Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Researchers from Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali developed a novel light-driven nano-catalyst for cleaner and energy-efficient chemical manufacturing. The institute is an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology. The catalyst combines gold nanoparticles, palladium nanoparticles, and the light-absorbing molecule BODIPY. It uses light energy to accelerate chemical reactions, reducing the need for toxic solvents, high temperatures, and energy-intensive industrial processes.

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Vivaan Chhawchharia, Ariana Agarwal, and Avyana Mehta became the first Indian team to win The Earth Prize. The 16-year-old innovators received the award for their invention called “Plas-Stick.” Plas-Stick is a low-cost biodegradable powder made entirely from agricultural tamarind seed waste. When mixed with water, the powder acts as an eco-friendly binder that causes invisible microplastics to clump together for easy removal. The plastic-tamarind mass can then be removed safely using a handheld magnet. The innovation does not require electricity or complex machinery, making it suitable for rural and off-grid communities.

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NASA officially ended the MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) mission after permanently losing contact with the spacecraft. MAVEN was launched in November 2013 and operated around Mars for more than 11 years, far exceeding its original one-year mission. The spacecraft became unrecoverable after an unexpected loss of signal in December 2025. MAVEN helped scientists understand how solar wind and radiation stripped away Mars’ atmosphere, transforming it from a warmer, wetter planet into the cold, dry world seen today.

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Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) has released a new green chilli variety called KAU Thejaswini. The variety has been developed to promote chemical-free backyard and kitchen gardening. It was developed by the Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. It starts yielding chillies within 2 months of sowing. The variety was approved by the 30th State Seed Sub-Committee.

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Researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, have developed a theoretical framework that uses sound waves to generate and control spin currents. The study, published in Physical Review B, advances the field of Spintronics, which uses particle spin instead of electric charge for information processing. The researchers focused on magnons, magnetic wave excitations that can carry information with lower energy losses than electrons. The framework shows that surface acoustic waves (sound waves) can create pseudogauge fields that influence magnon motion and generate spin currents. The research used a graphene-like magnetic material placed on a piezoelectric substrate.

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Narayana Health City, Bengaluru, recently performed India’s first Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) procedure for the treatment of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib). PFA is an advanced cardiac electrophysiology technique that uses ultra-fast electrical pulses to selectively target abnormal heart tissue while minimizing damage to surrounding structures. The procedure was completed in 35 minutes, significantly faster than traditional thermal ablation methods that can take several hours. Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is a common heart rhythm disorder in which the upper chambers of the heart beat irregularly, increasing the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other complications.

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Astronomers recently found evidence of winds blowing from Sagittarius A*, marking a major breakthrough after nearly 50 years of research. Sagittarius A* is the supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way Galaxy.
It was discovered in the 1970s and is located in the constellation Sagittarius. Although largely dormant, it occasionally absorbs gas and dust and has an estimated mass of 4.3 million times that of the Sun. Sagittarius A* is a powerful source of radio waves, with much of its radiation produced through the synchrotron mechanism involving electrons and magnetic fields.

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The United States recently activated SOLAR-1, its first dedicated space weather monitoring satellite. It is operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. SOLAR-1 was originally called Space Weather Follow On – Lagrange 1 (SWFO-L1) and later renamed Space Weather Observations at L1 to Advance Readiness–1 (SOLAR-1). Its primary mission is to continuous monitoring of solar activity and space weather to provide early warnings of solar storms.

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Recently, ICAR–Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (ICAR-IIOR), Hyderabad developed a biopolymer-based Smart Seed Coating Technology to improve seed quality, crop establishment, and climate resilience. The patented technology uses biodegradable biopolymers to create a protective coating around seeds. The coating delivers beneficial microorganisms, nutrients, micronutrients, crop protection agents, and plant growth-promoting substances directly at the seed-soil interface. It promotes faster germination, stronger seedlings, better root growth, and enhanced tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

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Recently, studies have shown that Biochar can increase crop productivity by 10–30% and improve soil water-holding capacity by 10–25%, especially in nutrient-poor soils. Biochar is a carbon-rich, granular material produced by heating agricultural waste or crop residues in low oxygen condition. It provides a sustainable method for agricultural waste management and carbon sequestration. Biochar can store carbon in soil for 100–1,000 years, making it an effective long-term carbon sink. Its porous structure improves soil fertility, water retention, and microbial activity. It also has applications in carbon capture, construction, and wastewater treatment.