Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE),’s Sheikh Khalifa Medical City became the first hospital worldwide to administer ITVISMA gene therapy. ITVISMA is a one-time gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), given on 28 December 2025. It replaces the defective Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. This enables production of survival motor neuron protein, targeting the root genetic cause. It is approved for patients aged two years and above, including adults. Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a rare, progressive neuromuscular disorder causing muscle weakness and life-threatening complications. The therapy may improve motor function and reduce long-term treatment dependence.

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PathGennie is a novel computational framework developed by scientists at S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata (DST autonomous institute). Published in the Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation, it accelerates simulation of rare molecular events for computer-aided drug discovery (CADD). It focuses on predicting drug unbinding from protein targets without artificial biases used in classical methods. PathGennie uses direction-guided adaptive sampling, launching many ultrashort unbiased MD trajectories and extending only productive ones (“survival of the fittest”).

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The Delhi government, in partnership with IIT Kanpur, is set to implement an Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System (IGMS) to enhance governance transparency and efficiency. IGMS is an AI-powered platform that will integrate Delhi’s key grievance redressal portals into a single unified dashboard, enabling faster resolutions, smarter analysis, and improved public service delivery. Currently, citizens lodge complaints through multiple disconnected platforms, including Public Grievance Management System (PGMS), which can cause delays, duplication, and limited oversight. The new system will integrate these portals using secure APIs, artificial intelligence, and machine learning tools for seamless operation.

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Scientists at the Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru have developed a novel, non-invasive technique to measure the local density of cold atoms in real time without disturbing their quantum state. The method, called Raman Driven Spin Noise Spectroscopy (RDSNS), overcomes limitations of conventional atom-imaging methods used in cold atom experiments. Cold atoms, cooled near absolute zero, are crucial for quantum computing, quantum sensing, and precision measurement, but traditional detection methods like absorption and fluorescence imaging are often destructive or slow.

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Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C62 (PSLV-C62) mission faced an anomaly at the end of the third stage (PS3), and a detailed technical investigation has been started. PSLV-C62 is a multi-payload mission carrying one primary satellite and 18 secondary payloads. It is ISRO’s first space launch of the year 2026, scheduled from Sriharikota spaceport. The primary payload is Earth Observation Satellite-N1 (EOS-N1), codenamed Anvesha. EOS-N1 is a hyperspectral imaging satellite developed mainly for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

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Voyager 1 is a space probe launched by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1977 to explore the outer planets. Recent news highlights that Voyager 1 is expected to become the first human-made object to reach a distance of one light-day from Earth. One light-day means the distance light travels in 24 hours, showing how far the spacecraft has gone. Voyager 1 is already the most distant human-made object and is travelling through interstellar space. It crossed the heliosphere and entered interstellar space in August 2012. Its mission earlier included flybys of Jupiter and Saturn, studying their moons, rings, and magnetic fields.

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Recently, Google Research unveiled Project Suncatcher to address rising electricity demand from Artificial Intelligence (AI). Project Suncatcher proposes placing AI datacentres in low-Earth orbit (LEO) powered entirely by solar energy. It aims to reduce AI’s energy footprint and reduce dependence on Earth-based power grids, land, and water. The system uses clusters of satellites in sun-synchronous orbits to receive continuous sunlight. AI workloads run across satellites using ultra-high-bandwidth inter-satellite links. Only data inputs and outputs are sent to Earth. It relies on radiation-tolerant Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) and special thermal designs to work in space.

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ExoMiner++ is a new deep learning software designed to discover exoplanets. It is developed by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). It analyses data from both the Kepler and TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) missions. The software scans stellar “light curves” for dips in brightness caused by planets transiting in front of their stars. Unlike standard black-box models, ExoMiner++ is an explainable AI, offering probability scores and reasoning to help astronomers verify and trust its findings.

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Indian scientists from Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences, Bengaluru under Department of Science and Technology (DST) developed a solar-powered energy storage device that captures and stores energy in a single unit. The device is known as a photo-rechargeable supercapacitor. Unlike conventional systems, it combines energy harvesting and storage, reducing cost, energy loss, system complexity, and footprint. It enables portable, wearable, off-grid applications, reduces reliance on fossil fuels and conventional batteries, and works in remote areas.

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India’s first government-supported National Biobank for Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs) was launched in February 2026 at the Foundation for Research in Genetics and Endocrinology (FRIGE) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. It is funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). This facility stores biological samples and data from 530 patients across 15 states to advance research, develop affordable diagnostic tools, and improve treatment for rare metabolic disorders.