1. What is the main raw material used for producing microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), which is commonly applied in pharmaceuticals?
[A] Resins
[B] Rice husk
[C] Refined wood pulp
[D] Sugarcane pulp
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Refined wood pulp]
Notes:
Recently, a deadly accident occurred at the pharma unit of Sigachi Industries in Hyderabad, raising the death toll to 36. The unit manufactures Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC). Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) is a free-flowing powder extracted from refined wood pulp. It is inert, nontoxic, fiber-rich, chewable, and not absorbed during digestion. Wood is the main source of pharmaceutical MCC, with cellulose chains bound by polymers and hydrogen bonds.
2. What is “Fentanyl” that was recently mentioned in news?
[A] Invasive weed
[B] Flowering plant
[C] Critical mineral
[D] Synthetic opioid drug
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Synthetic opioid drug]
Notes:
Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump cited the fentanyl crisis to justify imposing 35% tariffs on Canada. Fentanyl caused over 112,000 overdose deaths in the United States in 2024 alone. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid used medically as a pain reliever and anaesthetic. It is about 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. Common street names include Apache, China Girl, China Town, Dance Fever, Goodfellas, Jackpot, and King Ivory. Fentanyl overdose can cause cold skin, bluish lips (cyanosis), coma, respiratory failure, and death.
3. Shinkansen is the name of which country’s high-speed bullet train system?
[A] China
[B] France
[C] Germany
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Japan]
Notes:
Next generation E10 Shinkansen bullet trains will be introduced simultaneously in India and Japan. In India, they will operate on the 508 km Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project. Shinkansen is Japan’s high-speed bullet train known for its safety, speed, and reliability. It is the world’s safest high-speed transport system with high volume and frequency.
4. Which country has created an in vitro biotransformation (ivBT) system that can make sucrose from methanol?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] Japan
[D] Israel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [China]
Notes:
Chinese researchers recently created an in vitro biotransformation (ivBT) system that can make sucrose from methanol. Methanol used in the process is produced from industrial waste or carbon dioxide (CO2). This method shows a new way to convert CO2 into food and useful chemicals. It helps in solving environmental problems and food shortages caused by growing population. Biotransformation means changing a substance using biological agents like enzymes. When this change happens outside the living body, it is called in vitro biotransformation (ivBT). The system uses isolated enzymes or cells for the chemical change.
5. 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.
6. 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).
7. Which space telescope recently captured detailed images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS?
[A] James Webb Space Telescope
[B] Spitzer Space Telescope
[C] Hubble Space Telescope
[D] Kepler Space Telescope
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Hubble Space Telescope]
Notes:
Recently, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope captured the first detailed images of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it passed through our solar system. This offers scientists a rare chance to study a comet originating from another star system. Comets are ancient objects made of dust and ice that orbit the Sun and are leftovers from the solar system’s formation around 6 billion years ago. They are best known for their long, glowing tails. A comet has four visible parts: nucleus, coma, ion tail, and dust tail. This discovery helps scientists better understand the nature of interstellar objects and early solar system formation.
8. 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).
9. Which institute has developed a new drug candidate, Compound 3b, to fight deadly drug-resistant bacteria?
[A] IIT Kanpur
[B] IIT Bombay
[C] IIT Roorkee
[D] IIT Ahmedabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [IIT Roorkee]
Notes:
Recently, IIT Roorkee developed a new drug candidate, Compound 3b, to fight deadly drug-resistant bacteria. It targets KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, a World Health Organization (WHO) top-priority superbug. Compound 3b is a β-lactamase inhibitor that stops bacterial enzymes from breaking down antibiotics. It works with the antibiotic Meropenem, restoring its effectiveness against resistant infections. Preclinical lab and animal tests showed major infection reduction in lungs and safety to human cells. It marks a major step against antimicrobial resistance and boosts India’s role in global biomedical research.
10. 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