APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (22/04/2025)
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 (22-04-2025). 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
🌍 ISRO’s SPADEX Docking: Boosting India’s In-Space Capabilities
📘 GS Paper 3: Science & Technology | Space Technology | Strategic Development
📘 GS Paper 2: Government Policies | International Cooperation in Space
🔹 Introduction
India has successfully completed the second in-space docking of satellites as part of ISRO’s Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) mission. This marks a historic step toward developing India’s capability for orbital servicing, space station operations, and manned missions, forming a foundation for future projects like the Bharatiya Antariksh Station and moon landings.
🔑 Key Highlights
| Feature | Description |
| Mission Name | SPADEX (Space Docking Experiment) |
| Conducted By | ISRO |
| First Docking | 16 January 2025 |
| Second Docking | 21 April 2025 (announced by MoS Jitendra Singh) |
| Launch Vehicle | PSLV-C60, launched on 30 Dec 2024 |
| Objective | Demonstrate cost-effective in-space docking using two small satellites |
🚀 Why Docking Matters
Enables manned missions and astronaut exchange
Supports space station assembly, refueling, and repair
Reduces mission cost through satellite servicing and reuse
Facilitates future international collaboration in space
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Docking: Process of joining two orbiting spacecraft. Essential for crew transfer and cargo movement.
SPADEX: First such in-space docking by India. It used miniaturized docking systems.
ISRO Human Spaceflight Vision: Includes Gaganyaan, Bharatiya Antariksh Station, lunar and interplanetary missions.
Past Examples: NASA’s Apollo, Russia’s Soyuz, China’s Tiangong space stations used advanced docking systems.
PSLV-C60: Part of ISRO’s workhorse series of satellite launch vehicles.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Significance for India
| Benefit | Explanation |
| Strategic Autonomy | Reduces dependence on international agencies for space support |
| Boosts Gaganyaan | Essential prelude to crew module docking in manned missions |
| Economic Edge | Enables satellite servicing and on-orbit repair, opening up space economy |
| Global Collaboration | Prepares India to be part of global space station partnerships |
| Skill Development | Enhances ISRO’s systems engineering, robotics, and mission management |
B. Challenges in In-Space Docking
| Challenge | Details |
| Precision Navigation | Requires exact orbit matching and relative motion control |
| Autonomous Control Systems | Complex algorithms to manage real-time corrections |
| Miniaturization & Design | High-tech engineering within limited payload mass |
| Thermal & Mechanical Stress | Safe docking and undocking must consider vibration and heat |
| Global Benchmarking | Competing with space giants like NASA, CNSA (China), Roscosmos |
C. Government Initiatives & Roadmap
Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) under ISRO — executing SPADEX, Gaganyaan, and station plans
Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) — fosters private sector in orbital tech
Bharatiya Antariksh Station planned by 2035
Policy Push: Draft Indian Space Policy (2023) enables private participation in key technologies
🧭 Way Forward
Strengthen R&D in autonomous docking, AI navigation, and space robotics
Boost International Collaboration with JAXA, NASA, ESA for space station and moon programs
Private Sector Involvement through startups and space tech companies in India
Training for Astronaut Corps using simulators based on SPADEX learnings
Public Outreach: Promote scientific temper by showcasing these space feats in schools & media
🧩 Conclusion
SPADEX represents a giant leap for Indian space engineering. With docking technology mastered, India has unlocked a core capability that powers space stations, interplanetary travel, and sustainable satellite management. It cements ISRO’s place in the global elite and aligns with India’s ambitions of being a space power by 2035.
🌳 Celebrating Earth Day 2025: Assam’s Green Push and the Global Climate Imperative
📘 GS Paper 3: Environment | Conservation | Climate Change
📘 GS Paper 2: Governance | Environmental Policies | International Commitments
🔹 Introduction
On Earth Day 2025 (April 22), Assam joined global observances with a renewed focus on sustainable development, reforestation, and climate adaptation. With the theme “Planet vs Plastics”, this year’s Earth Day highlighted the growing threat of plastic pollution, especially in ecologically sensitive regions like Northeast India.
🔑 Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
| Theme | Planet vs Plastics – combating microplastic and single-use pollution |
| Events in Assam | Tree plantations, eco-pledge drives, anti-plastic campaigns in schools and towns |
| State Concern | Assam generates over 500 tonnes of plastic waste daily; Brahmaputra River carries plastic downstream |
| Focus Districts | Kamrup Metro, Dibrugarh, Tezpur – linked to rising plastic load and urbanisation |
| Global Push | UN negotiating Plastics Treaty, India part of intergovernmental group |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Earth Day: Celebrated annually on April 22 since 1970; now observed in 190+ countries
Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 (amended 2022): Ban on select single-use plastics, extended producer responsibility (EPR)
State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC): Assam’s policy integrating climate-resilient planning
Microplastics: Fragments <5mm, now found in river water, fish, soil, and even rainfall
United Nations Plastics Treaty (UNEA Resolution 2022): Global agreement under negotiation to curb plastic production and waste
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Why Earth Day 2025 Matters for Assam
| Dimension | Explanation |
| River Pollution | Brahmaputra and tributaries now carry microplastics downstream to the Bay of Bengal |
| Health Risk | Plastic toxins found in fish, drinking water; linked to endocrine and digestive disorders |
| Urban Waste Crisis | Rapid urbanisation in Guwahati and Dibrugarh generates unmanaged plastic waste |
| Biodiversity Impact | Wetland birds, turtles, and fish species ingest plastics |
| Tourism & Image | Plastic-littered ecotourism sites harm Assam’s green credentials |
B. Challenges to Plastic Waste Reduction in Assam
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Poor Segregation | Waste not sorted at source; plastic gets mixed with wet waste |
| Weak Enforcement | Ban on single-use plastics often ignored due to lack of monitoring |
| Rural Plastic Penetration | Increasing FMCG penetration in rural Assam without proper disposal systems |
| Low EPR Compliance | Plastic manufacturers not held accountable under Extended Producer Responsibility |
| Lack of Recycling Ecosystem | Informal sector dominates without safety, scalability, or sustainability |
C. Government Initiatives and Policy Measures
Plastic Waste Management Rules (2022) – Ban on items like cutlery, straws, thermocol
Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 2.0 – Plastic-free village and ward certification
Assam Climate Action Plan – Focus on solid waste management and low-carbon urban growth
Eco-Club & Green Schools Programmes – Under MoEFCC for plastic awareness
Municipal Composting & MRFs (Material Recovery Facilities) – Being piloted in urban Assam
D. Way Forward
Strict Urban Enforcement: Empower ULBs with digital tracking of vendors and plastic use
Support for Alternatives: Subsidize biodegradable packaging, bamboo products from NE industries
School-Based Plastic Literacy: Start curriculum modules on plastic lifecycle and responsible use
River Cleanup Drives: Launch Brahmaputra Riverkeeper Programme with civil society
EPR Penalty Mechanism: Penalize large producers for non-compliance; promote plastic take-back systems
🧩 Conclusion
Assam’s observance of Earth Day 2025 must go beyond symbolic plantation drives — it must spark policy enforcement, behavioural change, and innovation in plastic alternatives. As a climate-sensitive region, Assam has both the urgency and the opportunity to lead by example in India’s green transition.
🕊️ Religious Conversions in Assam: Governance, Rights & Social Cohesion
📘 GS Paper 2: Polity | Secularism | Governance | Rights Issues
📘 GS Paper 1: Indian Society | Communal Harmony | Regional Social Dynamics
🔹 Introduction
The recent arrest of several persons in Assam’s Barpeta and Goalpara districts over allegations of forced religious conversion has reignited a statewide debate around religious freedom, coercion, missionary activity, and communal harmony. The State Government has hinted at introducing a legislative framework to curb alleged coercive conversions, adding to a growing list of Indian states with anti-conversion laws.
🔑 Key Developments
| Aspect | Description |
| Recent Trigger | Allegations of forced conversion by religious groups in minority-dominated areas |
| Arrests Made | 6 individuals booked under sections related to incitement and religious offences |
| State Response | Assam CM has proposed exploring a conversion regulation law |
| Areas Affected | Western Assam districts — Barpeta, Goalpara, Dhubri |
| Community Impact | Social anxiety, fear among religious minorities, rising communal tension |
| Legal Vacuum | Assam currently has no specific anti-conversion law, unlike some other states |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Article 25: Guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practice, and propagate religion
Tandava Judgment (1976): Supreme Court ruled “propagation” does not include forced conversion
States with Anti-Conversion Laws: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh
Freedom of Religion Bills: State laws prohibit conversion by force, fraud, or inducement
Essential Religious Practice Doctrine: Evolved by SC to protect core religious freedoms
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Why the Issue Matters for Assam
| Concern | Explanation |
| Demographic Sensitivity | Assam has a unique mix of indigenous, tribal, and minority populations |
| Communal Fragility | Past tensions (e.g., BTAD, NRC debates) make religious issues volatile |
| Border District Vulnerability | West Assam districts share porous borders and have complex identity dynamics |
| Rights vs Regulation | Balancing Article 25 with state interest in maintaining public order |
| Legal Clarity | Assam lacks a well-defined framework for investigating or prosecuting forced conversions |
B. Arguments For and Against Anti-Conversion Laws
| Perspective | Arguments |
| In Favour | Prevents coercive practices, maintains public order, and protects cultural identities |
| Against | Can lead to harassment of minorities, curb legitimate missionary and charitable activities, and violate personal liberty |
| Neutral | Need for case-by-case approach, judicial oversight, and rights-based safeguards |
C. Risks of Politicization
Polarization of Communities: Election-driven narratives may aggravate divides
Stigmatization of Faith-Based NGOs: Especially those offering education, health, or humanitarian aid
Erosion of Civil Liberties: Misuse of law could criminalize interfaith relations and freedom of conscience
D. Way Forward
Transparent Legal Framework
If a law is introduced, ensure clear definitions, independent oversight, and safeguards for genuine conversions
Community Dialogue Platforms
Involve religious leaders, civil society, and administrators to reduce misinformation and suspicion
Monitoring Without Surveillance
Prevent conversions by coercion without criminalizing personal spiritual journeys
Focus on Development Deficits
Address the socio-economic factors that may make vulnerable groups susceptible to inducement
Awareness and Legal Aid
Educate citizens on religious rights and provide free legal recourse in case of coercion or discrimination
🧩 Conclusion
The issue of religious conversions must be handled with constitutional sensitivity, social empathy, and political restraint. Assam’s pluralism is its strength — and any legal response must balance individual freedom with collective harmony, ensuring justice without prejudice.
🧮 Centre’s Push for Voter-Linked Aadhaar in Assam: Reform or Risk?
📘 GS Paper 2: Polity & Governance | Electoral Reforms | Rights Issues
📘 GS Paper 4: Ethics – Transparency & Privacy in Public Institutions
🔹 Introduction
The Union Government has intensified efforts to link Aadhaar with Voter IDs (EPIC), including in Assam. Though the move is voluntary as per law, there are concerns about coercion, privacy, disenfranchisement, and its impact on voter rolls — especially in sensitive states like Assam with a history of identity disputes (NRC, D-Voters).
🔑 Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
| Initiative | Aadhaar–EPIC (Voter ID) linkage |
| Legal Provision | Section 23(4) of the Representation of the People Act, amended in 2021 |
| Objective | Remove duplicate or fraudulent entries in electoral rolls |
| Assam Context | Unique socio-political sensitivities — NRC, voter identity disputes, D-voter concerns |
| Concerns Raised |
Data privacy
Potential disenfranchisement
Lack of informed consent
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Aadhaar–Voter Linkage Law: The Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021 amended the Representation of People Act
Voter ID (EPIC): Issued by ECI, used for elections at all levels
UIDAI: Authority managing Aadhaar system in India
D-Voter: “Doubtful” voters whose citizenship is under dispute in Assam
Section 23(4): Authorizes the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) to request Aadhaar from voters
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Potential Benefits of Aadhaar–Voter Linkage
| Benefit | Explanation |
| Cleans Electoral Rolls | Helps remove bogus, duplicate, or migrated voters |
| Prevents Electoral Fraud | Restricts multiple entries across states or booths |
| Improves Governance | Enables real-time tracking of voter demographics and turnout |
| Enables e-Voting in Future | Foundational step for tech-driven remote voting solutions |
| Saves Public Money | Reduces errors and bloated lists, saving resources on polling logistics |
B. Challenges in the Assam Context
| Issue | Explanation |
| NRC Legacy | Many genuine citizens excluded due to legacy document errors — Aadhaar linkage could worsen this |
| D-Voter Uncertainty | Linking Aadhaar may revive fear among flagged voters, especially minorities |
| Consent & Coercion | Though voluntary, pressure from booth officers may make it de facto mandatory |
| Data Privacy | No standalone Data Protection Law as of now; misuse of biometric info feared |
| Exclusion Risk | Marginalized groups may lose voting rights due to Aadhaar errors, especially in rural Assam |
C. Legal and Ethical Concerns
Supreme Court (2018, Aadhaar Verdict): Upheld Aadhaar’s limited use, not mandatory for voting
Puttaswamy Judgment (2017): Affirmed right to privacy as a fundamental right
Election Commission Guidelines (2022): Aadhaar collection must be voluntary and not a condition for inclusion
D. Way Forward
Strong Privacy Protections
Any linkage must be consent-based, with opt-out provisions and grievance redress
Legislative Safeguards
Pass comprehensive Data Protection Law before implementing large-scale linkages
Awareness Campaigns
Voters must be informed of their rights, especially in marginalized communities
Exclusion Audits
ECI must publish periodic audits on exclusions caused by Aadhaar mismatch or linking failure
Separate NRC-EPIC Framework
Avoid blending Aadhaar-voter linkage with NRC/D-voter adjudication to prevent panic
🧩 Conclusion
While Aadhaar–Voter ID linkage can enhance electoral integrity, in states like Assam, it must be handled with extreme caution, transparency, and empathy. The sanctity of the ballot must never be compromised in the name of digital efficiency — India’s democracy depends on it.
APSC Prelims Practice Questions
🚀 Topic 1: ISRO’s SPADEX Docking Mission
Q1. With reference to India’s Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX), consider the following statements:
- It demonstrates ISRO’s capability for in-space docking between two satellites.
- SPADEX was launched using the GSLV Mk III rocket.
- It is a precursor to India’s Bharatiya Antariksh Station and manned space missions.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. All of the above
✅ Answer: B
🧠 Explanation:
- Statement 1: ✅ Correct – SPADEX demonstrated India’s first successful in-orbit docking.
- Statement 2: ❌ Incorrect – It was launched on PSLV-C60, not GSLV Mk III.
- Statement 3: ✅ Correct – The experiment lays the groundwork for space station and crew missions.
🌍 Topic 2: Earth Day & Plastic Pollution in Assam
Q2. Which of the following best describes the theme of Earth Day 2025?
A. Restore Our Earth
B. Invest in Our Planet
C. Planet vs Plastics
D. Beat Plastic Pollution
✅ Answer: C
🧠 Explanation:
The official theme for Earth Day 2025 is “Planet vs Plastics”, emphasizing the need to eliminate plastic pollution and reduce microplastic toxicity globally.
Q3. Which of the following statements regarding Plastic Waste Management in India is/are correct?
- The 2022 rules impose a complete ban on all single-use plastics.
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requires companies to collect back the plastic they produce.
- Assam has included plastic waste under its State Action Plan on Climate Change.
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. All of the above
✅ Answer: B
🧠 Explanation:
- Statement 1: ❌ Incorrect – Not all single-use plastics are banned; only specified items like cutlery, straws, thermocol, etc.
- Statement 2: ✅ Correct – EPR is a mandatory principle under Plastic Waste Rules.
- Statement 3: ✅ Correct – Assam’s SAPCC includes solid waste (including plastics) under climate mitigation actions.
🕊️ Topic 3: Religious Conversions and Anti-Conversion Law Debate
Q4. Consider the following statements:
- Article 25 of the Indian Constitution provides for the right to propagate religion.
- The Supreme Court has upheld that the right to propagate includes the right to convert.
- Assam currently has no anti-conversion law.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 only
D. All of the above
✅ Answer: A
🧠 Explanation:
- Statement 1: ✅ Correct – Article 25 allows freedom to profess, practice, and propagate religion.
- Statement 2: ❌ Incorrect – SC (Rev. Stainislaus case, 1977) held that propagation does not include the right to forcibly convert.
- Statement 3: ✅ Correct – Assam has no dedicated anti-conversion law as of April 2025.
🗳️ Topic 4: Aadhaar-Voter ID Linkage
Q5. The Aadhaar-Voter ID linkage is enabled through which of the following legal provisions?
A. Representation of the People Act, 1950 – Section 23(4)
B. Information Technology Act, 2000 – Section 66A
C. Election Commission Act, 1991 – Section 12
D. Aadhaar Act, 2016 – Section 7
✅ Answer: A
🧠 Explanation:
The Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021 inserted Section 23(4) into the Representation of the People Act, enabling electoral registration officers to request Aadhaar for voter verification.
Q6. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Aadhaar-Voter ID linkage?
- It is currently mandatory for all Indian voters.
- The Election Commission has directed that no person be denied enrolment for not providing Aadhaar.
- The linkage aims to eliminate duplication and fraudulent entries in electoral rolls.
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. All of the above
✅ Answer: B
🧠 Explanation:
Statement 3: ✅ Correct – The primary goal is to clean voter rolls and reduce electoral fraud.
Statement 1: ❌ Incorrect – The linkage is voluntary, not mandatory.
Statement 2: ✅ Correct – ECI has clarified that voter enrolment cannot be denied for not submitting Aadhaar.
APSC Mains Practice Question
📝 Mains Question (GS Paper 2 – Governance | GS Paper 3 – Cybersecurity & Electoral Integrity)
Q.
“The Aadhaar–Voter ID linkage may improve electoral rolls, but it poses serious ethical, legal, and governance challenges.”
Critically examine the merits and concerns of Aadhaar–Voter ID linkage in India, especially in sensitive states like Assam. Suggest measures to ensure electoral integrity without compromising citizens’ rights.
✅ Model Answer
🔹 Introduction
In an era of digitization, linking Aadhaar with Voter ID (EPIC) has been proposed as a means to purge electoral rolls of duplication and fraud. However, in sensitive states like Assam, where identity, migration, and citizenship are contentious issues, this linkage brings forth complex legal, ethical, and governance dilemmas.
🔹 Why Aadhaar–Voter Linkage is Being Pushed
| Objective | Explanation |
| Clean Electoral Rolls | Remove duplicate entries, especially among migratory workers |
| Fraud Prevention | Deters impersonation and double voting across constituencies |
| Foundation for e-Voting | Enables secure remote voting in the future |
| Administrative Efficiency | Reduces bloated rolls and improves booth-level planning |
🔹 Benefits in Theory
- Cost-effective electoral roll management
- Transparency in voter registration
- Reduction in “bogus” or “ghost” voters
- Streamlines government benefit targeting in the long run
🔹 Key Challenges in Assam and Beyond
A. Legal and Constitutional Concerns
| Issue | Details |
| Voluntariness vs Pressure | ECI says it’s voluntary, but ground reports suggest coercion |
| Right to Vote Not Conditional | The right to vote cannot be linked to Aadhaar, which isn’t proof of citizenship |
| SC Rulings | Aadhaar verdict (2018) and Puttaswamy (2017) emphasize informational privacy and consent |
B. Operational Challenges in Assam
- NRC Fallout: Many genuine citizens were excluded due to document mismatch; Aadhaar linkage could repeat this
- D-Voter Panic: Fear among flagged voters that Aadhaar linkage could result in disenfranchisement
- Illiteracy and Access Gaps: Many rural and tribal citizens have Aadhaar-related errors or no Aadhaar at all
C. Ethical Concerns
- Lack of Data Protection Law: Increases risk of surveillance, voter profiling, and misuse
- Trust Deficit: Especially among minorities, tribes, and border communities
- Potential Chilling Effect: People may opt out of voting due to fear or misunderstanding
🔹 Case Studies and Legal Precedents
- Supreme Court (Rev. Stainislaus, 1977): Limits on propagation and conversion rights, indirectly relevant to coercion logic
- ECI Guidelines (2022): Aadhaar can be requested, not demanded; no voter should be excluded for not furnishing it
- Assam-Specific NRC Litigation: Highlights the risk of technical processes affecting fundamental rights
🔹 Way Forward: Balancing Integrity with Inclusion
| Reform | Strategy |
| Legislative Clarity | Pass an updated Election Data Privacy Bill with consent safeguards |
| Consent Infrastructure | Aadhaar linking must require written and informed consent at voter camps |
| Public Awareness Drives | Inform voters, especially in Assam, of their rights and opt-out provisions |
| Robust Redressal | ECI must provide fast-track correction and delinking mechanisms |
| Avoid Use in NRC Context | Explicitly de-link Aadhaar-voter linkage from citizenship debates in Assam |
🔹 Conclusion
Digital solutions must enhance, not endanger democracy. Aadhaar–Voter ID linkage, if implemented with transparency, consent, and safeguards, can improve electoral integrity. But in states like Assam, where identity and inclusion are politically charged, the process must be legally sound, socially sensitive, and administratively fair.
✨ 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
