Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) will launch three new ocean services: Jellyfish Artificial Intelligence Information Platform (JellyAIIP), SAMUDRA 2.0 Mobile Application, and Seamless Information Visualization and Analysis System (SIVAS) along with a new logo. It was established as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and is located in Hyderabad, Telangana. It provides ocean information and advisory services through continuous ocean observations and focused research. It runs the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC), issuing tsunami alerts within 10 minutes for India and 28 Indian Ocean countries.

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Amazon India partnered with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee to develop non-wood paper packaging from agricultural waste. The project will convert crop residues like wheat straw and bagasse into recyclable and home-compostable packaging materials. It aims to reduce stubble burning, lower dependence on imported virgin wood pulp, and create extra income for farmers. Research will be led by Department of Paper and Packaging Technology and INNOPAP Lab at IIT Roorkee over 15 months.

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Zimbabwe has started rolling out Lenacapavir for HIV prevention. It is the first twice-yearly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). PrEP is a medicine taken by HIV-negative individuals to reduce the risk of HIV infection. Clinical studies show it prevents about 99.9 percent of HIV transmission. It is developed by Gilead Sciences and marketed as Yeztugo. Lenacapavir is a capsid inhibitor that blocks the virus’s protein shell needed for replication.

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An institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in North East India has synthesised a novel biosurfactant effective against the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive, non-motile, round-shaped bacterium from the family Staphylococcaceae. It occurs in grape-like clusters and is commonly found in the environment. It affects all mammalian species, including humans, and can be transmitted between species. Transmission occurs through air droplets, direct contact with contaminated objects, or bites from infected persons or animals. It causes minor skin infections, boils, cellulitis, abscesses, scalded skin syndrome, and may lead to pneumonia.

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Japan has become the first country to approve stem-cell treatments for Parkinson’s disease and severe heart failure. Sumitomo Pharma received approval for Amchepry, a treatment that transplants induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into the brain of Parkinson’s patients. Cuorips, a medical startup, got approval for ReHeart, heart muscle sheets that help form new blood vessels and restore heart function. Both treatments could reach patients as early as summer 2026 under a conditional, time-limited approval system for faster patient access. iPS cells, discovered by Nobel laureate Shinya Yamanaka, can transform into any cell type without using embryos. The approval marks a global first for commercial medical products using iPS cell technology.

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Entomologists discovered two new species of fruit flies named Acidoxantha paratotoflava and Hemilea suneriae in the Himalayan foothills of Solan district in Himachal Pradesh. Acidoxantha paratotoflava is a medium-sized greenish-yellow fly with four black stripes on its thorax and large black spots on its abdomen. The species also has distinct hook-like structures in the male anatomy, which help in identification. Hemilea suneriae is a reddish-brown fruit fly with prominent black dots on its body. It has a unique wing pattern with a single clear “window” (hyaline indentation) in a dark wing area, unlike related species that usually have two. The discovery adds to India’s insect biodiversity and improves scientific knowledge of fruit fly taxonomy.

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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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In March 2026, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched the first two satellites, IOD-1 and IOD-2, of its Celeste mission from Rocket Lab, New Zealand. The Celeste mission is an in-orbit demonstration designed to test low Earth orbit (LEO) positioning, navigation, and timing technologies. It aims to complement Europe’s existing Galileo (Medium Earth Orbit) and EGNOS (Geostationary Navigation Overlay) systems. The mission represents a shift towards a multi-layered navigation architecture for Europe. The satellites were launched on March 28, 2026, aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket.

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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.