Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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IIT Guwahati researchers developed AI-powered robots for border surveillance. The robots, created by Da Spatio Rhobotique Laboratory Pvt. Ltd (DSRL), offer real-time monitoring in tough terrains. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) acknowledged their potential for India’s defence. The Indian Army is conducting field trials for deployment. Unlike drones and stationary cameras, these robots overcome terrain, weather, and endurance challenges. Features include pole traversal, obstacle navigation, and AI-driven reconnaissance. The system enhances threat detection and security. This innovation supports India’s vision of self-reliance in defence technology.

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Noma is a severe, gangrenous disease of the mouth and face, also called cancrum oris or gangrenous stomatitis. The World Health Organization classified it as a neglected tropical disease in December 2023. It mostly affects children aged 2–6 years suffering from malnutrition, infections, extreme poverty, poor oral health, or weakened immunity. It starts as a gum sore and rapidly destroys soft tissues, hard tissues, and facial skin. It is non-contagious and caused by polymicrobial organisms. Early treatment includes antibiotics, oral hygiene support, mouthwash, and nutrition supplements.

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The Government of India will establish the Second National Gene Bank to conserve 10 lakh crop germplasm for future food and nutritional security. This initiative is part of the “Investing in Innovations” theme of Union Budget 2025-26. A Gene Bank stores seeds, pollen, and plant tissues to protect plant species, aid crop breeding, and ensure biodiversity conservation. India’s First National Gene Bank was established in 1996 by Indian Council of Agricultural Research – National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR), New Delhi. It is the second-largest Gene Bank globally, housing 4,71,561 accessions of 2,157 species.

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A new study by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has used Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) barcoding to correctly identify blackfly species that spread river blindness. River blindness, also called Onchocerciasis, is caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus and spreads through the bite of infected blackflies of the genus Simulium. These blackflies breed near fast-flowing rivers and streams and mainly affect people in rural and remote areas. The disease causes severe skin itching, skin damage, and in serious cases, permanent blindness. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies river blindness as a major Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD), especially in sub-Saharan Africa, Yemen, and Latin America.

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Bangladesh has become the 54th country to sign the Artemis Accords, a global agreement for safe and peaceful space exploration. The signing took place in Dhaka, where Secretary of Defense Ashraf Uddin represented Bangladesh. The Artemis Accords promote cooperation, transparency, and responsible behavior in space missions like those to the Moon and beyond. It was originally launched in 2020 by NASA and the US Department of State. They are based on the Outer Space Treaty and other agreements like the Rescue and Return Agreement. Bangladesh’s entry marks its growing role in global space efforts and strengthens ties with NASA and international partners.

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A study in Madagascar found that hantavirus is carried only by black rats, also called Rattus rattus, in rural areas. These rats came from Asia and were introduced to Madagascar between the 10th and 14th centuries, spreading widely since then. Researchers tested around 2,000 animals, but no native rodents, bats, or other small animals had the virus. Hantavirus is a rare but deadly virus spread by infected rodents. It transmits through contact with rodent urine, feces, or saliva, mainly through air particles or direct contact. Human-to-human spread is extremely rare, so environmental exposure is the key risk.

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The Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino (KATRIN) experiment in Germany has made a major advance in particle physics as of April 2025. Neutrinos are neutral subatomic particles formed in radioactive decay and nuclear reactions like those in the sun and stars. The KATRIN (Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino) experiment, located in Karlsruhe, Germany, aims to measure the mass of the electron antineutrino, which is produced during beta decay. The latest results from KATRIN have reduced the upper limit of neutrino mass to less than 0.45 electron volts, marking a 50% improvement.

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Scientists from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have developed lotus leaf-like solar evaporators called Dual-Sided Laser-Induced Graphene (DSLIG) for saltwater treatment. The material is made using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polyether sulfone (PES), with graphene engraved using laser. DSLIG is superhydrophobic, meaning it repels water like lotus leaves, helping prevent salt from sticking on its surface. It uses both solar heating and electricity-based Joule heating, making it work even on cloudy days. It improves desalination by reducing heat loss and maintaining efficiency. It also works well with highly salty water and has low carbon footprint and toxicity.

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South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) has become the first coal Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) in India to adopt Paste Fill Technology in underground mining. Paste Fill Technology is a modern method used in underground mining to fill the empty spaces left after coal extraction. The paste used is made by mixing crushed overburden from opencast mines, fly ash, cement, water, and binding chemicals. This technique eliminates the need for acquiring additional surface land. It also helps prevent land subsidence, making mining operations more environmentally friendly and safe.

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India is seen as a major contributor to setting global rules for responsible space behavior, as stated by Marjolijn van Deelen, European Union (EU) Special Envoy for Space, at the Global Technology Summit. Anti-Satellite (ASAT) weapons are used to disable or destroy satellites for strategic defense purposes. These weapons can disrupt satellites used for surveillance, communication, navigation, or early warning. ASATs are divided into Kinetic Energy ASATs, which destroy satellites by direct impact, and Non-Kinetic ASATs, which use methods like cyber-attacks or lasers. ASATs can be launched from the ground, aircraft, or even other satellites. So far, the United States, Russia, China, and India have tested ASAT weapons. India’s ASAT test, called Mission Shakti, was carried out in March 2019 by hitting a satellite in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at 300 km altitude.