Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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India’s Antariksh Venture Capital Fund will start investing in space startups from FY2027 to boost the private space sector. It is a close-ended fund registered with Securities and Exchange Board of India as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF). Key investor is Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre under the Department of Space. The fund is sponsored by SIDBI Venture Capital Limited. The objective is to provide capital for space startups, support scaling, and promote commercialization of technologies.

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A recent DNA study of a pre-Hispanic mummy found that the bacteria causing scarlet fever existed in the Americas even before European colonization. Scarlet Fever, also called scarlatina, is a bacterial infection caused by Group A Streptococcus, which also causes strep throat and skin infections. It mainly affects children aged 5 to 15 years and is characterized by a bright red rash, sore throat, and high fever. The disease is highly contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing. There is no vaccine, but it is effectively treated with antibiotics such as penicillin, and untreated cases may lead to serious complications affecting the heart and kidneys.

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Recently, Rocklink India Pvt. Ltd. set up an integrated recycling facility in Sikandrabad UPSIDC Industrial Area, Uttar Pradesh. The plant focuses on recycling lithium-ion batteries, rare earth magnets, and metal-bearing industrial waste. It has a capacity of 10,000 tonnes/year for lithium-ion batteries and 60 tonnes/month for rare-earth magnets. A rare-earth chloride processing unit (1,500 tonnes/year) is planned for 2026. The initiative supports domestic recovery of critical minerals and promotes a circular economy.

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Recently, National Aeronautics and Space Administration unveiled the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. It is a wide-field space observatory designed to survey large regions of the universe and detect exoplanets. It will study dark matter and dark energy, which together make up about 95% of the universe. The telescope is named after Nancy Grace Roman, known as the “mother of the Hubble Space Telescope.” It costs about USD 4 billion and will be placed 1.5 million km from Earth.

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Diphtheria is re-emerging in parts of Australia despite being largely controlled earlier, raising public health concerns. It is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which produces a harmful toxin. The disease mainly affects the upper respiratory tract, especially the throat, nose, and tonsils, and sometimes the skin. It spreads through respiratory droplets or contact with infected wounds, and even asymptomatic individuals can transmit it.

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India achieved a milestone with a 500 MWe (Megawatt Electric) Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam attaining first criticality on April 6, 2026. Developed by Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research and built by BHAVINI. It marks Stage-II of India’s 3-stage nuclear programme using uranium-plutonium mixed oxide fuel. Fast Breeder Reactors produce more fuel than they consume. India will become the 2nd country after Russia to operate commercial Fast Breeder Reactors.

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DAMPE Satellite has made observations on the acceleration of cosmic rays. The findings show that the intensity of cosmic radiation decreases sharply beyond a certain high-energy threshold. DAMPE stands for Dark Matter Particle Explorer and is also known as “Wukong.” It was developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). It is China’s first astronomical satellite designed for high-energy observations. The satellite was launched in 2015 into a polar sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of about 500 km. It detects high-energy gamma rays, electrons, and cosmic rays.

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Scientists have warned that rising temperatures due to climate change may increase the spread of the Brain-Eating Amoeba, scientifically known as Naegleria fowleri. The amoeba is commonly found in warm freshwater bodies such as lakes, rivers, ponds, hot springs, and moist soil. It enters the human body through the nose and attacks brain tissues. Infection by Naegleria fowleri causes Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare but highly fatal disease of the central nervous system. Higher temperatures create favourable conditions for the amoeba’s growth and survival. The warning highlights the possible health impacts of climate change on infectious diseases.

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Blue Moon MK1, also called Endurance, is an unmanned lunar cargo lander developed by Blue Origin in collaboration with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It is designed to transport cargo, scientific instruments, and infrastructure to the Moon’s surface. The lander supports the Artemis program aimed at establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon. It uses cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propulsion systems for deep-space missions. The spacecraft is expected to be launched using the New Glenn rocket.

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Another tiger was recently found dead in Kanha Tiger Reserve, raising concerns over possible Canine Distemper infections among wild animals. Canine Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), a single-stranded RNA virus of the Paramyxoviridae family. The disease affects dogs, foxes, wolves, raccoons, felines, and several wildlife species, but it does not infect humans. It spreads through droplets, direct contact, and infected body fluids such as saliva, urine, and feces. There is no specific cure for CDV; vaccination, hygiene, and isolation remain the best preventive measures.