Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Sarvam AI, a Bengaluru-based startup, unveiled its flagship sovereign Artificial Intelligence models Sarvam 30B and Sarvam 105B at the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026. These are considered India’s first large-scale foundational Large Language Models (LLMs) developed domestically, marking a major step toward AI self-reliance. Both models are open-source, promoting transparency, innovation, and wider adoption by developers and institutions. The models are optimised for 22 Indian languages across 11 primary scripts, supporting linguistic diversity and digital inclusion.

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Scientists discovered a gene that may protect bananas from Panama disease. Panama disease is also called Fusarium wilt. It is caused by fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense living in soil for many years. It mainly affects Cavendish or G9 banana cultivar, most widely grown variety. Fungus infects through roots and blocks water and nutrient transport. Due to severe impact, it is called banana cancer. Symptoms include yellowing of older leaves, turning brown and dry. Stem becomes dark brown and plant finally dies. Dead leaves hang around lower stem forming skirt-like structure.

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Researchers found that Deinococcus radiodurans can survive extremely high pressures of 14,000–24,000 Earth atmospheres, similar to pressures during planetary impacts. It is a bacterium famous for its extreme resistance to ionizing radiation, earning the nickname “Conan the Bacterium.” The organism is gram-positive, non-motile, and reddish in colour. It was first discovered in 1956 in radiation-treated canned meat. It can survive radiation doses thousands of times higher than those fatal to humans, making it one of the most radiation-resistant organisms on Earth.

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Avataar is India’s first amphibious drone, launched on 5 March 2026 by AquaAirX Autonomous Systems. It can operate both in air and underwater, combining drone flight with submarine-like diving for surveillance. The project received ₹12.5 crore seed funding from Rainmatter. It has reached TRL-6 (Technology Readiness Level-6), meaning a working prototype tested in real environments. It is built with carbon fibre body and anti-corrosion coatings to resist saltwater damage.

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The Centre for Development of Telematics, an autonomous telecom research and development body under the Department of Telecommunications, organised a Demo Day for 18 startups under the Samarth Incubation Programme (Cohort-II) at NBCC Convention Hall. The Samarth incubation programme, launched in March 2025, by Centre for Development of Telematics. It aims to support startups in the telecom and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sectors and strengthen India’s digital innovation ecosystem.

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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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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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India’s first indigenous Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, has successfully attained criticality. A Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) produces more fissile fuel than it consumes using fast neutrons. Criticality is the stage where a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction is achieved. The 500 Megawatt Electric (MWe) PFBR is developed by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI). It uses Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide fuel and liquid sodium as coolant. It supports India’s three-stage nuclear programme, enabling Thorium-232 to Uranium-233 conversion for long-term energy security.

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India has successfully demonstrated a 1,000-kilometre quantum communication network under the National Quantum Mission, a major breakthrough in secure communication technologies. The National Quantum Mission (NQM) was launched by the Department of Science & Technology with an outlay of Rs.6003 crore for 2023-24 to 2030-31. Its objective is to seed, nurture, and scale up scientific and industrial research and development (R&D) and create an innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology (QT). It is one of nine initiatives under the Prime Minister’s Science Technology Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC).

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Meta has launched a new artificial intelligence model, Muse Spark, under its Superintelligence Labs initiative. Muse Spark can perform tasks such as calorie estimation, object visualisation, and answering user queries. The model is currently available on Meta AI chatbot and will be expanded to WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. Meta has acknowledged the feedback and plans to improve future versions of the model.