1. BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) missile is jointly developed by India and which country?
[A] Australia
[B] Russia
[C] France
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Russia]
Notes:
The BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) missile is nearing flight testing with an extended range of 800 km. It is a smaller, lighter, and more versatile supersonic cruise missile. BrahMos-NG is designed to be used on fighter aircraft, ships, and submarines. It is jointly developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia under BrahMos Aerospace. The missile aims to be miniaturized, stealthier, and more agile for ultra-precise strikes on land and sea targets.
2. Which institute has created India’s first gene-edited sheep?
[A] Doon University, Dehradun
[B] Himachal Pradesh University
[C] Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology]
Notes:
Researchers at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) have created India’s first gene-edited sheep. This is a major breakthrough in animal biotechnology and marks a historic achievement for India. The sheep was developed using genome editing without adding any foreign Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA), making it different from transgenic animals. This innovation may ease regulatory approvals under India’s updated biotechnology policy. It positions SKUAST-Kashmir as a leader in reproductive biotechnology research. This recent development places India among the global frontrunners in advanced genome editing technologies.
3. The IndiaAI Mission was jointly launched by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and which organization?
[A] National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM)
[B] Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
[C] Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
[D] Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM)]
Notes:
Recently, three new startups were selected to build India’s own Foundation Model under the IndiaAI Mission, marking a big step in boosting local Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities. The IndiaAI Mission was launched in 2023 as a joint effort by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM). It supports startups and researchers by providing access to high-end computing power. The mission promotes “Making AI in India” by developing AI technologies locally.
4. Which ministry launched the Bharat Gen Multimodal Large Language Model (LLM) at the BharatGen Summit?
[A] Ministry of Science and Technology
[B] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[C] Ministry of Finance
[D] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Science and Technology]
Notes:
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh launched Bharat Gen Multimodal Large Language Model (LLM) at the BharatGen Summit. BharatGen is India’s first government-funded, indigenously built Artificial Intelligence (AI) based Multimodal Large Language Model. It is developed under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) and implemented by the TIH Foundation for Internet of Things (IoT) and Internet of Everything (IoE) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay.
5. The Solar Orbiter mission is a joint mission conducted by which two space organizations?
[A] European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA
[B] China National Space Administration (CNSA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
[C] European Space Agency (ESA) and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
[D] China National Space Administration (CNSA) and NASA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA]
Notes:
For the first time ever, scientists have captured direct images of the Sun’s north and south poles. This was made possible by the Solar Orbiter mission. The Solar Orbiter mission is a collaborative effort between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA to study the Sun. It aims to observe the Sun’s surface and the solar wind, providing valuable insights into solar activity and its effects on Earth and the solar system.
6. Cosmology Large Angular Scale Surveyor (CLASS) telescope is located in which country?
[A] Brazil
[B] Peru
[C] Chile
[D] Colombia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chile]
Notes:
Scientists using the Cosmology Large Angular Scale Surveyor (CLASS) telescope have detected a faint 13-billion-year-old microwave signal. The Cosmology Large Angular Scale Surveyor (CLASS) telescope is located in Chile’s Atacama Desert. The signal comes from the Cosmic Dawn, the era when the first stars, black holes, and galaxies formed. Cosmic Dawn occurred between 50 million and one billion years after the Big Bang. This discovery helps scientists understand how early stars affected the universe’s structure and temperature. The recent detection gives valuable clues about the universe’s formation and the role of early cosmic objects.
7. What is the name of India’s first agentic AI system developed by Krutrim start up?
[A] Mitra
[B] Sanchita
[C] Vaani
[D] Kruti
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kruti]
Notes:
Recently, India’s first agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI) named Kruti was launched by the startup Krutrim. It is a next-generation Generative AI (GenAI) tool that goes beyond just providing information. Kruti can act independently to manage complex tasks, make decisions, and solve problems for users and organizations. It uses advanced reasoning and step-by-step planning to handle multi-layered challenges without constant human input. It processes large amounts of data from various sources to create strategies and complete tasks on its own.
8. Which institute has been designated as a Category A Rinderpest Holding Facility by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)?
[A] National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal
[B] National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology (NIANP), Bengaluru
[C] Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Uttar Pradesh
[D] National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Bengaluru
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal]
Notes:
India has gained global recognition in animal health as the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal was recently designated as a Category A Rinderpest Holding Facility (RHF) by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Rinderpest, also called cattle plague, is a deadly viral disease caused by a Morbillivirus from the Paramyxoviridae family. It mainly affects cloven-hoofed animals like cattle and buffalo, with mortality rates reaching up to 100 percent in highly vulnerable herds.
9. What is “Gwada negative” that was recently mentioned in news?
[A] Asteroid
[B] Traditional medicine
[C] Spider
[D] Blood group system
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Blood group system]
Notes:
Recently, France’s national blood agency, the French Blood Establishment (EFS), discovered a new blood group system called “Gwada negative,” officially recognised by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT). It is scientifically named EMM-negative and registered as ISBT042. The name “Gwada negative” refers to the Guadeloupean origin of the woman who carries this rare blood type. This blood group is defined by the absence of the EMM antigen, a high-incidence antigen usually present in almost all humans.
10. Which crop is mainly affected by the black-headed caterpillar (Opisina arenosella)?
[A] Coconut
[B] Coffee
[C] Arecanut
[D] Banana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Coconut]
Notes:
Recently, the Chief Minister of Karnataka asked the Horticulture Department for a report on the threat of black-headed caterpillar (Opisina arenosella) disease harming coconut plantations. This pest damages coconut trees in both coastal and inland areas by eating leaf green parts from silken galleries, lowering photosynthesis. It attacks coconuts of all ages, leaving dried patches on lower leaves while only a few young leaves stay green. The pest spreads quickly by wind and peaks in summer.