgery, surgical oncology, and head & neck surgery.
7. Scientists at which institute recently discovered how white blood cells adapt their internal skeletons to combat pathogens?
[A] CSIR–Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB)
[B] CSIR–National Chemical Laboratory (NCL)
[C] CSIR–Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB)
[D] CSIR–Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [CSIR–Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB)]
Notes:
Scientists at CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) discovered how white blood cells adapt their skeletons to fight pathogens. The study was published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology. Cell shape depends on a dense, branched actin network near the membrane. Actin molecules push the membrane and create new meshworks for movement. A protein called SPIN90 regulates actin monomers and pairs with the Arp2/3 complex. Together, they grow new actin filaments in two directions about 150° apart. These filaments act as scaffolds to form branched actin mesh, reshaping the cell and aiding motility. This discovery explains rapid immune response and has implications for cancer, immune disorders, and wound healing.
8. Where was India’s first Integrative Oncology Research and Care Centre (IORCC) inaugurated?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Goa
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Goa]
Notes:
On the 10th National Ayurveda Day, the Ministry of Ayush inaugurated India’s first Integrative Oncology Research and Care Centre (IORCC) at All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa. The IORCC is a first-of-its-kind centre combining Ayurveda, Yoga, Panchakarma, and modern oncology for holistic cancer care. The centre provides patient-centric rehabilitation aimed at reducing side effects, enhancing recovery, and improving quality of life. It is established in collaboration with Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) – Tata Memorial Centre. The facility will act as a hub for research, training, and clinical care in integrative oncology.
9. What is the causative agent of False Smut Disease, that was recently seen in news?
[A] Bacteria
[B] Virus
[C] Fungus
[D] Protozoa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Fungus]
Notes:
In Punjab, incessant rainfall and floods stopped farmers from spraying anti-fungal medicines. This has led to the emergence of false smut disease, locally called haldi rog, in paddy crops. False smut is a major fungal disease of rice caused by Ustilaginoidea virens. The fungus attacks during the flowering stage, but symptoms appear after panicle emergence. Infected grains show black fungal growth, later covered with yellow fungal mass. It reduces seed germination and significantly lowers yield depending on infection level.
10. Which country has developed the MAM01 monoclonal antibody that showed strong protection against malaria?
[A] China
[B] Japan
[C] United States
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [United States]
Notes:
United States (US) researchers have developed a novel monoclonal antibody named MAM01 that showed strong protection against malaria in an early clinical trial. MAM01 targets a highly conserved region of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein, blocking infection before the parasite enters the bloodstream. The trial demonstrated dose-dependent full protection with minimal side effects. It is administered as a single long-acting injection, providing immediate and months-long protection. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are lab-made proteins mimicking the body’s natural immune defenses.