Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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The first annual review meeting of Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG) 2.0 projects was held at SKUAST, Srinagar, Kashmir. RuTAG, launched in 2004 by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), supports rural development through Science & Technology interventions. It focuses on demand-driven solutions, addressing grassroots technology gaps, upgrading technology, and providing training and demonstrations. RuTAG 2.0, launched in 2023, aims to translate innovations into market-ready products. The initiative seeks to drive transformative changes in rural areas, ensuring sustainable development and empowering communities through accessible and impactful technologies.

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Hyderabad has been selected as the location for India’s first Google Safety Engineering Centre (GSEC), the only such facility in the Asia-Pacific and the fifth globally. GSEC will focus on advanced research, AI-driven security solutions, and addressing India’s cybersecurity challenges. Hyderabad’s growing tech ecosystem, supported by global giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, along with initiatives like T-Hub, makes it a hub for innovation. The GSEC project is expected to boost employment and enhance the city’s reputation in the cybersecurity sector.

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Google DeepMind unveiled GenCast, an AI model for weather prediction outperforming the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), the world’s top forecast system. GenCast provides faster, more accurate forecasts up to 15 days ahead, advancing beyond its deterministic predecessor by generating 50+ weather scenarios. It uses diffusion AI adapted to Earth’s spherical geometry to model complex weather probabilities. GenCast improves predictions of extreme weather risks, aiding officials in saving lives, reducing damage, and cutting costs. It excels in forecasting tropical cyclone tracks and will soon release real-time and historical forecasts for public integration and research.

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The ISRO-NASA joint satellite, NISAR, is now scheduled for launch in March 2025. It was initially planned for early 2024 but faced delays due to technical issues. It will provide critical data on natural hazards and climate change effects, mapping the globe every 12 days. With advanced radar capabilities, NISAR can collect data day and night, enhancing disaster response and resource management. This collaboration reflects a significant milestone in US-India space relations, initiated in 2014, to address global environmental challenges through innovative technology and open-access data.

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A Union Minister highlighted the potential of combining India’s ancient wisdom with modern science at the SHRI Programme’s 5th anniversary. The SHRI Programme brings together experts from various fields to capture data, form collaborations, and offer technology solutions for cultural heritage issues. Key initiatives include non-invasive preservation techniques, digitalizing the Ajanta caves, and artifact restoration. The programme is supported by the Ministry of Science & Technology to promote cultural heritage preservation through innovative technologies.

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The Jetson Orin Nano Super is a compact generative AI supercomputer launched by Nvidia, priced at $249. It features enhanced performance with 67 TOPS and is designed for developers and students to create AI tools. Equipped with Nvidia’s Ampere GPU architecture, it supports various applications, including robotics, smart surveillance, and healthcare. The device is compact yet powerful, making generative AI accessible for businesses of all sizes, with connectivity options for various peripherals and a focus on efficiency and performance in edge computing.

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A mysterious illness called “Dinga Dinga” has emerged in Uganda, predominantly affecting women and girls. The name means “shaking like dancing,” reflecting the violent, involuntary body movements it causes. Symptoms include uncontrollable shaking, high fever, extreme weakness, and in severe cases, paralysis-like immobility. The illness impairs mobility, making basic movements like walking impossible for some patients. The cause of Dinga Dinga remains unknown, as health experts have not identified its source. Treatment currently involves antibiotics, though the illness’s origin and effective remedies are still unclear.

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Nadi Tarangini, India’s first Ayurvedic medical device, received approval from Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). It costs ₹55,000 and is manufactured by Atreya Innovations in Pune. The device analyzes 22 Ayurvedic parameters and provides a 10-page report in 10 Indian languages. It has an accuracy of 85% and is used in over 1250 Ayurvedic clinics. Nadi Tarangini received patents in the US, Europe, Indonesia, and India.

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The first astronomical observatory in Eastern India has been inaugurated in Garpanchkot Hills, Purulia, by the Satyendra Nath Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS). This is the sixth such observatory in India and is named after Satyendra Nath Bose. The observatory, located 600 meters above sea level at approximately 86° E longitude, fills a key gap in astronomical observations. It aims to aid scientific observations, student training, and foster national and international research collaborations. The observatory is strategically placed to observe transient astronomical phenomena. Satyendra Nath Bose Centre has partnered with Sidhu Kanu Birsa University for its operation.

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ISRO launched the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) rocket carrying the NVS-02 satellite for the NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) navigation system. NVS-02 is the second of five second-generation satellites to replace older ones in India’s navigation constellation. It weighs 2,250 kg, has a 3 kW power capacity, and includes navigation payloads in L1, L5, S, and C bands. The satellite features a Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard for precise timekeeping and has a 12-year lifespan.