1. Which Indian naval ship participated in the multilateral naval exercise MALABAR 2026 held in Japan?
[A] INS Sahyadri
[B] INS Shivalik
[C] INS Kolkata
[D] INS Satpura
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [INS Sahyadri]
Notes:
The Indian Navy’s indigenous Guided Missile Stealth Frigate INS Sahyadri arrived at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, to participate in the multilateral naval exercise MALABAR 2026. MALABAR 2026 involves the navies of India, Japan, the United States and Australia. The exercise aims to enhance maritime cooperation, operational coordination, interoperability and the exchange of professional expertise among participating navies. MALABAR began as a bilateral naval exercise between India and the United States in 1992. Japan joined as a permanent participant in 2015, while Australia became a permanent participant in 2020.
2. The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, which re-entered Earth’s atmosphere over Indonesia in November 2026, was launched by which space agency?
[A] European Space Agency (ESA)
[B] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[C] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
[D] Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)]
Notes:
NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, originally named the Swift Gamma-Ray Burst Explorer, re-entered Earth’s atmosphere on 4 November 2026 over northern Sumatra, Indonesia, after nearly 22 years in space. It was launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on 20 November 2004, with an initial planned mission duration of two years. The space-based multi-wavelength observatory was primarily designed to study gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), among the most powerful explosions in the universe. It also studied other high-energy cosmic events, including supernovae, active galactic nuclei and black holes.
3. Garbhanga Reserve Forest, where the newly discovered plant named Disporum kamakhasiense was recorded, is located in which state?
[A] Meghalaya
[B] Assam
[C] Manipur
[D] Nagaland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Assam]
Notes:
Botanists have discovered a new flowering plant species named Disporum kamakhasiense in the forests of Assam and Meghalaya. The plant belongs to the Colchicaceae family and is a perennial herb that can grow up to 180 cm in height. It was recorded at three locations: Garbhanga Reserve Forest (Assam), Laisong in Dima Hasao district (Assam), and Barapani (Meghalaya). The plant has branched stems, broad yellowish-green leaves with prominent veins and white, star-shaped flowers. It grows on cliffs, mainly beneath bamboo forests, at elevations ranging from 200 to 1,100 metres.
4. Which country became the 116th member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in November 2026?
[A] Bahamas
[B] Fiji
[C] Jamaica
[D] Barbados
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bahamas]
Notes:
The Bahamas has joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as its 116th member. The International Solar Alliance was jointly launched by India and France in 2015 during the COP21 Climate Conference held in Paris. The ISA is a global initiative that aims to promote solar energy, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate the adoption of clean and affordable energy. Its headquarters is located in Gurugram, Haryana, India.
5. Which research institute has developed a silicon chip capable of transmitting terahertz waves with minimal signal loss for potential 6G applications?
[A] Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
[B] Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR)
[C] Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)
[D] Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR)]
Notes:
Researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) have developed a silicon chip capable of transmitting terahertz waves with minimal signal loss, potentially supporting future 6G communication networks. JNCASR is an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The technology uses topological photonics and a silicon photonic crystal with triangular holes arranged in a graphene-like honeycomb pattern. It enables terahertz waves to travel through engineered barriers while reducing signal scattering and backscattering. The devices were fabricated using high-resistivity silicon, which is compatible with semiconductor manufacturing processes.
