Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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CALM-Brain has been launched in Bengaluru as India’s first digital repository focused on brain structure and psychiatric disorders. It has been developed by researchers at the Rohini Nilekani Centre for Brain and Mind, which is a collaboration between NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences) and NCBS (National Centre for Biological Sciences). The repository is built using data collected from Indian patients, making it highly relevant for understanding mental health conditions in the Indian population. It aims to support research in neuroscience and psychiatry, enabling better diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of brain disorders.

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Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu unveiled a plan to develop Amaravati as a global hub for quantum computing.
The initiative, Amaravati Quantum Valley (AQV), aims to place Andhra Pradesh among the top 5 global quantum hubs by 2030, leveraging the National Quantum Mission. The first quantum computer is set to be launched on April 14, marking a major milestone. The ecosystem will include hardware manufacturing, algorithm development, research, and innovation labs, supported by 8 dedicated research towers. The state plans to develop core technologies locally (cryogenics, photonics, advanced electronics) to reduce import dependence and achieve end-to-end capabilities.

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India’s Antariksh Venture Capital Fund will start investing in space startups from FY2027 to boost the private space sector. It is a close-ended fund registered with Securities and Exchange Board of India as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF). Key investor is Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre under the Department of Space. The fund is sponsored by SIDBI Venture Capital Limited. The objective is to provide capital for space startups, support scaling, and promote commercialization of technologies.

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Newcastle Disease is a highly contagious viral disease affecting poultry and wild birds, recently reported spreading across Europe and the United Kingdom (UK). It is caused by Avian Paramyxovirus Serotype 1 (APMV-1) and has global distribution. It occurs in three forms: lentogenic (mild), mesogenic (moderate), and velogenic (highly virulent). Transmission occurs via respiratory droplets, exhaled air, and feces of infected birds. Symptoms include respiratory distress (gasping, coughing), nervous signs (paralysis, twisted neck), and diarrhoea.

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The Pentagon’s Project Maven AI program was launched by the United States in 2017. The program was launched by the United States in 2017. It uses machine learning and computer vision to automatically detect objects, movements, and patterns, reducing the need for manual analysis. The programme helps in real-time identification and tracking of targets, improving the speed and accuracy of military operations.

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Anthropic launched Project Glasswing to secure critical software infrastructure using advanced AI systems. The initiative involves a global coalition of major tech firms including Amazon Web Services, Apple, Google, Microsoft, and NVIDIA. It uses Claude Mythos Preview, an advanced AI model, to detect and fix software vulnerabilities across sectors like banking, healthcare, and telecom. The model has identified critical flaws in operating systems and browsers, including vulnerabilities undetected for years.

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Bharat Aluminium Company Limited, a unit of Vedanta Aluminium, has deployed ALAISA (Aluminium AI Support Agent: Artificial Intelligence-based assistant for industrial support). ALAISA is a humanoid, AI-powered assistant designed to enhance shop-floor efficiency, safety, and workforce capability. It is operational at BALCO’s Chhattisgarh smelter and acts as a real-time training and decision-support interface. It provides guidance on SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures: step-by-step work instructions), SMPs (Standard Maintenance Practices), and safety protocols.

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Researchers from the University of Cambridge have developed a hafnium-oxide memristor, a brain-inspired nanodevice that can significantly reduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) energy consumption. A memristor (memory + resistor) is an electronic component whose resistance depends on past current flow, enabling it to “remember” previous electrical states. Unlike a conventional resistor, a memristor has variable resistance and retains its state even when the current is switched off. Memristors are nanoscale devices with low energy requirements and are commonly made using materials like titanium dioxide (TiO₂) between metal electrodes.

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Recently, the Curiosity rover of NASA detected a mix of organic molecules on Mars, strengthening evidence about the planet’s past habitability. The Curiosity rover mission was launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It was launched on November 26, 2011, the rover is a key component of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission to study Gale Crater on Mars. Its objectives include studying whether life ever existed, understanding Mars’ climate and geology, and preparing for future human missions.

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Recently, Rocklink India Pvt. Ltd. set up an integrated recycling facility in Sikandrabad UPSIDC Industrial Area, Uttar Pradesh. The plant focuses on recycling lithium-ion batteries, rare earth magnets, and metal-bearing industrial waste. It has a capacity of 10,000 tonnes/year for lithium-ion batteries and 60 tonnes/month for rare-earth magnets. A rare-earth chloride processing unit (1,500 tonnes/year) is planned for 2026. The initiative supports domestic recovery of critical minerals and promotes a circular economy.