Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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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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Bharat Aluminium Company Limited, a unit of Vedanta Aluminium, has deployed ALAISA (Aluminium AI Support Agent: Artificial Intelligence-based assistant for industrial support). ALAISA is a humanoid, AI-powered assistant designed to enhance shop-floor efficiency, safety, and workforce capability. It is operational at BALCO’s Chhattisgarh smelter and acts as a real-time training and decision-support interface. It provides guidance on SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures: step-by-step work instructions), SMPs (Standard Maintenance Practices), and safety protocols.

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Scientists at CSIR National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology have developed “Designer Rice,” a functional food to address malnutrition. It is created by processing broken rice into flour, enriching it with protein, fibre, and micronutrients like iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, and reforming it into rice-like grains. The technology has been transferred to Tata Consumer Products Limited for large-scale production. Unlike regular rice, it has higher protein (over 20%) and a low glycemic index (below 55). It helps manage blood sugar levels, making it beneficial for diabetics.

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Institute of Nano-Science and Technology, Mohali, developed a new material to detect nicotine and cotinine using fluorometric sensing. Fluorometric sensing is a technique that measures substances through fluorescent emission. The material “lights up” on contact with nicotine/cotinine, enabling quick detection. It is based on Iron-based Metal-Organic Framework (Fe-MOF), a nano-structured porous material. It detects even small amounts accurately, improving over traditional methods. The material is biocompatible (safe for living cells) and works at in-vitro stage.

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Recently, the Curiosity rover of NASA detected a mix of organic molecules on Mars, strengthening evidence about the planet’s past habitability. The Curiosity rover mission was launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It was launched on November 26, 2011, the rover is a key component of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission to study Gale Crater on Mars. Its objectives include studying whether life ever existed, understanding Mars’ climate and geology, and preparing for future human missions.

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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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The Department of Telecommunications and National Disaster Management Authority are strengthening mobile-based disaster communication systems. The Integrated Alert System SACHET (System for Advanced Communication for Hazard Early-warning and Emergency Transmission) is operational across all States and Union Territories. It was developed by Centre for Development of Telematics and is based on the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) recommended by the International Telecommunication Union. The system sends geo-targeted SMS alerts in multiple languages during disasters.

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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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GalaxEye has successfully launched Mission Drishti, the world’s first OptoSAR satellite. The satellite was launched aboard Falcon 9 from California, United States. Mission Drishti weighs about 190 kilograms and is the largest Earth observation satellite built by a private Indian company. It combines optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology for all-weather, day-and-night imaging. The mission enhances India’s capabilities in Earth observation and strategic monitoring.

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Scientists have warned that rising temperatures due to climate change may increase the spread of the Brain-Eating Amoeba, scientifically known as Naegleria fowleri. The amoeba is commonly found in warm freshwater bodies such as lakes, rivers, ponds, hot springs, and moist soil. It enters the human body through the nose and attacks brain tissues. Infection by Naegleria fowleri causes Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare but highly fatal disease of the central nervous system. Higher temperatures create favourable conditions for the amoeba’s growth and survival. The warning highlights the possible health impacts of climate change on infectious diseases.