This page has 50 current affairs MCQs of 2026 on the science, technology, space and defence news of February to October 2026: Artemis II and the revised Artemis III, the Nancy Grace Roman telescope, ISRO’s cryogenic tests and Skyroot’s first orbital launch, the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor reaching criticality, India’s first hydrogen train and nuclear-heat hydrogen plant, the IndiaAI models and quantum labs, new drugs and vaccines cleared in India, and the DRDO tests, new rifles and multinational exercises of the year. Every question is in the statement, match-the-list or assertion-reason form that BPSC and the other state commissions use, is scored on the page with BPSC’s negative marking, and opens an explanation that gives the fact behind the right answer and why the wrong options are wrong.
It is one of five sets built from the same 250 questions, so there is no overlap between them: Awards, sports and persons in news; International affairs, reports and environment; Polity, governance and schemes; Economy, infrastructure and energy.
Why these questions
BPSC asks science and technology current affairs the UPSC way: not the headline but the detail under it, such as what kind of missile RudraM-II is, which organisation runs an exercise, or what distillation means in an AI model. The explanations here carry that second layer, which is what turns a news item into a mark.
BPSC’s prelims syllabus lists “current events of national and international importance”, and the 69th to 71st papers drew most of those questions from the twelve months before the exam. With the 72nd prelims postponed on 12 October 2026 and no new date yet, the window that matters runs from early 2026 to the exam, which is the period these sets cover. The questions were written for the BPSC and UPPCS pattern and fact-checked against official releases and press reports on 9 November 2026; the dates in the explanations are the dates of the events, not of the news reports.
How to use this set
- Take all 50 in 50 minutes, roughly the pace of the real paper. Mark (E) Not attempted rather than guess: a wrong answer costs one-third of a mark, a blank costs the same, and only E is free. The negative marking page explains the 2026 OMR rule.
- For statement questions, decide each statement before looking at the options; the options are built from the statements, so a firm “statement 2 is wrong” eliminates two of them at once.
- Read the explanation even when you were right. Most carry a second fact (the ministry, the previous winner, the rank last year) that is the obvious follow-up question.
- A score of 35 or more out of 50 is where you want to be a month before the prelims; below 25, read the monthly current affairs notes first and come back.
Science and Technology Current Affairs 2026: 50 questions
Science and Technology Current Affairs 2026
50 questions · February to October 2026 · +1, −1/3, E = 0
Tap an option: it locks, turns green or red, and the explanation opens. Choose (E) Not attempted when you would only be guessing, as you would bubble E on the OMR sheet.
+1 correct · −1/3 wrong · 0 (E) not attempted
Space, science, health and technology29 questions
1. Jian changmaensis, a 120-million-year-old fossil that provides insights into the evolutionary transition from dinosaurs to modern birds, was recently discovered in the Changma Basin located in which country?
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Answer: (B) China
The Changma Basin lies in Gansu Province, northwestern China.
2. With reference to NASA's Artemis III mission, consider the following statements: 1. The mission plan has been revised to test rendezvous and integrated systems in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) rather than conducting a crewed lunar landing. 2. The first planned crewed landing at the lunar South Pole has been shifted to the subsequent Artemis IV mission. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. NASA revised Artemis III into a 2027 crewed demonstration mission in low Earth orbit, including rendezvous and docking tests with commercial lunar landers. Artemis IV, targeted for early 2028, is now planned as the first Artemis crewed lunar surface landing, including exploration near the lunar South Pole.
3. To advance India's capabilities in quantum technology, approval was granted to establish an 'Advanced Quantum Computing and Quantum Communications Lab' at which of the following premier institutes?
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Answer: (B) MNIT Jaipur
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced an Advanced Quantum Computing and Quantum Communications Lab at MNIT Jaipur in June 2026. It will work on areas including Quantum Key Distribution, quantum-computing simulation and quantum-sensing hardware.
4. With reference to 'Varya', recently launched under the national IndiaAI Mission, consider the following statements: 1. It is the country's first indigenous Generative AI model. 2. It is primarily a large-language model designed for automatic translation of Indian languages. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2
Statement 1 is too broadly framed. Varya is described as India's first indigenous/distilled video-generation model under the IndiaAI Mission, not India's first indigenous generative-AI model of any kind. It was developed by Avataar. • Statement 2 is incorrect. Varya is not primarily an LLM for language translation. It is a distilled generative video model capable of converting text prompts and images into video stories.
5. Pluvicto, recently introduced by Novartis in India, is an advanced precision radioligand therapy specifically approved for the treatment of which of the following diseases?
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Answer: (B) Advanced metastatic prostate cancer
Novartis launched Pluvicto (lutetium-177 vipivotide tetraxetan) in India in June 2026 as the country's first regulatory-approved radioligand therapy for eligible patients with PSMA-positive advanced/metastatic prostate cancer.
6. In the context of artificial intelligence, model distillation generally refers to which of the following?
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Answer: (B) Transferring capabilities from a larger model to a smaller and computationally efficient model
In knowledge/model distillation, a smaller student model is trained to reproduce the behaviour or outputs of a larger teacher model. This can preserve much of the larger model's capability while reducing computational cost, memory requirements and inference latency.
7. With reference to the world's first nuclear-process-heat hydrogen production facility inaugurated in India, consider the following statements: 1. The facility produces clean hydrogen utilising an indigenous Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) thermochemical cycle. 2. The facility was established at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Trombay, Maharashtra. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer: (A) Only 1
Statement 1 is correct. The facility produces clean, carbon-free hydrogen using nuclear process heat through an indigenously developed Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) thermochemical cycle. • Statement 2 is incorrect. The facility is located at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, and draws nuclear process heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR). It was inaugurated on 26 June 2026 by AEC Chairman Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty. The Cu-Cl technology itself was developed by BARC, Mumbai.
8. In the prestigious TOP500 list of global supercomputing released in June 2026, which of the following systems secured the first position as the world's fastest supercomputer?
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Answer: (A) LineShine
The June 2026 TOP500 ranking placed China's LineShine supercomputer at number one, with an HPL performance of approximately 2.198 exaflops. It displaced the US system El Capitan, which moved to second place.
9. With reference to 'SkyCast', deployed under Mission Mausam, consider the following statements: 1. SkyCast is an advanced integrated aviation-weather monitoring system. 2. India's first SkyCast system was installed at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad. 3. India became the 15th country in the world to deploy such a system. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer: (A) Only 1
Statement 1 is correct. SkyCast is an advanced integrated aviation-weather intelligence and atmospheric monitoring system developed under Mission Mausam. • Statement 2 is incorrect. India's first SkyCast was inaugurated at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, not Hyderabad. • Statement 3 is incorrect. India became the 19th country, not the 15th, to deploy such an integrated system.
10. With reference to the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026, consider the following statements: 1. It was held in Bucaramanga, Colombia. 2. All five Indian participants won gold medals, leading India to secure a joint World No. 1 rank. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer: (B) Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. The 56th International Physics Olympiad was held in Bucaramanga, Colombia, from 5–12 July 2026. All five Indian students won gold medals, and India jointly secured the World No. 1 rank along with China, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Korea and Taiwan.
11. Consider the following statements regarding NASA astronaut Anil Menon's 2026 ISS mission: 1. He travelled to the ISS on the Crew Dragon-12 spacecraft. 2. The crew was scheduled to return in April 2028. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer: (C) Neither 1 nor 2
Statement 1 is incorrect. Anil Menon travelled aboard the Russian Soyuz MS-29, not Crew Dragon-12, launching from Baikonur on 14 July 2026. • Statement 2 is also incorrect. His mission was planned for approximately eight months, not until April 2028.
12. India's first indigenous commercial hydrogen fuel-cell-powered passenger train commenced operational runs on which railway section?
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Answer: (B) Jind–Sonipat section
India's first indigenous hydrogen fuel-cell train was flagged off on 17 July 2026 on the Jind–Sonipat section of Northern Railway. Regular passenger operations followed shortly thereafter.
13. 'Mission Aagaman', executed in July 2026 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, is associated with which aerospace milestone?
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Answer: (C) Maiden orbital launch of Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1
On 18 July 2026, Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 successfully reached orbit from Sriharikota under Mission Aagaman, becoming India's first privately developed rocket to achieve an orbital launch.
14. With reference to the Gravity-1 launch vehicle, consider the following statements: 1. It has been developed by the Japanese private aerospace firm Orienspace. 2. Its July 2026 mission placed nine satellites into orbit from a sea-based launch platform. 3. Gravity-1 is primarily a liquid-hydrogen/liquid-oxygen launch vehicle. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Answer: (D) Only 2
Statement 1 is incorrect. Orienspace is a Chinese private aerospace company, not Japanese. • Statement 2 is correct. Gravity-1 launched nine satellites in July 2026 from a sea-based launch platform. • Statement 3 is incorrect. Gravity-1 is notable as an extremely powerful solid-fuel launch vehicle, not a liquid-hydrogen/liquid-oxygen rocket.
15. With reference to QDENGA, recently approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), consider the following statements: 1. It is the first dengue vaccine approved for marketing in India. 2. It is a live, attenuated tetravalent vaccine manufactured in the UK. 3. It has been explicitly cleared for the 18–45 year age group. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Answer: (D) Only 1
Statement 1 is correct. QDENGA became India's first approved dengue vaccine. • Statement 2 is incorrect. It is a live, attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine, but is manufactured by Takeda GmbH, Germany, not the UK. • Statement 3 is incorrect. CDSCO approved it for individuals aged 4–60 years, not 18–45 years.
16. Scientists recently discovered/engineered a new quantum state of matter called the 'Fractional Fermi Sea' using ultracold atoms of which element?
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Answer: (D) Cesium
Researchers used ultracold cesium atoms confined to one dimension and cyclically varied their interactions between strongly repulsive and attractive regimes. This produced an unusual critical quantum phase described as a fractional Fermi sea.
17. Which private space-technology startup recently demonstrated/unveiled EVEREST, India's first 80-ton-class Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) rocket engine?
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Answer: (A) Astrobase Space Technologies
Bengaluru-based Astrobase Space Technologies unveiled EVEREST, an 80-tonne-class, 800-kN LOX-methane Full-Flow Staged Combustion engine designed and manufactured in India.
18. With reference to the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, launched in August 2026, consider the following statements: 1. It was launched by the European Space Agency aboard an Ariane 6 rocket. 2. Its primary scientific objectives include studying dark matter, dark energy and exoplanets. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer: (B) Only 2
Statement 1 is incorrect. Roman is a NASA mission and was launched on 30 August 2026 aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy from Kennedy Space Center. • Statement 2 is correct. Its major scientific goals include studying dark matter, dark energy and exoplanets.
19. With reference to RK-251, consider the following statements: 1. It is an experimental 'smart' cancer drug. 2. It was developed through research involving AIIMS and IIT Guwahati. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer: (A) Only 1
RK-251 is a new experimental “smart” cancer drug designed to become activated primarily inside cancer cells, potentially reducing damage to healthy tissue. However, it was developed through collaborative research involving the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) and IIT Guwahati, not AIIMS.
20. With reference to SEMICON India 2026, consider the following statements: 1. It was scheduled to be organised in Bengaluru under the theme “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem”. 2. The event is a joint initiative organised by the India Semiconductor Mission and SEMI. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer: (B) Only 2
Statement 1 is incorrect because SEMICON India 2026 was held at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, from 17–19 September, although the stated theme is correct. • Statement 2 is correct. The event was jointly organised by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and SEMI.
21. Astronauts recently harvested the first batch of experimental rice grown in orbit. This experiment was conducted aboard a space station operated by:
Show answer
Answer: (B) China Manned Space Agency (CMSA)
The Shenzhou XXIII crew harvested experimental rice aboard China's Tiangong Space Station. Tiangong is operated under China's human-spaceflight programme by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The experiment is intended to study long-term genetic stability and environmental adaptation of rice under microgravity.
22. In April 2026, the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam achieved criticality for the first time. Its defining breeding characteristic is its design to convert:
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Answer: (C) Uranium-238 into Plutonium-239
The PFBR core is surrounded by a Uranium-238 blanket. Fast neutrons convert fertile U-238 into fissile Plutonium-239, allowing the reactor to breed more fissile material. It attained first criticality on 6 April 2026.
23. Under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), the 'SARAL AI' platform is being developed primarily to:
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Answer: (B) Convert complex scientific research into simple social-media content and podcasts in 18 Indian languages.
ANRF's SARAL AI is designed to convert complex research publications and patents into simple-language podcasts, short videos, posters, presentations and other social-media content in 18 Indian languages.
24. Mission MITRA, inaugurated by ISRO in Leh, Ladakh, aims to:
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Answer: (D) Expose participants to an isolated, low-oxygen, cold environment mimicking challenging conditions relevant to human spaceflight.
MITRA stands for Mapping of Interoperable Traits and Response Assessment. ISRO and the Indian Air Force's Institute of Aerospace Medicine use Leh's approximately 3,500-metre altitude, hypoxia, low temperatures and isolation as a natural analogue for studying crew physiological, psychological and operational performance.
25. With reference to NASA's Artemis II mission, launched in April 2026, consider the following statements: 1. It was the first crewed mission of NASA's Artemis lunar programme. 2. Its four astronauts travelled farther from Earth than any humans before them, surpassing the Apollo 13 record. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
Artemis II launched on 1 April 2026 and was the first crewed Artemis mission. During its lunar flyby on 6 April 2026, the four-person crew reached approximately 252,760 miles (about 406,780 km) from Earth, surpassing Apollo 13's 1970 distance record.
26. Consider the following statements regarding the testing of ISRO's cryogenic engine: 1. The test was conducted at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. 2. The cryogenic engine powers the upper stage of India's Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer: (A) Only 2
Statement 1 is incorrect. The CE20 engine test was conducted at the ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, not Sriharikota. Statement 2 is correct. The indigenous CE20 cryogenic engine powers the upper cryogenic stage of LVM3.
27. The high-temperature, multi-material extrusion 3D printer named 'Akasha300' was developed by:
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Answer: (A) Spacetime 4D Printing Solutions
AKASHA 300 is an industrial-grade, high-temperature extrusion 3D printer developed by Spacetime. It features dual extruders for multi-material and multi-colour printing and supports high-temperature engineering materials.
28. With reference to START-2026, consider the following statements: 1. It is an ISRO space-science and technology awareness programme aimed mainly at undergraduate students. 2. It was organised in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer: (C) Neither 1 nor 2
START stands for Space Science and Technology Awareness Training and is an annual ISRO programme. Statement 1 is incorrect because its lectures are tailored primarily for postgraduate students and preferably final-year undergraduate students in physical sciences and technology. Statement 2 is also incorrect. The programme was organised by ISRO through academic nodal centres across India, not as an ISRO-IIST joint programme.
29. With reference to the scientific phenomenon of 'Dark Oxygen', consider the following statements: 1. It was discovered in the Indian Ocean. 2. It is produced at abyssal ocean depths of around 4,000 metres in the total absence of sunlight. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer: (A) Only 2
Statement 1 is incorrect. The reported phenomenon was observed at the polymetallic-nodule-covered abyssal seafloor in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean, not the Indian Ocean. • Statement 2 is correct. The experiments were conducted at abyssal depths of roughly 4,000 metres, where sunlight does not penetrate. Researchers recorded net oxygen production despite the absence of photosynthesis.
Defence, exercises and security21 questions
30. The ‘RudraM-II’ missile, successfully flight-tested by the DRDO, is specifically designed as an:
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Answer: (B) Air-to-surface anti-radiation missile
RudraM-II is an indigenously developed air-to-surface missile of the RudraM anti-radiation family. Its anti-radiation configuration is intended primarily to detect and neutralise hostile radars and other radio-frequency-emitting assets, making it useful for Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD). DRDO and the Indian Air Force successfully flight-tested it again in June 2026.
31. In the context of anti-radiation missile systems, what is the primary operational function of an ‘anti-radiation’ seeker?
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Answer: (C) Tracking and homing in on enemy radio-frequency emissions and radar signals
“Radiation” in anti-radiation missiles refers primarily to electromagnetic/radio-frequency emissions, not nuclear radiation. Such missiles use passive seekers to detect and home onto emissions from hostile radars and other RF transmitters, enabling the destruction or suppression of enemy air-defence systems. RudraM-II's anti-radiation variant, for example, uses a passive homing head for targeting radar installations.
32. With reference to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), consider the following statements: 1. The DRDO functions under the administrative control of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA). 2. The Secretary of DDR&D traditionally functions as the Chairman of DRDO. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer: (A) Only 2
Statement 1 is incorrect. DRDO functions under the Department of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D), Ministry of Defence, not under the Department of Military Affairs. • Statement 2 is correct. The head is designated Secretary, DDR&D and Chairman, DRDO.
33. The Indian Air Force participated in 'Pitch Black 2026'. This biennial multinational air-combat exercise is hosted by which of the following air forces?
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Answer: (C) Royal Australian Air Force
Exercise Pitch Black is the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) premier biennial multinational air-combat exercise. Pitch Black 2026 was conducted from 20 July to 7 August 2026, primarily from RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal. The Indian Air Force participated with Rafale aircraft, supported by C-17 and IL-78 aircraft.
34. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer: List I: Indian Naval Ships A. INS Dunagiri B. INS Agray C. INS Sandhayak List II: Category/Project 1. Project 17A Stealth Frigate 2. Large Survey Vessel (SVL) 3. Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft Select the correct answer using the code given below:
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Answer: (A) 1 – 3 – 2
INS Dunagiri → Project 17A/Nilgiri-class stealth frigate. • INS Agray → Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC). • INS Sandhayak → Survey Vessel (Large).
35. With reference to the naval platform INS Malvan, recently commissioned, consider the following statements: 1. It is the second vessel of the indigenous Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft. 2. It was constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer: (D) Only 1
Statement 1 is correct. INS Malvan is the second Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft and was commissioned on 22 July 2026. • Statement 2 is incorrect. It was built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, not GRSE.
36. With reference to the historic tri-service expedition 'Samudra Pradakshina', consider the following statements: 1. It was India's first tri-service all-women sailing circumnavigation. 2. Nine women officers participated. 3. The expedition used IASV Triveni. 4. It covered nearly 25,500 nautical miles over 314 days. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Answer: (D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
All four statements are correct. Nine women officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force completed India's first tri-service all-women global circumnavigation aboard IASV Triveni, covering nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans in 314 days.
37. Consider the following statements regarding the 'Project Kusha' missile system flight-tested by DRDO: 1. It is an indigenous Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM) system. 2. The maiden trial was executed from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer: (B) Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. DRDO conducted the maiden flight-test of the Kusha Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile on 23 July 2026 from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. The indigenous system is designed to neutralise threats such as fighter aircraft, missiles, UAVs and large enemy aircraft over long ranges and varying altitudes.
38. India's first indigenous 350 kg thrust-class Expendable Turbojet Engine, developed for unmanned aerial applications and cruise missiles, was designed by:
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Answer: (C) Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE)
The engine was designed by DRDO's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE). Azad Engineering, Hyderabad, was selected as the industrial partner for its manufacturing and assembly and delivered the successfully realised engine to GTRE in July 2026.
39. With reference to the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) flight-tested in July 2026, consider the following statements: 1. It was successfully test-fired by DRDO from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur. 2. The rocket was tested at a minimum range of 30 km. 3. Pinaka is primarily a ground-to-air missile system. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Answer: (C) Only 1
Statement 1 is correct. DRDO conducted the flight test at ITR Chandipur on 8 July 2026. • Statement 2 is incorrect. It was tested at a user-defined minimum range of 60 km, not 30 km. • Statement 3 is incorrect. Pinaka is a surface-to-surface multi-barrel rocket/artillery system, not a ground-to-air missile system.
40. The AKASH TARANG system, approved by the Defence Acquisition Council in July 2026, is best described as:
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Answer: (D) An anti-UAV electronic warfare system
The Defence Acquisition Council approved procurement of the Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Electronic Warfare System 'AKASH TARANG' for the Indian Army. It is intended to provide effective anti-UAV protection to Army formations.
41. Consider the following statements regarding the AK-203 'Sher' assault rifle: 1. It is manufactured by Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) at its facility in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. 2. The first rifles tested in August 2026 achieved 100% indigenous content using Indian components. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
Statement 1 is correct. AK-203 rifles are manufactured by Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), a joint venture of Indian and Russian (Kalashnikov/Rosoboronexport) partners, at Korwa in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. • Statement 2 is correct. In August 2026, IRRPL manufactured and test-fired the first fully indigenised AK-203 'Sher' rifle, with every component and input material sourced from Indian industry. A batch of fully indigenous prototypes was being prepared for Army trials in September 2026.
42. With reference to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Exercise 2026, consider the following statements: 1. The EOD exercise is held between the Indian and Australian navies. 2. It took place at the Southern Naval Command headquarters in Kochi, Kerala. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer: (A) Only 2
Statement 1 is incorrect. The 2026 EOD exercise was conducted between the Indian Navy and the US Navy, not Australia. • Statement 2 is correct. It was conducted at the Southern Naval Command, Kochi, from 10–14 August 2026.
43. The Indian Air Force recently launched Project 'Vayu Baan', which is distinctively designed as:
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Answer: (A) India's first helicopter-launched/dropped drone system
Vayu Baan is an indigenous Air-Launched Effects programme involving a small autonomous drone released from a moving helicopter. It can function as a surveillance platform or precision/kamikaze munition.
44. The historic 'Samudra Sahas' blue-water sailing expedition was launched from Mumbai to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the:
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Answer: (B) Regiment of Artillery
The expedition was undertaken as part of the Regiment of Artillery's bicentenary celebrations and flagged off from Marve, Mumbai, in April 2026.
45. The Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army successfully executed Operation HimSetu. This HADR mission was launched to rescue stranded tourists and locals in:
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Answer: (C) North Sikkim
Operation HimSetu was launched by the Army's Trishakti Corps in North Sikkim, particularly around the Lachen–Chungthang route, after landslides, snowfall and disrupted road connectivity stranded tourists and residents.
46. Consider the following statements regarding 'Amogh Jwala', conducted in 2026: 1. It was conducted by the Southern Command of the Indian Army. 2. The exercise was held at the Babina Field Firing Range located in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer: (D) Only 1
Statement 1 is correct. The Southern Command conducted Exercise Amogh Jwala from 6–18 March 2026. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Babina Field Firing Range is near Jhansi in Jhansi district, not Saharanpur district.
47. With reference to 'Operation Upstream', consider the following statements: 1. It was launched by India in collaboration with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). 2. Its primary objective is to dismantle illicit manufacturing and trafficking supply chains of banned performance-enhancing drugs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer: (A) Only 2
Statement 1 is incorrect as framed. Operation Upstream is a WADA-led, INTERPOL-backed international anti-doping intelligence operation targeting the production and trafficking of performance-enhancing drugs across many countries. India's CBI subsequently joined in collaboration with WADA in 2026. It was not originally an Indian-launched initiative. Statement 2 is correct. Its focus is to move "upstream" from merely catching athletes and instead target manufacturers, traffickers, laboratories and supply networks dealing in prohibited performance-enhancing substances.
48. With reference to India's first amphibious drone 'AVATAAR', consider the following statements: 1. It was developed by Bengaluru-based startup AquaAirX Autonomous Systems. 2. It is designed exclusively for underwater operations and cannot operate in the air. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer: (D) Only 1
Statement 1 is correct. AquaAirX Autonomous Systems, a Bengaluru-based deep-tech startup, unveiled AVATAAR, India's first amphibious drone, in March 2026. Statement 2 is incorrect. AVATAAR can fly and then transition to underwater operation. It is designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) in both the aerial and underwater domains, as well as port and harbour security, loitering-munition roles, subsea inspection and search and rescue.
49. Consider the following statements regarding the launch of Gujarat's first sounding rocket: 1. It was launched from the Dholera region under the authorisation of IN-SPACe. 2. The rocket utilised advanced carbon-fibre and composite materials developed by DRDO. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer: (D) Only 1
Statement 1 is correct. Gujarat's first sounding rocket was launched from Bavaliyari near Dholera under IN-SPACe authorisation. Statement 2 is incorrect. The carbon-fibre and advanced-composite airframe was developed by the Ahmedabad-based startup Omspace Rocket and Exploration (OSRE) at its own laboratory, not by DRDO.
50. With reference to the global export footprint of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, consider the following statements: 1. Indonesia confirmed a procurement contract with India. 2. Indonesia became the first foreign customer to operationalise the BrahMos missile system. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer: (D) Only 1
Statement 1 is correct. Indonesia confirmed an agreement to acquire BrahMos in March 2026. • Statement 2 is incorrect. The Philippines was India's first-ever BrahMos export customer. BrahMos Aerospace signed the $375-million shore-based anti-ship missile contract with the Philippines in January 2022.
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The other four sets in this series
- Current Affairs 2026 MCQs: Awards, sports and persons in news (50 questions)
- Current Affairs 2026 MCQs: International affairs, reports and environment (50 questions)
- Current Affairs 2026 MCQs: Polity, governance and schemes (50 questions)
- Current Affairs 2026 MCQs: Economy, infrastructure and energy (50 questions)
Together the five sets are 250 questions on February to October 2026. The sports current affairs quiz and the current affairs section carry the month-by-month notes, and the mock test series has the full-length papers.
Frequently asked questions
How many current affairs questions does the BPSC prelims ask?
BPSC does not fix a number. The General Studies paper of 150 questions has carried roughly 25 to 35 questions that depend on events of the preceding year, spread across national, international, sports, awards, science and economy news, with a visible Bihar share.
Which period do these 2026 current affairs MCQs cover?
February to October 2026. The five sets together have 250 questions; this one covers science, technology and defence.
Is there negative marking in this quiz?
Yes, the page scores the way BPSC does since 2026: +1 for a correct answer, minus one-third for a wrong one, and 0 for a question marked (E) Not attempted. A question left blank on the real OMR sheet is also penalised, so practise marking E.
Related pages
- Free BPSC mock test series: all tests
- Sports current affairs 2026 quiz
- Bihar current affairs May 2026
- 72nd BPSC 2026: notification and prelims date status
- BPSC negative marking and the Option E rule
- BPSC syllabus and exam pattern
Sources and checking
The questions were written from PIB releases, ministry and organisation announcements and the reporting of national newspapers between February and October 2026, and every answer and explanation was checked against at least one primary or mainstream source on 9 November 2026. Where a figure was later revised, the explanation gives the figure as it stood at the time of the event. Report an error through the contact page and it will be corrected.