Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Scientists at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), Delhi, have recently used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to boost phosphate uptake in japonica rice varieties. CRISPR-Cas9 is a modern gene-editing tool used to precisely modify plant traits. Japonica rice is one of the two major eco-geographical races of Oryza sativa, the other being Indica. It is mainly grown in northern and eastern China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Japonica has short to medium grains, which are thick, sticky, and harder than regular white rice.

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Recently, on July 1, scientists using the ATLAS telescope in Chile reported the discovery of an interstellar object named 3I/ATLAS. It has been tracked since June 14, 2025 and is believed to be the oldest comet ever observed, possibly over 3 billion years old, predating the solar system. It is classified as an interstellar comet due to its hyperbolic orbit and high speed of 57–68 km/s relative to the Sun. The comet comes from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius, suggesting an origin in the Milky Way’s thick disk.

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Next generation E10 Shinkansen bullet trains will be introduced simultaneously in India and Japan. In India, they will operate on the 508 km Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project. Shinkansen is Japan’s high-speed bullet train known for its safety, speed, and reliability. It is the world’s safest high-speed transport system with high volume and frequency.

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Recently, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched the INVICTUS research programme. The INVICTUS research program is an initiative of the European Space Agency (ESA), in collaboration with the UK-based Frazer-Nash Consultancy. The goal is to develop hypersonic technologies for future reusable vehicles with horizontal launch capability. It is funded by ESA’s General Support Technology Programme (GSTP) and Technology Development Element (TDE). It will test key technologies for sustained hypersonic flight in Earth’s atmosphere.

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Kerala has recently introduced the Cy-TB skin test to detect Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP). Cy-TB is a new-generation intradermal skin test using Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens called ESAT-6 and CFP-10. It is more accurate than Mantoux or IGRA (Interferon-Gamma Release Assay) tests and does not need blood samples. It helps in early detection of dormant TB to prevent it from becoming active. It is used for adults above 18, especially in high-risk or contact groups.

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In July 2025, India launched its first indigenously developed carbon fibre foot prosthesis named ADIDOC. ADIDOC stands for AIIMS Bibinagar – DRDL, DRDO Indigenously Developed Optimised Carbon Foot Prosthesis. It was jointly developed under Atmanirbhar Bharat by AIIMS Bibinagar (under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, PMSSY) and Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The foot is biomechanically tested to bear up to 125 kg load and is designed for K3-level active users. It comes in three weight-based variants to meet individual user needs.

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The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is developing a new malaria vaccine called AdFalciVax to fight Plasmodium falciparum. This was recently highlighted due to its unique chimeric and recombinant design. AdFalciVax is being developed with Regional Medical Research Centre Bhubaneswar (RMRCBB), National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), and Department of Biotechnology – National Institute of Immunology (DBT-NII). It uses Lactococcus lactis, a safe food-grade bacterium, for production. The vaccine targets both the pre-erythrocytic and sexual stages of the malaria parasite. This dual-target approach offers both personal protection and reduction of mosquito transmission.

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Iran successfully launched its Nahid-2 telecommunications and research satellite on 27 July 2025. The launch was done aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket as part of a multi-payload mission. Other payloads included Russia’s Unisphere-M3 and M4 and 18 satellites from various countries. The Soyuz rocket had earlier launched Iranian satellites like Khayyam, Pars-1, Kosar, and Hodhod. Nahid-2 is designed to stay in orbit for five years. It has an indigenous propulsion system that can adjust its altitude by up to 50 kilometers. This propulsion is key for maintaining orbital position and operational stability.

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Recently, Bengaluru-based space company Protoplanet launched the Human Outer Planetary Exploration (HOPE) station in Ladakh’s Tso Kar region. HOPE is a moon and Mars simulation research station mimicking off-Earth terrain and environment. It is located in the high-altitude cold desert of Tso Kar basin, Ladakh. The project is developed by Protoplanet with technical and financial support from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It aims to study human psychological, physiological, and epigenetic responses in extreme isolation. It supports India’s long-term space goals including a crewed lunar mission by 2040 and a space station by 2035.

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Recently, African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak was confirmed at a pig farm in Ravas Brahmanan village, Patiala, Punjab. District authorities have taken immediate action to contain the spread. African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic pigs and wild boars. It does not affect humans or other animal species. It causes high mortality (up to 90–100%) and severely impacts pig farming. It originated in sub-Saharan Africa and has spread to Europe, Asia, and Africa. In India, it was first detected in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in Feb–Mar 2020.