Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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IIT Madras launched Param Shakti, an indigenously developed supercomputing system with a capacity of 3.1 petaflop, meaning 3.1 quadrillion calculations per second. It is among India’s most powerful supercomputers and will help solve complex research problems faster and more accurately. The system will support advanced research in aerospace, materials, climate modelling, drug discovery, and manufacturing. Param Shakti is built entirely in India by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing using the RUDRA server series and open-source software. It is integrated into the Param Rudra supercomputing cluster with advanced power, cooling, and data centre support.

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Recently, a new microscopic crustacean named Indiaphonte bijoyi was discovered in the Kavaratti lagoon of the Lakshadweep islands. It is a tiny crustacean belonging to the family Laophontidae under the Copepoda class. The species lives within sediments of aquatic environments, making it a sediment-dwelling organism. It has a semi-cylindrical and slightly flattened body, broader at the centre and narrowing towards the rear end. It is classified as meiofauna, meaning very small invertebrate animals measuring less than one millimetre in size.

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A 19-year-old college girl in Tamil Nadu died after consuming borax for weight loss. Borax is also called sodium tetraborate decahydrate, a white powdery mineral. It is composed of boron, sodium, and oxygen. It is used in glass and pottery glazes, metallurgy, welding flux, fertilizer additive, soap, disinfectant, mouthwash, and water softener. It naturally occurs in evaporite deposits from seasonal lake evaporation and can be synthetically produced.

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ExoMiner++ is a new deep learning software designed to discover exoplanets. It is developed by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). It analyses data from both the Kepler and TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) missions. The software scans stellar “light curves” for dips in brightness caused by planets transiting in front of their stars. Unlike standard black-box models, ExoMiner++ is an explainable AI, offering probability scores and reasoning to help astronomers verify and trust its findings.

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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu launched Pilloo AI, a voice-based billing and accounting assistant for businesses. The app allows users to create invoices, record transactions, generate reports, and manage accounts by speaking in their native language. No prior accounting knowledge or complex software is required, saving time and reducing manual effort. Pilloo AI supports five Indian languages and can record daily sales and payments, generate balance sheets, receivables, and payables. It automates purchase and bank transaction entries by extracting data from uploaded bills and bank statements.

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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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Scientists at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir developed two early-maturing Shalimar Wheat varieties to strengthen the rice–wheat cropping system. Shalimar Wheat includes Shalimar Wheat-4, which matures by the last week of May, and Shalimar Wheat-3, which matures by the first week of June. These varieties are specially bred for Kashmir’s climate and are suitable for mid-altitude areas up to about 1,850 metres. Early maturity allows timely harvesting of wheat and smooth transplantation of paddy. They help maintain proper crop rotation without delays in rice cultivation. The varieties show resistance to yellow rust, a major fungal disease in the region.

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Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda launched indigenous Tetanus and Diphtheria vaccine at Central Research Institute, Kasauli in Solan district, Himachal Pradesh. Vaccine supports vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat in health sector. India is known as Pharmacy of the World. Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) is world’s largest immunization programme. Central Research Institute will supply 5.5 million vaccine doses by April 2026 to strengthen immunization coverage.

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An institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in North East India has synthesised a novel biosurfactant effective against the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive, non-motile, round-shaped bacterium from the family Staphylococcaceae. It occurs in grape-like clusters and is commonly found in the environment. It affects all mammalian species, including humans, and can be transmitted between species. Transmission occurs through air droplets, direct contact with contaminated objects, or bites from infected persons or animals. It causes minor skin infections, boils, cellulitis, abscesses, scalded skin syndrome, and may lead to pneumonia.