Daily Static Quiz (Science and Tech) January 5, 2026

Daily Static Quiz (Science and Tech) January 5, 2026

1. Consider the following statements regarding SPADEX (Space Docking Experiment):

1. It is India’s first autonomous docking experiment conducted between two satellites in space

2. The mission uses a Chaser satellite and a Target satellite to demonstrate orbital rendezvous and docking techniques

3. Successful completion of SPADEX will enable India to build modular space stations without external assistance

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(A) 1 and 2 only

(B) 2 and 3 only

(C) 1 and 3 only

(D) 1, 2 and 3

2. With reference to CAR-T cell therapy, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It involves extracting immune cells from a patient and engineering them to recognize and attack cancer cells

2. CAR-T therapy can be used for treating solid tumours with the same efficiency as blood-based cancers

3. India’s NexCAR19 is an indigenous CAR-T therapy developed for treating certain blood cancers

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(A) 1 only

(B) 1 and 3 only

(C) 2 and 3 only

(D) 1, 2 and 3

3. Consider the following statements about Quantum Key Distribution (QKD):

1. QKD uses quantum mechanical principles to enable secure communication that cannot be intercepted without detection

2. Any attempt to eavesdrop on a QKD transmission will alter the quantum states and alert the communicating parties

3. India’s National Quantum Mission explicitly aims to develop practical quantum communication networks across major cities

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(A) 1 and 2 only

(B) 2 only

(C) 1 and 3 only

(D) 1, 2 and 3

4. With reference to NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission, consider the following:

1. NISAR is designed to monitor climate-driven changes in forests, ice sheets, water resources, and agriculture

2. It employs L-band and S-band SAR sensors which can detect changes of a few centimeters across Earth’s surface

3. The mission has a dedicated focus on monitoring land deformation and ground subsidence in vulnerable areas

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(A) 1 only

(B) 1 and 2 only

(C) 1, 2 and 3

(D) 2 and 3 only

5. Consider the following statements regarding Perovskite Solar Cells:

1. Perovskite materials have a crystalline structure that demonstrates higher theoretical efficiency than traditional silicon solar cells

2. Perovskite solar cells are currently more cost-effective to manufacture than silicon-based cells but face stability challenges

3. These cells can be manufactured using solution-based methods, making them suitable for large-scale production through printing techniques

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(A) 2 only

(B) 1 and 2 only

(C) 1, 2 and 3

(D) 1 and 3 only

6. With reference to Hyperspectral Imaging Technology, which statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Hyperspectral imaging captures data across multiple narrow wavelength bands that can identify materials based on their spectral signatures

2. It is primarily used in remote sensing for agriculture monitoring, mineral exploration, and environmental assessment

3. Unlike multispectral imaging, hyperspectral sensors cannot distinguish between similar materials with different chemical compositions

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(A) 1 and 2 only

(B) 1 only

(C) 2 and 3 only

(D) 1, 2 and 3

7. Consider the following statements regarding Recombinant DNA Technology:

1. It involves combining DNA from two different sources to create new genetic combinations not found in nature

2. The primary application of recombinant DNA technology has been limited to producing therapeutic proteins and vaccines

3. CRISPR-Cas9, a gene editing tool, operates on principles different from recombinant DNA and cannot be used in conjunction with it

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(A) 1 and 2 only

(B) 1 only

(C) 2 only

(D) 1, 2 and 3

8. With reference to Terahertz (THz) Imaging Technology, consider the following:

1. Terahertz radiation falls between microwave and infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum with frequencies of 0.1 to 10 THz

2. THz imaging can penetrate certain non-metallic materials, making it useful for security screening and material inspection

3. THz technology is currently deployed extensively in commercial airports for real-time threat detection due to its ability to identify all concealed objects

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(A) 1 and 2 only

(B) 1 only

(C) 2 and 3 only

(D) 1, 2 and 3

9. Consider the following statements about Muon Tomography (Muography):

1. It uses naturally occurring muons from cosmic rays to create three-dimensional images of dense structures

2. Muography has been successfully used to visualize the internal structure of Egyptian pyramids and volcanic chambers

3. This technology requires active energy sources and cannot function without external particle accelerators

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(A) 1 and 2 only

(B) 2 only

(C) 1 only

(D) 1, 2 and 3

10. With reference to Graphene and its properties, consider the following:

1. Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice with exceptional mechanical strength and electrical conductivity

2. Its thermal conductivity is lower than copper, making it unsuitable for heat dissipation applications in electronics

3. Graphene can be used in developing flexible electronics, supercapacitors, and advanced composites for aerospace applications

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(A) 1 and 3 only

(B) 1 only

(C) 2 and 3 only

(D) 1, 2 and 3

ANSWER KEY WITH EXPLANATIONS

ANSWER 1: (A) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

SPADEX (Space Docking Experiment) is indeed India’s first autonomous space docking mission, successfully launched by ISRO in 2024. The mission involved two satellites—a Chaser and a Target satellite—demonstrating critical rendezvous and autonomous docking techniques in orbit.

Statement 1 is correct: SPADEX is India’s maiden autonomous docking experiment, marking a significant milestone in India’s space programme.

Statement 2 is correct: The mission explicitly uses a Chaser satellite to approach and dock with a Target satellite, validating key technologies needed for future modular space station architecture.

Statement 3 is incorrect: While SPADEX validates technologies essential for building space stations, successful completion does not automatically enable India to build modular stations “without external assistance.” The technology readiness level (TRL) needs to advance further, and other subsystems (life support, power generation, habitation modules) must also be developed and tested. International collaboration often complements domestic capabilities.

ANSWER 2: (B) 1 and 3 only

Explanation:

CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) therapy represents a breakthrough in personalized cancer treatment, particularly demonstrated by India’s indigenous development.

Statement 1 is correct: CAR-T therapy works by extracting T cells from a patient’s immune system, genetically modifying them to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that recognize tumor-associated antigens, and then reintroducing these engineered cells to attack cancer cells.

Statement 2 is incorrect: CAR-T therapy has shown exceptional efficacy in hematologic (blood-based) cancers like acute lymphoblastic leukemia and certain lymphomas, but efficacy in solid tumours remains significantly lower. Solid tumours present barriers (physical tumor microenvironment, immunosuppressive factors, heterogeneous antigen expression) that CAR-T cells struggle to penetrate. Clinical efficacy in solid cancers is not equivalent to blood cancers—this remains an active area of research.

Statement 3 is correct: India’s NexCAR19 (developed by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories in collaboration with Kite Pharma) is an indigenous CAR-T cell therapy approved for treating relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This represents India’s advancement in precision biotherapeutics.

ANSWER 3: (D) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

Quantum Key Distribution represents the frontier of quantum-secured communication, with significant implications for cybersecurity and national security.

Statement 1 is correct: QKD leverages quantum mechanical principles (quantum superposition, quantum entanglement) to generate and distribute encryption keys. The fundamental advantage is that any eavesdropping attempt is theoretically detectable due to quantum mechanics, providing information-theoretic security (not computational security).

Statement 2 is correct: This is a core principle of QKD—the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle ensures that measuring a quantum state collapses it. Any eavesdropper attempting to intercept the quantum key will inevitably alter the quantum states, introducing detectable errors (increased quantum bit error rate – QBER). The legitimate parties can then abort communication and alter their protocol, ensuring detection of the breach.

Statement 3 is correct: India’s National Quantum Mission (approved in April 2023, funded at ₹6,003 crores) explicitly includes the development of practical quantum communication networks and quantum internet alliance initiatives. The mission aims to develop technologies for a “Quantum Internet Alliance” across major Indian cities and institutions, with a 5-8 year implementation timeline.

ANSWER 4: (C) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

NISAR represents a landmark NASA-ISRO collaboration in Earth observation, addressing critical climate and disaster management challenges.

Statement 1 is correct: NISAR is specifically designed to monitor climate-driven changes including forest carbon stocks, ice sheet dynamics, water resource availability, and agricultural productivity—critical for understanding climate impacts and informing adaptation strategies.

Statement 2 is correct: NISAR employs dual-frequency SAR technology—L-band (23.8 cm wavelength) for penetrating vegetation and observing subsurface features, and S-band (13.3 cm) for additional data. The combined sensor suite can detect centimeter-level changes in Earth’s surface, enabling precise monitoring of glacier retreat, permafrost thaw, and ground deformation.

Statement 3 is correct: NISAR’s applications explicitly include InSAR (Interferometric SAR) observations for detecting land deformation, ground subsidence (particularly in urban areas due to aquifer depletion), earthquake-triggered landslides, and volcanic activity. This capability is vital for infrastructure planning and disaster risk reduction in vulnerable areas.

ANSWER 5: (C) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

Perovskite solar cells represent a paradigm shift in photovoltaic technology, balancing efficiency with cost and manufacturability.

Statement 1 is correct: Perovskite materials (with ABX₃ crystal structure where A = organic/inorganic cation, B = Pb/Sn, X = halide) have achieved laboratory power conversion efficiencies exceeding 33% in recent years, approaching or exceeding silicon’s theoretical efficiency limit (29.4% for single-junction cells). Their direct bandgap and high light absorption coefficients enable this performance.

Statement 2 is correct: Perovskite solar cells demonstrate lower manufacturing costs compared to silicon cells (no need for ultra-pure silicon or energy-intensive crystallization processes). However, stability remains a critical challenge—moisture sensitivity, thermal degradation, and ion migration limit operational lifespans, though encapsulation and compositional engineering are addressing these issues.

Statement 3 is correct: Unlike silicon’s energy-intensive Czochralski crystal growth, perovskites can be synthesized via solution-based methods (spin-coating, screen printing, roll-to-roll processing), making them compatible with existing printing and coating infrastructure. This scalability is a major advantage for manufacturing at scale.

ANSWER 6: (A) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

Hyperspectral imaging technology is revolutionizing Earth observation and materials identification through spectral analysis.

Statement 1 is correct: Hyperspectral sensors capture electromagnetic radiation across hundreds of narrow, contiguous wavelength bands (often 100-300 bands from visible to infrared regions). Each material exhibits a unique spectral signature—the pattern of reflectance/absorption across wavelengths—enabling material identification and classification based on spectral analysis.

Statement 2 is correct: Primary applications include precision agriculture (crop health monitoring via NDVI), mineral exploration (ore type discrimination), environmental monitoring (water quality, vegetation stress), and disaster assessment. ISRO’s hyperspectral missions like AVIRIS-NG and upcoming missions leverage this capability.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Hyperspectral imaging’s primary advantage over multispectral imaging is its ability to distinguish between materials with subtle spectral differences. Because perovskite and multispectral sensors both operate on reflectance/absorption principles, hyperspectral’s higher spectral resolution actually enables greater discrimination between chemically similar materials. This contradicts the statement.

ANSWER 7: (A) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

Recombinant DNA technology, a foundational biotechnology, has extensive applications despite being distinct from newer gene-editing tools.

Statement 1 is correct: Recombinant DNA technology combines DNA sequences from different organisms to create novel genetic combinations. This involves restriction enzymes (to cut DNA), ligases (to join DNA), and vectors (to introduce DNA into host cells). The resulting recombinant DNA expresses traits not found in nature.

Statement 2 is correct: While recombinant DNA has broader applications (creating transgenic crops, producing recombinant proteins for research, industrial enzymes), its major practical impact has been in producing therapeutic proteins (insulin, growth hormone, interferon), monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines (including mRNA vaccine platforms which utilize recombinant DNA principles).

Statement 3 is incorrect: CRISPR-Cas9 and recombinant DNA technology are complementary rather than mutually exclusive. CRISPR can be delivered into cells using recombinant vectors (e.g., adeno-associated viruses modified through recombinant DNA techniques). Moreover, recombinant DNA is used to engineer Cas9 expression in organisms. They operate on different principles but can be integrated in therapeutic applications.

ANSWER 8: (A) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

Terahertz technology bridges gaps between microwave and infrared applications, with significant potential in security and sensing.

Statement 1 is correct: Terahertz radiation occupies the electromagnetic spectrum between microwave (100 GHz) and infrared (100 THz), specifically 0.1-10 THz (wavelengths of 3 mm to 30 μm). This “terahertz gap” is increasingly being exploited for novel applications.

Statement 2 is correct: THz waves penetrate many non-metallic materials (textiles, plastics, paper) while being absorbed by metals and water, making them ideal for security screening (detecting concealed objects), pharmaceutical tablet inspection, and material property characterization—without ionizing radiation concerns.

Statement 3 is incorrect: While THz technology shows promise for security applications, it is NOT currently deployed extensively in commercial airports for real-time threat detection. Practical deployment faces challenges: THz sources and detectors are expensive, imaging requires slow scanning compared to conventional X-ray methods, and thermal effects can damage sensitive materials. Most airport security still relies on millimeter-wave imaging (related but distinct technology). THz remains primarily in research and specialized applications.

ANSWER 9: (A) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

Muon tomography represents an innovative application of cosmic ray physics for non-destructive imaging of dense structures.

Statement 1 is correct: Muons are subatomic particles produced when cosmic rays strike Earth’s atmosphere. They penetrate most materials (except very dense ones like lead, iron) with minimal deflection. By measuring muon absorption/scattering patterns, scientists create three-dimensional density maps of structures—an imaging technique analogous to X-ray radiography but using cosmic radiation.

Statement 2 is correct: Muography successfully imaged the Great Pyramid of Giza (revealing a previously unknown void/chamber), Mount Sakura’s volcanic structure, and glacial ice caves. In 2023, muon imaging revealed new details about Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia. These successes demonstrate muography’s viability for archaeological and geological applications.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Muography is fundamentally a passive technique—it relies on naturally occurring muons from cosmic ray showers. It does NOT require external particle accelerators or active energy sources. This passive nature is actually an advantage for safety (no radiation exposure to artifacts or personnel) and cost-effectiveness, particularly for remote or sensitive locations.

ANSWER 10: (A) 1 and 3 only

Explanation:

Graphene’s extraordinary properties make it a revolutionary material despite production and scalability challenges.

Statement 1 is correct: Graphene is a single atomic layer of carbon arranged in a hexagonal lattice (sp² hybridization). It exhibits exceptional properties: tensile strength ~130 GPa (higher than steel), Young’s modulus ~1 TPa, electrical conductivity of ~200,000 S/m at room temperature, and mobility exceeding 200,000 cm²/(V·s)—among the highest of any material.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Graphene exhibits extraordinary thermal conductivity—approximately 5,000 W/(m·K) at room temperature, significantly higher than copper (~400 W/(m·K)). This makes graphene excellent for heat dissipation applications in high-performance electronics, thermal management in integrated circuits, and advanced composites. The statement’s claim is factually incorrect.

Statement 3 is correct: Graphene’s unique combination of properties enables multiple advanced applications: flexible and transparent electronics (graphene-based touchscreens, flexible displays), supercapacitors with high power density, structural reinforcement in aerospace composites (graphene-enhanced carbon fiber), and emerging applications in wearable sensors and bioelectronics.

Daily Static Quiz