41. Where was India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre of Excellence for Public Good launched?
[A] Bengaluru, Karnataka
[B] Pune, Maharashtra
[C] Hyderabad, Telangana
[D] Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
On October 13, 2025, TechBharat Research Foundation (TBRF) and Google Cloud India launched India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Public Good in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP). The initiative was supported by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, particularly its Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (IT, E&C). A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Government of Andhra Pradesh and TechBharat Research Foundation (TBRF) for setting up and operating the CoE. TBRF will lead the CoE as a hub for applied AI research and public service solutions. Google Cloud India will provide cloud infrastructure, Gemini AI models, tools, mentorship, and market support.
42. Which Indian research institute has developed a nanotechnology-based method using the coffee-ring effect to detect toxic molecules like Rhodamine B?
[A] Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
[B] Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru
[C] National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune
[D] Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru]
Notes:
Scientists at the Raman Research Institute (RRI), India developed a sensitive method to detect toxic molecules like Rhodamine B. The method uses the coffee-ring effect combined with nanotechnology for enhanced detection. The coffee-ring effect occurs when a droplet evaporates, and capillary flow moves particles from the center to the edge, forming a ring-shaped deposition pattern. Rhodamine B is a water-soluble synthetic dye with bright pink fluorescence. It is widely used in fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and ELISA biochemical assays. Rhodamine B is toxic and carcinogenic, affecting skin, eyes, and the respiratory system. This method provides a rapid and effective tool for detecting hazardous dyes in research and environmental monitoring.
43. What is the primary purpose of the Crew Escape System (CES) developed by ISRO?
[A] To quickly pull the crew module to safety during a launch abort
[B] To monitor weather conditions
[C] To increase rocket speed
[D] To launch satellites into orbit
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [To quickly pull the crew module to safety during a launch abort]
Notes:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed a cost-effective, single-stage test vehicle powered by the Vikas engine. The vehicle is designed to validate the Crew Escape System (CES) for astronaut safety. Crew Escape System (CES) is an emergency escape system that pulls the crew module with astronauts to a safe distance in case of launch failure. The Crew Escape System (CES) is of two types based on the method of extracting the crew module. The Puller type CES pulls the crew module away from the launch vehicle and is used in India’s Gaganyaan mission. The Pusher type CES pushes the crew module away from the launch vehicle using compact, high-thrust liquid-fuel engines and is used in vehicles like SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
44. Which space organization launched the PUNCH Space Mission?
[A] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[B] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
[C] European Space Agency (ESA)
[D] China National Space Administration (CNSA)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)]
Notes:
Recently, the PUNCH Space Mission, launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), observed solar winds. PUNCH stands for Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere. Its aim is to study the Sun’s corona (outer atmosphere) and solar wind as a unified system. The mission has four small satellites in low Earth orbit. They make 3D global observations of the inner heliosphere and map the transition where the corona becomes solar wind.
45. Rotovac vaccine, that was recently seen in news, is used for the prevention/treatment of which disease?
[A] Measles
[B] Tuberculosis
[C] Rotavirus
[D] Polio
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rotavirus]
Notes:
A recent study found that the indigenous rotavirus vaccine ‘Rotavac’ is as effective in real-world use as in clinical trials. Rotavac is an oral, live attenuated, monovalent liquid vaccine against rotavirus. It was developed through a public-private partnership involving the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Bharat Biotech, and the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Rotavirus is a viral disease that commonly causes diarrhoeal illness in children. There is no specific medicine to treat rotavirus infection, and vaccination provides the best protection. This study highlights Rotavac’s continued role in child health.
46. Which animals are mainly affected by Chronic Wasting Disease, also called “Zombie Deer Disease”?
[A] Dogs and Cats
[B] Deer, Elk, Moose, and Reindeer
[C] Bats and Rodents
[D] Sheep and Goats
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Deer, Elk, Moose, and Reindeer]
Notes:
Health officials in Florida have recently confirmed cases of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), also called “Zombie Deer Disease.” It is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, moose, and reindeer. It attacks the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It is caused by prions, which are infectious misfolded proteins that damage the brain. Prions spread through body fluids like saliva, blood, and urine and can stay in soil and plants for years. Infected animals show weight loss, drooling, and strange behavior. There is no cure or vaccine, and the disease is always fatal.No human cases have been confirmed yet, but experts stay alert.
47. Amoebic Meningoencephalitis, that was recently seen in the news, affects which part of the body?
[A] Kidneys
[B] Brain
[C] Heart
[D] Lungs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Brain]
Notes:
Kerala reported another death from Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis, PAM), raising the 2025 toll to 27 cases. Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis is a rare, fatal brain infection caused by the free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri, known as the “brain-eating amoeba.” Infection occurs when contaminated freshwater enters the nasal cavity, allowing the amoeba to reach the brain via the olfactory nerve. It is found in warm freshwater and soil, especially lakes, rivers, hot springs, and unchlorinated pools.
48. Which institute recently initiated research on the Cycad plant due to concerns about a potential neurotoxin?
[A] Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
[B] All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar
[C] National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow
[D] Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar]
Notes:
AIIMS Bhubaneswar has started research on the Cycad plant due to the presence of BMAA (β-N-methylamino-L-alanine), a possible neurotoxin. Cycads are palmlike, woody gymnosperm plants. They are ancient species that existed alongside dinosaurs for over 300 million years. They grow in various habitats, from wet rainforests and grasslands to semidesert and seasonally dry forests. Their distribution spans tropical and subtropical regions, including the Americas, Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, eastern India, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Australia.
49. In November 2025, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) announced India’s largest Geothermal Energy Technology (GET) pilot project in which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Gujarat
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
In November 2025, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a Joint Venture (JV) under the Ministry of Power (MoP), announced India’s largest Geothermal Energy Technology (GET) pilot project in Andhra Pradesh (AP). The project will be implemented at two tourism hubs — Araku Valley and Visakhapatnam (Vizag). It uses geothermal systems like Earth Air Tunnel (EAT) Systems and Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP). The system works by using the earth’s constant underground temperature at a depth of 7–8 meters (m) for eco-friendly heating and cooling. The technology has a short payback period of 3–4 years, ideal for hotels and tourism infrastructure.
50. Which university secured a national patent for a machine learning-based technology to extract rainfall data from radar signals?
[A] Delhi University
[B] Banaras Hindu University
[C] Cochin University of Science and Technology
[D] Lucknow University
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Cochin University of Science and Technology]
Notes:
The Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) has received a national patent for a machine learning-based radar technology to extract accurate rainfall data. The system was developed at the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research (ACARR). It uses a Hybrid Adaptive Bi-Gaussian Fitting Algorithm with a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) to separate rain and air turbulence echoes. The innovation helps radars clean their data in real time, improving rainfall and wind accuracy up to 5 km in the troposphere. It enhances flood forecasting and early warning systems for Kerala, a state prone to extreme monsoon events.