1. Melioidosis disease, that was recently seen in news, is caused by which agent?
[A] Fungus
[B] Bacteria
[C] Virus
[D] Protozoa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bacteria]
Notes:
A study in Odisha found that melioidosis cases peak during and after the monsoon season. Melioidosis is a bacterial disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, which lives in soil and surface water in tropical and subtropical regions. It is endemic in Southeast Asia, northern Australia, the Indian subcontinent, and parts of China. Also known as Whitmore’s disease, it has a high Case Fatality Rate (16%-50%). It spreads through contact with contaminated soil, air, or water.
2. Which ministry has launched the National Innovation Challenge for Drone Application and Research (NIDAR) under the SwaYaan initiative?
[A] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[B] Ministry of Science and Technology
[C] Ministry of Defence
[D] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology ]
Notes:
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Drone Federation India (DFI) launch National Innovation Challenge for Drone Application and Research (NIDAR) under the SwaYaan initiative to boost drone innovation. NIDAR aims to engage students and researchers in developing autonomous drones for real-world challenges. SwaYaan focuses on building human resources in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including drones. It was approved in July 2022. It targets training 42,560 participants through formal and non-formal programs to create a skilled drone workforce.
3. What is the primary function of sonic weapons, that were recently mentioned in news?
[A] To deliver loud, painful sounds over long distances
[B] To enhance communication between soldiers
[C] To generate electromagnetic pulses
[D] To detect enemy submarines
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [To deliver loud, painful sounds over long distances]
Notes:
Serbian government is accused of using a banned sonic weapon to disperse protesters in Belgrade. Sonic weapons, also called acoustic weapons, emit loud, painful sounds over long distances. They can use audible or inaudible sound waves to disrupt, disorient, or incapacitate people. Some versions amplify voices for crowd control. It was first developed for military use. The U.S. used them in Iraq in 2004. They work with transducers that convert energy into sound waves. Highly concentrated sound beams can cause discomfort, pain, and disorientation. Authorities control frequency, volume, and duration for targeted impact.
4. What is “DNA polymorphism” that was recently seen in news?
[A] Variations in DNA segments or genes between individuals
[B] Mutations that always cause diseases
[C] Abnormalities in chromosomes
[D] Artificially modified DNA sequences
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Variations in DNA segments or genes between individuals]
Notes:
DNA polymorphism is widely used in forensics and medicine. It refers to variations in DNA segments or genes among individuals. Detection techniques include Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (VNTR) polymorphism. DNA profiles are created using polymorphisms in short tandem repeats (STRs). STRs are short DNA sequences repeated multiple times at specific locations. Applications include molecular and personalized medicine, forensic DNA analysis, DNA linkage studies, and identity differentiation.
5. Lyme disease, that was recently seen in news, is caused by which agent?
[A] Fungus
[B] Bacteria
[C] Virus
[D] Protozoa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bacteria]
Notes:
Scientists have identified the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (BbLDH) as essential for the survival and infectivity of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by Bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and can affect the skin, heart, brain, and joints. It is transmitted exclusively through the bite of infected deer ticks (black-legged ticks) and cannot spread via human contact, pets, air, food, water, or insect vectors such as mosquitoes and fleas. The disease is prevalent in wooded and grassy regions, particularly in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, with higher incidence during warmer months.
6. Which organization has launched Parker Solar Probe to study the sun?
[A] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
[B] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[C] European Space Agency (ESA)
[D] Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)]
Notes:
On March 22, 2025, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe reached 6 million km from the Sun, setting a new record for the closest spacecraft approach. It was launched on August 12, 2018, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It aims to study the Sun’s corona, solar wind, and magnetic field. The probe follows a highly elliptical orbit, using Venus’ gravity to move closer to the Sun. It is the fastest human-made object, reaching speeds of 692,000 km/hr. It will ultimately come within 6.16 million km of the Sun, about seven times closer than any previous spacecraft.
7. What kind of satellite is “CARTOSAT-3” that was recently seen in news?
[A] Earth Observation Satellite
[B] Communications Satellite
[C] Navigation Satellite
[D] Astronomical Satellite
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Earth Observation Satellite]
Notes:
Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) CARTOSAT-3 satellite captured high-resolution images of earthquake damage in Myanmar. A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025. Post-disaster images from March 29 were compared with pre-event data from March 18 to assess damage in Mandalay and Sagaing. CARTOSAT-3 is a third-generation agile advanced Earth observation satellite developed by ISRO. It replaces the Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) series and has high-resolution imaging capabilities. It was launched aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C47).
8. River Blindness, that was recently seen in news, is a neglected tropical disease caused by which agent?
[A] Bacteria
[B] Parasite
[C] Virus
[D] Fungus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Parasite]
Notes:
A new study by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has used Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) barcoding to correctly identify blackfly species that spread river blindness. River blindness, also called Onchocerciasis, is caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus and spreads through the bite of infected blackflies of the genus Simulium. These blackflies breed near fast-flowing rivers and streams and mainly affect people in rural and remote areas. The disease causes severe skin itching, skin damage, and in serious cases, permanent blindness. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies river blindness as a major Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD), especially in sub-Saharan Africa, Yemen, and Latin America.
9. Semaglutide, which was seen in news, is a medication primarily used to treat which disease?
[A] Diabetes
[B] Chicken pox
[C] Tuberculosis
[D] Rubella
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Diabetes]
Notes:
A recent international multicentre clinical study found that Semaglutide, a medicine for type 2 diabetes and obesity, can lower the risk of major heart-related events by 14%. Semaglutide is a Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist (GLP-1 RA) that acts like a natural hormone to control blood sugar and appetite. It helps treat Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) by boosting insulin and lowering blood sugar levels. It also supports weight loss when combined with proper diet and exercise. Semaglutide is available as injections and oral tablets.
10. What kind of disease is “Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD)” that was recently seen in news?
[A] Waterborne parasitic disease
[B] Viral haemorrhagic disease
[C] Fungal infection
[D] Airborne bacterial disease
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Viral haemorrhagic disease]
Notes:
Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), also known as Monkey Fever, is rising in Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru districts of Karnataka. It is a tick-borne viral haemorrhagic disease first reported in 1957 from Kyasanur Forest, Karnataka. It is caused by the Kyasanur Forest Disease Virus (KFDV), part of the Flavivirus genus and Flaviviridae family, linked to the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) complex. The virus spreads through hard ticks (Hemaphysalis spinigera) and affects humans, monkeys, and rodents, but not through human-to-human contact.