Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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The Central Government has mandated petrol pumps to supply E20 fuel with a minimum octane rating of 95 RON to promote cleaner and more efficient fuel usage. E20 fuel is a blended fuel consisting of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol, aimed at reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Ethanol used in E20 is a biofuel derived from renewable crops such as sugarcane, maize, and grains, making it environmentally sustainable. E20 fuel has a higher octane rating (minimum 95 RON) compared to regular petrol in India, which typically has an octane rating of 91–92 RON.

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Newcastle Disease is a highly contagious viral disease affecting poultry and wild birds, recently reported spreading across Europe and the United Kingdom (UK). It is caused by Avian Paramyxovirus Serotype 1 (APMV-1) and has global distribution. It occurs in three forms: lentogenic (mild), mesogenic (moderate), and velogenic (highly virulent). Transmission occurs via respiratory droplets, exhaled air, and feces of infected birds. Symptoms include respiratory distress (gasping, coughing), nervous signs (paralysis, twisted neck), and diarrhoea.

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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.

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Scientists at the Bose Institute discovered a new gene regulation mechanism in Tuberculosis bacterium (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). Transcription is the process where DNA is copied into RNA by RNA Polymerase (RNAP) for protein synthesis. Earlier, bacteria were believed to follow the Sigma Cycle, where sigma factor binds RNAP to initiate transcription and then detaches. The study found that in TB bacteria, the sigma factor (σF) remains continuously attached to RNAP throughout transcription. This continuous binding helps activate survival genes, enabling bacteria to persist in hostile conditions inside the human body.

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The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur has established the Vikram Sodhi Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence-enabled geological and mining systems. The centre is funded with ₹15 crore over five years by Vikram Sodhi, Vice Chairman of Mineros SA. It aims to develop Artificial Intelligence-based solutions tailored to Indian geological and mining conditions. The initiative focuses on integrating the entire mining value chain including exploration, planning, processing, safety, and environmental management.

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Recently, Rocklink India Pvt. Ltd. set up an integrated recycling facility in Sikandrabad UPSIDC Industrial Area, Uttar Pradesh. The plant focuses on recycling lithium-ion batteries, rare earth magnets, and metal-bearing industrial waste. It has a capacity of 10,000 tonnes/year for lithium-ion batteries and 60 tonnes/month for rare-earth magnets. A rare-earth chloride processing unit (1,500 tonnes/year) is planned for 2026. The initiative supports domestic recovery of critical minerals and promotes a circular economy.

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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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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for the Google Cloud India AI Hub in Visakhapatnam. The project is part of a major collaboration involving Google Cloud, Adani Group, and Bharti Airtel. Google has committed an investment of USD 15 billion, making it one of India’s largest foreign direct investments. The AI data centre will have a capacity of 1 Gigawatt and will be built over 600 acres. It will enhance India’s artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure.

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India has introduced the SACHET Cell Broadcast system as an indigenous emergency alert service. SACHET (meaning “alert”) is designed to deliver real-time warnings directly to mobile users in geo-targeted areas. The system was launched by the Department of Telecommunications in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority. It sends instant alerts during disasters such as earthquakes, floods, cyclones, and emergencies like wars or gas leaks. A nationwide test message with a siren sound was recently conducted to check its effectiveness. The system uses cell broadcast technology, which is faster and more efficient than traditional SMS alerts

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South Korea has launched the Compact Advanced Satellite 500-2 (CAS500-2) on May 3, 2026. The satellite is an Earth-observation satellite also known as Next-Generation Medium Satellite No. 2. It was launched aboard Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in the United States. The mission was overseen by the Korea AeroSpace Administration. The launch was delayed for nearly four years due to changes from the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The satellite entered a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of about 498 kilometres. It successfully established communication with a ground station in Svalbard shortly after launch.