Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Indian Council of Agricultural Research–Indian Veterinary Research Institute produced Sahiwal calves using OPU–IVF–ET (Ovum Pick-Up–In Vitro Fertilization–Embryo Transfer). Sahiwal cattle is one of the best milk-producing indigenous breeds of India. It originates from Sahiwal region in Montgomery district of Punjab in Pakistan. It is also known as Lambi Bar, Lola, Montgomery, Multani and Teli. The cows are brownish-red in colour with shades from mahogany to greyish red, while bulls have darker extremities.

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A Kerala start-up has delivered the Akasha300 3D printer to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), boosting India’s self-reliance in advanced manufacturing. It is a high-temperature, multi-material extrusion 3D printer designed for industrial and research use. It is supported by the Space Technology Innovation and Incubation Centre at Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) and Kerala Startup Mission. It uses dual-extrusion technology and can operate up to 350°C, with future upgrades to 500°C. It has a modular design allowing multiple extrusion systems and hybrid manufacturing.

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Shigellosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Shigella, and a recent outbreak has been reported in Kerala. It is a highly contagious disease that causes acute diarrhoea and is one of the leading bacterial causes of diarrhoeal illness globally. The infection can affect people of all age groups, but children below five years are the most vulnerable. Humans act as the only natural reservoir of the Shigella bacteria, which helps in its rapid spread. The illness is usually self-limiting in mild cases, but severe infections may require treatment with antibiotics. The disease can become more serious in young children, elderly individuals, malnourished persons, and those with weak immune systems.

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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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As part of Gaganyaan mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation is conducting Mission MITRA (Mapping of Interoperable Traits and Response Assessment) in Leh from April 2 to April 9, 2026. Mission MITRA is a first-of-its-kind team behavioral study, developed jointly by ISRO and the Institute of Aerospace Medicine, aimed at evaluating crew safety and performance in human spaceflight. The study focuses on team communication, adaptability to stress, psychological resilience, and mutual support, which are critical for mission success. Leh’s high-altitude environment (approx 3,500 metres), hypoxia, low temperature, and isolation serve as a natural analog for spaceflight operations.

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The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved Qdenga for individuals aged 4–60 years, making it India’s first dengue vaccine. Qdenga is a live-attenuated, tetravalent vaccine developed by Takeda Pharmaceutical, Japan. It targets all four dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1 to DENV-4), with strongest efficacy against DENV-2 and relatively lower against DENV-3 and DENV-4. It does not require pre-vaccination screening and is administered in two doses, spaced three months apart. The vaccine provides strong protection against severe dengue and reduces hospitalisation rates.

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Scientists at the Bose Institute discovered a new gene regulation mechanism in Tuberculosis bacterium (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). Transcription is the process where DNA is copied into RNA by RNA Polymerase (RNAP) for protein synthesis. Earlier, bacteria were believed to follow the Sigma Cycle, where sigma factor binds RNAP to initiate transcription and then detaches. The study found that in TB bacteria, the sigma factor (σF) remains continuously attached to RNAP throughout transcription. This continuous binding helps activate survival genes, enabling bacteria to persist in hostile conditions inside the human body.

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The Pentagon’s Project Maven AI program was launched by the United States in 2017. The program was launched by the United States in 2017. It uses machine learning and computer vision to automatically detect objects, movements, and patterns, reducing the need for manual analysis. The programme helps in real-time identification and tracking of targets, improving the speed and accuracy of military operations.

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India’s first indigenous Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, has successfully attained criticality. A Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) produces more fissile fuel than it consumes using fast neutrons. Criticality is the stage where a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction is achieved. The 500 Megawatt Electric (MWe) PFBR is developed by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI). It uses Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide fuel and liquid sodium as coolant. It supports India’s three-stage nuclear programme, enabling Thorium-232 to Uranium-233 conversion for long-term energy security.

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India has successfully demonstrated a 1,000-kilometre quantum communication network under the National Quantum Mission, a major breakthrough in secure communication technologies. The National Quantum Mission (NQM) was launched by the Department of Science & Technology with an outlay of Rs.6003 crore for 2023-24 to 2030-31. Its objective is to seed, nurture, and scale up scientific and industrial research and development (R&D) and create an innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology (QT). It is one of nine initiatives under the Prime Minister’s Science Technology Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC).