Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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NASA’s Perseverance Rover recently detected electrical activity in the Martian atmosphere for the first time, marking a major scientific breakthrough. Perseverance, also called “Percy”, is part of the Mars 2020 Mission. It landed in 2021 inside the ancient river delta of Jezero Crater. Its main goal is to search for signs of past life and collect rock and soil samples for future return to Earth. It can detect organic matter, study minerals, map chemical composition, and closely observe distant terrain. It is the first rover to record sounds on Mars and send them back to Earth.

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The Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) launched the steel-cutting ceremony for India’s first all-electric green tug for Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) under the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP). Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP), launched by Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), aims to shift India’s harbour tugs from diesel to green propulsion. A total of 50 green tugs will be inducted by 2030, with 16 tugs in Phase-1 (2024–2027). National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS) is the nodal agency. Tugs use Green Hybrid Propulsion and will later adopt methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen as non-fossil fuels.

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The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) reported that 97 central and state laws still have provisions discriminating against persons affected by leprosy. 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. The bacteria spread through droplets from the nose and mouth during close, frequent contact with untreated cases. India’s prevalence rate decreased from 57.2 per 10,000 in 1981 to 0.57 per 10,000 in 2025, achieving national elimination status in 2005.

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Niger became the first country in the African Region to eliminate onchocerciasis, also called river blindness. Niger is the fifth country worldwide to stop transmission of Onchocerca volvulus parasite. Other successful countries are Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico in the Americas. World Health Organisation (WHO) praised Niger’s strong leadership and public health efforts. Onchocerciasis is the second leading infectious cause of blindness after trachoma. It spreads through bites of infected black flies found near rivers. It mainly affects rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa and Yemen, and some parts of Latin America.

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Aditya-L1, India’s first solar observatory, helped scientists understand why the May 2024 solar storm — the strongest in 20+ years — behaved unusually. A solar storm is a sudden burst of particles, energy, magnetic fields, and solar material ejected by the Sun. It is caused when the Sun’s twisted magnetic fields become overstretched and snap in a magnetic reconnection, releasing huge energy. Solar storms can produce a solar flare, radiation storm, or a coronal mass ejection (CME).

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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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Researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, developed a new nanoparticle-based therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Conventional AD therapies target only one feature like amyloid aggregation or oxidative stress, giving limited benefit. The new therapy uses nanoparticles integrating polyphenol (from green tea), dopamine (a neurotransmitter), and tryptophan (an amino acid). These form EGCG-dopamine-tryptophan nanoparticles (EDTNPs) targeting amyloid aggregation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and neuronal degeneration simultaneously.

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BharatNet is an ambitious Government of India project approved in 2011 to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. It aims to offer open and unrestricted broadband access to telecom operators, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Cable TV operators, and content providers to enable services such as e-health, e-education, and e-governance in rural areas. Phase I is complete and Phase II is ongoing and aims to connect 1.5 lakh additional Gram Panchayats. Phase III is ongoing and focuses on future-proofing the network by integrating 5G technology.

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A new study suggests ulcerative colitis may be triggered when a normally hidden protective layer of immune cells beneath the gut lining becomes thinner. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affecting the colon and rectum. It causes long-term inflammation and ulcers in the inner lining of the large intestine. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an immune-mediated condition with cycles of flare-ups and remission.

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Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch PSLV-C62 from Sriharikota as India’s first space mission of 2026. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C62 is a multi-payload mission carrying one main and 18 secondary satellites. The primary payload is Earth Observation Satellite-N1 (EOS-N1), codenamed Anvesha, developed mainly for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). EOS-N1 is a hyperspectral imaging satellite that observes Earth in hundreds of wavelengths for precise identification. It supports national security, border surveillance, and strategic monitoring.