Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Avataar is India’s first amphibious drone, launched on 5 March 2026 by AquaAirX Autonomous Systems. It can operate both in air and underwater, combining drone flight with submarine-like diving for surveillance. The project received ₹12.5 crore seed funding from Rainmatter. It has reached TRL-6 (Technology Readiness Level-6), meaning a working prototype tested in real environments. It is built with carbon fibre body and anti-corrosion coatings to resist saltwater damage.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Researchers recently identified an unusual iron sulfate ferric hydroxysulfate in layered deposits near Valles Marineris using laboratory experiments and orbital data. Valles Marineris, also called Mariner Valley, is a vast system of interconnected canyons on Mars. It was discovered during the Mariner 9 mission in 1971. It is one of the largest canyon systems in the Solar System. Some canyon walls are fault scarps formed due to crustal movement linked to Tharsis Rise. Erosion also shaped the canyon, seen in deep gullies along the walls.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
U.S. drugmaker Pfizer and France’s Valneva reported that their experimental Lyme disease vaccine showed over 70% efficacy in a late-stage trial. Lyme disease, or Lyme borreliosis, is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. It affects the skin, nervous system, heart, and joints. The disease is named after Lyme, Connecticut, United States, where it was first identified in children in 1976. Lyme disease is common in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. It is transmitted to humans through deer ticks (black-legged ticks) found in grassy, wooded, or bushy areas. Not all tick bites cause Lyme disease, and it cannot spread between humans or from pets.

Notes:
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved Qdenga for individuals aged 4–60 years, making it India’s first dengue vaccine. Qdenga is a live-attenuated, tetravalent vaccine developed by Takeda Pharmaceutical, Japan. It targets all four dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1 to DENV-4), with strongest efficacy against DENV-2 and relatively lower against DENV-3 and DENV-4. It does not require pre-vaccination screening and is administered in two doses, spaced three months apart. The vaccine provides strong protection against severe dengue and reduces hospitalisation rates.

Notes:
A recent DNA study of a pre-Hispanic mummy found that the bacteria causing scarlet fever existed in the Americas even before European colonization. Scarlet Fever, also called scarlatina, is a bacterial infection caused by Group A Streptococcus, which also causes strep throat and skin infections. It mainly affects children aged 5 to 15 years and is characterized by a bright red rash, sore throat, and high fever. The disease is highly contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing. There is no vaccine, but it is effectively treated with antibiotics such as penicillin, and untreated cases may lead to serious complications affecting the heart and kidneys.

Notes:
Recently, India launched indigenously developed Silicon Photonics solutions at Indian Institute of Technology Madras, marking progress in technological self-reliance. The launch was led by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Two key innovations were introduced: Silicon Photonics Process Design Kit (PDK) and Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuit (PPIC) Test Engine. These were developed at the Centre of Excellence for Compound Photonics and Photonic Integrated Circuits Systems (CoE-CPPICS). The initiative supports research, industry, startups, and defence sectors as a shared national facility.

Notes:
Jordan recently signed the Artemis Accords at NASA Headquarters, expanding global participation in space governance. The Artemis Accords were launched in 2020 as a non-binding framework for guiding civil space exploration. It was co-led by NASA and the US Department of State along with founding nations like Australia, Japan, and the UK. India is also a signatory, highlighting its role in global space cooperation. The accords promote peaceful exploration and responsible use of outer space.

Notes:
Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology installed an X-band Doppler Weather Radar at Mahabaleshwar under Mission Mausam. Doppler Weather Radar uses the Doppler Effect to measure velocity and position of atmospheric objects. It emits radio waves; reflected signals from raindrops return to the antenna, helping detect distance and intensity. Time taken for signal return enables tracking of rainfall and cloud movement.