Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Deloitte India launched ConnectSafe, India’s first cyber-security facility focused on protecting human lives and critical infrastructure. The initiative shifts cyber security focus from data protection to safety of connected operational systems. It addresses growing cyber risks due to India’s rapidly expanding connected ecosystems in mobility, healthcare, manufacturing, energy, agriculture and digital infrastructure. The 4,500 sq ft facility simulates real-world cyber-attack scenarios.It helps organisations test and strengthen security systems without affecting live operations.

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Delhi government and Indian Institute of Technology Madras are studying “smog-eating” photocatalytic road coatings to reduce air pollution. The coating neutralizes harmful gases like nitrogen dioxide and volatile hydrocarbons present in polluted air. It mainly uses Titanium dioxide which is low-cost, chemically stable and compatible with construction materials. Titanium dioxide-based materials help in gaseous depollution and environmental cleaning. Photocatalysis works by using light energy to break down harmful pollutants and organic waste into less toxic or harmless substances. This process helps improve air quality and contributes to cleaner environment.

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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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In March 2026, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched the first two satellites, IOD-1 and IOD-2, of its Celeste mission from Rocket Lab, New Zealand. The Celeste mission is an in-orbit demonstration designed to test low Earth orbit (LEO) positioning, navigation, and timing technologies. It aims to complement Europe’s existing Galileo (Medium Earth Orbit) and EGNOS (Geostationary Navigation Overlay) systems. The mission represents a shift towards a multi-layered navigation architecture for Europe. The satellites were launched on March 28, 2026, aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket.

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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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As part of Gaganyaan mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation is conducting Mission MITRA (Mapping of Interoperable Traits and Response Assessment) in Leh from April 2 to April 9, 2026. Mission MITRA is a first-of-its-kind team behavioral study, developed jointly by ISRO and the Institute of Aerospace Medicine, aimed at evaluating crew safety and performance in human spaceflight. The study focuses on team communication, adaptability to stress, psychological resilience, and mutual support, which are critical for mission success. Leh’s high-altitude environment (approx 3,500 metres), hypoxia, low temperature, and isolation serve as a natural analog for spaceflight operations.

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India supplied 13 tonnes of Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccines and related materials to Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health. The Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine used to protect against tuberculosis (TB). It is the only licensed vaccine for TB and is widely administered to newborns worldwide. The vaccine was developed by Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin at the Pasteur Institute and first used in 1921. Its main aim is to prevent severe childhood TB, including TB meningitis and disseminated TB. It also provides partial protection against diseases like leprosy and Buruli ulcer.

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Institute of Nano-Science and Technology, Mohali, developed a new material to detect nicotine and cotinine using fluorometric sensing. Fluorometric sensing is a technique that measures substances through fluorescent emission. The material “lights up” on contact with nicotine/cotinine, enabling quick detection. It is based on Iron-based Metal-Organic Framework (Fe-MOF), a nano-structured porous material. It detects even small amounts accurately, improving over traditional methods. The material is biocompatible (safe for living cells) and works at in-vitro stage.

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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.

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DAMPE Satellite has made observations on the acceleration of cosmic rays. The findings show that the intensity of cosmic radiation decreases sharply beyond a certain high-energy threshold. DAMPE stands for Dark Matter Particle Explorer and is also known as “Wukong.” It was developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). It is China’s first astronomical satellite designed for high-energy observations. The satellite was launched in 2015 into a polar sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of about 500 km. It detects high-energy gamma rays, electrons, and cosmic rays.