Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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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 introduced its first humanoid robot monk named Gabi at a Buddhist ceremony held at Jogyesa Temple on 6 May 2026. Gabi was presented by the Jogye Order ahead of Buddha’s Birthday celebrations on 24 May 2026. A humanoid robot is a machine designed with a human-like body structure, including a head, torso, arms, and legs. During the ceremony, Gabi bowed to monks, pledged devotion to Buddhism, and received the Dharma name “Gabi,” combining Siddhartha and the Korean word for mercy.

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National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Psyche mission captured a crescent image of Mars from nearly 5 million kilometres away. It was launched on 13 October 2023 to study the metal-rich asteroid 16 Psyche and understand the formation of planetary cores. The spacecraft is expected to reach the asteroid in 2029 and will spend around two years orbiting and studying its surface and composition. The Psyche spacecraft is about the size of a small van and uses solar-electric propulsion powered by xenon gas.

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The SMILE Mission is a joint mission of the European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences to study how Earth’s magnetic shield protects the planet from harmful solar wind. Recently, the mission gained attention as ESA and China prepared for its launch to investigate Earth’s defence system against solar storms and charged particles from the Sun. SMILE stands for Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer. The mission will capture the first X-ray images of Earth’s magnetosphere in action. It will operate around 1.21 lakh km above Earth’s north pole and carry four scientific instruments for X-ray, ultraviolet, and in-situ observations.

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Department of Biotechnology organised the UMMID event in New Delhi. UMMID stands for “Unique Methods of Management of Inherited Disorders” and focuses on diagnosis, counselling, screening, and management of rare genetic diseases. The programme aims to promote genome-based, precision-driven, and personalised healthcare in India. It was launched by the Department of Biotechnology to improve access to genetic diagnostics and treatment for inherited disorders. During the event, the UMMID Compendium and UMMID Dashboard were also launched to strengthen monitoring, diagnostics, and outreach. The initiative has benefited nearly three lakh individuals and established around 30 NIDAN Kendras for advanced diagnostics and counselling.

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International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials under the Department of Science and Technology developed a cost-effective thermal energy storage material. The innovation can improve the efficiency of thermal batteries used in concentrated solar power plants and industrial waste heat recovery systems. Scientists developed a scalable process to produce spinel nano-composite Phase Change Material with enhanced thermal storage capacity.

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Red Balloon Aerospace Private Limited launched India’s first indigenous Stratospheric Super Pressure Balloon named VISTA under Mission SANA. The launch took place at Indira Gandhi Stadium in Andhra Pradesh. With this achievement, India became one of only five countries with indigenous stratospheric balloon capability, alongside the USA, France, Japan, and China. The VISTA platform ascended to around 25 km above Earth carrying payloads from seven national and international partners.

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Scientists from the Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, have developed a gene-silencing strategy for effective tumor inhibition in breast cancer. The institute functions under the Department of Science and Technology (DST). Researchers developed a biodegradable nanocarrier platform for targeted gene therapy in breast cancer. The technology uses mesoporous silica nanoparticles to deliver small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules that silence disease-causing genes. The nanocarrier is functionalized with a protamine biopolymer and an MUC1-specific aptamer for precise targeting of breast cancer cells.

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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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Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar have developed ArsenSafe, a portable handheld device for rapid arsenic detection in drinking water. ArsenSafe enables fast, cost-effective, on-site water testing. It uses an advanced Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO)-based micro-sensor integrated with nanotechnology. The device can detect highly accurate arsenic concentrations in water.