Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Researchers from Bose Institute, Kolkata, in collaboration with L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, have developed a peptide therapy for fungal keratitis, a severe infection of the cornea. They designed a 15-residue peptide, SA-XV, derived from the host-defense peptide S100A12, previously known to inhibit fungal growth. SA-XV acts by interacting with fungal cell walls and membranes, translocating into the cytoplasm, binding nuclear DNA to halt the cell cycle, and targeting mitochondria to induce apoptosis.

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The Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying informed Rajya Sabha about white spot disease. It is a highly contagious viral infection affecting crustaceans like prawns, yabbies and crabs. It is caused by White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV). All decapod crustaceans (order Decapoda) from marine, brackish and freshwater environments are susceptible.

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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the US communication satellite BlueBird Block-2 using its heaviest rocket, LVM3-M6, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh on December 24, 2025. The satellite was placed into its intended orbit after a 15-minute flight, marking India’s first launch of the heaviest commercial satellite from its soil. BlueBird Block-2 is part of a global Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation to provide direct-to-mobile 4G and 5G connectivity, including voice, video, messaging, streaming, and data. The mission was conducted under a commercial agreement between NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, and US-based AST SpaceMobile.

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The Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC-ITS) at Ahmedabad Civil Medical College completed 500 kidney transplants in 2025, setting a national record for a public hospital. Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC-ITS) is the only government-run hospital in India to perform 500 kidney transplants in a single year, reinforcing its leadership in kidney transplantation. The institute operates under Gujarat government’s Health Department and provides advanced medical care to economically weaker patients.

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The Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh inaugurated India’s first commercial-scale tropical Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS)–based Rainbow Trout Aquaculture Farm & Research Institute on 5th January 2026 in Hyderabad, Telangana. The facility, established by Smart Green Aquaculture Limited at Kandukur Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, demonstrates year-round farming of high-value cold-water species like Rainbow Trout in tropical climates using precision engineering and advanced water recirculation technologies. The project serves as a live training and demonstration platform, providing youth hands-on experience in advanced aquaculture systems, automation, and biosecurity, strengthening human capital in the fisheries sector.

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India inaugurated the world’s second National Environmental Standard Laboratory (NESL) and the world’s fifth National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration at CSIR–National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi. NESL will provide India-specific calibration and certification of air pollution monitoring systems, supporting regulatory bodies, industries, and startups, and improving policy enforcement under programmes like the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

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India’s largest oilseed crop, mustard, is under threat from the parasitic weed Orobanche aegyptiaca in Rajasthan and Haryana. Orobanche aegyptiaca, locally called Margoja, is a root-parasitic flowering weed that extracts water, carbon, and nutrients from crops, causing severe yield loss. It is native to the Mediterranean–West Asian region and has spread to South Asia, North Africa, and parts of Europe. The weed thrives in north-western India and its seeds remain viable in soil for up to 20 years. It spreads via wind, irrigation, farm tools, and contaminated soil.

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Recently, phytoplasma-induced root wilt disease has severely damaged traditional coconut-growing areas in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. It is caused by phytoplasma bacteria and is one of the most devastating coconut palm diseases. It was first identified over 150 years ago in Erattupetta, Kerala, it is classified as a non-fatal disease. The disease does not kill palms but drastically reduces their productivity. It spreads through insect vectors, wind movement, and continuous coconut plantations. Spread is faster in sandy, sandy loam, and alluvial soils and is worsened by erratic temperatures and whitefly pests.

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Recently, the Chips to Start-up Programme has shown measurable success in skill building, infrastructure access, and practical chip design support. It is an umbrella capacity-building initiative launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in 2022. The programme has a total outlay of ₹250 crore for five years. It aims to develop 85,000 industry-ready professionals and incubate 25 start-ups with 10 technology transfers. It provides access to Shared Modular Technology laboratories, advanced Electronic Design Automation tools, and semiconductor foundries.

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A 19-year-old college girl in Tamil Nadu died after consuming borax for weight loss. Borax is also called sodium tetraborate decahydrate, a white powdery mineral. It is composed of boron, sodium, and oxygen. It is used in glass and pottery glazes, metallurgy, welding flux, fertilizer additive, soap, disinfectant, mouthwash, and water softener. It naturally occurs in evaporite deposits from seasonal lake evaporation and can be synthetically produced.