41. What is the main objective of the BharatNet Project?
[A] To provide free smartphones to rural households
[B] To establish satellite-based communication only in metros
[C] To lay railway lines in rural India
[D] To provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [To provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats]
Notes:
BharatNet is an ambitious Government of India project approved in 2011 to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. It aims to offer open and unrestricted broadband access to telecom operators, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Cable TV operators, and content providers to enable services such as e-health, e-education, and e-governance in rural areas. Phase I is complete and Phase II is ongoing and aims to connect 1.5 lakh additional Gram Panchayats. Phase III is ongoing and focuses on future-proofing the network by integrating 5G technology.
42. White spot disease, that was recently seen in news, is caused by which agent?
[A] Bacteria
[B] Virus
[C] Fungus
[D] Protozoa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Virus]
Notes:
The Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying informed Rajya Sabha about white spot disease. It is a highly contagious viral infection affecting crustaceans like prawns, yabbies and crabs. It is caused by White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV). All decapod crustaceans (order Decapoda) from marine, brackish and freshwater environments are susceptible.
43. What is ‘GhostPairing’ that was recently seen in news?
[A] New technique to hack WhatsApp account
[B] New plant growing method in desert region
[C] A phishing technique targeting email users
[D] Cloning of mobile network towers
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [New technique to hack WhatsApp account]
Notes:
The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) warned about a new cyber threat targeting WhatsApp users called GhostPairing. GhostPairing is a hacking technique where attackers secretly link their device to a victim’s WhatsApp account. It allows near-complete access without passwords, SIM swap, or user awareness. Hackers gain control by tricking users into entering WhatsApp pairing codes. The attack starts with a message from a trusted contact saying, “Hi, check this photo.” The message contains a link with a Facebook-style preview. The link opens a fake Facebook viewer asking users to verify to see the content. Victims are prompted to enter their phone number and code. This process unknowingly gives attackers full control of the WhatsApp account.
44. What kind of disease is ‘Ulcerative colitis’ that was recently seen in news?
[A] Infectious disease
[B] Metabolic disorder
[C] Genetic blood disorder
[D] Chronic inflammatory bowel disease
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Chronic inflammatory bowel disease]
Notes:
A new study suggests ulcerative colitis may be triggered when a normally hidden protective layer of immune cells beneath the gut lining becomes thinner. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affecting the colon and rectum. It causes long-term inflammation and ulcers in the inner lining of the large intestine. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an immune-mediated condition with cycles of flare-ups and remission.
45. Which organization launched the Earth Observation Satellite COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation–Flight Model 3 (CSG-FM3)?
[A] NASA
[B] European Space Agency
[C] SpaceX
[D] Arianespace
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [SpaceX]
Notes:
SpaceX successfully launched the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation–Flight Model 3 (CSG-FM3) Earth Observation Satellite for the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Italian Ministry of Defence using a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. This mission marked the third satellite in the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation series, the first SpaceX launch of 2026, and the first orbital rocket launch globally in 2026. CSG-FM3 is part of Italy’s advanced COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation constellation, developed to strengthen global radar imaging and Earth observation capabilities.
46. Vera C. Rubin Observatory, that was recently seen in news, is located in which country?
[A] Russia
[B] Germany
[C] China
[D] Chile
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Chile]
Notes:
Scientists used first images from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory to discover the fastest-spinning asteroid of its size, named 2025 MN45. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is located on Cerro Pachón in the Chilean Andes at 8,684 feet altitude. It is named after astronomer Vera C. Rubin, who provided early evidence for dark matter. It is jointly funded by the United States National Science Foundation (NSF) and the United States Department of Energy (DoE). Its goals include studying dark matter and dark energy, mapping the Milky Way, tracking asteroids and comets, and observing changing cosmic objects.
47. What is the primary objective of ISRO’s Aditya-L1 mission?
[A] Study the Moon’s surface
[B] Study the Sun and its effects on space weather
[C] Explore Mars’ atmosphere
[D] Monitor Earth’s oceans
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Study the Sun and its effects on space weather]
Notes:
ISRO’s Aditya-L1 mission decoded the impact of a powerful solar storm on Earth’s magnetic shield. Aditya-L1, India’s first space-based solar mission, was launched by PSLV-C57 in 2023 and is in a halo orbit around Lagrange Point 1 (L1). The storm was caused by a massive eruption of solar plasma from the Sun. The most severe effects occurred in turbulent regions that strongly compressed Earth’s magnetic field. Some geostationary satellites were exposed to harsh space conditions. The study highlights the importance of understanding space weather, caused by transient solar activity, affecting satellites, communications, and technology.
48. Voyager 1 is a space probe launched by which space organization?
[A] European Space Agency (ESA)
[B] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[C] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
[D] China National Space Administration (CNSA)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)]
Notes:
Voyager 1 is a space probe launched by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1977 to explore the outer planets. Recent news highlights that Voyager 1 is expected to become the first human-made object to reach a distance of one light-day from Earth. One light-day means the distance light travels in 24 hours, showing how far the spacecraft has gone. Voyager 1 is already the most distant human-made object and is travelling through interstellar space. It crossed the heliosphere and entered interstellar space in August 2012. Its mission earlier included flybys of Jupiter and Saturn, studying their moons, rings, and magnetic fields.
49. What kind of disease is ‘Scabies’ that was recently seen in news?
[A] Parasitic skin infestation
[B] Respiratory disease
[C] Cardiovascular disease
[D] Neurological disorder
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Parasitic skin infestation]
Notes:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), scabies is among the most common skin diseases in developing countries. Scabies is a contagious parasitic skin infestation found worldwide. It is caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, which burrows under the skin and causes an itchy rash. It is more common in hot and tropical regions like India. WHO classifies scabies as a Neglected Tropical Disease due to its impact on poor communities.
50. Which state government launched Pilloo AI, a voice-based billing and accounting assistant for businesses?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Kerala
[C] Karnataka
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu launched Pilloo AI, a voice-based billing and accounting assistant for businesses. The app allows users to create invoices, record transactions, generate reports, and manage accounts by speaking in their native language. No prior accounting knowledge or complex software is required, saving time and reducing manual effort. Pilloo AI supports five Indian languages and can record daily sales and payments, generate balance sheets, receivables, and payables. It automates purchase and bank transaction entries by extracting data from uploaded bills and bank statements.