Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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The National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) launched the beta version of the Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for the eSankhyiki portal. Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a technology that allows users to directly connect datasets with their own Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and applications. It provides a standard method to make official data accessible to Large Language Models (LLMs).

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Researchers discovered a new marine worm species named Paraleocrates indica in the muddy banks of the Champa Estuary in the Bay of Bengal. It is the first record of this rare genus from Indian waters and only the third species worldwide in this genus. The worm belongs to the Hesionidae family, known for colourful bristle worms that often live symbiotically with other marine organisms like starfish. It appears reddish, measures 14–35 millimetres, and has a unique eye structure with front eyes five times larger than the back ones.

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India launched iLive Connect, the world’s first doctor-led Artificial Intelligence (AI) healthcare ecosystem for continuous home-based clinical monitoring. It bridges gaps in chronic disease care and post-hospital recovery, especially for elderly and remote-area patients. The system uses medical-grade wearable biosensors, a chest patch and wristband, to track ECG, heart rate, respiration, oxygen saturation (SpO₂), temperature, blood pressure trends, activity, sleep, and heart rate variability. Data is sent in real time to a 24×7 medical command centre staffed by specialist doctors.

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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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Kerala has become the first Indian state to officially declare a state microbe, selecting the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. The announcement was made during the inauguration of the Centre of Excellence in Microbiome (CoEM) in Thiruvananthapuram. Centre of Excellence in Microbiome (CoEM) operates under the motto “Microbes for Life” and focuses on how microbes impact sustainability, health, and the environment. It is the first Indian institute to unify microbiome-based translational research across humans, animals, plants, aquatic systems, and environmental media.

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Recently, the Meghalaya government issued an advisory after a meningococcal infection scare, urging people to avoid crowded places and follow health protocols. Meningococcal infection is a severe and rapidly progressing disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. It can lead to meningitis, which is inflammation of the meninges covering the brain and spinal cord, or meningococcemia, which is blood poisoning. It spreads through respiratory and throat secretions like saliva during close or prolonged contact. It is less contagious than common cold or flu infections.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have officially verified that Chile has eliminated Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease. With this achievement, Chile has become the first country in the Americas and the second country globally to be officially verified as having eliminated the disease. Leprosy was first recorded in Chile in the late 19th century, primarily on Rapa Nui (also known as Easter Island). The disease remained largely confined to the island, while mainland Chile experienced only occasional sporadic cases.

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Under Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0, Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation deployed the AI-powered G-SPIDER robot for safe, human-free canal cleaning in high-risk areas. The robot was commissioned at the Amayizhanchan Canal near Thampanoor Railway Station, a stretch with restricted vertical clearance, continuous water flow, and unsafe human entry points. G-SPIDER is developed by Genrobotic Innovations, based on Cable-Driven Parallel Robotics (CDPR) architecture with AI-enabled vision and sensor intelligence. It autonomously detects, assesses, and removes mixed and hazardous waste using a five-degrees-of-freedom robotic mechanism with a biomimetic claw-type grabber.

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Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a highly contagious respiratory virus spreading rapidly on the West Coast of the United States (US). It belongs to the Pneumoviridae family, which also includes Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). It mainly causes common cold–like respiratory illness. The virus spreads through air via coughing and sneezing, close personal contact, and touching contaminated surfaces then touching face. Common symptoms include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, it may lead to bronchitis or pneumonia. No vaccine or specific antiviral treatment; care focuses on symptom management and preventing complications.

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Asteroid 2024 YR4 was recently confirmed by NASA to not collide with the Moon in 2032. It is an Apollo-type asteroid, meaning its orbit crosses Earth’s orbit but remains mostly outside it. It was discovered in 2024 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in Chile. In its name, Y indicates discovery in the second half of December, while R4 shows it was the 117th asteroid identified in that period. It is a Near-Earth Object (NEO) with size about 174–220 feet (53–67 metres). It likely originated from the central Main Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter.