Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted the second short hot test of the semicryogenic engine that will power the Semicryogenic booster stage of the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3). A semicryogenic engine uses a cryogenic oxidizer like Liquid Oxygen and a hydrocarbon-based fuel like kerosene. It combines the advantages of cryogenic and conventional engines, offering better efficiency and operational simplicity. In comparison, a fully cryogenic engine uses both fuel and oxidizer in liquid form, like Liquid Hydrogen and Liquid Oxygen, giving 100% efficiency without causing greenhouse gas emissions. This successful test marks a key step towards upgrading LVM3 for future heavy-lift missions.

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The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has invited applications for a new initiative called Satellite Bus as a Service (SBaaS). The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe has launched the ‘Satellite Bus as a Service’ (SBaaS) initiative. This initiative aims to help Indian private space companies design and develop small satellite bus platforms for hosted payload applications. A satellite bus is the main body and structural component of a satellite where scientific instruments and other payloads are housed. The SBaaS initiative will help democratize access to space technology in India and reduce the country’s reliance on imported satellite platforms.

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The Subaru Telescope in Hawaii recently used the Hyper Suprime-Cam to carry out a deep sky survey from the University of Tokyo. It reported a Sigma Eight (S8) value of 0.747, which matches earlier results from gravitational lensing studies. Sigma Eight (S8) is a key measure in cosmology that shows how matter is clustered or “clumpy” across the universe on a scale of 26 million light-years. It tells scientists how much visible and dark matter is gathered in different parts of space. This finding helps us understand how the universe evolved from a smooth early state after the Big Bang.

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Mizoram’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department has reported over 3,050 pig deaths since March 2025 due to an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the districts of Siaha, Lawngtlai, Lunglei, and Mamit. African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs with a mortality rate that can reach 100%. Though ASF does not affect humans, it severely impacts pig populations and causes major economic loss to farmers. The virus originated in Africa and has now spread globally.

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The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has recently released detailed data, infographics, and graphical summaries on over 100 bacterial genomes under the ‘One Day One Genome’ initiative. A genome is the complete genetic material of an organism, made of unique DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) or RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) sequences. These sequences are made of chemical units called nucleotide bases, and identifying their order is known as genomic sequencing. The ‘One Day One Genome’ initiative was launched in November 2024 by Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC). It is coordinated by BRIC-National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), West Bengal. Data contributions come from 13 BRIC institutions and two bodies: International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, and Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad.

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NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) recently solved the mystery behind X-ray emissions in black hole jets. IXPE is a joint satellite mission by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Italian Space Agency, launched on December 9, 2021. It is the first satellite designed to measure the polarisation of X-ray light, helping scientists study extreme cosmic environments. The mission focused on blazars, which are a type of active galactic nucleus with a supermassive black hole ejecting a powerful jet of particles aimed toward Earth.

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Chinese researchers have recently developed a high-resolution ocean simulation system called LICOMK++ to better study ocean and climate patterns. LICOMK++ stands for Laboratory for Atmospheric and Oceanic Modeling (LASG)/Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP) Climate Ocean Model with K++ high-performance computing upgrade. It is described as an ocean “microscope” because of its ultra-high-resolution abilities. This advanced system allows scientists to clearly observe complex ocean processes such as eddies and heat transport. It helps improve the understanding of how oceans influence climate. LICOMK++ can enhance forecasts of extreme weather events like typhoons, marine heatwaves, and floods.

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India has launched its first 3-nanometre (3nm) chip design centres in Noida and Bengaluru, marking a major step in advanced semiconductor development. These centres have been set up by Renesas Electronics India Private Limited, placing India among a few nations working on next-generation chip design. The initiative is part of a broader government plan to build a complete semiconductor ecosystem including design, fabrication, ATMP (Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging), and supply chain support.

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The Union Cabinet recently approved a new semiconductor manufacturing unit in Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant step in India’s semiconductor ambitions. This facility is the sixth under the India Semiconductor Mission, a push for self-reliance in semiconductor technology. The unit is a joint venture between HCL and Foxconn and will be located near Jewar Airport in the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) region. It will manufacture display driver chips for devices like mobile phones, laptops, automobiles, and more. The plant will have a production capacity of 20,000 wafers per month, with a target output of 36 million chips monthly.

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India will launch its first manned deep-ocean mission called Samudrayaan by 2026 to explore marine resources up to 6,000 metres deep. The mission is part of the Deep Ocean Mission and will use an indigenously developed submersible named MATSYA 6000. MATSYA 6000 is a 4th generation manned submersible vehicle designed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai. It can carry three people and operate for 12 hours, with an emergency endurance of 96 hours. The research vessel Sagar Nidhi will be used to deploy and recover MATSYA 6000 during the mission.