41. Acanthamoeba, recently emerging as a public health concern in Kerala, is what kind of organism?
[A] Free-living amoeba
[B] Bacteria
[C] Virus
[D] Fungus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Free-living amoeba]
Notes:
Acanthamoeba, a free-living amoeba, is now a public health concern in Kerala causing eye (keratitis) and brain infections (amoebic meningoencephalitis). Acanthamoeba is a free-living amoeba found in water, soil, dust, swimming pools, hot tubs, and drinking water systems. It can also exist in humidifiers and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. It causes infections in brain, skin, eyes, and sinuses. It enters through cuts, wounds, inhalation, or contact lens use.
42. What is the name of the asteroid recently confirmed as Earth’s latest quasi-satellite in September 2025?
[A] Victoria 2025
[B] Flora 2025
[C] 2025 PN7
[D] Cardea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [2025 PN7]
Notes:
Astronomers discovered asteroid 2025 PN7 in September 2025 as Earth’s latest quasi-satellite. ‘Quasi’ means almost; the asteroid is not gravitationally bound but orbits the Sun in resonance with Earth. It is an Arjuna-class near-Earth asteroid, named after Mahabharata’s Arjuna. 2025 PN7 orbits the Sun while staying close to Earth and will remain in this quasi-satellite state for approx 128 years. It was first spotted on August 2, 2025, by Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System 1 (Pan-STARRS 1) in Hawaii.
43. Which space organization has launched the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) mission?
[A] Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
[B] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
[C] European Space Agency (ESA)
[D] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)]
Notes:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has recently launched the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) mission. Its main goal is to study how solar particles are energised and how the heliosphere shields Earth. Heliosphere is a giant bubble formed by the Sun’s solar wind that covers the entire solar system. Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) will map the heliosphere’s boundary, trace energetic particles, and improve space weather forecasting. It is positioned at the first Earth-Sun Lagrange Point (L1), about 1 million miles from Earth towards the Sun. It will provide near real-time data on solar wind and energetic particles to monitor space weather hazards.
44. Which institution has launched a tool called “SARAL” to make scientific research more accessible?
[A] Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)
[B] Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] Ministry of Skill Development
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)]
Notes:
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) launched SARAL (Simplified and Automated Research Amplification and Learning) to make research easy and accessible. SARAL uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to simplify complex research into videos, podcasts, posters, and presentations. Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) aims to harness deep science and engineering to build deep tech products and start-ups. It is developing an AI Science and Engineering Open India Stack for drug discovery, aerospace design, climate studies, and advanced materials.
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 institute has discovered that Sinapic acid can accelerate wound healing in diabetic conditions?
[A] Jawaharlal Nehru University
[B] Nagaland University
[C] Banaras Hindu University
[D] University of Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nagaland University]
Notes:
Researchers at Nagaland University discovered that Sinapic acid significantly accelerates wound healing in diabetic conditions. Sinapic acid is a natural phenolic acid derived from cinnamic acid. It has antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and neuroprotective properties. It is found in spices, citrus and berry fruits, vegetables, cereals, and oilseed crops. The compound activates the SIRT1 (Sirtuin 1) pathway, aiding tissue repair, angiogenesis, and inflammation control. This discovery could lead to safe, natural, and effective diabetic wound treatments. Diabetic wounds are slow-healing sores, mostly on the foot, increasing risk of neuropathy, poor circulation, infections, and amputation. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease causing high blood glucose levels and affects hundreds of millions globally.
47. Which African country reported an outbreak of the Lassa fever in 2025?
[A] Botswana
[B] Ghana
[C] Mali
[D] Nigeria
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Nigeria]
Notes:
In Nigeria, the Lassa fever outbreak has claimed 172 lives since January 2025. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported 924 confirmed cases out of 8,041 suspected cases till October 2025. The case fatality rate stands at 18.6%, higher than 17% in 2024. The most affected age group is 21 to 30 years. The outbreak is worsened by poor sanitation, low awareness, and delayed treatment. Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus from the Arenavirus family. Infection spreads through food or household items contaminated by urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats. The World Health Organization (WHO) stresses early diagnosis and quick treatment for survival.
48. What is the name of the quantum processor by Google that achieved the first “verifiable” quantum advantage?
[A] Willow
[B] Bristlecone
[C] Sycamore
[D] Falcon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Willow]
Notes:
Google announced that its quantum processor Willow has achieved the first “verifiable” quantum advantage. Quantum advantage means a quantum computer can outperform a classical computer in practice. The announcement was accompanied by an open-access paper in Nature by the Google Quantum AI and Collaborators team. Willow ran a new algorithm, Quantum Echoes, 13,000 times faster than the best classical algorithm on a supercomputer. The experiment used a technique called out-of-time-order correlator (OTOC) to track how information scrambles in quantum systems. OTOC measures how quantum information spreads, is scrambled, and can be “unscrambled” using time-reversal. Willow’s processor precisely controlled quantum bits (qubits) in a chaotic quantum system for the experiment.
49. Which organization collaborated with Anusandhan National Research Foundation to launch the MAHA MedTech Mission?
[A] Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
[B] NITI Aayog
[C] Ministry of Health
[D] IIT Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)]
Notes:
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Gates Foundation, launched the Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas (MAHA)-Medical Technology recently. MAHA MedTech Mission aims to boost innovation in India’s medical technology sector, reduce dependence on high-cost imports, and ensure affordable, high-quality medical technologies. The mission supports development and commercialization of innovative and affordable MedTech solutions.
50. The Copernicus Sentinel-1D Earth-Observation Satellite (EOS) was launched by which space agency?
[A] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
[B] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[C] European Space Agency (ESA)
[D] Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [European Space Agency (ESA)]
Notes:
In November 2025, the European Space Agency (ESA) and Arianespace launched the Copernicus Sentinel-1D Earth Observation Satellite (EOS) to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) aboard the Ariane 6 rocket from the Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana. The mission, designated VA265, marked a key step in strengthening Europe’s autonomous access to space and Earth observation capability. It is the fourth and final satellite of the first-generation Copernicus Sentinel-1 constellation, completing Europe’s radar imaging network.