Current Affairs – April 27-28, 2025

{GS1 – Geo – PG – Geomorphology} Davis Strait Proto-Microcontinent

Context (ToI): Researchers have discovered the Davis Strait proto-microcontinent.

It is a newly discovered submerged primitive microcontinent located beneath the Davis Strait, between Canada’s Baffin Island and Greenland.
It is a bay of the northern Atlantic Ocean separating Baffin Bay from the Labrador Sea, formed from thick continental crust during tectonic plate separation along the Ungava Fault Zone, measuring about 19-24 km in thickness and is bordered by thinner continental crusts.
- Gravity and seismic data were used to map subsurface density variations and structural layers, enabling high-precision simulations of the Davis Strait’s geological history.
It remains a partially detached fragment from rifting of Greenland & North America millions of yrs ago.
It stretches approximately 400 miles north south and 200-400 miles in width, making it one of the world’s broadest straits.
It forms a critical part of the Northwest Passage linking the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.
Tectonic Evolution and Formation:
- Around 120 million years ago, Greenland and North America began separating, accelerating about 61 million years ago with seafloor spreading in Davis Strait.
- Greenland shifted northeast along the Pre-Ungava Transform Margin, then moved more northward around 56 million years ago, leading to the proto-microcontinent’s formation.
- Around 48 million years ago, the North American plate attempted further rifting in the Davis Strait but stopped when new fault systems formed.
- By 33 million years ago, Greenland collided with Ellesmere Island, stabilising the region and ending major tectonic activity.
Similar Microcontinent Examples: Jan Mayen (off Iceland), East Tasman Rise (southeast of Tasmania) & Gulden Draak Knoll (off western Australia).

{GS1 – Geo – PG – Geomorphology} Indian Tectonic Plate Splitting Beneath Tibet

Context (ToI): A new study reveals that the Indian plate is splitting into layers deep beneath Tibet.

Traditionally, scientists believed the Indian plate was steadily sliding under the Eurasian plate, gradually uplifting the Tibetan Plateau and Himalayas in a slow, predictable manner.
However, new evidence from seismic imaging and helium isotope analysis in Tibetan springs reveals something even more astonishing: the plate is undergoing delamination.

Delamination

Delamination is a rare geological process taking place under the Indian plate:
- The denser lower layer of the plate peels away and sinks (splitting horizontally into layers) into the Earth’s mantle. This layering process doubles the complexity of Earth’s crust dynamics.
- The lighter upper layer continues to move just beneath the surface.
This internal fragmentation was detected about 100 kilometres beneath the Earth’s surface, using data from 94 broadband seismic stations across southern Tibet.

Evidence of Fragmentation

Seismic imaging revealed that while parts of the Indian plate remain intact, others show signs of extreme internal stress and splitting.
Rather than moving as a solid slab, the plate’s lower half is being pulled deeper into the mantle, a behaviour unusual for continental collisions.
Surface observations also support these findings:
- Earthquake pattern in the Tibet region and surface cracks across the Plateau.
- Unusual chemical signatures such as high levels of helium-3 (isotope) in spring waters (a rare gas from the mantle), indicate deep Earth processes at work.

Rare helium-3 in northern Tibet suggests exposure of the mantle, whereas the dominance of common helium-4 in the south indicates that the plate has not yet ruptured there.

Earthquake Threats and Forecasting

One area of immediate concern is the Cona-Sangri Rift in the Tibetan Plateau — a major fault line that may be linked directly to the ongoing delamination. This could pose a significant earthquake threat.
The breakthrough not only reshapes the understanding of Himalayan formation but also offers critical insights for earthquake prediction.
A clearer three-dimensional model of tectonic interactions can help scientists better understand surface evolution and improve forecasting models for future seismic events.

{GS2 – IR – Asia} Thailand’s Golden Visa Programmes

Context (FP): Thailand’s long-term visa schemes attract digital nomads and investors, driven by media buzz and rising global demand for residency-by-investment.

Digital nomads use technology to work remotely while travelling to different locations. They blend work & travel by operating from cafes, co-working spaces, or beaches using laptops and the internet.

Thailand’s Golden Visa Options

They offer long-term stay options without permanent residency or citizenship.
Thailand Privilege Residence Programme: Managed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, started in 2003, offers long-term visas with VIP benefits designed for retirees, travellers, and digital nomads seeking extended stay, each priced according to duration and eligibility.
- Exclusive Benefits: Luxury perks including spa treatments, hotel stays, and health check-ups.
Long Term Residence (LTR) Programme: Launched in 2022, focused on wealthy individuals, retirees/pensioners, highly skilled professionals & remote workers, meeting specific income or investment criteria and contributing to Thailand’s economy.
- Exclusive Benefits: Tax advantages like 17% personal income tax rate for highly skilled professionals, exemption from Thai taxes on foreign-sourced income.
Common Benefits:
- Long-term multiple-entry visa with VIP services like fast-track immigration and healthcare perks.
- No minimum stay requirement, suiting mobile lifestyles.
- Ability to include spouse and dependents for both programmes.
Key Distinctions Between Programmes:
- Privilege Programme focuses on lifestyle and ease of living, with no work rights.
- LTR Programme targets economic contribution through investment or high-level skills, and grants limited work rights.

Also refer to H1B Visa Program; Graduate Route Visa Scheme.

{GS2 – IR – Laws} Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations **

Context (IE): Following the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, the Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared Persona Non Grata.

Persona non grata is a Latin phrase that means “unwelcome person.” It has a specific meaning in diplomacy, referring to a diplomat or foreign person whose entry or presence in a particular country has been prohibited by that country.
The designation received diplomatic meaning at the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

What is the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961)?

It is a United Nations treaty that sets some common principles and terms on how countries must treat each other’s diplomatic representatives, to ensure friendly relations and maintain proper communication channels between countries.
Members: Presently, 193 countries have ratified the convention, meaning they agree it should be legally binding on them.
India: Ratified it through the Diplomatic Relations (Vienna Convention) Act 1972.

Key Provisions

Diplomatic Immunity: Diplomats are granted immunity from the host country’s laws- they cannot be arrested or sued. Family members of diplomats also enjoy similar privileges and immunities.
Inviolability of Diplomatic Premises: Embassy buildings are inviolable; host nation authorities cannot enter without permission.
Protection of Communication: Free communication for diplomats, including using diplomatic bags and couriers, is guaranteed.
Functions of a Diplomatic Mission: Representing the home country, protecting its interests, negotiating, gathering information, and promoting friendly relations.
Persona Non Grata: The host country can declare any diplomat as “persona non grata” and expel them without explanation.
- There aren’t any fixed rules regarding when a country can declare a foreign person persona non grata. A person can be declared persona non grata even before arriving in a country.
- Soon after the declaration, the person concerned usually returns to their home nation.
- If they fail to do so within a reasonable period, the country “may refuse to recognise the person concerned as a member of the mission.”
Respect for Host Country’s Laws: Although immune, diplomats are expected to respect the laws and regulations of the host country.

Context (ET): The world’s only research centre on mycetoma, established in 1991 under the University of Khartoum, in Sudan, has been destroyed due to the ongoing Sudan war.
Mycetoma is a chronic, progressively destructive infectious disease of subcutaneous tissues (the deepest layer of skin) that can spread to skin, muscle and bone.
Caused by multiple species of bacteria or fungi and was first identified in the mid-19^th century in Madurai, India, initially called “Madura foot.”
History of mainly affecting young adult males between 15 to 30 years, especially in developing countries.
Transmission and Risk Factors: It spreads when bacteria or fungi enter the body through minor traumas like thorn pricks. Barefoot walking and manual labourers are at higher risk in endemic areas.
Geographical Distribution: It is endemic to tropical and subtropical regions with short rainy and long dry seasons, notably in Sudan, Chad, Ethiopia, India, Yemen, Thailand, Senegal, Mauritania, Venezuela, Somalia and Mexico.
Symptoms and Disease Progression: Starts with firm, painless masses usually on the foot, which enlarge over time, develop oozing sores containing colored grains and may lead to deformation, disability, internal spread and destruction of muscle and bone.
Treatment Modalities: Bacterial mycetoma is treated with antibiotics, while fungal mycetoma requires antifungal drugs combined with surgical intervention.

{GS3 – IE – Banking} Increasing UPI Downtimes

Context (TH): UPI system faced multiple downtimes, disrupting payments on apps like GPay and PhonePe. Cause is being attributed to banks, overwhelming the NPCI systems.

How UPI Works

Built on IMPS Architecture: UPI is derived from the Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) framework, enabling real-time payments.
Bank Participation: Banks must join the UPI system to allow users to access their accounts via mobile numbers on Payment Service Provider (PSP) apps like PhonePe or GPay.
Interoperability: UPI enables users to link their bank accounts to multiple UPI apps, offering flexibility.

Role of NPCI in UPI Transactions

Central Hub for Transactions: NPCI routes nearly all UPI transactions, encrypting PIN details and forwarding payment information to the respective bank for processing.
Single Point of Failure: As NPCI handles critical functions (encryption, routing), any downtime at NPCI halts all UPI transactions, causing widespread disruptions.

Reasons Behind Recent UPI Outages

NPCI’s Structure: NPCI is a bank-led organization, where public sector banks hold the majority stake. This makes its operation susceptible to issues caused by individual banks.
Overloaded Systems: Overloading NPCI systems with redundant checks has led to service disruptions.
Excessive Transaction Requests: Banks recently sent an overwhelming number of transaction status check requests to NPCI, stressing the system and causing downtime.

Impact of UPI Lite

Light Payment Option: UPI Lite allows users to make payments up to ₹2,000 without PIN authentication, speeding up small transactions.
NPCI Dependency: Despite bypassing PIN entry, UPI Lite transactions still pass through NPCI for verification, maintaining its role as the central system.

Challenges for Banks

No Merchant Discount Rate (MDR): Banks cannot charge MDR on UPI transactions, despite incurring transaction costs (₹0.80 per transaction).
Lack of Incentives: Without MDR, banks lack incentives to maintain high uptime standards, leading to more frequent outages.
Increased Outages: Individual banks experience more frequent downtimes compared to the NPCI, contributing to overall payment failures.

Comparison with Card Networks

UPI Vulnerability: UPI’s dependency on NPCI makes it more vulnerable to downtimes caused by overloaded systems.
Better Uptime on Card Networks: Card networks like MasterCard and Visa experience fewer and shorter downtimes, thanks to robust monitoring and service level agreements (SLAs).

Also refer to Internationalization of UPI.

{Prelims – PIN World – Asia} Bandar Abbas Port *

Context (TH): A Huge explosion occurred at the Shahid Rajaei port of Bandar Abbas in southern Iran.

Shahid Rajaee Port is one of two parts of the port of Bandar Abbas, which is on the country’s southern coast, on the Persian Gulf.
- The Persian Gulf is the body of water bordering Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Oman.
Bandar Abbas is also a city and capital of Hormozgan province in Iran. The distance between Chabahar port and Bandar Abbas port is about 500 km.

Significance

It is Iran’s largest and most important port. The port is strategically important because of its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s petroleum passes.
Bandar Abbas Port plays a vital role in Iran’s economy, serving as a hub for trade not only for Iran but also for landlocked neighbouring countries like Afghanistan.

Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
It provides the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean and is one of the world’s most strategically important choke points.
- Maritime chokepoints are strategic, narrow passages that connect two larger areas and serve as critical waterways facilitating international trade.

{Prelims – PIN} Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan

Context (IE): Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, popularly known as K. Kasturirangan, passed away.

Key Contribution

Science

ISRO Chairman: He was an Indian space scientist who headed the ISRO from 1994 to 2003.
- As ISRO Chairman, he oversaw major milestones, including the successful launch and operationalization of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the 1^st successful flight test of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
Oversaw the design, development and launch of the world’s best civilian satellites, IRS-1C and 1D.
- IRS-1C is India’s 2^nd generation operational Remote Sensing Satellite.

Credit: ToI

Policymaking

Rajya Sabha Member: Member of the Rajya Sabha (2003–09) and the Planning Commission of India.
National Education Policy (NEP): Kasturirangan headed a committee that created India’s NEP 2020.
- The Draft New Education Policy 2019, prepared by the committee, became the basis for NEP 2020.

Environment

High-Level Working Group on the Western Ghats: He was chairperson of the working group, which is also known as the K. Kasturirangan Committee.
- Established in 2012 to revise and reconsider the earlier Gadgil Committee report recommendations.
- The Gadgil report recommended designating the entire Western Ghats region as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) and classifying the region into 3 Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ 1, 2, and 3) with varying levels of permissible development.
Major Recommendations: The committee sought a more moderate approach to protecting the Western Ghats, balancing environmental concerns with development needs.
- It proposed that only 37% of the Western Ghats area be designated as an ESA.
- Suggested banning mining, thermal power plants, and highly polluting industries in these zones.

Awards

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in Engineering Sciences (1983)
Padma Shri (1982)
Padma Bhushan (1992)
Padma Vibhushan (2000)

{Prelims – PIN} Pandit Chatur Lal (1925-1965)

Context (IE): The Department of Posts, Government of India, will release a commemorative stamp to honour tabla exponent Pandit Chatur Lal.

Credit: The Shillong Times

Born in Udaipur, Chatur Lal came from a family of court musicians and farmers. He learned tabla under the aegis of Ustad Abdul Hafiz Ahmed Khan.
He, Pandit Ravi Shankar, and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan introduced Indian classical music to the West in the mid-1950s.
- Pandit Chatur Lal is the 1^st Indian percussionist to introduce tabla to the West in the 1950s.
Known for his expressive style, speed, and deep rhythmic understanding, he elevated the status of the tabla as a solo and accompanying instrument.
In 1957, Pandit Chatur Lal, along with Pandit Ravi Shankar, received an Oscar nomination for the music of the Canadian short film “A Chairy Tale,” which also won a Special BAFTA Award.
In 1962, he had the honor of performing for Queen Elizabeth II at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in India.

{Species – Invasive} Asian Hornet (Yellow-legged hornet)

Context (DTE): Asian hornet sightings in the UK have surged, with evidence confirming the species’ successful breeding and overwintering.

Vespa velutina is around 25mm long; black velvety thorax, yellow legs & orange-yellow abdominal band.
Native to Southeast Asia, introduced to Europe in 2004 via a Chinese pottery shipment. Now invasive in 15 European countries.
It is a predatory insect that feeds on other social bees and wasps, mainly targeting honeybees and killing them mid-flight, thus significantly reducing pollinator populations.
It is a very aggressive species, and its sting is excruciating.

It is distinct from the infamous Asian Giant Hornet, also called “murder hornet,“ a different and larger species found in parts of Asia, including Japan.
While both species are predators of bees, the Yellow-Legged Hornet has become a particular concern in parts of Europe due to its invasive nature and impact on local ecosystems.