Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative trained over 1.90 lakh individuals through more than 5,200 skill-based programmes. It is a flagship national programme of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). It aims to bridge the gap between scientific research, industry needs, and employable skills. The initiative integrates skill development with science and technology using CSIR’s research infrastructure. It offers inclusive access to students, researchers, professionals, school dropouts, ITI diploma holders, farmers, and rural communities.

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India entered the quantum era with the launch of the Amaravati Quantum Valley on 8 February 2026. It is supported by the ₹6,000 crore National Quantum Mission to make India a global deep-tech power. The Amaravati Quantum Valley is India’s first integrated quantum ecosystem spread over 50 acres. It brings together government, universities, and companies like International Business Machines (IBM) and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). It is located in Andhra Pradesh. It will support healthcare, finance, defence, secure communication, and create jobs while strengthening national security.

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Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, announced the America-India Connect initiative at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. The initiative is a major collaborative digital infrastructure project forming part of Google’s five-year billion-dollar investment in India. It involves the construction of multiple international subsea cables and the development of a new subsea cable landing gateway on India’s east coast. The project aims to provide high-speed, resilient, and low-latency connectivity to support AI and cloud-based workloads across regions.

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Ministry of Science and Technology announced the establishment of Bio-AI Mulankur hubs to strengthen integration of biotechnology and Artificial Intelligence. Aim is to create integrated closed-loop research platforms where Artificial Intelligence based predictions are tested and validated in laboratories within the same system. This will reduce gap between computational research and experimental results. Initiative is aligned with BioE3 Policy, which stands for Biotechnology for Environment, Economy and Employment. It aims to promote sustainable development, economic growth and job creation through biotechnology. Implementing agencies are Department of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council.

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Researchers detected a lightning-like “whistler” radio signal in the Martian ionosphere, first evidence of such electromagnetic activity on Mars. Detection was made using data from Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission. The MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) mission was launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It is the first spacecraft dedicated to studying the Martian upper atmosphere to understand how the planet lost its atmosphere and water over time.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have officially verified that Chile has eliminated Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease. With this achievement, Chile has become the first country in the Americas and the second country globally to be officially verified as having eliminated the disease. Leprosy was first recorded in Chile in the late 19th century, primarily on Rapa Nui (also known as Easter Island). The disease remained largely confined to the island, while mainland Chile experienced only occasional sporadic cases.

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Van Allen Probes A satellite, weighing about 600 kg, is re-entering Earth’s atmosphere, raising discussion about possible ground risks. The Van Allen Probes mission by NASA was the first mission to study Earth’s radiation belts using two spacecraft together. The twin spacecraft Van Allen Probe A and Van Allen Probe B were launched on 30 August 2012 to explore Earth’s radiation environment. They studied the Van Allen Radiation Belts, which are rings of energetic charged particles trapped by Earth’s magnetic field. These belts are named after space scientist James Van Allen, who discovered them in 1958.

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The Centre for Development of Telematics, an autonomous telecom research and development body under the Department of Telecommunications, organised a Demo Day for 18 startups under the Samarth Incubation Programme (Cohort-II) at NBCC Convention Hall. The Samarth incubation programme, launched in March 2025, by Centre for Development of Telematics. It aims to support startups in the telecom and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sectors and strengthen India’s digital innovation ecosystem.

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Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati developed a new MXene-based material for hydrogen fuel production and seawater desalination. The material shows very low Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) overpotential of 12 mV, better than Platinum/Carbon (Pt/C) electrodes, indicating high efficiency. Hydrogen is a clean fuel producing only water, but current production depends on fossil fuels, so this method offers a sustainable alternative. The material also enables solar-powered desalination, addressing the shortage of safe drinking water. Scientists modified MXene into ultra-thin ribbon-like structures to increase surface area and improve charge transport.

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Indian Council of Agricultural Research–Indian Veterinary Research Institute produced Sahiwal calves using OPU–IVF–ET (Ovum Pick-Up–In Vitro Fertilization–Embryo Transfer). Sahiwal cattle is one of the best milk-producing indigenous breeds of India. It originates from Sahiwal region in Montgomery district of Punjab in Pakistan. It is also known as Lambi Bar, Lola, Montgomery, Multani and Teli. The cows are brownish-red in colour with shades from mahogany to greyish red, while bulls have darker extremities.