1. Nipah virus, that was recently seen in news, primarily spreads through which species?
[A] Fruit bats
[B] Spider
[C] Honeybee
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Fruit bats]
Notes:
Kerala recently reported a new case of Nipah virus infection, highlighting the state’s renewed struggle with this rare and deadly zoonotic virus. The Nipah virus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is a newly emerging zoonosis, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans. The virus primarily spreads through fruit bats and contaminated food, making it a significant public health threat. Nipah virus infection progresses rapidly, and there is no specific treatment available for it. The virus is known for its high fatality rate and the potential for human-to-human transmission.
2. Which telescope was used to discover Asteroid 2024 YR4?
[A] Hubble Space Telescope
[B] ATLAS Telescope
[C] James Webb Space Telescope
[D] Chandra X-ray Observatory
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ATLAS Telescope]
Notes:
On April 2, 2025, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) reported that asteroid 2024 YR4 has a 3.8% chance of hitting the Moon on December 22, 2032. YR4 is a Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) discovered in December 2024 using the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in Chile. It is classified as a Near-Earth Object (NEO) because its orbit brings it close to Earth—within 1.3 times the Earth-Sun distance. In February 2025, YR4 triggered NASA’s highest-ever asteroid impact alert. Infrared data from the James Webb Space Telescope estimates its size at around 65 metres, similar to a 10-storey building. Since it is below 140 metres in size, it is not labeled a “Potentially Hazardous Asteroid.” Earlier, it had a 1% chance of hitting Earth, but updated analysis now shows almost no threat to our planet.
3. Which institute has developed a novel iron-doped catalyst to enhance oxygen-related electrocatalytic reactions for clean energy technologies?
[A] Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
[B] CSIR- National Chemical Laboratory
[C] Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
[D] Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences]
Notes:
Researchers from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have developed a new iron-doped catalyst. This catalyst improves oxygen-related electrocatalytic reactions. Oxygen electrocatalysis is important for clean energy technologies like water splitting to produce hydrogen, generating clean fuels, and making hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). These technologies often face challenges such as slow reaction speeds, high energy use, and expensive materials. They usually depend on precious metals like platinum (Pt) and ruthenium (Ru). The new iron-based catalyst aims to reduce costs and improve efficiency in these clean energy processes.
4. The Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission was launched by which space agency?
[A] Australian Space Agency
[B] Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
[C] European Space Agency (ESA)
[D] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) ]
Notes:
NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) Mission recently created the most detailed gravity map of the Moon. The Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission was launched by NASA. It was part of NASA’s Discovery Program. The new map will help build a precise lunar reference frame and time system, making future Moon missions safer and more accurate. The mission showed that the Moon’s nearside, which faces Earth, is warmer and more geologically active than the farside. Earth’s gravity pulls more on the nearside, causing it to flex more and revealing interior structural differences. The nearside has large flat plains called “mare”, while the farside has rugged terrain.
5. Where was Indian Railways’ first 9,000 HP locomotive engine inaugurated?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Odisha
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gujarat]
Notes:
On May 27, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled Indian Railways’ first 9,000 Horsepower (HP) electric locomotive engine in Dahod, Gujarat. This was part of his two-day Gujarat visit to launch projects worth over ₹24,000 crore in Dahod, Bhuj, and Gandhinagar. The locomotive was manufactured under the ‘Make in India’ initiative at the Dahod rolling stock workshop. The workshop’s foundation was laid in 2022 and built in just three years with an investment of ₹21,405 crore. The engine can haul 4,600 tonnes of freight and the facility can produce 120 locomotives annually, expandable to 150. Around 1,200 engines will be manufactured over the next decade for both domestic and export purposes.
6. What is a “bow echo” in context of meteorology?
[A] A circular cyclone formation
[B] A line of thunderstorms that curves like a bow on radar
[C] A heatwave pattern
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [A line of thunderstorms that curves like a bow on radar]
Notes:
Delhi recently witnessed intense storms that appeared in the shape of a crescent or archer’s bow, technically known as bow echoes. A bow echo is a line of thunderstorms that appears curved like a bow on weather radar, also called a squall line. Sometimes, this bow echo can be part of a larger squall line system. It usually stretches from 20 to 100 kilometres and lasts for three to six hours. The term bow echo was introduced in the 1970s by Ted Fujita, a meteorologist famous for creating the Fujita Scale to measure tornado intensity.
7. Amoebic Meningoencephalitis, that was recently seen in the news, affects which part of the body?
[A] Kidney
[B] Lungs
[C] Brain
[D] Heart
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Brain]
Notes:
The Kerala State Public Health Laboratory has developed its own molecular diagnostic test kits to detect five toxic species of Free-Living Amoeba (FLA). These Free-Living Amoeba (FLAs) can cause Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (AME), a rare but deadly brain infection. Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (AME) is an infection of the brain and its protective membranes called meninges. It is caused by microscopic single-celled organisms found in water. The disease has a mortality rate of over 95% and mainly affects young people. This recent development highlights Kerala’s proactive steps in public health and early disease detection.
8. Arsia Mons is a massive shield volcano located in which planet?
[A] Mars
[B] Saturn
[C] Jupiter
[D] Neptune
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mars]
Notes:
NASA’s 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter recently captured a breathtaking image of Arsia Mons volcano rising above early morning clouds on Mars. Arsia Mons is a giant shield volcano in the Tharsis region of Mars. It stands over 18 kilometers tall and spans more than 300 kilometers wide at its base. It is much larger than Earth’s tallest volcano, Mauna Loa, which is 9 kilometers high. Arsia Mons is the southernmost volcano in the Tharsis Montes group, which includes three major volcanoes.
9. 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.
10. The NISAR mission is a joint Earth-observing satellite mission between which two space agencies?
[A] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[B] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and European Space Agency (ESA)
[C] Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and China National Space Administration (CNSA)
[D] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Space Agency (ESA)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)]
Notes:
The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite has recently reached the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) spaceport at Sriharikota. It is a joint mission between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and ISRO to study Earth’s changes. NISAR uses Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology to send energy pulses and measure how much is reflected back from Earth. This helps in capturing sharp images of the Earth even during darkness or cloudy weather. It detects changes in land, forests, and ice, and is useful for monitoring natural disasters and soil conditions.