APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (17/04/2025)
For APSC CCE and other Assam Competitive examinations aspirants, staying updated with current affairs is vital. This blog covers most important topics from the Assam Tribune today (17-04-2025). These issues are key for both APSC Prelims and Mains preparation, offering insights into the APSC CCE Syllabus.
✨ Current Affairs Crash Course for the APSC Prelims 2025
🕊️ 80 Countries Keen to Invest in Northeast: A Strategic Window for Assam
📘 GS Paper 2: Bilateral Relations | Government Policies | Act East Policy
📘 GS Paper 3: Investment & Infrastructure | Regional Development
🔹 Introduction
In a major diplomatic outreach, over 80 countries expressed interest in investing in India’s Northeastern region during an Ambassadors’ Meet hosted by the Ministry of DoNER. This marks a significant step toward integrating the Northeast into global supply chains, boosting regional development, and realizing the vision of the Act East Policy.
🔑 Key Points
| Feature | Description |
| Organised By | Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) |
| Event | Ambassadors’ Meet – prelude to the NE Investors’ Summit (May 2025) |
| Foreign Participation | Envoys from 80+ countries, including ASEAN, EU, Africa |
| Investment Sectors | IT, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, education, entertainment, skill development |
| Ministerial Remarks | Scindia emphasized the Northeast as a “connectivity and innovation hub” |
| Geopolitical Context | Focus on Northeast as a gateway to Southeast Asia, with proximity to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar |
| External Affairs Minister’s Role | Highlighted Kaladan Multimodal Transit and cross-border economic linkages |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Kaladan Multimodal Project: Connects Kolkata Port to Sittwe Port (Myanmar) via Mizoram.
Act East Policy: Evolved from Look East Policy; promotes connectivity, commerce, and culture with ASEAN and East Asia.
DoNER Ministry: Nodal body for planning and coordination of development programs in the Northeast.
North East Region (NER) Vision 2035: A NITI Aayog roadmap for inclusive, sustainable growth in the region.
India-ASEAN Connectivity: Includes Trilateral Highway (India–Myanmar–Thailand) project.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance for Assam and the Northeast
Geo-strategic Position: Borders 5 countries; ideal for cross-border trade and diplomacy.
Resource-Rich States: Untapped potential in agro-processing, bamboo, medicinal plants, and eco-tourism.
Youth and Skill Base: High literacy rates, English proficiency; potential BPO/KPO hubs.
Act East Policy Convergence: Establishes NER as a launchpad for regional economic diplomacy.
B. Challenges to Investment in the Northeast
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Infrastructure Deficits | Gaps in power, roads, logistics chains deter large-scale investments. |
| Land and Law Issues | Land acquisition, forest rights, and community ownership complicate projects. |
| Connectivity Bottlenecks | Limited rail-air-road links; ongoing but delayed projects. |
| Insurgency History | Though largely peaceful now, residual perception affects foreign interest. |
| Skilled Manpower Migration | Many skilled youth migrate out; need incentives for local entrepreneurship. |
C. Government Initiatives
North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS)
Digital North East Vision 2022: Broadband, e-governance, and digital literacy push
North East Investors’ Summit (May 2025): Platform for MoUs, FDI, and joint ventures
Development of North East Circuit under Swadesh Darshan: Promotes cultural and nature-based tourism
Border Area Development Programme (BADP): Enhancing border district infrastructure
D. Way Forward
Dedicated NE Investment Facilitation Cell: Assist foreign investors with clearances and local liaison.
Brand Northeast Campaign: Globally market its unique identity (handloom, green tea, biodiversity).
Public-Private-Academic Linkages: Create innovation hubs in collaboration with IITs, IIMs, and industry bodies.
Bilateral Infrastructure Corridors: Boost transport and energy grid links with Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar.
Cultural Diplomacy: Use diaspora and cultural icons to promote Assam and NER abroad.
🧩 Conclusion
The overwhelming response from 80 nations signals that the Northeast is no longer a periphery—it is a strategic and economic frontier. For Assam, this moment presents a historic opportunity to transform global goodwill into tangible development through smart policies, regional partnerships, and inclusive growth.
🗣️ Assamese Declared Official Language in 3 Autonomous Councils
📘 GS Paper 2: Indian Constitution | Official Language | Federalism | Governance in Northeast
📘 GS Paper 1: Culture and Identity | Society
🔹 Introduction
In a major decision to promote linguistic identity, the Assam Government has notified Assamese as the official language of three Autonomous Councils: Moran, Matak, and Kamatapur. This move is seen as part of a broader cultural consolidation effort, but also raises questions of inclusion, representation, and federal balance in a multilingual state like Assam.
🔑 Key Points
| Feature | Details |
| Councils Affected | Moran Autonomous Council, Matak Autonomous Council, Kamatapur Autonomous Council |
| Purpose | Administrative standardization, cultural integration |
| Notification By | Assam Government through a Cabinet decision |
| Communities Represented | Matak and Moran (indigenous communities); Kamatapuri (ethno-linguistic group in western Assam) |
| Rationale | Enhance administrative efficiency and promote Assamese identity |
| Criticism/Concern | Demands for recognition of Rajbanshi language by Kamatapuri groups remain unaddressed |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Autonomous Councils: Created under Sixth Schedule or state laws; granted legislative and executive autonomy on local matters.
Moran & Matak Communities: Tea tribe communities with significant presence in Upper Assam.
Kamatapur Movement: Linked to socio-cultural aspirations of the Rajbanshi-speaking population.
Official Language Act (Assam): Assamese is the official language of the state (with exceptions in certain regions).
Article 347 & 350A: Constitutional provisions for linguistic minorities and mother tongue education.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Significance of the Decision
Linguistic Unification: Promotes Assamese as a unifying administrative language.
State Identity Assertion: Counters perceived fragmentation from sub-ethnic identities.
Governance Efficiency: Simplifies official procedures and communication with state departments.
Cultural Visibility: Strengthens indigenous Assamese identity, especially among youth.
B. Challenges & Concerns
| Issue | Explanation |
| Linguistic Marginalization | Non-Assamese speaking communities (e.g., Rajbanshi, Sadri, Bodo) fear exclusion. |
| Violation of Federal Spirit | May undermine local autonomy, especially if the move wasn’t democratically debated. |
| Lack of Inclusive Consultation | Language decisions in multicultural states require broad community dialogue. |
| Policy vs. Practice | Implementation may face issues where Assamese isn’t the mother tongue. |
C. Government & Legal Frameworks
Assam Official Language (Amendment) Act
Bodo Accord (2020): Recognized Bodo as associate official language in BTR
State Language Policy Guidelines (NEP 2020): Promote mother tongue-based multilingual education
Sixth Schedule vs. State Acts: Many councils like Karbi Anglong, BTC have special rights on cultural and language matters
D. Way Forward
Linguistic Mapping: Conduct surveys to assess linguistic composition and preferences.
Official Bilingualism/Multilingualism: Introduce Rajbanshi and other local languages in parallel administrative use.
Decentralized Language Committees: Empower councils to decide language policy with community consensus.
Language Rights Education: Promote awareness on constitutional safeguards for minorities.
Inclusive Development Messaging: Ensure cultural autonomy is maintained along with state integration.
🧩 Conclusion
While the notification of Assamese as the official language in three autonomous councils may enhance administrative alignment, it must be backed by dialogue, inclusion, and cultural sensitivity. Assam’s strength lies in its diversity, and future policy must reflect that plurality to preserve harmony and constitutional balance.
🌧️ IMD Predicts Normal Monsoon: A Boost for Agriculture and Economy
📘 GS Paper 1: Indian Geography – Climatology
📘 GS Paper 3: Agriculture | Economy | Disaster Management
🔹 Introduction
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a “normal” southwest monsoon for the year 2025, bringing relief to India’s agriculture-dependent states, including Assam. The forecast is crucial for planning crop sowing, managing flood risk, and shaping the rural economy, especially after erratic weather in the past two years.
🔑 Key Points
| Feature | Details |
| Forecast | Normal Monsoon – 96% to 104% of the Long Period Average (LPA) |
| Announced By | IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra |
| Influencing Factors | Neutral ENSO (El Niño–Southern Oscillation), La Niña likely in second half of season |
| Key Implication | Favourable for kharif sowing and rural economic activity |
| Assam Impact | Crucial for paddy (Sali) and jute cultivation, also for groundwater recharge |
| Monsoon Onset | Expected around June 1 (Kerala); around mid-June in Assam |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
LPA (Long Period Average): 87 cm is the 50-year average rainfall used as a monsoon benchmark in India.
ENSO Cycle: Alternates between El Niño (dry spells) and La Niña (wet spells); neutral condition expected early this year.
IMD Monsoon Classifications:
Normal: 96–104% of LPA
Deficient: <90%
Excess: >110%
Sali Paddy: Main monsoon-season rice crop in Assam, sown in June-July.
Jute: Another monsoon-dependent fibre crop widely grown in the Brahmaputra Valley.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Significance of a Normal Monsoon
Agricultural Boost: Assures better sowing of kharif crops, stabilizes rural incomes.
Food Inflation Control: Good harvest reduces pressure on food prices.
Power Sector Relief: Improved hydroelectric generation in Assam and Northeast.
Flood Management Planning: Accurate IMD forecasts aid in better early warning and response.
Water Security: Helps recharge groundwater and wetlands essential for drinking and irrigation.
B. Challenges Despite Normal Monsoon
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Intra-Seasonal Variability | Heavy rainfall in short bursts can cause urban floods and crop damage. |
| Flood-Prone Zones in Assam | Normal monsoon may still mean flood disaster in districts like Dhemaji, Barpeta, and Morigaon. |
| Irrigation Gaps | Many farmers still depend on rainfall due to lack of irrigation infrastructure. |
| Poor Forecast Dissemination | Many small/marginal farmers don’t receive real-time agro-climatic advisories. |
C. Government Preparedness & Schemes
IMD-AAS (Agromet Advisory Services): Weekly bulletins to guide farmers on sowing, irrigation, fertilizer application.
PM Fasal Bima Yojana: Insurance against crop loss due to weather anomalies.
FLOMIS (Flood Early Warning System): Used in Assam by ASDMA for flood-vulnerable regions.
Monsoon Mission-II: Multi-institution initiative to improve monsoon prediction models.
Soil Health & Irrigation Support: Via PMKSY and AI-based soil testing labs in Assam.
D. Way Forward
Micro-Irrigation Push: Expand drip/sprinkler systems to reduce rainfall dependency.
Localized Forecasting: Improve district-level agro-climatic predictions using AI and satellite data.
Crop Diversification Strategy: Promote pulses, oilseeds, and millets as climate-resilient alternatives.
Monsoon Literacy Programs: Teach farmers to interpret forecasts and advisories via Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
Sustainable Flood Zoning: Identify and regulate land-use in flood-prone areas before the onset of monsoon.
🧩 Conclusion
The IMD’s prediction of a normal monsoon in 2025 offers an optimistic outlook for Assam and India’s agrarian economy. However, preparedness and smart adaptation are essential to translate this forecast into food security, economic stability, and climate resilience, especially for vulnerable regions like Assam.
🐘 Elephant Welfare in Assam: Vet Training Programme Highlights Need for Institutional Reform
📘 GS Paper 3: Environment & Biodiversity | Animal Welfare
📘 GS Paper 2: Governance | Welfare Policies | Role of NGOs
🔹 Introduction
A 3-day training programme for veterinarians handling elephants was organized in Assam by the Project Elephant Division (MoEFCC) in collaboration with NGOs and research institutes. It emphasized the urgent need for improving elephant healthcare, habitat security, and ethical standards, especially in the context of rising human-elephant conflict and poor captive elephant welfare across Assam.
🔑 Key Points
| Feature | Details |
| Programme Focus | Specialized veterinary training for captive elephant management |
| Organised By | MoEFCC’s Project Elephant Division + NGOs like Wild Tusker Trust |
| Duration | 3-day programme at Assam State Zoo campus, Guwahati |
| Key Issues Discussed | Nutrition, mahout training, medical records, conflict injuries |
| Notable Speakers | Elephant biologists, forest officials, animal welfare advocates |
| Broader Context | Assam has one of the largest elephant populations (wild + captive) in India |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Project Elephant (1992): Centrally sponsored scheme to protect elephants and their habitats.
Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus): IUCN status – Endangered; Schedule I under WPA 1972.
Assam Elephant Population: Approx. 5,700+ wild elephants as per recent census.
Captive Elephants in Assam: Used in tourism, temples, forest patrols — often poorly monitored.
Human-Elephant Conflict Hotspots: Goalpara, Udalguri, Sonitpur, and parts of Barak Valley.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Significance of the Issue
Biodiversity Conservation: Elephants are a keystone species vital for forest health.
Cultural Value: Elephants are integral to Assamese traditions, festivals, and forest-based livelihoods.
Veterinary Neglect: Many captive elephants suffer from untreated injuries, poor nutrition, and outdated practices.
Legal and Ethical Accountability: Elephant management must align with wildlife protection laws and ethical welfare standards.
B. Key Challenges
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Poor Recordkeeping | Lack of medical and movement records for captive elephants. |
| Outdated Handling Methods | Mahouts often lack formal training; cruel practices still prevalent. |
| Habitat Fragmentation | Leads to increased conflict and elephant injuries. |
| Weak Law Enforcement | Illegal ownership, trading, and use of elephants continues in parts of NE. |
| Limited Veterinary Specialization | Very few trained wildlife vets, especially for large mammals. |
C. Government and NGO Initiatives
Gaj Yatra Campaign: Public awareness initiative for elephant corridors.
Elephant Corridors Identification: Assam has ~20 identified corridors; many encroached.
MoEFCC Guidelines on Elephant Welfare: Regulate handling, nutrition, vet care for captive elephants.
Project Elephant Cell (Assam Forest Department): Coordinates rescue and rehabilitation.
NGO Role: Wild Tusker Trust, WTI, WWF-India — play key roles in training, rescue, and sensitization.
D. Way Forward
Mandatory Vet Certification: Create a certified wildlife vet cadre trained in large mammal care.
Digital Elephant Passport: Maintain real-time medical, age, and movement logs.
Ethical Tourism Regulation: Allow elephant use only under certified welfare conditions.
Expand Mahout Training Schools: Combine traditional knowledge with scientific methods.
Corridor Restoration: Remove encroachments, incentivize community-led conflict prevention.
🧩 Conclusion
The veterinary training programme is a small but crucial step toward institutionalizing elephant welfare in Assam. The state must now translate such efforts into a comprehensive elephant welfare policy — one that respects the elephant as both a symbol of nature and culture, and ensures its survival amid rapid environmental change.
APSC Prelims Practice Questions
🕊️ Topic 1: Investment in Northeast – Ambassadors’ Meet
Q1. Which of the following are objectives of India’s Act East Policy?
- Enhancing economic and strategic relations with ASEAN and East Asian countries
- Promoting infrastructural connectivity in the Northeastern region of India
- Prioritizing cultural exchange and people-to-people contacts with Eastern neighbours
- Expanding India’s naval presence in the Mediterranean region
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 4 only
C. 2 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
✅ Answer: A
🧠 Explanation: Act East Policy focuses on East Asia and ASEAN, not the Mediterranean region. Statements 1, 2, and 3 align with India’s geopolitical and regional development goals, especially via the Northeast.
Q2. The Kaladan Multimodal Transit Project, recently mentioned in India’s Northeast investment discourse, connects:
A. India – Myanmar – Thailand – Laos
B. Mizoram – Sittwe Port – Kolkata
C. Kolkata Port – Sittwe Port – Mizoram
D. Imphal – Dhaka – Sittwe
✅ Answer: C
🧠 Explanation: Kaladan Project connects Kolkata Port (India) to Sittwe Port (Myanmar) via sea and further links to Mizoram through river and road routes.
🗣️ Topic 2: Assamese as Official Language in Autonomous Councils
Q3. Consider the following Autonomous Councils in Assam:
- Moran
- Matak
- Kamatapur
- Tiwa
- Rabha Hasong
In which of the above councils has Assamese been recently declared the official language?
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 2, 3 and 5 only
C. 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
D. All of the above
✅ Answer: A
🧠 Explanation: Only Moran, Matak, and Kamatapur Councils are mentioned in the 17 April 2025 decision. Tiwa and Rabha Hasong are not part of this language notification.
Q4. Article 350A of the Indian Constitution deals with:
A. Official language of the Union
B. Preservation of distinct language and culture of tribes
C. Facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage
D. Promotion of Hindi as a national language
✅ Answer: C
🧠 Explanation: Article 350A mandates that every state provide primary education in a child’s mother tongue, especially for linguistic minority groups.
🌧️ Topic 3: IMD Monsoon Forecast
Q5. According to IMD classification, a “normal monsoon” implies:
A. Rainfall between 90%–95% of LPA
B. Rainfall between 96%–104% of LPA
C. Rainfall more than 110% of LPA
D. Rainfall below 85% of LPA
✅ Answer: B
🧠 Explanation: “Normal monsoon” is defined as 96–104% of the Long Period Average (LPA), which is currently ~87 cm for India.
Q6. The phenomenon of La Niña, often linked with above-normal monsoon in India, is characterized by:
A. Warming of Central Pacific Ocean
B. Cooling of Eastern Pacific Ocean
C. Strong westerly winds over Atlantic
D. Sudden stratospheric warming over Arctic
✅ Answer: B
🧠 Explanation: La Niña involves cooling of the eastern and central Pacific Ocean waters, which generally leads to enhanced monsoon rainfall in India.
🐘 Topic 4: Elephant Welfare in Assam
Q7. With reference to Project Elephant, consider the following statements:
- It is a centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- It includes both in-situ and ex-situ measures for elephant conservation.
- It covers only wild elephants, not captive elephants.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: A
🧠 Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Project Elephant also covers captive elephant welfare, especially in forest camps and zoos, making statement 3 incorrect.
Q8. Which of the following best describes a keystone species?
A. A species that is hunted in large numbers
B. A species with the highest population in the ecosystem
C. A species whose impact on the ecosystem is disproportionately large relative to its abundance
D. A species introduced into an ecosystem to balance invasive plants
✅ Answer: C
🧠 Explanation: Elephants are keystone species — their role in seed dispersal, forest regeneration, and ecosystem structuring far exceeds their population share.
APSC Mains Practice Question
📝 Mains Question (GS Paper 2 & 3 – Governance | Federalism | Society | Language Policy)
Q.
“Language is not just a means of administration, but a marker of identity, inclusion, and federal balance.”
In the light of the recent declaration of Assamese as the official language in three autonomous councils, critically examine the role of language policy in a multicultural state like Assam.
✅ Model Answer
🔹 Introduction
Language policy in a diverse state like Assam is a delicate balancing act between fostering administrative uniformity and respecting the linguistic rights of different communities. The Assam Government’s decision to declare Assamese as the official language in Moran, Matak, and Kamatapur Autonomous Councils reflects this complexity, igniting both support and apprehension.
🔹 Significance of the Move
| Dimension | Impact |
| Administrative Efficiency | Using Assamese across councils ensures easier coordination with state departments. |
| Cultural Consolidation | Strengthens Assamese as a shared civilizational identity in the Brahmaputra Valley. |
| State Identity Assertion | Counters fragmentation arising from sub-ethnic language demands. |
| Linguistic Visibility | Promotes the use of Assamese in official records, education, and governance. |
🔹 Concerns and Challenges
| Issue | Explanation |
| Linguistic Marginalization | Groups like the Rajbanshis in Kamatapur fear erasure of their own language aspirations. |
| Autonomy vs Centralization | Imposing a state language on autonomous councils may undermine the spirit of decentralization. |
| Democratic Deficit | Questions over whether the decision was consulted with local communities or elected bodies. |
| Policy-Practice Gap | Language use on paper may not translate into real administrative empowerment or accessibility. |
🔹 Constitutional and Policy Framework
- Article 347: Empowers recognition of additional official languages on demand of substantial populations.
- Article 350A: Guarantees mother tongue instruction at the primary level for linguistic minorities.
- NEP 2020: Advocates multilingualism and encourages mother-tongue education, especially in tribal areas.
- Sixth Schedule (where applicable): Empowers autonomous councils to legislate on cultural and language matters.
🔹 Way Forward: A Linguistically Sensitive Policy
1. Official Multilingualism
- Adopt Assamese + regional language as dual official languages where demanded (e.g., Assamese + Rajbanshi).
2. Language Mapping
- Conduct detailed surveys to determine the linguistic profile of council areas before policy decisions.
3. Decentralized Language Committees
- Let Autonomous Councils decide language use for education and administration, in consultation with communities.
4. Language Rights Awareness
- Launch campaigns on constitutional provisions and rights of linguistic minorities.
5. Cultural Integration, Not Assimilation
- Promote festivals, texts, and oral traditions of all communities to build a pluralistic identity.
🔹 Conclusion
Language policy, when executed without cultural sensitivity, can deepen social fault lines. In Assam — a linguistic and ethnic mosaic — the challenge is not merely administrative, but deeply democratic. A bottom-up, inclusive, and flexible approach to language recognition is the only way to ensure that state unity does not come at the cost of local identity.
✨ APSC Prelims Crash Course, 2025
🔔 Join Our WhatsApp Study Group!
For exclusive access to premium quality content, including study materials, current affairs, MCQs, and model answers for APSC CCE and other Assam competitive exams.
Click here to join: SuchitraACS Study WhatsApp Group
📚 Want to know more about SuchitraACS’s most affordable courses?
Click here to know more: SuchitraACS Courses for APSC CCE and Assam Competitive Examinations
