Quasars
- The quasi-stellar radio sources (Quasars) were first discovered six decades ago.
- These are very luminous objects in faraway galaxies that emit jets at radio frequencies.
- They are located in supermassive black holes, which sit in the centre of galaxies.
- These are formed by the energy emitted by materials spiralling around a black hole right before being sucked into it.
- Most quasars are larger than our solar system. A quasar is approximately 1-kilo parsec in width.
- When galaxies collide, it pushes the gas from the outer reaches of the galaxies to the centre.
- As the supermassive black hole gorges on the gas, it releases ferocious fountains of energy in the form of radiation, leading to the quasar.
World Bank
- It is an international financial institution that provides loans and grantsto the governments of low and middle-income/developing countries to pursue capital projects.
- It was established along with the IMF at the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference.
- The WB Group Includes
- International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD): It provides loans, credits and grants.
- International Development Association (IDA): It provides low or no-interest loans to low-income countries.
- International Finance Corporation (IFC): It provides investment, advice and asset management to private companies and governments.
- Multilateral Guarantee Agency (MIGA): It ensures lenders and investors against political risks such as war.
- International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID): It settles investment disputes between investors and countries.
- India is not a member of ICSID.
Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO)
- It is the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) of India for the medical devices industry under the provisions of the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules.
- It works under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
- Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) is the head of the CDSCO.
- Headquarters: New Delhi.
- Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, CDSCO is responsible for,
- Approval of New Drugs;
- Conduct of Clinical Trials;
- Laying down the standards for Drugs;
- Control over the quality of imported Drugs in the country;
- Coordination of the activities of State Drug Control Organizations;
- CDSCO, along with state regulators, is jointly responsible for the grant of licenses of certain specialized categories of critical Drugs such as blood and blood products, I. V. Fluids, Vaccine and Sera.