UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 January 2026
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 January 2026 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles
InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.
Table of Contents
GS Paper 2:
• Judicial Removal — Tough Law with a Loophole
Judicial Removal — Tough Law with a Loophole
GS Paper 3:
• Roadmap for Green Transition of MSMEs
Roadmap for Green Transition of MSMEs
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• National Legislative Index (NLI)
National Legislative Index (NLI)
• Operation Trashi-I
Operation Trashi-I
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
• Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
• Spain joined Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)
Spain joined Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)
• Solar Radiation Storm
Solar Radiation Storm
• Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988
Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988
Mapping:
• Arabian Sea
Arabian Sea
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 January 2026
GS Paper 2 :
Judicial Removal — Tough Law with a Loophole
Source: TH
Subject: Judiciary – Polity
Context: In December 2025, 107 Members of Parliament from the INDIA bloc submitted a notice for the removal of Justice G.R. Swaminathan of the Madras High Court, citing alleged bias and acting against secular principles.
About Judicial Removal — Tough Law with a Loophole:
What it is?
• Judicial removal is the constitutional process of ousting a judge of the Supreme Court or High Court from office before their tenure ends. While commonly called impeachment, the Constitution specifically uses this term only for the President; for judges, it refers to it as
Constitutional Articles Associated:
• Article 124(4): Outlines the grounds (proved misbehaviour/incapacity) and the voting threshold for removing a Supreme Court judge.
• Article 124(5): Empowers Parliament to legislate the procedure for investigation and proof of misbehaviour.
• Article 217(1)(b): States that a High Court judge can be removed in the same manner as a Supreme Court judge.
• Article 218: Formally applies the provisions of Article 124(4) and (5) to High Court judges.
Terms and Conditions:
• Grounds: Removal can only occur on grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
• Signature Requirement: A notice must be signed by at least 100 members of the Lok Sabha or 50 members of the Rajya Sabha.
• Judicial Standards: Misbehaviour includes corruption, lack of integrity, or wilful abuse of judicial office (M. Krishna Swami v. Union of India).
• Investigative Committee: A three-member committee (SC judge, HC Chief Justice, and a jurist) must verify the charges.
• Special Majority: The motion must be passed by a majority of the total membership and two-thirds of those present and voting in each House.
Procedure of Removal:
• Submission of Motion: The signed notice is handed to the Speaker (LS) or Chairman (RS).
• Admission: The Presiding Officer decides whether to admit or reject the motion at the threshold.
• Investigation: If admitted, an inquiry committee is formed to investigate the specific charges.
• Parliamentary Debate: If the committee finds the judge guilty, the House takes up the motion for debate.
• Presidential Order: If passed by both Houses with a special majority, the President issues the final removal order.
Flaws in Judicial Removal:
• Threshold Arbitrariness: The Presiding Officer can reject a motion signed by 100+ MPs without assigning detailed reasons.
E.g. In 2018, the Rajya Sabha Chairman rejected the removal motion against CJI Dipak Misra at the threshold, leading to claims of administrative overreach.
• Political Bottleneck: Since the Speaker/Chairman often belongs to the ruling party, removal motions against favourable judges can be blocked.
E.g. Critics argue the recent notice against Justice Swaminathan (2025) faces a high risk of rejection because the presiding officer acts as a statutory authority rather than a neutral judge.
• Lack of Definition: Misbehaviour is not defined in the Constitution, leaving room for subjective interpretation by the Inquiry Committee.
E.g. The 2015 motion against Justice J.B. Pardiwala for objectionable remarks showed how ideological disagreements can be framed as misbehaviour.
• Procedural Opacity: The preliminary examination by the Speaker happens behind closed doors before any judicial investigation begins.
E.g. In the Justice Yashwant Varma case (2025), the Supreme Court noted that the Secretariat’s administrative role sometimes improperly drifts into quasi-adjudicatory territory.
• The Lapse Loophole: If a motion is rejected at the start, the entire constitutional mechanism becomes infructuous (useless), regardless of the evidence.
E.g. Despite 107 MPs signing the 2025 motion against Justice Swaminathan, if the Speaker refuses admission, the charges are never legally investigated.
Way Ahead:
• Define Admissibility: Amend the Judges (Inquiry) Act to clearly spell out the criteria for admitting a motion to prevent arbitrary rejections.
• Time-bound Investigation: Introduce mandatory timelines for the Presiding Officer to decide on the admission of a motion.
• Judicial Review: Ensure that the decision to reject a removal motion at the threshold is subject to a transparent judicial review by a Constitution Bench.
• Independent Secretariat: Empower an independent body, rather than the Speaker’s office, to perform the initial administrative check of the motion’s validity.
• Codify Misbehaviour: Formally define the categories of judicial misconduct to separate judicial error (which should be appealed) from misbehaviour (which warrants removal).
Conclusion:
The current framework for judicial removal strikes a delicate but flawed balance between judicial independence and accountability. By granting the Speaker absolute discretion to kill a motion at the threshold, the law creates a loophole that can be exploited for political ends. Reforming this statutory stage is essential to ensure that serious charges against the judiciary are tested by evidence rather than blocked by administrative whims.
Q. “Anti-corruption laws fail when protection mechanisms become shields for misconduct.” Critically analyse this statement. Discuss the constitutional concerns involved. Also suggest measures to ensure a balance between protection of honest officials and accountability in public office. (15 M)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 January 2026 GS Paper 3:
Roadmap for Green Transition of MSMEs
Source: PIB
Subject: Economy -MSME
Context: NITI Aayog released a landmark report titled “Roadmap for Green Transition of MSMEs” alongside decarbonisation strategies for the cement and aluminium sectors.
• This initiative aligns with India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
About Roadmap for Green Transition of MSMEs:
What it is?
• The Roadmap is a strategic 10-year action plan designed to guide India’s 69 million Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) toward sustainable, low-carbon growth.
• It identifies three primary levers for decarbonisation: Energy Efficiency, Green Electricity, and Alternative Fuels.
• The report proposes a dedicated institutional framework, including a National Project Management Agency (NPMA), to drive on-ground implementation through demand aggregation and financial incentives.
Key Trends and Data on Indian MSMEs:
• Economic Backbone: MSMEs contribute nearly 30% to India’s GDP and approximately 45.7% of total exports.
• Employment Engine: The sector provides jobs to over 250 million people, ranking second only to agriculture in employment generation.
• Emissions Footprint: MSMEs emitted approximately 135 million tonnes of CO2e in 2022, primarily due to heavy reliance on fossil fuels.
• Energy Intensity: The sector consumes over 25% of the total energy used by the industrial sector in India.
• Cluster Concentration: Most MSMEs operate in clusters; there are over 140 major industrial clusters in India, some producing up to 80% of specific national goods.
Need for Green Transition of MSME:
• Global Market Access: MSMEs must decarbonise to meet international environmental standards and remain competitive in global supply chains.
E.g. The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), effective 2026, will impose carbon costs on Indian exports like steel and textile.
• Building Climate Resilience: MSMEs are highly vulnerable to climate-related disruptions which threaten their daily operations and survival
E.g. Cyclone Michaung (2023) affected 4,800 MSME units in Tamil Nadu, resulting in losses of approximately $360 million.
• Long-term Profitability: Adopting modern, cleaner machinery reduces energy bills and operational costs, leading to better financial health.
E.g. MSMEs adopting green technologies typically see payback periods of 1-5 years, after which savings directly boost profit margins.
• Regulatory Compliance: New domestic frameworks require transparency in sustainability metrics, making green practices a legal necessity.
E.g. The Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework now mandates the top 1,000 listed Indian companies to report on their value chain (Scope 3) emissions.
• Meeting National Targets: The sector’s transition is indispensable for India to reach its goal of 500 GW renewable capacity by 2030.
E.g. MSME energy demand is projected to rise by 50% by 2030, making low-carbon growth essential to balance industrial expansion with climate pledges.
Initiatives Taken for Green Transition:
• ADEETIE Scheme: Facilitates MSMEs to upgrade to energy-efficient technologies through interest subventions and technical handholding.
• GIFT Scheme: Provides concessional institutional finance for green projects like waste management and clean transportation.
• SPICE Initiative: Supports the adoption of circular economy practices in sectors like plastics and electronics.
• ZED Certification: The Zero Defect Zero Effect scheme promotes quality manufacturing with minimal environmental impact.
• PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: Although primarily residential, the roadmap proposes extending similar rooftop solar subsidies to micro-enterprises.
Challenges Associated with Green Transition:
• Limited Access to Finance: High perceived risk and lack of collateral prevent MSMEs from securing low-interest green loans.
E.g. Banks often view MSME lending as risky due to low credit scores, making green technology investments difficult for small units.
• Technology Awareness Gap: Many units are unaware of the latest energy-efficient innovations or how to implement them.
E.g. Only 1 in 25 small businesses currently measure their carbon emissions, highlighting a massive gap in technical knowledge.
• Fragmented Supply Chains: The unorganized nature of the sector makes it hard to implement large-scale, uniform green solutions.
E.g. Small, scattered units in the brick and foundry sectors struggle to source consistent biomass or natural gas compared to large industries.
• High Upfront Costs: The initial capital required for green machinery often exceeds the annual turnover of micro-enterprises.
E.g. Behind-the-Meter solar installations are attractive but require high initial capex that most cash-strapped MSMEs cannot afford.
• Lack of Trust in Models: There is a trust deficit between MSMEs and third-party service providers like Energy Service Companies (ESCOs).
E.g. MSMEs often fail to collaborate with ESCOs despite performance guarantees because they do not fully understand the Pay-as-You-Save mechanism.
Way Ahead:
• Establishment of NPMA: Operationalize the National Project Management Agency to manage clusters and distribute subsidies effectively.
• Demand Aggregation: Bundle the requirements of multiple MSME units to negotiate better prices for solar panels and energy-efficient motors.
• Climate Sister Impact Fund (CSIF): Create a hybrid debt/equity fund to provide concessional capital specifically for emerging low-carbon technologies.
• Standardized MRV: Implement a simplified Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification tool to help MSMEs track and certify their emission reductions.
• Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA): Establish a secretary-level committee to ensure new environmental regulations do not place an unfair economic burden on small units.
Conclusion:
The green transition is no longer an option but a strategic necessity for the survival and global competitiveness of Indian MSMEs. By addressing structural barriers through targeted financial support and institutional mechanisms like the NPMA, India can empower its smallest enterprises to lead the green industrial revolution. Successfully navigating this roadmap will ensure that MSMEs remain the engine of an inclusive, resilient, and Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Q. Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a vital role in the Indian economy. Recognizing and addressing their challenges while leveraging their strengths is crucial for sustaining and enhancing their role in the nation’s growth. Evaluate. (250 words)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 January 2026 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
National Legislative Index (NLI)
Context: At the 86th All India Presiding Officers Conference, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced the initiation of a National Legislative Index (NLI) to objectively assess and compare the performance of legislatures.
About National Legislative Index (NLI):
What it is?
• The National Legislative Index is a proposed performance-evaluation framework to objectively measure and compare the functioning of Parliament and State Legislatures using predefined indicators.
• To promote healthy competition among legislatures.
• To enhance efficiency, accountability, and quality of legislative deliberation.
• To make legislatures more people-centric and outcome-oriented.
Key features:
• Objective performance metrics: Assesses legislatures on measurable parameters such as number of sittings, legislative output, committee work, and utilisation of House time, reducing subjective political judgement.
• Comparative and competitive framework: Enables comparison across Parliament and State Legislatures to foster healthy competition and best-practice sharing.
• Accountability & transparency focus: Encourages discipline, quality debate, and citizen-centric law making by linking performance with public scrutiny.
Significance:
• Discourages disruptions and improves deliberative quality, reinforcing legislatures as core pillars of constitutional democracy.
• Aligns institutional performance with long-term national development goals by making legislatures more efficient and outcome-oriented.
Relevance for UPSC examination
• GS Paper II: Polity & Governance
• Parliament and State Legislatures: Functioning, efficiency, reforms Accountability mechanisms and democratic institutions Role of Presiding Officers as custodians of constitutional values
• Parliament and State Legislatures: Functioning, efficiency, reforms
• Accountability mechanisms and democratic institutions
• Role of Presiding Officers as custodians of constitutional values
• GS Paper IV: Ethics in Public Administration
• Institutional ethics, responsibility, and probity in governance Reducing disruptions; promoting deliberative democracy
• Institutional ethics, responsibility, and probity in governance
• Reducing disruptions; promoting deliberative democracy
Operation Trashi-I
Context: Operation Trashi-I entered its fourth day in January 2026 as security forces intensified counter-terrorism operations in the dense forests of Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir.
About Operation Trashi-I:
What it is?
• Operation Trashi-I is a multi-day counter-terrorism and area-domination operation aimed at tracking, neutralising, and dismantling terrorist groups operating in the forested belts of the Chatroo region in Kishtwar district.
Launched by: The operation is being conducted jointly by the Indian Army, Jammu & Kashmir Police (including SOG), and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), based on specific intelligence inputs.
• To eliminate terrorists using forest cover as hideouts
• To destroy terrorist logistics and hideouts
• To disrupt infiltration and movement routes linking Jammu region to the Kashmir Valley
Significance:
• Kishtwar lies on a traditional militant transit route from Kathua–Udhampur–Doda towards Kashmir
• Indicates a shift of terrorist focus from Kashmir Valley to forested Jammu regions
• Use of aerial surveillance, sniffer dogs, and human intelligence reflects modern counter-insurgency doctrine
Relevance for UPSC examination
• GS Paper III – Internal Security
• Challenges of terrorism and insurgency in border and hinterland areas Role of intelligence-based counter-terrorism operations Use of technology and multi-agency coordination in internal security Infiltration routes and cross-border terrorism dynamics
• Challenges of terrorism and insurgency in border and hinterland areas
• Role of intelligence-based counter-terrorism operations
• Use of technology and multi-agency coordination in internal security
• Infiltration routes and cross-border terrorism dynamics
• GS Paper II – Governance & Federal Relations
• Centre–UT coordination in maintaining public order Role of CAPFs in aid to civil authorities
• Centre–UT coordination in maintaining public order
• Role of CAPFs in aid to civil authorities
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 January 2026 Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
Source: PMI
Subject: Government Scheme
Context: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister of India has approved the continuation of Atal Pension Yojana (APY) up to 2030–31, along with extended funding for outreach, development, and gap funding.
About Atal Pension Yojana (APY):
What it is?
• Atal Pension Yojana is a voluntary, government-backed pension scheme that provides a guaranteed monthly pension to citizens, especially workers in the unorganised sector, after the age of 60.
Launched in: 9 May 2015
Organisation / Implementing authority
• Administered by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
• Implemented through banks and post offices.
• To ensure old-age income security for poor, underprivileged, and unorganised sector workers.
• To promote financial inclusion and long-term retirement savings.
Key features:
• Guaranteed pension of ₹1,000 / ₹2,000 / ₹3,000 / ₹4,000 / ₹5,000 per month after 60 years
• Eligibility: Indian citizens aged 18–40 years with a savings bank/post office account
• Contribution-based, auto-debited monthly/quarterly/half-yearly till age 60
• Spouse pension & nominee benefit: Same pension to spouse after subscriber’s death; corpus returned to nominee thereafter.
• Income-tax payers not eligible for new enrolment after 1 October 2022
• Funds invested as per PFRDA guidelines through approved pension funds
Significance:
• Provides social security and dignity in old age to crores of unorganised workers.
• Deepens financial inclusion and supports India’s transition towards a pensioned society.
Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
Source: TOI
Subject: Economy
Context: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister of India approved an equity infusion of ₹5,000 crore into Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).
About Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI):
What it is?
• SIDBI is the principal financial institution for promotion, financing, and development of the MSME sector in India, and for coordinating institutions engaged in MSME financing.
Established in: April 1990, through an Act of Parliament.
Headquarters: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
History:
• Established in 1990 as a wholly owned subsidiary of IDBI Bank.
• Delinked from IDBI in March 2000.
• One of the five All India Financial Institutions (AIFIs) regulated and supervised by RBI (others include NABARD, Exim Bank, NHB, NaBFID).
Key functions:
• Refinance support to banks, SFBs and NBFCs: Supplies bulk, low-cost funds to lending institutions so they can scale up MSME lending without balance-sheet stress.
• Direct lending to MSMEs: Provides loans straight to MSMEs for fixed capital and working capital where bank credit is inadequate or unavailable.
• Collateral-free and digital credit products: Enables MSME loans without physical collateral using digital data, reducing entry barriers for small firms.
• Venture debt and startup financing: Offers non-equity funding to startups and growth-stage MSMEs to support innovation and expansion.
• Developmental initiatives (Udyami Mitra, handholding): Acts as a facilitation platform linking MSMEs with banks, credit products, and advisory support.
• Support to microfinance institutions: Channels funds and institutional support to MFIs to extend credit to micro-enterprises at the grassroots level.
Significance:
• Acts as the backbone of MSME credit architecture in India.
• Enhances employment generation, financial inclusion, and formalisation.
Spain joined Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)
Source: NIE
Subject: International Relations
Context: Spain has formally joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), with its Foreign Minister handing over the Declaration of Accession to S. Jaishankar.
About Spain joined Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI):
What it is?
• The Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) is a non-treaty, voluntary, cooperative framework for practical maritime collaboration among like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
Launched in: 2019 (announced at the East Asia Summit, Bangkok).
Launched by: India, building on the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine
• To promote a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
• To address maritime challenges through practical cooperation, not military alliances.
• To balance security, development, and sustainability in the maritime domain.
Key features:
• Seven thematic pillars: Maritime Security Maritime Ecology Maritime Resources Capacity Building & Resource Sharing Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Science, Technology & Academic Cooperation Trade, Connectivity & Maritime Transport
• Maritime Security
• Maritime Ecology
• Maritime Resources
• Capacity Building & Resource Sharing
• Disaster Risk Reduction & Management
• Science, Technology & Academic Cooperation
• Trade, Connectivity & Maritime Transport
• Non-military, non-bloc approach focused on cooperation.
• Emphasis on Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), sustainability, and infrastructure resilience.
• Countries can voluntarily lead individual pillars.
Significance:
• Expands IPOI’s global legitimacy, especially with European participation.
• Strengthens India’s role as a net security provider and agenda-setter in the Indo-Pacific.
• Counters rising great-power rivalry by promoting inclusive multilateralism.
Solar Radiation Storm
Source: ET
Subject: Geography
Context: The Sun unleashed the largest solar radiation storm in over 20 years, ranked S4 (Severe) by the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, causing intense auroras across Europe and disruptions to aviation GPS systems.
About Solar Radiation Storm:
What it is?
• A solar radiation storm occurs when the Sun ejects extremely fast, high-energy charged particles—mainly protons—towards Earth following powerful solar eruptions.
• These particles can penetrate Earth’s magnetic shield and pose risks to space-based and high-altitude technologies.
How it forms?
• Triggered by X-class solar flares, the most intense category of solar flares.
• Often accompanied by a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), where plasma and magnetic fields are expelled from the Sun’s corona.
• Charged particles accelerated to near-light speeds reach Earth in minutes to hours, travelling ~150 million km.
Measurement & classification:
• Classified using the NOAA Space Weather Scale (S1–S5).
• Based on proton flux ≥ 10 MeV, measured by GOES satellites in geosynchronous orbit.
• S4 storms are rare and last occurred during the Halloween Storms of October 2003.
Implications on Earth:
• Space & astronaut safety: Increased radiation exposure for astronauts aboard the International Space Station.
• Aviation: Radiation risk for polar flights; GPS and HF radio disruptions.
• Satellites: Damage to electronics, navigation errors, orbital drag changes.
• Power grids: Geomagnetic storms linked to transformer damage.
• Auroras: Intense aurora borealis and australis visible far beyond polar regions.
Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988
Source: TH
Subject: Government act and bills
Context: A two-judge Bench of the Supreme Court of India delivered a split verdict on the constitutional validity of Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, which mandates prior approval before investigating public servants.
About Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988:
What it is?
• Section 17A, inserted by the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, bars any police officer from conducting an enquiry, inquiry, or investigation into offences under the Act without prior approval of the competent authority, where the alleged offence relates to a decision or recommendation made in official duty
Key features of the 2018 Amendment (Section 17A):
• Prior approval mandatory at investigation stage for acts linked to official decisions or recommendations
• Competent authority defined: Union Government, State Government, or authority competent to remove the official from service, as applicable
• Exception for trap cases: No prior approval required when a public servant is caught red-handed accepting bribe
• Time-bound approval: Decision to be conveyed within 3 months, extendable by 1 month with recorded reasons
• Distinct from Section 19, which requires sanction only at the prosecution stage, not investigation
Court rulings and judicial trajectory: (Useful for mains)
• Vineet Narain vs Union of India (1998): SC struck down the Single Directive requiring prior approval for investigation, holding it violated Article 14 (equality before law).
• Dr Subramanian Swamy vs Director, CBI (2014): Section 6A of the DSPE Act (prior approval for senior officers) was struck down as unconstitutional.
• Current split verdict (2026): Justice K. V. Viswanathan: Upheld Section 17A conditionally, stressing protection for honest officers; held approval must be independent, preferably routed through Lokpal/Lokayuktas. Justice B. V. Nagarathna: Held Section 17A unconstitutional, calling it old wine in a new bottle, already invalidated in earlier rulings; Section 19 offers sufficient safeguard.
• Justice K. V. Viswanathan: Upheld Section 17A conditionally, stressing protection for honest officers; held approval must be independent, preferably routed through Lokpal/Lokayuktas.
• Justice B. V. Nagarathna: Held Section 17A unconstitutional, calling it old wine in a new bottle, already invalidated in earlier rulings; Section 19 offers sufficient safeguard.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 January 2026 Mapping:
Arabian Sea
Source: DH
Subject: Mapping
Context: Unusual boiling or bubbling of seawater has been reported in the Arabian Sea off the Gujarat coast, raising concerns among fishermen and authorities.
About Arabian Sea:
What it is?
• The Arabian Sea is a northwestern arm of the Indian Ocean, forming a crucial maritime space linking Europe, West Asia, Africa, and South Asia, and serving as one of the world’s busiest sea routes.
Bordering nations:
• India, Pakistan, Iran, Oman, Yemen, and Somalia.
• Connected to the Persian Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz and to the Red Sea via the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
Key geological features:
• Formed ~50 million years ago due to the collision of the Indian Plate with Eurasia.
• Dominated by deep basins: Arabian Basin and Somali Basin.
• Presence of Carlsberg Ridge and Murray Ridge – seismically active submarine ridges.
• Upwelling zones along Somali and Arabian coasts during the southwest monsoon.
Issue of the ‘boiling’ phenomenon:
• Characterised by intense churning and bubbling of seawater, resembling surface boiling
• Possible causes under examination: Natural methane or gas seepage from seabed. Underwater tectonic or volcanic activity along submarine ridges. Industrial causes, such as leakage from undersea pipelines or shipping-related disturbances.
• Natural methane or gas seepage from seabed.
• Underwater tectonic or volcanic activity along submarine ridges.
• Industrial causes, such as leakage from undersea pipelines or shipping-related disturbances.
• Risks involved: Threat to fishing activity and maritime navigation. Potential indicator of geological instability or industrial accidents.
• Threat to fishing activity and maritime navigation.
• Potential indicator of geological instability or industrial accidents.
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