Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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A rare blood-red aurora was recorded at the Indian Astronomical Observatory using an all-sky camera in Hanle, Ladakh. Hanle Dark Sky Reserve is located at about 4,500 metres altitude in the Changthang region of Ladakh. It lies within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary and has Bortle-1 category skies, the darkest level. It was notified in December 2022 and is India’s first International Dark Sky Reserve. The reserve is managed by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics under the Department of Science and Technology. It aims to reduce light pollution and promote astro-tourism for local livelihoods.

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Bharat-VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources) is a proposed multilingual Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered platform for farmers, announced in Union Budget 2026-27 by Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman. It will integrate AgriStack portals and ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) agricultural practices with AI systems. The platform aims to enhance farm productivity and reduce risks for farmers by providing customised, real-time advisory support to improve decision-making based on local conditions.

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The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) will launch three new ocean services: Jellyfish Artificial Intelligence Information Platform (JellyAIIP), SAMUDRA 2.0 Mobile Application, and Seamless Information Visualization and Analysis System (SIVAS) along with a new logo. It was established as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and is located in Hyderabad, Telangana. It provides ocean information and advisory services through continuous ocean observations and focused research. It runs the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC), issuing tsunami alerts within 10 minutes for India and 28 Indian Ocean countries.

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Three Indian space start-ups- Astrome Technologies (Bengaluru), Azista Industries (Hyderabad), and Dhruva Space (Hyderabad)- were selected by Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) to develop indigenous small satellite bus platforms. The selection was under Satellite Bus as a Service (SBaaS) initiative, announced in April 2025, inviting proposals from Indian Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs). 15 proposals were received by July 2025; the three selected companies underwent a rigorous, multi-stage evaluation process. Each selected firm will receive a ₹5 crore grant to develop a robust, modular, and scalable small satellite bus capable of hosting multiple customer payloads.

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The Defence Research and Development Organisation conducted a qualification-level load test of the Gaganyaan drogue parachute at the Rail Track Rocket Sled facility in Chandigarh. This marks a major milestone in India’s human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan. The drogue parachute is a key part of the Crew Module deceleration system. It deploys during atmospheric re-entry to stabilize the module and reduce speed before the main parachutes open. It was jointly developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

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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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On the 40th Foundation Day of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Union Minister Jitendra Singh launched “SUJVIKA”, an AI-driven Biotech Product Data Portal. It has been developed by Department of Biotechnology (DBT) in collaboration with Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE). SUJVIKA is a Trade Statistics Digital Intelligence Platform that provides authenticated and structured data on biotechnology product imports, offering sector-wise insights into biochemical products, industrial enzymes and other biotech imports.

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Entomologists discovered two new species of fruit flies named Acidoxantha paratotoflava and Hemilea suneriae in the Himalayan foothills of Solan district in Himachal Pradesh. Acidoxantha paratotoflava is a medium-sized greenish-yellow fly with four black stripes on its thorax and large black spots on its abdomen. The species also has distinct hook-like structures in the male anatomy, which help in identification. Hemilea suneriae is a reddish-brown fruit fly with prominent black dots on its body. It has a unique wing pattern with a single clear “window” (hyaline indentation) in a dark wing area, unlike related species that usually have two. The discovery adds to India’s insect biodiversity and improves scientific knowledge of fruit fly taxonomy.

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Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a highly contagious respiratory virus spreading rapidly on the West Coast of the United States (US). It belongs to the Pneumoviridae family, which also includes Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). It mainly causes common cold–like respiratory illness. The virus spreads through air via coughing and sneezing, close personal contact, and touching contaminated surfaces then touching face. Common symptoms include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, it may lead to bronchitis or pneumonia. No vaccine or specific antiviral treatment; care focuses on symptom management and preventing complications.

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A new study found that Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) not only changed the motion of an asteroid but also slightly altered the orbit of the asteroid pair around the Sun. DART was launched in 2021 by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to test asteroid deflection technology. It was the first planetary defence mission to change an asteroid’s path using the kinetic impact method. The spacecraft targeted a binary asteroid system of Didymos and its moonlet Dimorphos. In 2022, the spacecraft intentionally crashed into Dimorphos to alter its orbit around Didymos. The impact successfully changed the asteroid’s motion, proving humans can potentially deflect hazardous near-Earth objects in space.