1. What is “Kosmos 482” that was recently seen in news?
[A] A lunar exploration spacecraft
[B] A satellite launched to study the Sun
[C] A Soviet-era Venus lander
[D] A Mars rover
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [A Soviet-era Venus lander]
Notes:
Kosmos 482 was a Soviet-era Venus lander launched on March 31, 1972, as part of the Venera space program. Its mission was to land on Venus, but a rocket malfunction left it stranded in Earth’s orbit. After orbiting Earth for over 50 years, the 500-kg lander module is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere around May 10, 2025. The spacecraft has been circling the planet for decades, marking an unusual journey in space history. Its re-entry marks the end of a long-lived mission that never reached its intended destination.
2. The AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) is developed by which country?
[A] France
[B] Russia
[C] India
[D] United States
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [United States]
Notes:
The recent approval by the United States to sell AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to Turkey has raised serious concerns in India due to changing regional security dynamics. AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) is a state-of-the-art missile with beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) and surface-to-air missile (SAM) capabilities. It is developed by Raytheon Technologies, a top US defence company. The missile is designed to engage and destroy enemy aircraft at long distances before visual contact is made. It is a key component in modern air combat systems and significantly boosts the air power of its users.
3. Titan is the largest moon of which planet?
[A] Jupiter
[B] Mars
[C] Uranus
[D] Saturn
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Saturn]
Notes:
In November 2022 and July 2023, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) observed Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Keck Observatory. Titan is the second-largest moon in the solar system and the only one with a thick atmosphere and surface lakes of methane and ethane. It has Earth-like weather patterns, including clouds, rainfall, and changing seasons. Scientists detected clouds in Titan’s mid- and high northern latitudes that rose over time, showing convection-driven weather. This is the first confirmed evidence of such cloud activity near Titan’s northern seas like Kraken Mare and Ligeia Mare. The findings deepen our understanding of Titan’s methane cycle, which works like Earth’s water cycle, and offer clues about prebiotic chemistry on icy moons.
4. Which institute has discovered a new method to detect topological invariants in quantum materials using the spectral function?
[A] Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
[B] Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru
[C] Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay
[D] Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru]
Notes:
Scientists at Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru, under the Department of Science and Technology, have found a new method to detect topological invariants in quantum materials using the spectral function. The spectral function is a quantum tool that shows how energy and particles like electrons behave inside a material. It is commonly used to study electronic structure such as density of states and dispersion relations. The team focused on momentum-space spectral function (SPSF), which acts like a quantum fingerprint showing how electrons are spread across energy and momentum. This method reveals hidden topological features using values like winding numbers in one-dimensional systems and Chern numbers in two-dimensional systems.
5. What is the name of the next-generation two-seater electric trainer aircraft being developed in India?
[A] E-Surya
[B] E-Hansa
[C] E-Vikrant
[D] E-Akash
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [E-Hansa]
Notes:
India is developing Electric Hansa (E-Hansa), a next-generation two-seater electric trainer aircraft to promote self-reliance. E-Hansa is being developed indigenously by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR–NAL), Bengaluru. It is nearly half the cost of imported trainer aircraft, making it a cost-effective option for pilot training. E-Hansa is part of the HANSA-3 (Next Generation) program aimed at supporting affordable and local aviation training.
6. Which institute has developed the metal-based nanozyme to treat Pulmonary Thromboembolism (PTE)?
[A] Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
[B] Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
[C] All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi
[D] Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru]
Notes:
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, recently developed a metal-based nanozyme to help control abnormal blood clotting caused by Pulmonary Thromboembolism (PTE). Pulmonary Thromboembolism is a condition where blood clots block arteries in the lungs, which can be life-threatening. Nanozymes are nanomaterials that act like enzymes and can be made from metals, metal oxides, or carbon-based substances. This new nanozyme could offer a promising treatment option by safely breaking down harmful clots.
7. KATRIN (Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino) experiment, which was seen in news, is located in which country?
[A] Russia
[B] Germany
[C] France
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Germany]
Notes:
Recently, the Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino (KATRIN) Experiment in Germany closely studied the disintegration of molecular tritium to estimate the mass of neutrinos. The KATRIN (Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino) experiment, located in Karlsruhe, Germany, aims to find the absolute mass of neutrinos, which are among the most mysterious particles in the universe. This experiment marks a major step in understanding fundamental particle physics and the structure of the universe.
8. Which two Indian institutions recently demonstrated quantum communication over 1 km in free space?
[A] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
[B] Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
[C] Indian Institute of Science Bangalore (IISc) and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
[D] National Institute of Technology (NIT) Trichy and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)]
Notes:
Recently, the Ministry of Defence announced that scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully demonstrated quantum communication over more than 1 km in free space. Quantum communication is a super secure method of sending information using tiny particles like photons. It uses principles of quantum physics, especially entanglement, to make communication channels tamper-proof. If someone tries to intercept the photons, the disturbance will be detected, revealing the breach. This makes quantum communication highly valuable for defence and national security.
9. Lenacapavir (LEN), a drug recently seen in the news, is primarily used for the prevention of which disease?
[A] Tuberculosis
[B] Japanese Encephalitis
[C] HIV infection
[D] Diabetes
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [HIV infection]
Notes:
Recently, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Lenacapavir (LEN), the most advanced medicine yet for HIV prevention. Lenacapavir is an antiretroviral drug used as pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP for people who are HIV-negative but at risk. PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, a method to prevent HIV infection before exposure. Lenacapavir is taken as an injection just twice a year, making it easier and more discreet than daily pills. It is developed by Gilead Sciences and sold under the brand name Yeztugo.
10. What is “Gwada negative” that was recently mentioned in news?
[A] Asteroid
[B] Traditional medicine
[C] Spider
[D] Blood group system
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Blood group system]
Notes:
Recently, France’s national blood agency, the French Blood Establishment (EFS), discovered a new blood group system called “Gwada negative,” officially recognised by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT). It is scientifically named EMM-negative and registered as ISBT042. The name “Gwada negative” refers to the Guadeloupean origin of the woman who carries this rare blood type. This blood group is defined by the absence of the EMM antigen, a high-incidence antigen usually present in almost all humans.