41. Which institution developed a solar-powered energy storage device that can capture and store energy in a single unit?
[A] Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
[B] Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai
[C] Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CNSMS), Bengaluru
[D] Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CNSMS), Bengaluru]
Notes:
Indian scientists from Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences, Bengaluru under Department of Science and Technology (DST) developed a solar-powered energy storage device that captures and stores energy in a single unit. The device is known as a photo-rechargeable supercapacitor. Unlike conventional systems, it combines energy harvesting and storage, reducing cost, energy loss, system complexity, and footprint. It enables portable, wearable, off-grid applications, reduces reliance on fossil fuels and conventional batteries, and works in remote areas.
42. Which state has announced plans to establish India’s National Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Test and Innovation Corridor?
[A] Kerala
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Karnataka
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Odisha]
Notes:
Odisha government partnered with deep-tech startup BonV Aero to create a National Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Test and Innovation Corridor. The corridor will be set up at Rangeilunda in Ganjam district. It will be India’s first commercial airport repurposed as a real-world drone testing facility. The agreement was signed at the Wings India 2026 summit in Hyderabad. BonV Aero will lead indigenous research, development, and testing of unmanned aviation systems. The corridor will allow live UAV trials in low-altitude airspace up to 1,000 metres.
43. SPHEREx mission is an initiative of which space organization?
[A] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
[B] European Space Agency (ESA)
[C] China National Space Administration (CNSA)
[D] Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)]
Notes:
NASA’s SPHEREx mission recently observed interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, the third such object discovered in our solar system. SPHEREx stands for Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer. It is a NASA Astrophysics mission launched on March 11, 2025. The telescope has a megaphone-shaped design and will conduct an all-sky spectral survey. It surveys the sky in optical and near-infrared light, which helps study cosmic phenomena invisible to the human eye.
44. The Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission is an Earth observation satellite mission developed by which space agency?
[A] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[B] European Space Agency (ESA)
[C] Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
[D] China National Space Administration (CNSA)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [European Space Agency (ESA)]
Notes:
The European Space Agency (ESA) released a high-resolution satellite image through the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission. The image captures the venues planned for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. The image highlights land features, terrain, and human-made infrastructure in great detail. The Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission is an Earth observation satellite mission developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). It is part of Copernicus, the European Union’s Earth observation programme. The mission focuses on monitoring changes and variability in land surface conditions.
45. Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) was established under which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Science and Technology
[B] Ministry of Earth Sciences
[C] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[D] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Earth Sciences]
Notes:
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) will launch three new ocean services: Jellyfish Artificial Intelligence Information Platform (JellyAIIP), SAMUDRA 2.0 Mobile Application, and Seamless Information Visualization and Analysis System (SIVAS) along with a new logo. It was established as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and is located in Hyderabad, Telangana. It provides ocean information and advisory services through continuous ocean observations and focused research. It runs the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC), issuing tsunami alerts within 10 minutes for India and 28 Indian Ocean countries.
46. What is “Staphylococcus aureus” that was recently seen in news?
[A] Virus
[B] Bacteria
[C] Fungus
[D] Protozoa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bacteria]
Notes:
An institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in North East India has synthesised a novel biosurfactant effective against the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive, non-motile, round-shaped bacterium from the family Staphylococcaceae. It occurs in grape-like clusters and is commonly found in the environment. It affects all mammalian species, including humans, and can be transmitted between species. Transmission occurs through air droplets, direct contact with contaminated objects, or bites from infected persons or animals. It causes minor skin infections, boils, cellulitis, abscesses, scalded skin syndrome, and may lead to pneumonia.
47. Meningococcal infection, that was recently seen in news, is caused by which agent?
[A] Bacteria
[B] Virus
[C] Fungus
[D] Protozoa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bacteria]
Notes:
Recently, the Meghalaya government issued an advisory after a meningococcal infection scare, urging people to avoid crowded places and follow health protocols. Meningococcal infection is a severe and rapidly progressing disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. It can lead to meningitis, which is inflammation of the meninges covering the brain and spinal cord, or meningococcemia, which is blood poisoning. It spreads through respiratory and throat secretions like saliva during close or prolonged contact. It is less contagious than common cold or flu infections.
48. Where was India’s first Semiconductor Assembly, Test and Packaging (ATMP) facility inaugurated?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gujarat]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first Semiconductor Assembly, Test and Packaging (ATMP) facility at Sanand, Gujarat. The plant is set up by Micron Technology India with an investment of over ₹22,500 crore. It marks the start of commercial production and shipment of made-in-India semiconductor memory modules. The project is approved under the India Semiconductor Mission.
49. Which country has become the first in the Americas to be officially verified for the elimination of leprosy?
[A] Brazil
[B] Mexico
[C] Chile
[D] Peru
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chile]
Notes:
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have officially verified that Chile has eliminated Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease. With this achievement, Chile has become the first country in the Americas and the second country globally to be officially verified as having eliminated the disease. Leprosy was first recorded in Chile in the late 19th century, primarily on Rapa Nui (also known as Easter Island). The disease remained largely confined to the island, while mainland Chile experienced only occasional sporadic cases.
50. MeerKAT telescope, that was recently seen in news, is located in which country?
[A] South Africa
[B] Russia
[C] China
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [South Africa]
Notes:
Astronomers using the MeerKAT telescope in South Africa discovered the brightest and most distant megamaser. MeerKAT is a precursor to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope located in South Africa. It is designed for advanced radio astronomy. A megamaser is a giant beam of electromagnetic radiation produced when two galaxies collide violently. During such cosmic mergers, large gas clouds compress, exciting hydroxyl (OH) molecules, which emit high-energy microwaves.