Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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In September 2025, Europe’s first exascale supercomputer, JUPITER, was launched in Germany. JUPITER is the first European system to achieve the exascale threshold, performing over one quintillion operations per second. It is currently Europe’s most powerful supercomputer. JUPITER runs entirely on renewable energy, marking a milestone in sustainable high-performance computing. JUPITER will support cutting-edge research in areas like climate modeling, weather forecasting, and the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions.

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Recently, Central University of Rajasthan (CUoR) conducted the first successful wheat cultivation in arid land using desert ‘soilification’ technology. The experiment aims to stop the expansion of western Rajasthan’s Thar desert towards the National Capital Region. Desert sand was converted into soil using polymers and indigenous bioformulation, enhancing water retention and soil structure. The project was supported by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and the State Horticulture Department. The experiment proves that even barren desert land can become productive with biotechnology.

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Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has developed a new siphon-based thermal desalination system for clean drinking water. Traditional solar stills face salt buildup and scaling limits restricting output. The system uses a composite siphon of fabric wick and grooved metallic surface to draw water and flush out salt before crystallization. It is low-cost, scalable, and sustainable, made from aluminum and fabric, powered by solar or waste heat. It is useful for off-grid areas, disaster zones, coastal and island communities facing water stress.

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Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) recently detected phosphine (PH3) in the atmosphere of brown dwarf Wolf 1130C. Phosphine is a chemical compound consisting of one phosphorus atom and three hydrogen atoms. On Earth, phosphine is naturally produced by bacteria in low-oxygen environments. These bacteria absorb phosphate from minerals or biological material and combine it with hydrogen to form phosphine. Phosphine is also present in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn. The compound is also known as hydrogen phosphide. Its detection in Wolf 1130C provides insights into chemical processes in brown dwarf atmospheres.

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Hyderabad recently became home to India’s first-ever Semiconductor Innovation Museum, launched by T-Chip (Technology Chip Innovation Programme). The museum aims to showcase cutting-edge research and technological advancements in chipmaking. It positions Hyderabad as a hub for semiconductor innovation. The museum will feature exhibits on AI chips, robotics, reusable rocket engines, next-generation EV and display systems. It includes a 30-day Innovation Residency Model to connect startups, research institutions, and global innovators with investors and academia. The initiative strengthens India’s semiconductor ecosystem and fosters collaboration between innovators, investors, and academia.

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A recent study found that the indigenous rotavirus vaccine ‘Rotavac’ is as effective in real-world use as in clinical trials. Rotavac is an oral, live attenuated, monovalent liquid vaccine against rotavirus. It was developed through a public-private partnership involving the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Bharat Biotech, and the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Rotavirus is a viral disease that commonly causes diarrhoeal illness in children. There is no specific medicine to treat rotavirus infection, and vaccination provides the best protection. This study highlights Rotavac’s continued role in child health.

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United States (US) researchers have developed a novel monoclonal antibody named MAM01 that showed strong protection against malaria in an early clinical trial. MAM01 targets a highly conserved region of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein, blocking infection before the parasite enters the bloodstream. The trial demonstrated dose-dependent full protection with minimal side effects. It is administered as a single long-acting injection, providing immediate and months-long protection. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are lab-made proteins mimicking the body’s natural immune defenses.

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Researchers recently found that carabid ground beetles can act as bioindicators to track soil microplastics. They are commonly called ground beetles and belong to the Carabidae family. These beetles play a key role in the food web as both predators and prey species. They live in diverse habitats such as forests, grasslands, agricultural fields, wetlands, and urban areas. They thrive in temperate to tropical climates. Ecologically, they help in biological pest control and now aid in monitoring soil pollution.

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More than 60 people, mostly children, were hospitalized in Bhopal due to injuries from makeshift “calcium carbide guns” during Diwali celebrations. Calcium carbide has the chemical formula CaC2. It appears as grayish-black lumps or crystalline powder with a garlic-like odor. It is made by heating a mixture of lime and carbon to 2000–2100°C in an electric arc furnace. Calcium carbide is used to produce acetylene gas through hydrolysis. Acetylene is a colourless, odourless, highly flammable gas. Calcium carbide is also used in steel manufacturing, metal cutting, and as an artificial ripening agent.

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Bangladesh became the 8th country in the world to introduce the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) in its routine immunisation programme. Around 50 million children aged 9 months to 15 years will receive the vaccine under a nationwide campaign. India is the major vaccine supplier for this drive but has not yet included TCV in its Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). Typhoid fever is caused by the Salmonella typhi bacterium and spreads through contaminated food and water or vectors like flies. The disease can lead to fever lasting several weeks, and complications like intestinal perforation can cause death. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 9–12 million global typhoid cases and over 1 lakh deaths annually — with India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan as hotspots