31. Which country has launched the Zhangheng 1B satellite to strengthen early warning systems for natural disasters?
[A] South Korea
[B] Japan
[C] China
[D] Vietnam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [China]
Notes:
China has launched the Zhangheng 1B satellite to strengthen early warning systems for natural disasters by monitoring Earth’s electromagnetic environment. It was launched aboard a Long March 2D rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert. Developed in partnership with Italy under a 2019 cooperation agreement, the satellite entered orbit as planned. Zhangheng 1B is China’s first satellite focused on studying geophysical fields from space and will work with Zhangheng 1A launched in 2018. It carries nine instruments, including an electric field detector and a high-energy particle sensor built by Italy.
32. Which institute has developed a modified CRISPR tool to help plants combat heat stress and bacterial infections?
[A] Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
[B] Bose Institute, Kolkata
[C] National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow
[D] Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bose Institute, Kolkata]
Notes:
Recently, scientists at Bose Institute, Kolkata, developed a modified CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) tool to help plants fight heat stress and bacterial infections, boosting smart and sustainable farming. Unlike traditional CRISPR which cuts DNA, the team used a modified version called dCas9 (dead Cas9), which does not cut DNA but works like a gene switch. This switch stays off until the plant is stressed, such as by high temperatures. The scientists used a part of a natural tomato protein called NACMTF3, specifically its TM (Transmembrane) domain, to control the switch. Under heat stress, the TM domain releases dCas9, allowing it to enter the nucleus and turn on defense genes. This method allows plants to respond only when needed, reducing energy use and improving resilience.
33. Which organization has launched the new AI model named AlphaGenome for studying human DNA?
[A] Microsoft
[B] Google DeepMind
[C] Meta
[D] Amazon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Google DeepMind]
Notes:
Recently, Google DeepMind launched a new Artificial Intelligence model called AlphaGenome. AlphaGenome aims to predict accurately how individual mutations in human Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) affect their functions and impact human health. It is built on DeepMind’s earlier genomics model named Enformer and works alongside AlphaMissense, which focuses on classifying the effects of variants in protein-coding regions. The model can analyze very long DNA sequences up to one million base pairs and generate highly detailed predictions.
34. Which country has launched the Synthetic Human Genome Project (SynHG), aiming to construct human DNA from scratch?
[A] France
[B] United Kingdom
[C] Australia
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United Kingdom]
Notes:
The United Kingdom has officially launched the Synthetic Human Genome Project, a groundbreaking effort to build human DNA from scratch. This project shifts from reading DNA, like in the Human Genome Project, to writing and assembling it synthetically. Scientists aim to create disease-resistant cells to repair damaged organs such as the heart, liver, and immune system. It could help treat genetic and age-related diseases by studying how genes control repair and development.
Critics warn about ethical concerns like designer humans and synthetic life.
35. What is the name of the programme under which the Union government recently fast-tracked the launch of 52 dedicated surveillance satellites?
[A] Defence Satellite Initiative
[B] Space-Based Surveillance-III
[C] Secure Space Communications
[D] Military Reconnaissance Network
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Space-Based Surveillance-III ]
Notes:
Recently, the Union government ordered fast-tracking of 52 surveillance satellites under the Space-Based Surveillance-III (SBS-III) programme. The SBS-III was approved in October 2023 by the Cabinet Committee on Security led by the Prime Minister. It plans 21 satellites by Indian Space Research Organisation and 31 by private companies. The first launch is due by April 2026, with the full network ready by 2029. The Defence Space Agency under Integrated Defence Staff leads this project and coordinates with Indian Space Research Organisation, Defence Research and Development Organisation, and the armed forces for space security.
36. What is “Kombucha” that was recently mentioned in news?
[A] Flowering plant
[B] Fermented Tea
[C] Invasive weed
[D] Traditional medicine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Fermented Tea]
Notes:
Recently, an eight-week study in Brazil found that Kombucha improves gut bacteria in people with obesity by increasing good microbes and reducing harmful ones. However, it did not improve blood sugar or inflammation markers. Kombucha is a fermented tea that offers complex flavors without much sugar or caffeine. It originated in northeast China around 220 BCE and was known for its energizing and detoxifying effects. Kombucha is becoming popular in India, with the market growing from $45 million in 2020 to $102 million in 2024.
37. Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla recently interacted with students from the International Space Station using which radio service?
[A] Amateur radio (Ham radio)
[B] Citizens band radio (CB radio)
[C] MicroMobile Radio
[D] Walkie-Talkies
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Amateur radio (Ham radio)]
Notes:
Recently, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla interacted with students from the International Space Station (ISS) using ham radio. Ham radio, also called amateur radio, is a licensed radio service using radio waves for communication. It is used for education, knowledge sharing, and emergency or SOS communication. It needs a transceiver, antenna, and dedicated frequency operated by licensed ham operators. Communication can be local, global, or in space. In India, anyone above 12 years can use ham radio with a licence from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
38. INVICTUS research programme is an initiative of which space organization?
[A] European Space Agency (ESA)
[B] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
[C] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[D] China National Space Administration (CNSA)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [European Space Agency (ESA)]
Notes:
Recently, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched the INVICTUS research programme. The INVICTUS research program is an initiative of the European Space Agency (ESA), in collaboration with the UK-based Frazer-Nash Consultancy. The goal is to develop hypersonic technologies for future reusable vehicles with horizontal launch capability. It is funded by ESA’s General Support Technology Programme (GSTP) and Technology Development Element (TDE). It will test key technologies for sustained hypersonic flight in Earth’s atmosphere.
39. India’s first carbon fibre foot prosthesis was jointly developed by DRDO and which institution?
[A] AIIMS Delhi
[B] AIIMS Bibinagar
[C] AIIMS Bhopal
[D] AIIMS Jodhpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [AIIMS Bibinagar]
Notes:
In July 2025, India launched its first indigenously developed carbon fibre foot prosthesis named ADIDOC. ADIDOC stands for AIIMS Bibinagar – DRDL, DRDO Indigenously Developed Optimised Carbon Foot Prosthesis. It was jointly developed under Atmanirbhar Bharat by AIIMS Bibinagar (under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, PMSSY) and Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The foot is biomechanically tested to bear up to 125 kg load and is designed for K3-level active users. It comes in three weight-based variants to meet individual user needs.
40. Which space telescope recently captured detailed images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS?
[A] James Webb Space Telescope
[B] Spitzer Space Telescope
[C] Hubble Space Telescope
[D] Kepler Space Telescope
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Hubble Space Telescope]
Notes:
Recently, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope captured the first detailed images of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it passed through our solar system. This offers scientists a rare chance to study a comet originating from another star system. Comets are ancient objects made of dust and ice that orbit the Sun and are leftovers from the solar system’s formation around 6 billion years ago. They are best known for their long, glowing tails. A comet has four visible parts: nucleus, coma, ion tail, and dust tail. This discovery helps scientists better understand the nature of interstellar objects and early solar system formation.