Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Skyroot Aerospace announced that Vikram-1 will carry six payloads during Mission Aagaman. Vikram-1 is a four-stage orbital launch vehicle developed by Skyroot Aerospace. It is India’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket. The first three stages use solid fuel, while the fourth stage uses a hypergolic liquid engine for precise orbital insertion. It can carry 350 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 260 kg to Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO).

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Former Afghanistan cricketer Shapoor Zadran recently passed away after battling Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare but life-threatening immune system disorder. In Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), the immune system becomes overactive and attacks the body’s own healthy tissues and organs. The condition causes severe inflammation, affecting organs such as the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and brain. If left untreated, Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) can become fatal.

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The NeoSep-1 international clinical trial, aimed at evaluating life-saving antibiotic combinations for newborns with sepsis, has expanded to India, with the first baby enrolled at JIPMER, Puducherry. Neonatal sepsis is a life-threatening bloodstream infection that affects babies below 90 days of age, especially premature and low-birth-weight infants. It is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality, accounting for 30–50% of newborn deaths. Bacterial infections are the most common cause, including Escherichia coli (E. coli), Listeria, and Streptococcus.

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The Jammu and Kashmir Government has declared leprosy a notifiable disease with immediate effect. The move aims to strengthen disease surveillance, ensure early diagnosis and treatment, and prevent transmission. It supports the national objective of achieving a Leprosy-Free India. Leprosy (Hansen’s disease) is a chronic bacterial infection caused by bacteria Mycobacterium leprae affecting skin, peripheral nerves, and eyes, which can cause permanent disabilities if untreated.

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Recent observations from INSAT-3DR showed that about 60–70% of India was covered by clouds, reflecting widespread monsoon activity across the country. INSAT-3DR is one of ISRO’s advanced weather satellites, designed to provide more accurate and timely weather information. It was launched using the GSLV-F05 rocket to strengthen India’s meteorological capabilities. The satellite plays a vital role in forecasting weather, tracking cyclones, issuing disaster warnings, and monitoring environmental conditions. It is equipped with an imager to capture weather patterns and an atmospheric sounder to measure temperature and moisture in different layers of the atmosphere.

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IIT Patna developed a hybrid magneto-rheometer. The project was supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The device tests magnetorheological (MR) fluids under compression and shear. MR fluids change viscosity when exposed to a magnetic field. The technology can improve brakes, clutches, dampers, actuators, and medical devices.

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Recently, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) revamped the MyCall mobile application. The upgraded app was launched on 3 August 2026. It allows users to rate voice-call quality immediately after a call ends. Users can give 1–5 star ratings and report issues such as call drops, echo, audio delay, and one-way audio. The app crowdsources real-time voice-call quality feedback from consumers. Feedback is anonymised and shared with Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to improve network performance.

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Researchers at IIT Guwahati developed E-Eye, a portable optical sensing device for rapid detection of toxicants in water and biological samples. The innovation supports the Jal Jeevan Mission by enabling on-site water quality monitoring. E-Eye detects arsenic, lead, iron, chromium, fluoride, and Escherichia coli (E. coli) using the Beer–Lambert law. It wirelessly transmits data to water treatment facilities and delivers results comparable to standard laboratory instruments. The device costs about ₹3,500, with a per-sample testing cost of around ₹2. It can also test soil, milk, food products, vegetables, tea, herbal products, and environmental samples.

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Friedreich’s Ataxia (FRDA) is a rare genetic disorder that progressively damages the nervous system and heart. It is caused by mutations in the FXN gene, which produces frataxin, an important protein for mitochondrial function and cellular energy production. The disease commonly results from GAA repeat expansions in the FXN gene, with symptoms usually beginning between 5–15 years of age. Researchers found that 95% of expanded variants originated from two long-normal variants that underwent separate mutation events in Eurasia. Ancient DNA evidence suggests that these protomutations existed in Europe and Western Asia at least 9,000 years ago, but were absent in Neanderthals.

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Indian scientists have developed a new “smart” cancer drug candidate called RK-251, designed to activate mainly inside cancer cells. RK-251 exploits the higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) commonly found inside cancer cells. ROS activates the drug and releases NBDHEX, an anticancer compound that targets proteins involved in cancer-cell survival and treatment resistance. In preclinical studies, RK-251 showed promising activity against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells while causing substantially lower effects on healthy cells. Zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio) were used to assess toxicity and the drug’s ROS-responsive fluorescence.