41. 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.
42. What is ‘Haven-1’ that was recently seen in news?
[A] India’s first lunar orbiter
[B] World’s first commercial space station
[C] China’s modular space lab
[D] NASA’s Mars research station
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [World’s first commercial space station]
Notes:
Haven-1 is planned as the world’s first commercial space station in low-Earth orbit (LEO). It is a single-module station and a precursor to the larger multi-module Haven-2. It is being developed by American aerospace company Vast with support from NASA and private partners. It will host short-duration missions for microgravity research, in-space manufacturing, and orbital tourism.
43. 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.
44. The Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund has been launched under the framework of which institution?
[A] Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)
[B] Indian Council of Medical Research
[C] Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
[D] NITI Aayog
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)]
Notes:
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the first open call of the Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund. The initiative has been launched under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to support indigenous technology commercialisation. The RDI Fund provides long-term, low-interest financing to high-risk, high-impact private sector innovations. It has a corpus of ₹1 lakh crore with 2–4 percent interest and repayment up to 15 years. The first call targets Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above projects in areas like artificial intelligence and deep-tech.
45. The beta version of the Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for the eSankhyiki portal has been launched by which organization?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[C] National Statistics Office
[D] Reserve Bank of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [National Statistics Office]
Notes:
The National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) launched the beta version of the Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for the eSankhyiki portal. Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a technology that allows users to directly connect datasets with their own Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and applications. It provides a standard method to make official data accessible to Large Language Models (LLMs).
46. 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.
47. HbA1c test, that was recently seen in news, is commonly used in India for diagnosing which disease?
[A] Type-2 diabetes
[B] Dengue
[C] Tuberculosis
[D] Cholera
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Type-2 diabetes]
Notes:
A new study shows that glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), widely used in India to detect type-2 diabetes, may not always show the true blood glucose level. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a blood test that tells the average blood sugar level of the last two to three months. The test measures the percentage of red blood cells (RBCs) whose hemoglobin is coated with glucose. This works because glucose sticks to hemoglobin for the full life of RBCs, which is about three months. A high HbA1c value means long-term high blood sugar, indicating diabetes. Diabetes can lead to heart, kidney, and nerve diseases.
48. Shalimar Wheat-3 (SW-3) and Shalimar Wheat-4 (SW-4) have been developed by which agricultural university?
[A] Punjab Agricultural University
[B] Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K)
[C] Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology, Udaipur
[D] Anand Agricultural University, Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K)]
Notes:
Scientists at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir developed two early-maturing Shalimar Wheat varieties to strengthen the rice–wheat cropping system. Shalimar Wheat includes Shalimar Wheat-4, which matures by the last week of May, and Shalimar Wheat-3, which matures by the first week of June. These varieties are specially bred for Kashmir’s climate and are suitable for mid-altitude areas up to about 1,850 metres. Early maturity allows timely harvesting of wheat and smooth transplantation of paddy. They help maintain proper crop rotation without delays in rice cultivation. The varieties show resistance to yellow rust, a major fungal disease in the region.
49. The Tetanus and Diphtheria (Td) vaccine was recently launched at which institute?
[A] All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
[B] Central Research Institute, Kasauli
[C] National Institute of Virology, Pune
[D] Pasteur Institute of India, Coonoor
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Central Research Institute, Kasauli]
Notes:
Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda launched indigenous Tetanus and Diphtheria vaccine at Central Research Institute, Kasauli in Solan district, Himachal Pradesh. Vaccine supports vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat in health sector. India is known as Pharmacy of the World. Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) is world’s largest immunization programme. Central Research Institute will supply 5.5 million vaccine doses by April 2026 to strengthen immunization coverage.
50. Which organisation recently launched the AI image generation model “Nano Banana 2”
[A] Microsoft
[B] OpenAI
[C] Meta
[D] Google
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Google]
Notes:
Google launched Nano Banana 2, its new Artificial Intelligence image generation and editing tool. It is also called Gemini 3.1 Flash Image and replaces Nano Banana Pro with faster performance and high-quality results. It improves text rendering, subject consistency and real-time web content integration. It is integrated across Google Search AI Mode, Google Lens, AI Studio, Gemini Application Programming Interface and Vertex AI. It is available in 141 more countries including India.