Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Ten blackbucks died in Jamshedpur Zoological Park, Jharkhand due to suspected Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS). Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS) is also called Pasteurellosis and is caused by Pasteurella multocida bacteria. It mainly affects cattle and buffaloes, with young animals more vulnerable. Bacteria survive longer in humid and waterlogged conditions. It spreads through contaminated food, water, air and direct contact.

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Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) has hosted ATMAN 3.0, an eight-week Health Technology (HealthTech) accelerator programme. The programme is conducted by the Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) at IIT Bombay. ATMAN 3.0 is supported by the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST). It aims to transform early-stage HealthTech startups into investment-ready ventures. Thirteen startups were selected from 173 applicants after a competitive pitching process. Each selected startup can receive seed funding support of one crore rupees or more. The programme will conclude with a Demo Day on 9 January 2026 at Novotel, Mumbai International Airport.

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AIIMS, New Delhi has conducted India’s first clinical trial of an indigenously evaluated advanced stroke treatment device named the Supernova Stent, marking a major milestone in India’s medical research and device innovation. The Supernova Stent is specifically designed for India’s diverse patient population, where strokes tend to occur at a younger age compared to Western countries, making it more suitable for local clinical needs. AIIMS highlighted that this is India’s first stroke intervention device to receive clearance based entirely on a domestic clinical trial, strengthening confidence in indigenous clinical research capabilities.

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A new study warns that heavy use of artemisinin and favourable conditions can create new hotspots of drug resistance, with resistance markers slowly rising in parts of Africa. Artemisinin is an antimalarial drug obtained from the sweet wormwood plant called Artemisia annua. It was discovered in the 1970s and became a major breakthrough when malaria parasites developed resistance to older drugs like chloroquine. It is effective against all malaria-causing parasites of the Plasmodium genus, mainly during the blood stage. Artemisinin quickly reduces parasites but stays in the body for a short time, so it is combined with other drugs. The World Health Organization recommends artemisinin-based combination therapies as the standard treatment for Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

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India launched DHRUV64, the country’s first 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor, fully developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the Microprocessor Development Programme. DHRUV64 aims to reduce India’s dependence on imported processors and supports both strategic and commercial applications. The processor features modern architectural enhancements for improved efficiency, multitasking, and reliability, and integrates seamlessly with hardware for applications like 5G, automotive systems, consumer electronics, industrial automation, and the Internet of Things. India contributes nearly 20% to global microprocessor production, highlighting the importance of indigenous chip development.

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Michaela Benthaus, a German engineer, became the first wheelchair user to travel to space. German engineer Michaela Benthaus became the first person with paraplegia to travel to space. The suborbital mission was conducted by Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’ space tourism company. This was the company’s 16th crewed flight, using the New Shepard NS-37 rocket.

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Astronomers discovered a strange exoplanet named PSR J2322-2650b using the James Webb Space Telescope. The planet is nearly as massive as Jupiter and orbits a pulsar, a dead star emitting strong energy beams. This system is a “black widow pulsar” system, where the pulsar slowly damages the planet with radiation. PSR J2322-2650b has a lemon or football-like shape, stretched by the pulsar’s strong gravity, unlike normal round planets. Its atmosphere is mostly helium and carbon, with clouds of carbon soot that may form diamond rain. The planet orbits extremely close to the pulsar—about 1 million miles away, completing a full orbit in 8 hours.

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The Delhi government, in partnership with IIT Kanpur, is set to implement an Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System (IGMS) to enhance governance transparency and efficiency. IGMS is an AI-powered platform that will integrate Delhi’s key grievance redressal portals into a single unified dashboard, enabling faster resolutions, smarter analysis, and improved public service delivery. Currently, citizens lodge complaints through multiple disconnected platforms, including Public Grievance Management System (PGMS), which can cause delays, duplication, and limited oversight. The new system will integrate these portals using secure APIs, artificial intelligence, and machine learning tools for seamless operation.

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Recently, the government announced relaxation for deep-tech startups to get recognition under the Industrial Research and Development Promotion Program (IRDPP). It is a Research and Development (R&D) programme of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Government of India. The programme supports research in Engineering Science, Environmental Science, Natural and Applied Sciences, Agricultural, Medical, and Social Sciences. Funding and recognition are provided by DSIR.

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CSIR–National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) marked its 5th Foundation Day, highlighting science communication and policy research. On this occasion, the SVASTIK portal (Scientifically Validated Societal Traditional Knowledge) was launched. SVASTIK is a national initiative to communicate India’s scientifically validated traditional knowledge to society. It provides content in English, 19 Indian languages, and 5 foreign languages, ensuring wide outreach. The portal brings all SVASTIK content to a single digital platform, improving accessibility and engagement. It strengthens public awareness, policy relevance, and global visibility of India’s traditional knowledge systems.