1. INVICTUS research programme is an initiative of which space organization?
[A] European Space Agency (ESA)
[B] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
[C] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[D] China National Space Administration (CNSA)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [European Space Agency (ESA)]
Notes:
Recently, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched the INVICTUS research programme. The INVICTUS research program is an initiative of the European Space Agency (ESA), in collaboration with the UK-based Frazer-Nash Consultancy. The goal is to develop hypersonic technologies for future reusable vehicles with horizontal launch capability. It is funded by ESA’s General Support Technology Programme (GSTP) and Technology Development Element (TDE). It will test key technologies for sustained hypersonic flight in Earth’s atmosphere.
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 institute has developed a highly sensitive, low-cost point-of-care device for early detection of sepsis?
[A] Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
[B] National Institute of Technology Calicut
[C] All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi
[D] Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [National Institute of Technology Calicut]
Notes:
A team at National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut has recently developed a low-cost, highly sensitive point-of-care device for early detection of sepsis. The device uses an electrochemical biosensor to detect endotoxins, which are key biomarkers of infection from Gram-negative bacteria. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that can cause organ failure, shock, and even death if not treated early. The device can detect Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a toxic component of bacterial membranes, within 10 minutes using blood serum.
4. Which country has launched Nahid-2 telecommunications and research satellite in July 2025?
[A] Israel
[B] Iran
[C] Iraq
[D] Ukraine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Iran]
Notes:
Iran successfully launched its Nahid-2 telecommunications and research satellite on 27 July 2025. The launch was done aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket as part of a multi-payload mission. Other payloads included Russia’s Unisphere-M3 and M4 and 18 satellites from various countries. The Soyuz rocket had earlier launched Iranian satellites like Khayyam, Pars-1, Kosar, and Hodhod. Nahid-2 is designed to stay in orbit for five years. It has an indigenous propulsion system that can adjust its altitude by up to 50 kilometers. This propulsion is key for maintaining orbital position and operational stability.
5. The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) is developed by which organization?
[A] Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
[B] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[C] Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
[D] Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) ]
Notes:
In July 2025, ISRO announced that the NASA-ISRO NISAR satellite has been mounted on the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) ahead of its launch. All systems of the rocket have been successfully checked. NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) is a joint mission between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and ISRO to study Earth’s changing ecosystems. GSLV is developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to launch satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits (GTOs). It can carry heavier payloads than the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
6. Which two crops from Ladakh are part of NASA’s Crew-11 experiment on the International Space Station (ISS)?
[A] Barley and maize
[B] Seabuckthorn and Himalayan tartary
[C] Mizuna mustard and Black eyed pea
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Seabuckthorn and Himalayan tartary]
Notes:
Seeds of seabuckthorn and Himalayan tartary buckwheat grown in Ladakh’s cold desert are part of NASA’s Crew-11 experiment on the International Space Station (ISS). The seeds were sourced by Indian space start-up Protoplanet based in Bengaluru. The mission launched on August 1, 2025, from Florida and docked at ISS on August 2, 2025. The experiment aims to test how seeds react to space stress and microgravity before germination. It focuses on gene activation and metabolic processes vital for space agriculture. Himalayan tartary buckwheat and seabuckthorn are rich in nutrients and suitable for long-duration space missions.
7. LEAP-1 is the first commercial satellite mission of which Indian space-tech startup?
[A] Dhruva Space
[B] Agnikul
[C] Skyroot Aerospace
[D] Digantara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Dhruva Space]
Notes:
Indian space-tech startup Dhruva Space is set to launch its first commercial satellite mission named LEAP-1. LEAP-1 will carry payloads for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Earth observation. It uses the indigenously developed P-30 satellite platform, which was space-qualified on ISRO’s PSLV-C58 in January 2024 during the LEAP-TD mission. The mission is jointly developed by Dhruva Space, Akula Tech (Australia), and Esper Satellites (Australia).
8. 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.
9. Rubella disease, that was recently seen in news, is caused by which agent?
[A] Bacteria
[B] Virus
[C] Fungus
[D] Protozoa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Virus]
Notes:
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced that Nepal has eliminated rubella as a public health problem. Rubella, also called German measles or three-day measles, is a contagious viral infection known for its red rash. It is caused by the Rubella virus, a single-stranded RNA virus, different from the measles virus. Rubella spreads through coughing, sneezing, contaminated surfaces, and from mother to fetus during pregnancy. This can lead to fetal death or Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS), causing hearing loss, eye and heart defects, autism, diabetes mellitus, and thyroid problems.
10. National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) is jointly implemented by which two government bodies?
[A] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Department of Science and Technology
[B] Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[C] Indian Space Research Organization and Department of Biotechnology
[D] Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Science and Technology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Department of Science and Technology ]
Notes:
The National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) was launched in April 2015 by the Government of India with a budget of Rs.4,500 crore. Its vision is to achieve self-reliance and global leadership in supercomputing and provide state-of-the-art facilities to researchers. It is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) through Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune and Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. As of August 2025, 37 supercomputers with 40 Petaflops capacity are installed across IITs, IISc, R&D labs and Tier-II/III cities. This information was submitted in the Lok Sabha today by Shri Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology.