Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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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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Scientists at Raman Research Institute (RRI) proposed a mission called PRATUSH to study the Cosmic Dawn. PRATUSH stands for Probing ReionizATion of the Universe using Signal from Hydrogen. It is a radio telescope to be placed on the far side of the Moon. It is built by Raman Research Institute (RRI) Bengaluru with collaboration from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It will use a wideband antenna (30–250 MHz), a self-calibratable analog receiver, and a digital correlator with 100 kHz spectral resolution. It will observe large sky regions continuously and record spectra of radio emission. Its nominal lifetime is two years to collect high-quality data.

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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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NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission has discovered two rocky exoplanets around star TOI-2322, located 195 light-years away. Scientists detected them by observing small dips in the star’s brightness, indicating planets passing in front. TOI-2322 b is nearly Earth-sized, completes one orbit in 11 days, and has a very hot surface temperature of about 330°C. TOI-2322 c is almost twice Earth’s size, about 18 times heavier, and has a dense structure similar to Earth’s layers. The planets were confirmed using space telescopes and ground tools, showing successful global collaboration in astronomy.

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India’s largest Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery manufacturing plant was inaugurated in Haryana on 5 September 2025. When fully operational, it will produce 20 crore battery packs annually, meeting nearly 40% of India’s 50 crore pack requirement. The plant was set up under the Centre’s Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) scheme. Li-ion batteries are rechargeable, with lithium ions moving between graphite (negative electrode) and lithium metal oxides (positive electrode) through a non-aqueous electrolyte. They offer high energy density (75-200 Wh/kg), are lightweight, use fewer toxic metals, and provide good cycle stability and efficiency. They have low self-discharge and no memory effect, ensuring reliable performance.

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Researchers at Stanford University and the Arc Institute created the world’s first entirely AI-generated genome. The AI-designed virus can infect and kill bacteria, acting as a bacteriophage. Artificial Intelligence (AI) model named Evo was used, employing genome “language models” to design complete viral genomes. Evo was trained on about 2 million viral genomes to learn DNA patterns, gene order, and composition. Scientists guided Evo to mimic phiX174, a small bacteriophage with 11 genes and approximately 5,000 DNA letters. This achievement marks a significant advancement beyond AI-designed proteins or small multi-gene systems. It demonstrates AI’s potential to innovate in synthetic biology and genome engineering.

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Recently, Central University of Rajasthan (CUoR) conducted the first successful wheat cultivation in arid land using desert ‘soilification’ technology. The experiment aims to stop the expansion of western Rajasthan’s Thar desert towards the National Capital Region. Desert sand was converted into soil using polymers and indigenous bioformulation, enhancing water retention and soil structure. The project was supported by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and the State Horticulture Department. The experiment proves that even barren desert land can become productive with biotechnology.

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India’s first dedicated space astronomy observatory, AstroSat, completed 10 years of operation on 28 September 2025. It was launched on 28 September 2015 by PSLV-C30 (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C30) XL from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. Though designed for 5 years, it continues to provide valuable data after a decade. AstroSat studies the universe across multi-wavelengths: UV (Ultraviolet), Visible, Low and High Energy X-rays. It was developed by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) with collaboration from Indian institutes and partners from Canada and the UK.

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National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has recently launched the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) mission. Its main goal is to study how solar particles are energised and how the heliosphere shields Earth. Heliosphere is a giant bubble formed by the Sun’s solar wind that covers the entire solar system. Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) will map the heliosphere’s boundary, trace energetic particles, and improve space weather forecasting. It is positioned at the first Earth-Sun Lagrange Point (L1), about 1 million miles from Earth towards the Sun. It will provide near real-time data on solar wind and energetic particles to monitor space weather hazards.

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The death toll in the stampede at Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Velusamypuram has risen to 41. Doctors reported most fatalities were due to compressive asphyxia caused by crowd crush. Asphyxia occurs when the body does not get enough oxygen. Respiration moves oxygen into the lungs and circulates it via blood to all body cells, while carbon dioxide is removed. Lack of oxygen can cause unconsciousness or death. Compressive asphyxia happens when an external force prevents chest expansion, crushing the lungs and stopping breathing. This can occur in crowded situations or from a person’s weight on the chest.