Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Two Indian aquanauts recently conducted deep-sea dives in the Atlantic Ocean under Samudrayaan Project. They collected over 100 kg of cobalt-rich polymetallic nodules from 1,173 meters depth in the Andaman Sea. Deep Ocean Mission was launched by Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) on 7 September 2021 with ₹4,077 crore for 5 years. The mission develops technologies for exploring and using deep ocean resources sustainably. It supports India’s Blue Economy with potential to push maritime economy beyond ₹100 billion. It aligns with United Nations Decade of Ocean Science (2021–2030).

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OpenAI has launched the Learning Accelerator program in India to empower the education ecosystem with Artificial Intelligence (AI). India is one of the largest ChatGPT markets, with millions of students using AI for assignments, research, and learning. The initiative will distribute 5 lakh ChatGPT licences to students and educators across schools, universities, and research institutes. Government schools (Classes 1–12) will receive ChatGPT access through the Ministry of Education for lesson planning and personalized student engagement. Technical institutes under All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) will get AI tools for skill-building.

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Prime Minister of India welcomed the agreement between Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for the Chandrayaan-5 mission under the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) programme. LUPEX is jointly developed by ISRO and JAXA to explore the Moon’s southern polar region. The mission aims to investigate the presence of water and other elements, potentially as surface ice, and demonstrate innovative surface exploration technologies. It features a lander developed by ISRO and a rover developed by JAXA. The rover will autonomously search for water-rich areas, drill, sample soil, and analyze it with onboard instruments.

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India unveiled its first fully indigenous 32-bit microprocessor, Vikram 3201, at Semicon India 2025. It is designed by Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) and fabricated by Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Chandigarh. Vikram 3201 is designed specifically for rockets and satellites, unlike processors in smartphones or laptops. It is an upgrade of Vikram 1601, a 16-bit processor used in ISRO launch vehicles since 2009. The processor manages navigation, control, and mission management in launch vehicles. The launch supports India’s semiconductor self-reliance, with five units under construction under the Design-Linked Incentive scheme.

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Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Army Training Command (ATC), Shimla. The partnership establishes a Centre of Excellence (CoE) named VIGRAHA (Virtual, Intelligent, Ground-breaking Research in AR/VR and High-tech Applications for Indian Army). The Simulator Development Division (SDD), Secunderabad represents the Indian Army in this collaboration. The CoE will focus on Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, unmanned systems, and emerging defense technologies. The initiative strengthens India’s self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in defense technologies.

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Scientists have found that tiny interstellar dust grains act as storytellers of the universe. A team led by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, provided the strongest observational evidence of how these dust grains align with magnetic fields in the Milky Way. Dust grains are a few micrometers in size, made of silicates and carbonaceous material, and exist throughout the interstellar medium. They play a key role in star and planet formation and cause starlight polarization detected since 1949.

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Researchers at S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS) discovered protein p47’s new role as a “mechanical chaperone.” P47 is a cofactor protein known for assisting p97 in protein trafficking, degradation, and membrane fusion. Study revealed p47 boosts mechanical efficiency of protein extraction from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to cytoplasm. It stabilizes polypeptides under stress, guides them through pores, prevents misfolding, and improves translocation. This is the first single-molecule evidence of autonomous, force-dependent chaperone-like activity by p47. Discovery opens new therapeutic possibilities for diseases linked to protein instability.

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Recently, the first-of-its-kind Swastik Lotus Garden was inaugurated at the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow, during the CSIR Startup Conclave. The garden features 60 lotus varieties from across the world and 50 species of water lilies. Conservation is ensured through advanced genetic methods, light regulation, and scientific treatments. CSIR technologies were transferred to private companies for public access, including perfumes Frotus-Rudra, Frotus-Kumbh, air-freshener Frotus Fresh, green firecrackers, aromatherapy oil Relaxomap, and portable water analysis kits. The initiative strengthens scientific innovation, conservation, and entrepreneurship at grassroots and national levels.

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A viral infection called Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is spreading rapidly among children in Delhi and Haryana, prompting advisories. It is a highly contagious illness caused by a virus. It causes blister-like rashes on hands and feet, painful mouth sores, and sometimes rashes on chest, back, arms, legs, genitals, and buttocks. It mostly affects infants and children under 5 years, spreading quickly in schools and daycare. It is different from foot-and-mouth disease in animals, caused by a different virus. Transmission happens through unwashed hands, saliva, mucus, feces, or blister fluid. No cure or vaccine exists; recovery usually takes 7–10 days with basic care. Complications are rare, but children under 2 may take longer to recover.

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Scientists at the University of Tasmania, Australia, developed a portable ion chromatograph called Aquamonitrix to perform ion separation in the field. The device was tested by undergraduate students who analysed soil pore water for harmful nitrate and nitrite ions immediately after collection. Results were comparable to expensive lab-based chromatographs, proving accuracy with lower cost and time. Aquamonitrix uses sodium chloride solution and a UV absorbance detector, making it simple, eco-friendly, and effective. The portable device costs about 10,000 versus 100,000 for conventional lab instruments. It provides hands-on field experience for students, linking theory with real-world environmental analysis.