Daily Static Quiz (Science and Tech) Jan 12, 2026

1. Consider the following statements regarding quantum key distribution (QKD):

1. It enables two parties to produce a shared random secret key known only to them, which can be used to encrypt and decrypt messages
2. Its security relies on the principles of quantum mechanics, where any attempt at eavesdropping disturbs the quantum states and reveals the intruder
3. India has successfully demonstrated satellite-based QKD using the MicroSat-2D satellite

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

2. With reference to CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology, consider the following statements:

1. It can be used to edit the DNA of organisms without introducing foreign genes from other species
2. The technology has been approved for therapeutic use in humans for treating sickle cell disease in several countries
3. In India, the ICMR has prohibited all forms of genome editing research on human embryos

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

3. Regarding the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), consider the following statements:

1. It is a regional navigation satellite system providing coverage over the Indian Ocean region and mainland India
2. NavIC uses both L5 and S frequency bands, making it compatible with all existing GPS receivers
3. The system is operated by ISRO and has been mandated for installation in all commercial vehicles sold in India since 2019

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 2 and 3 only

4. Consider the following statements about graphene and its applications:

1. Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice and is known for its exceptional electrical conductivity
2. It can be used to create ultra-sensitive biosensors for detecting diseases at very early stages
3. India has established commercial-scale production of graphene through the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

5. With reference to Artificial Intelligence in healthcare, consider the following statements:

1. AI algorithms can analyze medical imaging data to detect patterns indicative of diseases like diabetic retinopathy with accuracy comparable to human specialists
2. The NITI Aayog has developed the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, which identifies healthcare as one of the focus areas for AI deployment
3. India has approved fully autonomous AI systems for making final diagnostic decisions without human supervision

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

6. Regarding hypersonic missile technology, consider the following statements:

1. Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds greater than Mach 5 and can maneuver during flight, making them difficult to intercept
2. India has successfully tested the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) using scramjet propulsion
3. All hypersonic missiles currently deployed globally are equipped with nuclear warheads only

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

7. Consider the following statements about the Internet of Things (IoT) and its applications in governance:

1. IoT devices can be used for real-time monitoring of air quality in urban areas through sensor networks
2. The Smart Cities Mission in India mandates the use of IoT-based centralized command and control centers in all smart cities
3. IoT devices are inherently secure against cyberattacks due to their limited processing power

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

8. With reference to carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, consider the following statements:

1. Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology can extract CO₂ directly from the atmosphere at any location, unlike point-source capture
2. The captured CO₂ can be converted into methanol and other chemicals using catalytic processes
3. India has operational commercial-scale CCS facilities attached to all major coal-based power plants

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

9. Regarding the working principles of modern technologies, consider the following pairs:

1. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) – Uses pulsed laser light to measure variable distances to Earth
2. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) – Uses sound waves to create high-resolution images of Earth’s surface
3. Accelerometer – Measures proper acceleration by detecting changes in capacitance or piezoelectric effect

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

10. Consider the following statements about recent developments in vaccine technology:

1. mRNA vaccines work by introducing a small piece of messenger RNA that instructs cells to produce a viral protein, triggering an immune response
2. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are non-infectious structures that mimic viruses but lack genetic material, making them safer vaccine platforms
3. India has developed and commercialized a mRNA vaccine for COVID-19 that is currently part of the national immunization program

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer Key with Explanations

1. Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) enables two parties to generate a shared, random secret key for encryption, with security guaranteed by quantum mechanics rather than computational complexity.
Statement 2 is correct. The fundamental principle of QKD is that any attempt to measure or eavesdrop on quantum states inevitably disturbs them, revealing the presence of an interceptor (based on the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle).
Statement 3 is incorrect. While India has made progress in quantum communications, satellite-based QKD demonstration has been limited to ground-based experiments and collaborations. The MicroSat-2D mission was primarily a technology demonstrator for microsatellite platforms, not specifically for QKD. India’s major quantum initiatives are under the National Mission on Quantum Technologies & Applications (NM-QTA).

2. Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct. CRISPR-Cas9 can edit DNA by making precise cuts at targeted locations without necessarily introducing foreign genes from other species, enabling gene knockout or correction using the cell’s own repair mechanisms.
Statement 2 is correct. CRISPR-based therapies have received regulatory approval in several countries. Notably, Casgevy (exagamglogene autotemcel) was approved in the UK, US, and other countries for treating sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The ICMR has established guidelines for gene editing research but has not prohibited all forms. The 2017 “National Guidelines for Stem Cell Research” permit gene editing research on human embryos for basic research purposes up to 14 days, with strict oversight by institutional committees. Therapeutic applications remain restricted.

3. Answer: (a) 1 only

Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct. NavIC (formerly IRNSS) is India’s regional navigation satellite system providing accurate position information service over India and the region extending approximately 1,500 km around it.
Statement 2 is incorrect. While NavIC uses L5 and S bands, it is not compatible with all existing GPS receivers due to different frequencies and signal structures. Specialized receivers are required to access NavIC signals, though multi-constellation receivers are becoming available.
Statement 3 is incorrect. While the government has approved NavIC for mandatory use in commercial vehicles, the implementation has been phased and delayed. The initial deadline of 2019 has been extended, and the mandate applies to specific categories of vehicles gradually, not all commercial vehicles since 2019.

4. Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct. Graphene is a single atomic layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal (honeycomb) lattice. It exhibits extraordinary electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength.
Statement 2 is correct. Graphene’s high surface area and electrical properties make it ideal for biosensors. Graphene-based field-effect transistors can detect biomolecules at extremely low concentrations, enabling early disease diagnosis through detection of DNA, proteins, or other biomarkers.
Statement 3 is incorrect. While India has research initiatives under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems, commercial-scale production of high-quality graphene remains limited globally. India has several startups and research institutions working on graphene production, but large-scale commercial manufacturing is still in developmental stages, not fully established.

5. Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct. AI systems, particularly deep learning algorithms, have demonstrated diagnostic accuracy comparable to or exceeding human specialists in specific tasks like diabetic retinopathy screening, analyzing retinal images to detect disease indicators with high sensitivity and specificity.
Statement 2 is correct. NITI Aayog’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (2018) identifies healthcare as one of the priority sectors for AI deployment, focusing on increasing access, affordability, and quality of healthcare through applications in diagnosis, drug discovery, and public health surveillance.
Statement 3 is incorrect. India has not approved fully autonomous AI systems for final diagnostic decisions without human supervision. Current regulations and ethical guidelines require AI systems to assist healthcare professionals rather than replace them, maintaining human oversight in all diagnostic and treatment decisions.

6. Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct. Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound) and possess maneuvering capabilities throughout their flight trajectory, making their paths unpredictable and interception extremely challenging compared to ballistic missiles.
Statement 2 is correct. India successfully tested the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) in September 2020, demonstrating scramjet propulsion technology. The test validated critical technologies for future hypersonic cruise missiles and platforms.
Statement 3 is incorrect. While some hypersonic missiles are nuclear-capable, not all are equipped with nuclear warheads. Several nations are developing conventional hypersonic missiles for precision strike missions. For example, Russia’s Kinzhal and China’s DF-17 can carry both conventional and nuclear payloads, while the US is focusing on conventional hypersonic weapons.

7. Answer: (a) 1 only

Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct. IoT sensor networks are widely deployed for real-time air quality monitoring in urban areas, measuring parameters like PM2.5, PM10, NO₂, and ozone. Examples include the Central Pollution Control Board’s National Air Quality Monitoring Programme and various smart city initiatives.
Statement 2 is incorrect. While the Smart Cities Mission encourages the use of Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCCs) leveraging IoT technologies, it does not mandate IoT-based systems in all smart cities. The implementation varies across cities based on their specific proposals and requirements.
Statement 3 is incorrect. IoT devices are particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks precisely because many have limited processing power, lack robust security features, and operate with default passwords. They are frequent targets in botnet attacks (e.g., Mirai botnet) and require specialized security measures.

8. Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct. Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology can capture CO₂ directly from ambient air at any location, independent of emission sources. This differs from point-source capture which must be installed at facilities like power plants or factories.
Statement 2 is correct. Captured CO₂ can be utilized through Power-to-X technologies, converting it into valuable products like methanol, ethanol, or synthetic fuels using catalytic processes, often powered by renewable energy. This supports circular carbon economy concepts.
Statement 3 is incorrect. India does not have operational commercial-scale CCS facilities attached to all major coal-based power plants. While India has initiated CCS pilot projects and research (such as at the National Carbon Capture Center), large-scale commercial deployment is still under development and faces economic and technical challenges.

9. Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only

Explanation:
Pair 1 is correctly matched. LiDAR uses pulsed laser light (typically in near-infrared wavelengths) to measure distances by calculating the time taken for light to reflect back, creating high-resolution 3D maps of terrain, vegetation, and structures.
Pair 2 is incorrectly matched. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) uses microwave radar signals, not sound waves, to create high-resolution images. It transmits radar pulses and processes the returned signals to synthesize a large antenna aperture, enabling imaging through clouds and darkness.
Pair 3 is correctly matched. Accelerometers measure proper acceleration (physical acceleration experienced by an object) by detecting changes in capacitance between microstructures or using piezoelectric materials that generate voltage under mechanical stress. These are fundamental components in smartphones, vehicles, and navigation systems.

10. Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct. mRNA vaccines deliver messenger RNA encoding a viral antigen (like spike protein) into cells. The cellular machinery translates this mRNA to produce the antigen, triggering an immune response without exposing the recipient to the actual virus.
Statement 2 is correct. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are self-assembling protein structures that mimic the organization and conformation of viruses but lack viral genetic material, making them non-infectious and safe vaccine platforms. Examples include HPV vaccines and hepatitis B vaccines.
Statement 3 is incorrect. While India developed an mRNA vaccine candidate (HGCO19 by Gennova Biopharmaceuticals), it has not been commercialized or included in the national immunization program. India’s COVID-19 vaccination program primarily uses Covishield (viral vector), Covaxin (inactivated virus), and Corbevax (protein subunit).

Daily Static Quiz