Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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India will launch its first manned deep-ocean mission called Samudrayaan by 2026 to explore marine resources up to 6,000 metres deep. The mission is part of the Deep Ocean Mission and will use an indigenously developed submersible named MATSYA 6000. MATSYA 6000 is a 4th generation manned submersible vehicle designed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai. It can carry three people and operate for 12 hours, with an emergency endurance of 96 hours. The research vessel Sagar Nidhi will be used to deploy and recover MATSYA 6000 during the mission.

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The recent approval by the United States to sell AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to Turkey has raised serious concerns in India due to changing regional security dynamics. AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) is a state-of-the-art missile with beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) and surface-to-air missile (SAM) capabilities. It is developed by Raytheon Technologies, a top US defence company. The missile is designed to engage and destroy enemy aircraft at long distances before visual contact is made. It is a key component in modern air combat systems and significantly boosts the air power of its users.

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The BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) missile is nearing flight testing with an extended range of 800 km. It is a smaller, lighter, and more versatile supersonic cruise missile. BrahMos-NG is designed to be used on fighter aircraft, ships, and submarines. It is jointly developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia under BrahMos Aerospace. The missile aims to be miniaturized, stealthier, and more agile for ultra-precise strikes on land and sea targets.

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Chinese scientists recently discovered a new species of bacteria named Niallia tiangongensis aboard the Tiangong Space Station. The Tiangong Space Station, meaning ‘Sky Palace’, is a Chinese-owned and permanently crewed space station in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). It is the final phase of China’s Manned Space Program, developed after earlier missions Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2. The first module, Tianhe, was launched in April 2021 and connects two science modules, Wentian and Mengtian, with a planned space telescope called Xuntian.

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The United States Air Force (USAF) recently conducted a successful test of the LGM-30G Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). This missile is nuclear-capable and can deliver a warhead to any part of the Earth. “L” in LGM means silo-launched, “G” stands for surface attack, and “M” means guided missile. Minuteman III was introduced in the 1970s and was the first U.S. missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs). It is the only land-based missile in the U.S. nuclear triad. It was developed by Douglas Aircraft Company, now part of Boeing. Although it was designed for ten years of use, it has been upgraded and remains active. A new system, called Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), will replace it around 2029. The U.S. currently maintains about 440 Minuteman III missiles in its arsenal.

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Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have developed a new high-efficiency tandem solar cell with nearly 30% power conversion efficiency compared to the current 20%. This innovation was developed at the National Centre for Photovoltaic Research and Education (NCPRE) and uses a four-terminal (4T) tandem structure. The top layer is made of semi-transparent halide perovskite, while the bottom layer uses traditional silicon, allowing both to work independently for better efficiency. Perovskite materials, known for excellent light absorption and low cost, now have improved durability of up to 10 years. The new design also works well in heat and low-light, making it ideal for India’s climate and helping reduce solar energy costs to ₹1 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). This breakthrough boosts India’s clean energy goals by enhancing output and land-use efficiency.

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The Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has announced financial support for India’s first indigenous thrombectomy device. This support aims to improve stroke care by promoting homegrown medical technology. A thrombectomy is a medical procedure to remove blood clots from arteries or veins. These clots, called thrombi, can block blood flow and damage tissues or organs. Thrombectomy helps restore proper blood circulation and prevents serious health risks.

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Turkey’s Bayraktar TB2 drones suffered a reputational setback after Pakistan’s Turkish-origin drones failed during Operation Sindoor. Bayraktar TB2 is a Turkish-made Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). It is designed for Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) and precision strike missions. It is Turkey’s first armed UAV developed domestically, showcasing its defence manufacturing capabilities.

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For the first time ever, scientists have captured direct images of the Sun’s north and south poles. This was made possible by the Solar Orbiter mission. The Solar Orbiter mission is a collaborative effort between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA to study the Sun. It aims to observe the Sun’s surface and the solar wind, providing valuable insights into solar activity and its effects on Earth and the solar system.

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Recently, the Ministry of Defence announced that scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully demonstrated quantum communication over more than 1 km in free space. Quantum communication is a super secure method of sending information using tiny particles like photons. It uses principles of quantum physics, especially entanglement, to make communication channels tamper-proof. If someone tries to intercept the photons, the disturbance will be detected, revealing the breach. This makes quantum communication highly valuable for defence and national security.