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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GalaxEye has successfully launched Mission Drishti, the world’s first OptoSAR satellite. The satellite was launched aboard Falcon 9 from California, United States. Mission Drishti weighs about 190 kilograms and is the largest Earth observation satellite built by a private Indian company. It combines optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology for all-weather, day-and-night imaging. The mission enhances India’s capabilities in Earth observation and strategic monitoring.

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EonSpacelabs developed India’s first germanium-free thermal imaging payload, Lumira_E40I50, for drones. It is an Electro-Optical Infrared (EO/IR) system designed for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. It detects humans up to 2 km and vehicles up to 8 km using Edge Artificial Intelligence (AI). It replaces germanium with chalcogenide glass, reducing dependence on Chinese supply chains. It operates in −20°C to +55°C, suitable for varied terrains. It supports Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with features like 40× zoom and infrared sensors.

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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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India recently launched Donanemab, the country’s first therapy for Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder and the most common cause of dementia. Dementia involves decline in memory, thinking ability, and behaviour that affects daily life. The disease is associated with ageing, genetics, and lifestyle-related factors.

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International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials under the Department of Science and Technology developed a cost-effective thermal energy storage material. The innovation can improve the efficiency of thermal batteries used in concentrated solar power plants and industrial waste heat recovery systems. Scientists developed a scalable process to produce spinel nano-composite Phase Change Material with enhanced thermal storage capacity.

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New observations from the James Webb Space Telescope suggest that Nereid may not have originated from the Kuiper Belt as previously believed. Nereid is the third-largest moon of Neptune. It was discovered by Dutch astronomer Gerard Kuiper. The moon is named after the sea nymphs of Greek mythology. Nereid has one of the most eccentric orbits among moons in the Solar System.

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Pyroprocessing was recently in news due to its role in reprocessing spent nuclear fuel in advanced fast reactor programmes. Pyroprocessing is a process that uses high temperatures to bring about physical or chemical changes in materials. It is a dry and energy-intensive process. Major sectors using pyroprocessing: Cement industry, Metallurgy and Nuclear power industry. In the nuclear industry, pyroprocessing is used to reprocess spent nuclear fuel through high-temperature electrochemical separation.

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Indian astronomers from the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics discovered five rapidly spinning neutron stars (millisecond pulsars). The discovery was made using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) after nearly two years of observations. The pulsars were found in the ancient globular clusters Messier 69 and Messier 70. Millisecond pulsars are rapidly rotating neutron stars formed after massive stars explode as supernovae. These stellar remnants can be “spun up” by pulling material from a companion star, causing them to rotate hundreds of times per second.

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The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad will establish CODENE (Centre of Design Excellence in Nuclear Engineering), India’s first such centre in nuclear engineering. A tripartite MoU was signed between Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, CEEPL India and Dassault Systèmes. The agreement was signed during Bharat Innovates 2026. The initiative aims to develop world-class engineering talent for India’s expanding civil nuclear sector.