Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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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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On May 23, 2025, Chennai-based startup Agnikul Cosmos successfully test-fired India’s first electric motor-driven semi-cryogenic engine. This marks a major step for private players in advancing Indian space technology. The engine uses electric motors instead of traditional gas generators to power fuel pumps, allowing precise thrust control and quick response. It runs on semi-cryogenic propulsion using liquid oxygen (LOX) and refined kerosene, balancing performance and cost. This innovation boosts engine reliability and suits future sub-orbital missions.

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Recently, three new startups were selected to build India’s own Foundation Model under the IndiaAI Mission, marking a big step in boosting local Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities. The IndiaAI Mission was launched in 2023 as a joint effort by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM). It supports startups and researchers by providing access to high-end computing power. The mission promotes “Making AI in India” by developing AI technologies locally.

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NASA’s 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter recently captured a breathtaking image of Arsia Mons volcano rising above early morning clouds on Mars. Arsia Mons is a giant shield volcano in the Tharsis region of Mars. It stands over 18 kilometers tall and spans more than 300 kilometers wide at its base. It is much larger than Earth’s tallest volcano, Mauna Loa, which is 9 kilometers high. Arsia Mons is the southernmost volcano in the Tharsis Montes group, which includes three major volcanoes.

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Recently, the Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino (KATRIN) Experiment in Germany closely studied the disintegration of molecular tritium to estimate the mass of neutrinos. The KATRIN (Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino) experiment, located in Karlsruhe, Germany, aims to find the absolute mass of neutrinos, which are among the most mysterious particles in the universe. This experiment marks a major step in understanding fundamental particle physics and the structure of the universe.

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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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Researchers recently found a surprising amount of germanium in a star named A980, which is part of a rare group called Extreme Helium (EHe) stars. This is the first time germanium, a metallic element, has been observed in such a star. Extreme Helium stars are low-mass supergiants that have very little hydrogen and are mostly made of helium. They are believed to form from the merger of a carbon-oxygen white dwarf and a smaller helium white dwarf. Only 21 EHe stars have been found in our galaxy so far.

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Recently, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Lenacapavir (LEN), the most advanced medicine yet for HIV prevention. Lenacapavir is an antiretroviral drug used as pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP for people who are HIV-negative but at risk. PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, a method to prevent HIV infection before exposure. Lenacapavir is taken as an injection just twice a year, making it easier and more discreet than daily pills. It is developed by Gilead Sciences and sold under the brand name Yeztugo.

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Recently, scientists from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, developed a next-generation device that produces green hydrogen using only solar energy. Green hydrogen is a clean fuel that can help decarbonize industries, power vehicles, and store renewable energy, but producing it affordably at scale has been difficult. The CeNS device splits water molecules using earth-abundant materials without fossil fuels or expensive resources, making it sustainable and scalable.

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The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has already discovered over 2,100 new asteroids before officially starting operations. Vera C. Rubin Observatory is located in Chile. It is designed to scan the night sky repeatedly and is expected to find millions of unknown space objects. The observatory can help track dangerous asteroids that may collide with Earth, enhancing planetary defense. Some asteroids found have comet-like tails, and it might even spot interstellar objects from outside our solar system. It may also discover Planet Nine, a mystery planet far beyond known planets.