Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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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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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.

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Indian Space Research Organisation conducts the YUva VIgyani KAryakram (YUVIKA) to promote scientific temper among school students. The YUVIKA (YUva VIgyani KAryakram) programme is an initiative of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The programme provides foundational knowledge in space technology, space science, and space applications, with special focus on students from rural areas. Its objective is to create awareness about emerging trends in science and encourage students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers.

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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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Keytruda is an immunotherapy drug (pembrolizumab) used globally to treat cancers such as lung, cervical, renal cell, and aggressive breast cancer. It is manufactured by Merck & Co. and belongs to a class of drugs called checkpoint inhibitors. It is a monoclonal antibody, meaning it is a laboratory-made molecule designed to target specific cancer-related proteins. It blocks PD-1 receptors on T-cells, preventing interaction with PD-L1 on cancer cells, thereby enabling the immune system to attack cancer cells. In India, it is available in tertiary care hospitals, while indigenous CAR-T therapy like NexCAR19 has also been developed for cancer treatment.

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China has announced the discovery of a new lunar mineral named Cerium-Magnesium Changesite, adding to knowledge of extraterrestrial materials and lunar geology. The mineral was identified in a lunar meteorite called Pakepake 005, the first such meteorite found in China. This meteorite is a small spherical rock weighing about 44 grams with a dark molten outer layer. The mineral itself is colourless, transparent, and brittle, yet scientifically significant. It shows fluorescent properties, meaning it can emit light under certain conditions. This fluorescence has potential applications in advanced technologies like next-generation LED materials.

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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.

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A recent multicenter study on Kawasaki Disease evaluated adding Prednisolone to standard treatment. The study found that prednisolone did not reduce the incidence of coronary artery lesions after one month. Kawasaki Disease, also called mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is a rare disease causing fever and inflammation of blood vessels. It mainly affects children below 5 years and is more common in boys than girls. The disease was first identified by Tomisaku Kawasaki in 1967 in Japan. It is the most common acquired (not present at birth) heart disease in children in developed countries. The immune system attacks blood vessels, especially coronary arteries, leading to inflammation and swelling.

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The NISAR satellite detected rapid land subsidence in Mexico City caused by excessive groundwater extraction. NISAR stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, the first joint Earth observation mission between NASA and ISRO. It will be launched by the GSLV-F16 (GSLV Mk-II) launch vehicle into a sun-synchronous polar orbit. The mission life of the satellite is five years. NISAR is the first satellite to use both L-band and S-band Synthetic Aperture Radar from a single platform. It provides fully polarimetric and interferometric imaging with 240 km swath coverage and revisits Earth every 12 days using SweepSAR technology.

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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.