Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, comet 3I/ATLAS from outside our solar system was spotted by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in Chile. ATLAS is an asteroid impact early warning system developed by the University of Hawaii and funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It uses four telescopes — two in Hawaii, one in Chile, and one in South Africa. These telescopes scan the sky every night for moving objects. ATLAS also detects dwarf planets, supernova explosions, and light from stars eaten by supermassive black holes.

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Recently, on July 1, scientists using the ATLAS telescope in Chile reported the discovery of an interstellar object named 3I/ATLAS. It has been tracked since June 14, 2025 and is believed to be the oldest comet ever observed, possibly over 3 billion years old, predating the solar system. It is classified as an interstellar comet due to its hyperbolic orbit and high speed of 57–68 km/s relative to the Sun. The comet comes from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius, suggesting an origin in the Milky Way’s thick disk.

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Chinese researchers led by Professor Zhao Jieliang at Beijing Institute of Technology developed the world’s lightest brain control device to steer bees. It is fixed on the bee’s back with three fine needles connecting to the brain, sending signals to control direction. In trials, bees followed commands with 90% accuracy, including turning, moving forward, and reversing. The bee-based robotic model offers superior mobility, stealth, and adaptability for missions like urban combat, counterterrorism, and disaster relief.

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Recently, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched the INVICTUS research programme. The INVICTUS research program is an initiative of the European Space Agency (ESA), in collaboration with the UK-based Frazer-Nash Consultancy. The goal is to develop hypersonic technologies for future reusable vehicles with horizontal launch capability. It is funded by ESA’s General Support Technology Programme (GSTP) and Technology Development Element (TDE). It will test key technologies for sustained hypersonic flight in Earth’s atmosphere.

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Kerala has recently introduced the Cy-TB skin test to detect Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP). Cy-TB is a new-generation intradermal skin test using Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens called ESAT-6 and CFP-10. It is more accurate than Mantoux or IGRA (Interferon-Gamma Release Assay) tests and does not need blood samples. It helps in early detection of dormant TB to prevent it from becoming active. It is used for adults above 18, especially in high-risk or contact groups.

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Researchers at the S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS) have developed a sustainable method to produce hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) using sunlight and water. The process uses a special material called Mo-DHTA COF, short for dimolybdenum paddlewheel-embedded covalent organic framework. It acts like a solar-powered molecular factory, absorbing sunlight and converting water and oxygen into hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is an eco-friendly chemical used in sterilization, wound cleaning, wastewater treatment, and fuel cells.

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Recently, the first phase of the Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) project is nearing completion. The project aims to sequence the genomes of 70,000 eukaryotic species in Britain and Ireland. It is part of the global Earth BioGenome Project which targets sequencing all complex life on Earth. The project collects species samples and uses advanced DNA sequencing technologies to create high-quality genomes. It applies modern computational tools to study how DNA sequences relate to biodiversity.

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Arunachal Pradesh Education Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona inaugurated a state-of-the-art space laboratory at Mechuka in Shi-Yomi district. The lab is named Pasang Wangchuk Sona ISRO Space Laboratory in honour of his late father. It was set up at Mechuka Government Higher Secondary School in collaboration with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Muskaan Foundation. The lab will provide students hands-on experience in space science and technology. It aims to foster curiosity, innovation, and scientific thinking among youth.

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Two Indian aquanauts recently conducted deep-sea dives in the Atlantic Ocean under Samudrayaan Project. They collected over 100 kg of cobalt-rich polymetallic nodules from 1,173 meters depth in the Andaman Sea. Deep Ocean Mission was launched by Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) on 7 September 2021 with ₹4,077 crore for 5 years. The mission develops technologies for exploring and using deep ocean resources sustainably. It supports India’s Blue Economy with potential to push maritime economy beyond ₹100 billion. It aligns with United Nations Decade of Ocean Science (2021–2030).

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NASA has launched “Surya”, an artificial intelligence (AI) model to improve space weather forecasting. Surya was developed in collaboration with IBM and trained on over nine years of data from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). It analyses massive streams of solar activity to detect early signs of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Solar storms can disrupt satellites, communication systems, aviation, GPS navigation, and power grids on Earth. Surya generates visual forecasts up to two hours in advance with higher accuracy than traditional methods. The model is open-source to enable global researchers to improve space weather defense.