Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) developed an agriculture waste-based packaging material. It offers a sustainable alternative to plastic foams like Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). Fungi such as Ganoderma lucidum (medicinal mushroom) and Pleurotus ostreatus (edible mushroom) were grown on waste. Five substrates were used: cardboard, sawdust, paper, cocopith, and hay. Ganoderma on cardboard showed higher compressive strength than EPS. India generates over 350 million tonnes of agricultural waste annually. This innovation can help reduce four million tonnes of plastic waste produced in India.

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Seeds of seabuckthorn and Himalayan tartary buckwheat grown in Ladakh’s cold desert are part of NASA’s Crew-11 experiment on the International Space Station (ISS). The seeds were sourced by Indian space start-up Protoplanet based in Bengaluru. The mission launched on August 1, 2025, from Florida and docked at ISS on August 2, 2025. The experiment aims to test how seeds react to space stress and microgravity before germination. It focuses on gene activation and metabolic processes vital for space agriculture. Himalayan tartary buckwheat and seabuckthorn are rich in nutrients and suitable for long-duration space missions.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have classified Hepatitis D virus (HDV) as carcinogenic to humans, alongside Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV). HBV, HCV, and HDV infect over 300 million people globally, causing 1.3 million deaths annually from liver cirrhosis and cancer. HDV affects about 5% of chronic HBV patients, mainly in Asia, Africa, Amazon Basin, and high-risk groups like drug users and haemodialysis patients. Co-infection with HBV raises liver cancer risk 2–6 times; 75% may develop cirrhosis within 15 years. No separate HDV vaccine exists; prevention relies on universal HBV vaccination and testing.

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Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming rod bacterium commonly found in soil and water. It is the most common type of Pseudomonas causing human infections in the blood, lungs (pneumonia), urinary tract, and post-surgery sites. Researchers from Germany found that P. aeruginosa shows bistable expression of the glpD gene, meaning activity varies among genetically identical cells. This variation affects its infection-causing ability, as shown in tests on moth larvae and mouse immune cells. Targeting glpD gene’s variable expression could help combat hospital-acquired P. aeruginosa infections. This discovery highlights new directions for infection control and antibiotic strategies.

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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission (G1) in December 2025. The mission will carry Vyommitra, a female half-humanoid robot. Vyommitra will monitor the module, issue alerts, and manage life-support operations. ISRO plans five launches in 2025 and four in 2026. Upcoming launches include Oceansat-3A, NVS-03 (Navigation Satellite), TDS-01 (Technology Demonstration Satellite), and BlueBird Block 2. ISRO declared 2025 as “Gaganyaan Year” to highlight its human-spaceflight ambitions. The mission is a key step towards India’s future crewed space missions.

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On 21 August 2025, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) launched CEREBO, a portable non-invasive device to detect traumatic brain injuries (TBI). It uses near-infrared spectroscopy with machine learning to identify intracranial bleeding and edema within one minute, giving colour-coded, radiation-free results. The device is safe for infants and pregnant women and can be operated by paramedics or unskilled staff with just 30 minutes of training. It was developed by ICMR, AIIMS Bhopal, NIMHANS Bengaluru and Bioscan Research. India records over 1 lakh deaths and 10 lakh serious head injuries annually, making early TBI detection critical.

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National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has unveiled the second Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) habitat. It is designed for analogue missions simulating year-long stays on Mars. The second mission will begin in late 2025 with four crew members. The 1,700 square foot, 3D-printed habitat will be used to test living in isolation. CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) is a program of analog missions that simulate year-long stays on the Martian surface. The inaugural CHAPEA mission began in June 2023 and concluded in July 2024, providing valuable insights into the challenges of living and working on Mars.

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Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi unveiled India’s first Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub (I-GFTCH) in Bhubaneswar under the BharatNetra initiative. It is launched with Singapore-headquartered Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN). It aims to promote entrepreneurship, industry-ready skills, inclusive finance, and employment. Odisha plans Deep Neural Network laboratories and centres of excellence to boost research and development (R&D). The state produces 1.8 lakh graduates annually and is first in India to implement an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy. A dedicated FinTech and Global Capability Centre (GCC) policy will attract global investments.

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OpenAI has launched the Learning Accelerator program in India to empower the education ecosystem with Artificial Intelligence (AI). India is one of the largest ChatGPT markets, with millions of students using AI for assignments, research, and learning. The initiative will distribute 5 lakh ChatGPT licences to students and educators across schools, universities, and research institutes. Government schools (Classes 1–12) will receive ChatGPT access through the Ministry of Education for lesson planning and personalized student engagement. Technical institutes under All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) will get AI tools for skill-building.

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Russia has launched EnteroMix, a new mRNA-based cancer vaccine, reported to show 100 percent efficacy in early trials. It was developed by the National Medical Research Radiology Centre (NMRRC) and Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology under the Russian Academy of Sciences. The launch took place at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2025) and shared globally via Sputnik news service. The vaccine targets colorectal cancer first, with versions in development for glioblastoma and melanoma. EnteroMix uses four harmless viruses to attack cancer cells and boost immune defence. Russian Federal Medical and Biological Agency (FMBA) confirmed its safety for repeated use and personalised RNA-based tailoring.