Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Scientists from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Space Applications Centre (SAC) have selected Mons Mouton as the landing site for Chandrayaan-4, India’s first lunar sample return mission. Mons Mouton is a 6,000-metre-high mountain near the Moon’s South Pole with a largely flat peak suitable for safe landing. It lies in the South Circumpolar Region (SCR) and is named after NASA mathematician Melba Roy Mouton. The site is located on the rim of the South Pole–Aitken basin, the Moon’s oldest and largest impact basin. The region receives long-duration sunlight and has clear radio communication with Earth.

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India’s first government-supported National Biobank for Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs) was launched in February 2026 at the Foundation for Research in Genetics and Endocrinology (FRIGE) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. It is funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). This facility stores biological samples and data from 530 patients across 15 states to advance research, develop affordable diagnostic tools, and improve treatment for rare metabolic disorders.

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An indigenously developed 30 kiloWatt Wide Band Gap based Integrated Drive System for Electric Vehicles was launched by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in Chennai. It was developed by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing Thiruvananthapuram with Indian Institute of Technology Madras and Lucas TVS under National Mission on Power Electronics Technology. It was launched by the Secretary of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology at IIT Madras. The 30 kiloWatt system suits electric passenger vehicles like compact cars and fleet mobility. It reduces import dependence on semiconductor-based Electric Vehicle powertrain systems.

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A recent study has warned that more than one-third of Africa is at risk of the spread of Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD), which is a highly destructive disease affecting cassava crops. CBSD is considered one of the most devastating diseases of cassava, as it severely reduces both the production and quality of cassava tubers (roots), which are an important staple food in many African countries. The disease was first identified in the mid-20th century in the coastal regions of East Africa, and since then it has spread significantly across the African continent.

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A new study found that Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) not only changed the motion of an asteroid but also slightly altered the orbit of the asteroid pair around the Sun. DART was launched in 2021 by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to test asteroid deflection technology. It was the first planetary defence mission to change an asteroid’s path using the kinetic impact method. The spacecraft targeted a binary asteroid system of Didymos and its moonlet Dimorphos. In 2022, the spacecraft intentionally crashed into Dimorphos to alter its orbit around Didymos. The impact successfully changed the asteroid’s motion, proving humans can potentially deflect hazardous near-Earth objects in space.

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United States-based Sentynl Therapeutics, part of Zydus Lifesciences, has partnered with South Korea’s PRG S&T to develop Progerinin, a drug for Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS). Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) is an extremely rare genetic disorder that causes rapid aging in children. The disease is caused by a mutation in the LMNA (Lamin A) gene, which normally produces lamin A protein for maintaining cell structure. This mutation leads to the formation of an abnormal protein called progerin, which damages the cell nucleus. The damaged cells die early, resulting in premature aging of the body.

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Recent Legionnaires’ disease cases in London and New York have raised global concern. Public health experts warn that densely populated cities, including those in India, could face similar outbreaks if preventive measures are not strengthened. Legionnaires’ disease (LD) is a severe pneumonia caused by the bacterium Legionella, first identified in 1976 at an American Legion convention. Transmission occurs when people breathe in water or soil containing Legionella; it is not contagious and generally cannot spread through drinking water unless aspirated. High-risk groups include older adults, smokers, and people with weakened immune systems.

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NASA has unveiled a new map of the ocean floor using data from the SWOT Satellite. The SWOT Satellite was developed by NASA in collaboration with Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France. Its main objective is to conduct the first global survey of Earth’s surface water and observe detailed ocean surface topography. The satellite measures how water bodies change over time to track variations in lakes, rivers, and oceans. It maps the ocean floor indirectly by detecting tiny changes in water height, which reveal the features beneath the ocean surface.

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NASA is set to launch the Artemis II mission, which is part of its broader lunar exploration programme. Artemis II is a key mission under the Artemis programme, aimed at returning humans to the Moon in a sustained and strategic manner. The mission will send four astronauts on a crewed journey around the Moon, marking a major step in human space exploration. It is part of efforts to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon. The mission views the Moon as a platform for deeper space exploration, including future missions to Mars and beyond.

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Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati developed energy-efficient bricks for passive cooling in buildings. The bricks use Phase Change Materials (PCM) to regulate indoor temperature. During the day, PCM melts to absorb heat, and at night, it solidifies to release stored heat gradually. The PCM used is OM35 with a melting point of 35°C, suitable for tropical climates. Porous biochar is used to prevent leakage by absorbing and holding molten PCM within the bricks. These bricks can reduce indoor wall temperature by about 3°C and lower cooling energy demand by 10–20%.