Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Taiwan will deploy advanced National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) in North Taiwan to protect Taipei. NASAMS is a medium-range, ground-based air defense system developed by Raytheon (USA) and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (Norway). The system defends against aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, UAVs, and air-to-surface threats. It protects high-value assets and population centers and has been part of the US capital’s air defense since 2005. NASAMS is the first networked short- and medium-range system, integrating with other defense equipment.

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The Pralay missile, India’s first tactical quasi-ballistic missile, will be showcased in the Republic Day parade. It is a short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a range of 150-500 km, developed to meet the Army’s tactical needs. Pralay can carry a 350-700 kg conventional warhead and strike enemy positions with high accuracy. It was developed by DRDO.

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IIT-Madras has launched a zero-waste bioplastics initiative supported by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers. The initiative aims to develop biodegradable, microplastic-free, and cost-effective alternatives to conventional plastics. Third-generation bioplastics use agricultural residues, algae, and waste materials, avoiding food security concerns linked to earlier food-based bioplastics. These bioplastics fully decompose, leaving no harmful particles behind, reducing the environmental footprint. The centre is also exploring bioplastics for food packaging and medical textiles, including biodegradable implants from agricultural waste.

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Indian Air Force officer and ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla was named the pilot for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). Ax-4 is the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission is organized by Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA. The crew will launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. They will spend up to 14 days on the ISS conducting scientific research and technology demonstrations.

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Shri. S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, inaugurated the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Chip Design at Noida. It aims to enhance India’s semiconductor design and VLSI (Very Large-Scale Integration) capabilities. The Centre will provide research, innovation, and training to develop a skilled workforce. Facilities include a Project Lab for chip design and a Smart Classroom for immersive learning. A VLSI-based Intellectual Property (IP) demonstration showcased its commitment to semiconductor advancement.

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Brucellosis, a bacterial disease, caused the death of an 8-year-old in Kerala. It is caused by Brucella bacteria, mainly infecting cattle, goats, sheep, swine, and dogs. Humans get infected through direct contact with animals, consuming contaminated animal products, or inhaling airborne agents. Unpasteurised milk and cheese from infected animals are the most common sources. Symptoms include fever, weakness, weight loss, and discomfort, often mild and undiagnosed.

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Uganda and WHO launched a historic clinical trial for a vaccine against the Sudan species of Ebola virus. Ebola is a deadly disease caused by orthoebolaviruses (formerly ebolavirus). It was first discovered in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The virus mainly affects humans and primates like gorillas, monkeys, and chimpanzees. It is found primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and poses a major health threat.

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Russia is reportedly starting large-scale production of Iskander-M tactical ballistic missiles. The Iskander (SS-26 Stone) is a road-mobile short-range ballistic missile system, first used in 2008 against Georgia. It is developed by Russia. It is designed for tactical strikes on small, high-value land targets. The missile is 7.3 meters long, weighs 3,750 kg, and has a 500 km range with a payload of 480-700 kg. It can carry conventional or nuclear warheads, travel at Mach 7, and reach over 30 miles in altitude. Equipped with decoys, maneuverable reentry, and self-targeting to bypass defense systems.

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Pakistan’s space agency SUPARCO is collaborating with China for the Chang’e-8 lunar mission in 2028. A 35-kg indigenous Pakistani rover will explore the Moon’s south pole as part of the mission. Chang’e-8 is part of China’s International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project and aims to test technologies for a lunar science base. The mission will conduct surveys, lunar sample analysis, and resource utilization experiments. China has allocated 200 kg of payload capacity for international participation. This follows Pakistan’s iCube Qamar CubeSat launch on China’s Chang’e-6 mission in May 2024.

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India has signed an agreement with Russia to acquire the Klub-S missile system for its submarine fleet. It is developed by Russia defence company NPO Novator. The Klub missile, also known as Kalibr, entered service in 1994. The Klub-S missile has a 400 kg warhead and can strike targets up to 300 km away, including surface ships, submarines, and land targets. It includes a fire control system, vertical launcher unit, and ammunition. It is known for its effectiveness in combat, it can reach supersonic speeds in the terminal phase, making interception difficult. The missile cruises at 10-15 meters, minimizing enemy defense response time.