Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) recently detected phosphine (PH3) in the atmosphere of brown dwarf Wolf 1130C. Phosphine is a chemical compound consisting of one phosphorus atom and three hydrogen atoms. On Earth, phosphine is naturally produced by bacteria in low-oxygen environments. These bacteria absorb phosphate from minerals or biological material and combine it with hydrogen to form phosphine. Phosphine is also present in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn. The compound is also known as hydrogen phosphide. Its detection in Wolf 1130C provides insights into chemical processes in brown dwarf atmospheres.

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On October 13, 2025, TechBharat Research Foundation (TBRF) and Google Cloud India launched India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Public Good in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP). The initiative was supported by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, particularly its Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (IT, E&C). A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Government of Andhra Pradesh and TechBharat Research Foundation (TBRF) for setting up and operating the CoE. TBRF will lead the CoE as a hub for applied AI research and public service solutions. Google Cloud India will provide cloud infrastructure, Gemini AI models, tools, mentorship, and market support.

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Scientists at the Raman Research Institute (RRI), India developed a sensitive method to detect toxic molecules like Rhodamine B. The method uses the coffee-ring effect combined with nanotechnology for enhanced detection. The coffee-ring effect occurs when a droplet evaporates, and capillary flow moves particles from the center to the edge, forming a ring-shaped deposition pattern. Rhodamine B is a water-soluble synthetic dye with bright pink fluorescence. It is widely used in fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and ELISA biochemical assays. Rhodamine B is toxic and carcinogenic, affecting skin, eyes, and the respiratory system. This method provides a rapid and effective tool for detecting hazardous dyes in research and environmental monitoring.

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Health officials in Florida have recently confirmed cases of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), also called “Zombie Deer Disease.” It is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, moose, and reindeer. It attacks the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It is caused by prions, which are infectious misfolded proteins that damage the brain. Prions spread through body fluids like saliva, blood, and urine and can stay in soil and plants for years. Infected animals show weight loss, drooling, and strange behavior. There is no cure or vaccine, and the disease is always fatal.No human cases have been confirmed yet, but experts stay alert.

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Kerala reported another death from Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis, PAM), raising the 2025 toll to 27 cases. Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis is a rare, fatal brain infection caused by the free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri, known as the “brain-eating amoeba.” Infection occurs when contaminated freshwater enters the nasal cavity, allowing the amoeba to reach the brain via the olfactory nerve. It is found in warm freshwater and soil, especially lakes, rivers, hot springs, and unchlorinated pools.

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In a historic milestone, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled NexCAR19, India’s first indigenous CAR-T Cell Therapy, at the Emerging Science, Technology & Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025 in Delhi. It is developed by ImmunoACT, an IIT Bombay spin-off. It is supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). NexCAR19 is the world’s first humanised CAR-T therapy, truly “Made in India, for the world.” CAR-T Cell Therapy is an immunotherapy that reprograms a patient’s immune cells to fight blood cancers like Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL).

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In November 2025, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a Joint Venture (JV) under the Ministry of Power (MoP), announced India’s largest Geothermal Energy Technology (GET) pilot project in Andhra Pradesh (AP). The project will be implemented at two tourism hubs — Araku Valley and Visakhapatnam (Vizag). It uses geothermal systems like Earth Air Tunnel (EAT) Systems and Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP). The system works by using the earth’s constant underground temperature at a depth of 7–8 meters (m) for eco-friendly heating and cooling. The technology has a short payback period of 3–4 years, ideal for hotels and tourism infrastructure.

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India’s first indigenous CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats)-based gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), named BIRSA 101, was recently launched by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology. It is developed by CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) – Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB). BIRSA 101 uses CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology to precisely correct the genetic mutation causing SCD. The therapy is administered as a one-time infusion, after which the body produces normal red blood cells instead of sickle-shaped ones.

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The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)–Larsen & Toubro (L&T) consortium has indigenously built India’s first private Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The PSLV is scheduled to launch the Oceansat satellite early next year. India’s Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed a 2022 contract with the HAL–L&T consortium for end-to-end production of five PSLV-XL rockets. This move shifts PSLV manufacturing from ISRO to industry partners while ISRO focuses on new missions and research. The consortium has faced production challenges, resolved with ISRO’s support. HAL also received technology for the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to fully own and operate its production.

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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a progressive neurological disorder that damages nerve cells controlling muscle movement. A study predicts global cases will rise from 222,801 in 2015 to 376,674 by 2040, a 69 percent increase. It is also called Lou Gehrig’s disease. It commonly affects people between 55 and 75 years and is more common in men. In some patients it is genetic but in most the cause is unknown. Damaged motor neurons stop brain signals from reaching muscles causing weakness and muscle wasting.