Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Amazon India partnered with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee to develop non-wood paper packaging from agricultural waste. The project will convert crop residues like wheat straw and bagasse into recyclable and home-compostable packaging materials. It aims to reduce stubble burning, lower dependence on imported virgin wood pulp, and create extra income for farmers. Research will be led by Department of Paper and Packaging Technology and INNOPAP Lab at IIT Roorkee over 15 months.

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Scientists at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir developed two early-maturing Shalimar Wheat varieties to strengthen the rice–wheat cropping system. Shalimar Wheat includes Shalimar Wheat-4, which matures by the last week of May, and Shalimar Wheat-3, which matures by the first week of June. These varieties are specially bred for Kashmir’s climate and are suitable for mid-altitude areas up to about 1,850 metres. Early maturity allows timely harvesting of wheat and smooth transplantation of paddy. They help maintain proper crop rotation without delays in rice cultivation. The varieties show resistance to yellow rust, a major fungal disease in the region.

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Sarvam AI, a Bengaluru-based startup, unveiled its flagship sovereign Artificial Intelligence models Sarvam 30B and Sarvam 105B at the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026. These are considered India’s first large-scale foundational Large Language Models (LLMs) developed domestically, marking a major step toward AI self-reliance. Both models are open-source, promoting transparency, innovation, and wider adoption by developers and institutions. The models are optimised for 22 Indian languages across 11 primary scripts, supporting linguistic diversity and digital inclusion.

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Astronomers from Indian Institute of Astrophysics discovered the origin of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) shock for the first time. The CME-driven shock was recorded forming at a distance of about 1,30,000 km above the solar surface. This is the first confirmed detection of the “birth stage” of CME shocks, resolving a long-standing debate about their origin. Instruments used include the Gauribidanur Radio Telescope and Aditya-L1’s Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) payload. Detecting shocks at onset helps predict solar storms more accurately and protects satellites, GPS systems, and power grids from damage.

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Recently, the Meghalaya government issued an advisory after a meningococcal infection scare, urging people to avoid crowded places and follow health protocols. Meningococcal infection is a severe and rapidly progressing disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. It can lead to meningitis, which is inflammation of the meninges covering the brain and spinal cord, or meningococcemia, which is blood poisoning. It spreads through respiratory and throat secretions like saliva during close or prolonged contact. It is less contagious than common cold or flu infections.

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Researchers detected a lightning-like “whistler” radio signal in the Martian ionosphere, first evidence of such electromagnetic activity on Mars. Detection was made using data from Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission. The MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) mission was launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It is the first spacecraft dedicated to studying the Martian upper atmosphere to understand how the planet lost its atmosphere and water over time.

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A recent study has warned that more than one-third of Africa is at risk of the spread of Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD), which is a highly destructive disease affecting cassava crops. CBSD is considered one of the most devastating diseases of cassava, as it severely reduces both the production and quality of cassava tubers (roots), which are an important staple food in many African countries. The disease was first identified in the mid-20th century in the coastal regions of East Africa, and since then it has spread significantly across the African continent.

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Japan has become the first country to approve stem-cell treatments for Parkinson’s disease and severe heart failure. Sumitomo Pharma received approval for Amchepry, a treatment that transplants induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into the brain of Parkinson’s patients. Cuorips, a medical startup, got approval for ReHeart, heart muscle sheets that help form new blood vessels and restore heart function. Both treatments could reach patients as early as summer 2026 under a conditional, time-limited approval system for faster patient access. iPS cells, discovered by Nobel laureate Shinya Yamanaka, can transform into any cell type without using embryos. The approval marks a global first for commercial medical products using iPS cell technology.

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The Union Minister for Earth Sciences recently visited the Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plant at Kavaratti in Lakshadweep to review desalination facilities. Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) is a technology that converts seawater into drinking water by using temperature differences in ocean water. The project is implemented by National Institute of Ocean Technology under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. LTTD plants operate on eight Lakshadweep islands including Kavaratti, Minicoy, Agatti and Kalpeni, improving year-round drinking water supply.

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NASA is set to launch the Artemis II mission, which is part of its broader lunar exploration programme. Artemis II is a key mission under the Artemis programme, aimed at returning humans to the Moon in a sustained and strategic manner. The mission will send four astronauts on a crewed journey around the Moon, marking a major step in human space exploration. It is part of efforts to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon. The mission views the Moon as a platform for deeper space exploration, including future missions to Mars and beyond.