JAMES WEBB TELESCOPE
News – James Webb telescope detects ‘sign of alien life’
- Launched by – NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
- Successor to the Hubble Space Telescope
- Launch Year – 2021
- Location at – Lagrange Point 2 (L2)
- Features –
- Life – 10 yrs
- Mirror Size – 6.5m
- Weight – 6200 Kg
- Objective –
- To look for galaxies formed just after the Big Bang.
- To determine the evolution of galaxies
SEPARATION OF POWER
News – Judiciary can’t attack forces of democracy, says Vice-President
- Concept given by – by Montesquieu in his book “The Spirit of Laws”
- About – The doctrine divides the government into three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary.
- Here each branch operates independently-
- To prevent the concentration of power
- Ensure checks and balances
- Constitutional Provision –
- Article 50: Directs the state to separate the judiciary from the executive
CBI
News – CBI registers FCRA violation case against AAP leader Pathak, conducts searches
- CBI – “Central Bureau of Investigation”
- Origin as – Special Police Establishment (SPE) in 1941, to investigate corruption during World War II
- Formalized in – 1963
- Operates under – Ministry of Personnel
- Functions-
- Investigates cases of corruption, economic offenses, serious crimes
- Handles cases referred by Central Government or Courts
- Appointed by a committee of –
- Prime Minister
- Leader of Opposition
- Chief Justice of India
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
News – IMF calls on countries to find a settlement on trade
- Established in – 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference
- Objective of IMF – to promote global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade
- Members – 190 countries.
- Hq – Washington, D.C., United States
- Structure-
- Board of Governors
- Executive Board: Handles day-to-day operations
- Managing Director: Heads the IMF
- Key Reports:
- World Economic Outlook
- Global Financial Stability Report
RED PANDA
- Scientific Name: Ailurus fulgens
- Habitat – Eastern Himalayas, including
- India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Myanmar.
- Indian States – Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling
- Appearance – It has dense reddish-brown fur, a bushy tail with rings
- Behavior – Solitary and arboreal
- Diet – Primarily herbivorous, feeding on bamboo
- Conservation Status-
- IUCN Red List: Endangered
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
- It is an indicator species – reflecting the health of their ecosystem
FLUE GAS DESULPHURISATION
News – ‘Environment Ministry must roll back order on desulphurising coal plants’
- Defn – FGD is a process used to remove sulfur dioxide (SO₂) from exhaust flue gases generated during the combustion of fossil fuels like coal and oil
- Methods-
- Wet Scrubbing: Uses a slurry of limestone
- Spray-Dry Scrubbing: Involves spraying a sorbent slurry
- Dry Sorbent Injection: Introduces powdered lime
- Importance –
- Reduces SO₂ emissions that causes acid rain.
MCQs
1. Who is NOT the part of James Webb Telescope?
A. NASA
B. ISRO
C. CSA
D. ESA
2. “Concept of Separation” of Powers is given by?
A. Gandhi
B. Winston Churchill
C. Montesquieu
D. Donald Trumph
3. CBI functions under which ministry?
A. Min. of Home Affairs
B. NITI Aayog
C. Inter-State Council
D. Min. of Personnel
4. IUCN status of Red Panda is?
A. Vulnerable
B. Endangered
C. Critically Endangered
D. Least Concern
5. Wet Scrubbing, Dry Scrubbing, Dry Sorbent Injection are methods of?
A. Cleaning of Tiles
B. Method of Brick Making
C. Face Wash Usage
D. Flue Gas Desulphurization