41. Scrub Typhus, that was recently seen in news, is caused by which microorganism?
[A] Bacteria
[B] Virus
[C] Fungus
[D] Protozoa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bacteria]
Notes:
A Gulf Keralite’s quick return home for fever treatment proved life-saving after he was diagnosed with scrub typhus. Scrub Typhus is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi. It spreads through bites of infected chiggers (young mites) and not from person to person. Its prevalence depends on factors like climate, vector abundance, farming, domestic animals, and sanitation. The disease is more common during cooler months.
42. 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.
43. Which state has become the first in India to partner with Elon Musk’s Starlink for satellite internet services?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Karnataka
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Maharashtra]
Notes:
On November 5, 2025, the Government of Maharashtra became the first Indian state to sign a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Starlink Satellite Communications Pvt. Ltd., a SpaceX subsidiary, to provide satellite-based internet. The partnership aims to deliver high-speed internet to remote districts like Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Washim, and Dharashiv in Maharashtra. Satellite terminals will be installed in schools, health centres, disaster control rooms, and forest and coastal outposts, extending connectivity to ports, ferries, and coastal police networks. The initiative supports Digital Maharashtra and aligns with Digital India to connect terrain- or cost-challenged regions.
44. ESCAPADE (Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers) mission is an initiative of which space agency?
[A] China National Space Administration (CNSA)
[B] European Space Agency (ESA)
[C] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[D] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)]
Notes:
Blue Origin recently launched NASA’s ESCAPADE mission to Mars. ESCAPADE (Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers) is NASA’s first coordinated multi-spacecraft orbital science mission to Mars. It consists of twin orbiters named Blue and Gold that will observe Mars from different locations simultaneously. The mission is part of NASA’s SIMPLEx (Small Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration) program.
45. Which state has launched KEO, a compact, affordable and AI-ready personal computer, in November 2025?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Kerala
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Karnataka]
Notes:
On November 17, 2025, Karnataka’s Department of Electronics, IT & BT, with KEONICS, launched KEO, a compact, affordable and AI-ready personal computer designed entirely in Karnataka. KEO stands for Knowledge-driven, Economical, Open-source, built on an open-source RISC-V processor with a Linux-based OS. It features an on-device AI core that works without internet and includes BUDDH, an AI agent trained on the Karnataka DSERT syllabus to help students in low-connectivity areas. KEO will be deployed across schools, universities, businesses, homes and government offices, supporting locally adaptable, home-grown computing.
46. Which country has declared an outbreak of leptospirosis after the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa in November 2025?
[A] Cuba
[B] Trinidad and Tobago
[C] Jamaica
[D] Barbados
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jamaica]
Notes:
Recently, Jamaica declared an outbreak of leptospirosis after the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa. Leptospirosis is a fatal bacterial disease. It is caused by the bacterium Leptospira interrogans, also called Leptospira. The bacteria enter the human body through tiny cracks or wounds in the skin, especially on the feet. It is more common in warm and humid regions across both urban and rural areas. The disease is contagious in animals and occasionally infects humans under suitable environmental conditions.
47. What is the name of India’s first private commercial orbital rocket unveiled by Skyroot Aerospace?
[A] Agni-I
[B] Gaganyaan
[C] Aditya-I
[D] Vikram-I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Vikram-I]
Notes:
Skyroot Aerospace inaugurated its Infinity Campus in Hyderabad and virtually unveiled Vikram-I, India’s first private commercial orbital rocket. Vikram-I is capable of placing satellites into Earth orbit. This launch marks a major milestone for India’s growing private space sector. The private space sector in India was opened to entrepreneurs three years ago. The development highlights rising startup participation in advanced space technology. It reflects India’s shift toward innovation-driven and private-led space missions.
48. Which country launched a new set of undisclosed military satellites using Angara-1.2 launch vehicle?
[A] Russia
[B] China
[C] India
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Russia]
Notes:
Russia successfully launched a new set of undisclosed military satellites. The launch vehicle used was the Angara-1.2 light rocket. It was conducted from Plesetsk Cosmodrome. Plesetsk is the world’s northernmost spaceport. The exact number and purpose of the satellites were not disclosed. The mission was carried out for the Russian Defence Ministry. It was executed by a combat crew of the Aerospace Forces.
49. Where was India’s first private-sector navigation innovation hub inaugurated?
[A] Pune
[B] Bengaluru
[C] Hyderabad
[D] Thiruvananthapuram
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Thiruvananthapuram]
Notes:
ISRO Chairman V Narayanan inaugurated Ananth Technologies’ Ananth Centre of Excellence for Navigation (ACEN) in Thiruvananthapuram. ACEN is India’s first private-sector navigation innovation hub. Ananth Technologies, founded in 1992, contributes to ISRO and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) missions with expertise in precision sensors, airworthiness, and system integration. Navigation is crucial for missiles, aircraft, ships, and satellites; reliance on foreign GPS revealed strategic vulnerabilities. ACEN will handle Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) of navigation systems domestically.
50. Project Suncatcher is an initiative of which organization?
[A] Google
[B] Microsoft
[C] Meta
[D] Amazon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Google]
Notes:
Google’s CEO announced Project Suncatcher, a long-term research plan to set up solar-powered data centers in space. The project aims to build satellite constellations that can perform large-scale machine learning using Google’s Tensor Processing Units (TPUs). These space-based data centers avoid the environmental impact created by Earth-based data centers. They also reduce risks from power outages, undersea cable failures, and natural disasters. The project supports data sovereignty because outer space is not under national jurisdiction as per the Outer Space Treaty of 1967.