Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully completed the second docking of its two satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), under the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission. SpaDeX is a technology demonstration mission by ISRO to validate the ability to dock and undock small satellites in low-Earth orbit. The mission used two satellites, each weighing around 220 kg, launched by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C60 into a 460 km circular orbit. The primary objective of SpaDeX was to develop and demonstrate the capability for spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking. Secondary objectives include testing electric power transfer between docked spacecraft, developing spacecraft control systems, and testing payload operations after undocking for deep-space missions.

Notes:
AI Kiran, an initiative to empower women in Artificial Intelligence (AI), has been launched. The objective of AI Kiran is to create a vibrant AI community where women can thrive as innovators and leaders. It is led by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India. The initiative highlights the contributions of over 250 women driving advancements in AI in sectors like education and healthcare. The KIRAN (Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing) Scheme, launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), promotes gender equality in science and technology by empowering women.

Notes:
Recently, the government selected Bengaluru-based start-up Sarvam to build India’s first indigenous artificial intelligence (AI) large language model (LLM) under the ₹10,370 crore IndiaAI Mission. This project aims to create a strong AI infrastructure fully built, deployed, and optimized within India to strengthen strategic autonomy. Sarvam AI was chosen after a tough selection process among 67 applicants and will get access to 4,000 high-end Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) for six months to develop the model. This move is significant as it boosts India’s leadership in AI and promotes innovation through homegrown technologies. It comes amid rising competition from China’s low-cost DeepSeek model.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
A research team from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has made the first-ever experimental observation of a two-dimensional layered altermagnet at room temperature. Altermagnets are a new class of antiferromagnetic materials that show momentum-dependent spin splitting without needing spin–orbit coupling (SOC) or overall magnetization. This spin splitting is caused by exchange interactions between magnetic sublattices connected by crystal symmetry, known as C-paired spin-valley locking (SVL). Altermagnets combine the stable spin properties of antiferromagnets with spin-split energy bands, making them promising for next-generation spintronic devices.

Notes:
In a major step toward digital transformation, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister laid the foundation for India’s first Artificial Intelligence-based Data Center Park in Raipur. The facility will start with a five megawatt capacity and aims to grow to 150 megawatts. A 2.7-hectare area is being developed as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) services. The project will see an investment of Rs 2,000 crore as it expands. The center will support green, energy-efficient technologies for sustainable operations. It will serve sectors like AI, Financial Technology (FinTech), Health Technology (HealthTech), defense, and data analytics. The infrastructure will use Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)-based systems for real-time data processing, streaming, and analytics.

Notes:
A new mosquito species called the “Pwani molecular form” has been found in coastal areas of Tanzania and Kenya, drawing global attention to malaria control. It belongs to the Anopheles gambiae complex, which includes some of the world’s most dangerous malaria-spreading mosquitoes. This mosquito shows strong genetic differences from other species in the same group, suggesting unique behaviour or environmental adaptation. Genetic studies confirm it is only found along the coastal regions of East Africa, mainly in Tanzania and Kenya. It does not carry the usual genes for insecticide resistance found in other malaria vectors. This may mean it has a different resistance method or is more sensitive to current insecticides.

Notes:
Kerala recently reported a new case of Nipah virus infection, highlighting the state’s renewed struggle with this rare and deadly zoonotic virus. The Nipah virus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is a newly emerging zoonosis, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans. The virus primarily spreads through fruit bats and contaminated food, making it a significant public health threat. Nipah virus infection progresses rapidly, and there is no specific treatment available for it. The virus is known for its high fatality rate and the potential for human-to-human transmission.

Notes:
Researchers have recently found that magnetar flares can create heavy elements like gold using a process called rapid neutron-capture or r-process nucleosynthesis. Magnetars are a special type of neutron star with extremely powerful magnetic fields—about a thousand times stronger than normal neutron stars. These stars sometimes release huge flares of energy, and one such giant flare in 2004 helped scientists make this discovery. The flare was observed by NASA’s Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, which recorded strange gamma-ray signals nearly a day later. These delayed signals did not match typical afterglows but showed signs of radioactive decay from neutron-rich elements. This proves that r-process nucleosynthesis, earlier linked mainly to neutron star mergers, can also happen in magnetar flares. This recent evidence changes our understanding of where rare elements like gold in the universe might come from.