Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Jordan recently signed the Artemis Accords at NASA Headquarters, expanding global participation in space governance. The Artemis Accords were launched in 2020 as a non-binding framework for guiding civil space exploration. It was co-led by NASA and the US Department of State along with founding nations like Australia, Japan, and the UK. India is also a signatory, highlighting its role in global space cooperation. The accords promote peaceful exploration and responsible use of outer space.

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India has recorded a 250% increase in Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) under Mission Mausam to strengthen weather monitoring. DWR works on the Doppler Effect, which measures changes in frequency due to motion of objects like raindrops. Mission Mausam was launched in 2024 by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. It is implemented by India Meteorological Department, National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting, and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology. The mission has a budget of ₹2,000 crore for two years. Its aim is to make India “Weather Ready” and “Climate Smart.”

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India has introduced the SACHET Cell Broadcast system as an indigenous emergency alert service. SACHET (meaning “alert”) is designed to deliver real-time warnings directly to mobile users in geo-targeted areas. The system was launched by the Department of Telecommunications in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority. It sends instant alerts during disasters such as earthquakes, floods, cyclones, and emergencies like wars or gas leaks. A nationwide test message with a siren sound was recently conducted to check its effectiveness. The system uses cell broadcast technology, which is faster and more efficient than traditional SMS alerts

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Indian AI warfare company FWDA announced that India’s first AI combat aircraft, Kaal Bhairava, will be manufactured in Portugal in partnership with SKETCHPIXEL. SKETCHPIXEL will provide simulation technologies, AI integration, communication systems, and interoperability support, while FWDA will retain intellectual property rights over the aircraft’s autonomous systems and airframe design. Kaal Bhairava is a medium-altitude long-endurance autonomous combat aircraft with a range of 3,000 km and endurance exceeding 30 hours. The aircraft includes AI-based target recognition, swarm coordination, and encrypted communication systems.

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A fresh outbreak of Ebola has been reported in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with dozens of deaths reported. Ebola is a severe viral hemorrhagic fever caused by orthoebolaviruses and affects humans as well as non-human primates. The disease was first identified in 1976 in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It spreads through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, organs, or contaminated surfaces, but not through air transmission. Fruit bats are considered the natural hosts of the virus.

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Indian Space Research Organisation developed the Environmental Control and Life Support System for the Gaganyaan mission. The ECLSS is a mission-critical system designed to recreate Earth-like sea-level conditions inside a spacecraft for astronauts in low Earth orbit. The system regulates cabin air composition, atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity, and waste management to ensure astronaut safety and comfort.

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Around 70 cattle recently died in Kendrapada district due to Rumen Fluke Disease, locally called “Kurmi.” Rumen flukes are parasitic worms affecting ruminant animals such as cattle and buffaloes. Adult parasites live in the rumen (stomach), while immature larvae inhabit the small intestine. The disease caused by these parasites is known as paramphistomosis. The disease can be treated using anthelmintic medicines and managed through proper grazing and pasture control.

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Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology Madras and Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru achieved a major chemistry breakthrough by creating a new carbon-free molecule with a “sandwich” structure similar to ferrocene. Ferrocene, discovered in the 1950s, consists of an iron atom sandwiched between two carbon-based rings and is widely used in medicines, batteries, electronics, and advanced materials. Scientists had tried for over 70 years to create a similar stable structure without carbon but had failed. The Indian researchers successfully synthesized a molecule using osmium at the centre and boron-based rings instead of carbon rings.

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Google introduced “information agents” that monitor the web on behalf of users. Information agents are AI-powered assistants integrated with search systems that continuously track websites, updates, listings, and user-defined tasks. These agents perform more effectively when provided with detailed personal information such as location, finances, and user preferences.

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Researchers at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, developed a novel imaging platform called Cleavable Light-Erased Antibody Reporter. The technology enables visualization and mapping of a large number of proteins within the same biological sample using a single fluorescent marker. CLEAR overcomes major challenges in spatial protein mapping and allows repeated cycles of protein labelling and imaging within the same spectral window. The technology could improve research and diagnosis related to cancer, neurological disorders, immunology, and precision medicine.