1. 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.
2. The Global Astrometric Interferometer for Astrophysics (GAIA) was launched by which space organization?
[A] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[B] European Space Agency (ESA)
[C] China National Space Administration (CNSA)
[D] Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [European Space Agency (ESA)]
Notes:
The European Space Agency (ESA) shut down the Gaia space observatory on March 27, 2025. It was launched in 2013 by European Space Agency (ESA). Gaia aimed to create the most precise 3D map of the Milky Way. Originally named Global Astrometric Interferometer for Astrophysics (GAIA), later simplified to Gaia. It is positioned at Lagrange Point 2 (L2), 1.5 million km from Earth, for an unobstructed view.
3. What is “Coeliac Disease” that was recently seen in news?
[A] Viral Disease
[B] Neurological disorder
[C] Inherited autoimmune disorder
[D] Cardiovascular disease
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Inherited autoimmune disorder]
Notes:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) could help speed up the diagnosis of Coeliac Disease, an inherited autoimmune disorder. It is caused by an immune reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Eating gluten triggers intestinal damage, leading to malabsorption of nutrients. Symptoms include diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, bloating, and anemia. In children, it can affect growth and development. 1 in 10 people with a first-degree relative having the disease are at risk. 1 in 100 people worldwide are affected. The only treatment is a strict gluten-free diet.
4. The government has launched ZooWIN, a digital platform to track the availability of which two types of medical supplies?
[A] Malaria medicines and dengue vaccines
[B] Anti-rabies vaccines (ARV) and anti-snake venom (ASV)
[C] COVID-19 vaccines and polio vaccines
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Anti-rabies vaccines (ARV) and anti-snake venom (ASV)]
Notes:
The government has launched ZooWIN, a digital platform to track real-time availability of anti-rabies vaccines (ARV) and anti-snake venom (ASV) nationwide. ZooWIN is similar to Co-WIN and U-WIN, centralizing data for better coordination among healthcare providers, municipal authorities, and veterinary services. It supports the Union Health Ministry’s efforts to combat rabies and snakebites under the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE). India records 3–4 million snakebites annually, causing around 50,000 deaths, half of the global snakebite mortality. The platform is initially piloted in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh.
5. Which institute has developed the orange-fleshed sweet potato variety (SP-95/4) to enhance tribal food security in India?
[A] ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research
[B] ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute
[C] ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering
[D] ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute ]
Notes:
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research -Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI) developed an orange-fleshed sweet potato variety (SP-95/4) to improve tribal food security in Kerala and other states. It successfully passed final trials in Odisha, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Kerala. It contains 8 mg/100g of Beta-carotene, helping combat Vitamin A deficiency in tribal areas. The average tuber weighs 300 grams and has a fusiform shape, making it ideal for processing. The project, currently on 10-15 acres, aims to expand to 100 acres by 2025 with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding. Research trials confirmed its high yield potential in multiple states, including Odisha and Karnataka.
6. What is the primary objective of NASA’s TESS mission?
[A] To study the moons of Jupiter
[B] To explore the asteroid belt
[C] To detect gravitational waves
[D] To discover exoplanets around the brightest dwarf stars
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [To discover exoplanets around the brightest dwarf stars]
Notes:
An international team of astronomers has used the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) to discover a new warm Jupiter-type exoplanet over 1,000 light years away. TESS is a NASA mission launched in March 2018 to detect exoplanets orbiting bright dwarf stars by observing small dips in star brightness caused by planet transits. It followed the Kepler space telescope and used the transit method to study planet size and orbit. In its two-year prime mission, which ended in July 2020, TESS imaged 75% of the sky and discovered 66 new exoplanets. TESS continues its work under an extended mission.
7. Which institution has developed India’s first automated bat monitoring system called BatEchoMon?
[A] Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), Bengaluru
[B] Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur
[C] Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
[D] Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), Bengaluru]
Notes:
BatEchoMon stands for Bat Echolocation Monitoring, India’s first real-time automated bat monitoring system. It was developed by Kadambari Deshpande and Vedant Barje under Jagdish Krishnaswamy at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), Bengaluru. It is part of the Long-Term Urban Ecological Observatory at IIHS’s School of Environment and Sustainability. BatEchoMon detects, records, analyses, and classifies bat sounds using echolocation. It uses an ultrasonic microphone, a Raspberry Pi microprocessor, solar-powered battery, and Wi-Fi unit. It activates at sunset and works through the night using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to identify bat calls.
8. Which state has launched a pilot Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) project in collaboration with IIT Bombay?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) have launched a pilot Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) project in Kerala. Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) is a technology that allows Electric Vehicles (EVs) to send stored power back to the grid when not in use. V2G is the most studied application, though it is part of a broader framework including Vehicle to Home (V2H) and Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) systems.
9. Which government department launched the Project EVolutionS programme?
[A] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
[B] Department of Science and Technology (DST)
[C] Ministry of Power
[D] NITI Aayog
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Department of Science and Technology (DST)]
Notes:
The Government has provided grants for Electric Vehicle (EV) startups under the Project Electric Vehicle Solutions led by Startups (EVolutionS). EVolutionS was launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science and Technology. It is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Heavy Industry (MHI) and the Automotive Component Manufacturing Association of India (ACMA). The programme supports startups in pilot demonstrations, testing, validation of components, and building industry connections for quick market entry. It covers EV components for two-wheelers, three-wheelers like L5 vehicles, e-rickshaws, e-carts, four-wheelers, e-buses, and charging infrastructure. Startups with indigenous innovation will receive ₹50 lakh, including ₹30 lakh through equity-linked support.
10. Which institute has developed the new optical sensing platform for detecting cholesterol?
[A] Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru
[B] Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati
[C] All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati]
Notes:
Researchers at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, have developed a new optical sensing platform for detecting cholesterol. This platform can detect cholesterol even in trace amounts, below the normal preferred range, making it useful for early disease detection. It is designed to help in regular and efficient monitoring of cholesterol levels in the human body. Cholesterol is an essential lipid produced by the liver and is vital for the functioning of animal tissues, blood, and nerve cells. In mammals, it is transported through the bloodstream to perform various biological functions.