APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (01/04/2025)
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 (01-04-2025). 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
📊 Caste Enumeration in the 2025 Census: A Milestone for Social Justice
📘 GS Paper 2: Polity | Governance | Welfare Schemes
📘 GS Paper 1: Indian Society | Social Justice
🔹 Introduction
The Union Cabinet’s decision to include caste-based enumeration in the upcoming 2025 Census marks a watershed moment in India’s journey toward evidence-based policymaking. This step responds to longstanding demands for data on caste demographics to enable targeted socio-economic upliftment and inclusive governance.
🔑 Key Features of the Announcement
| Aspect | Details |
| Announced By | Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw |
| Approval | Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs |
| Purpose | Transparent caste enumeration in Census 2025 |
| States With Prior Caste Surveys | Bihar, Karnataka, Telangana |
| Justification | Past surveys were opaque; current move ensures uniform national data |
| Political Context | Rising demands from parties for population-based resource distribution |
⚖️ Constitutional & Administrative Context
Census Act, 1948: Empowers the Central Government to conduct decadal census exercises.
Caste Data Exclusion Since 1951: Only SC/ST data was officially collected post-independence.
Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC), 2011: Conducted separately; lacked legal backing and wasn’t released fully.
Article 15(4) and 16(4): Empower state to create special provisions for socially and educationally backward classes (SEBCs), subject to reliable data.
⚙️ Prelims Pointers
Census vs SECC: Census is legally mandated and anonymous; SECC was voluntary and lacked data protection.
OBC Data: Currently, no comprehensive all-India data exists for Other Backward Classes.
NITI Aayog View: Recommended caste enumeration to refine welfare targeting.
Mandal Commission (1980): Last comprehensive attempt to map OBCs nationally—used outdated methodology.
Data Protection Bill (2023): Makes data collection for governance more accountable.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Significance of the Move
| Benefit | Explanation |
| Evidence-Based Policy | Enables targeted allocation of welfare, reservations, and schemes |
| Social Equity | Accurate caste data helps address historical marginalization |
| Better Budgeting | Resource allocation can be need-based rather than political |
| Empowerment | Brings smaller, marginalized castes into policy visibility |
B. Challenges and Concerns
| Challenge | Details |
| Data Misuse | Risk of politicization, vote bank politics, or identity-based mobilisation |
| Administrative Load | Massive logistical challenge; risk of inaccuracy and duplication |
| Social Fragmentation | Might deepen caste consciousness instead of reducing it |
| Legal Risks | Unclear framework for releasing and using caste data |
C. Government’s Justification
Prevent misuse of unregulated state-led surveys
Enable scientific, uniform, and transparent data collection
Support backward community schemes with real-time metrics
📊 Reports & References
| Source | Key Insight |
| Justice Rohini Commission Report (OBC Sub-Categorization) | Flagged need for OBC caste-wise data |
| Parliamentary Standing Committee (2021) | Recommended caste census for targeted schemes |
| Karnataka/Bihar Caste Surveys | Highlighted wide internal disparities within OBCs |
🧭 Way Forward
💡 Independent Oversight Panel: For methodology, auditing, and data usage
🧑💻 Tech-Based Enumeration: Mobile devices with geo-tagging for accuracy
🛡️ Legal Safeguards: Strong privacy provisions to prevent data abuse
📢 Public Engagement: Transparent communication to avoid misinformation
🧩 Post-Census Analysis: Institutional framework to convert data into actionable policy
🧩 Conclusion
The inclusion of caste data in Census 2025 is a critical move toward institutional equity and inclusive development. While it must be handled sensitively to prevent societal division, its potential to reshape India’s social policy landscape makes it one of the most transformative governance decisions of the decade.
🚧 Greenfield NH-6 Corridor: Boosting Northeast Connectivity
📘 GS Paper 3: Infrastructure | Economic Development | Regional Connectivity
📘 GS Paper 2: Government Schemes and Initiatives | Centre-State Relations
🔹 Introduction
The Union Cabinet has approved the construction of a 166.8-km greenfield access-controlled highway connecting Mawlyngkhung (Meghalaya) to Panchgram (Assam) under Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM). This initiative is a part of the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan and aims to integrate the Barak Valley, Tripura, Manipur, and Mizoram with the rest of India through a fast-track, strategic corridor.
🔑 Key Features
| Feature | Details |
| Project Name | Shillong–Silchar Greenfield Highway (NH-6) |
| Length | 166.80 km (144.80 km in Meghalaya; 22 km in Assam) |
| Cost | ₹22,864 crore |
| Mode | Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) – a public-private partnership (PPP) model |
| Implementing Authority | Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) |
| Purpose | Improve inter-state logistics and reduce travel time |
| Areas Covered | East & West Jaintia Hills, Ri Bhoi, Cachar district |
🌐 Strategic Importance
Reduces Congestion on the existing NH-6 and bypasses fragile eco-zones
Spurs Industrial Growth in Meghalaya’s cement & coal belts
Boosts Connectivity to Northeast capitals: Shillong, Aizawl, Imphal, Agartala
Part of PM Gati Shakti – Multimodal connectivity to economic hubs
Enhances access to landlocked states and trading opportunities with Southeast Asia via Act East Policy
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM): 40% paid by government; 60% recovered by developer via annuity.
PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan: Digital platform for integrated infrastructure planning
NH-6: Strategically critical for the Shillong–Silchar–Aizawl–Imphal corridor
Barak Valley Region: Comprising Cachar, Karimganj, Hailakandi – now more accessible
North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS): Supports regional projects
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance for Northeast India
| Aspect | Benefit |
| Logistics Efficiency | Reduces travel time and enhances freight movement |
| Regional Integration | Bridges gaps between central and remote northeastern states |
| Employment | Construction & ancillary services to generate local jobs |
| Investment Magnet | Attracts private capital in transport and warehousing |
| Defense | Enhances military mobility in border-sensitive zones |
B. Challenges Ahead
| Challenge | Detail |
| Ecological Sensitivity | East Jaintia hills and Meghalaya forests are eco-fragile |
| Land Acquisition | Terrain and tribal land rights may delay clearance |
| Weather Conditions | Monsoons cause landslides and delay construction |
| Inter-State Coordination | Assam and Meghalaya need seamless cooperation |
| Financing HAM Model | Inflation may increase project cost beyond estimates |
📊 Key Policies & Reports
Bharatmala Pariyojana: Backbone of national highway development
North East Vision Document 2035 (NITI Aayog): Emphasizes infrastructure-led growth
Act East Policy: Aims to connect NE to Southeast Asian economies via land corridors
🧭 Way Forward
🚧 Fast-track land acquisition with tribal consultations
🌱 Green highway standards: Rainwater harvesting, afforestation, solar lighting
🔁 Periodic Monitoring via Gati Shakti dashboard
🤝 Tripartite project review committee (Centre + Assam + Meghalaya)
🛣️ Expand linkages to border trade zones and ICPs (e.g., Dawki, Moreh)
🧩 Conclusion
The Shillong–Silchar greenfield NH corridor is more than a highway—it’s a lifeline for Northeast India’s inclusive growth, integrating markets, resources, and people. Its timely and sustainable execution could redefine economic geography and strategic depth for India’s northeastern frontier.
🌱 Project INROAD and iSPEED: Transforming India’s Rubber Economy
📘 GS Paper 3: Agriculture | Industrial Development | Rural Economy
📘 GS Paper 2: Government Schemes & Interventions
🔹 Introduction
In a bid to enhance India’s natural rubber ecosystem, the INROAD (Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development) project was launched with a skilling initiative named iSPEED. This ₹145-crore mission, launched in Guwahati, is designed to boost productivity, improve rubber quality, and modernize rural infrastructure, with direct involvement from the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) and the Rubber Board of India.
🔑 Key Features of Project INROAD and iSPEED
| Feature | Details |
| Launched By | ATMA in collaboration with the Rubber Board of India |
| Initiative Name | iSPEED – Skilling & Production Efficiency Enhancement Drive |
| Budget | ₹145 crore over five years |
| Key Participants | Apollo Tyres, JK Tyres, MRF, Ceat (via ATMA) |
| Objective | To upskill 2 lakh rubber growers and enhance quality at the plantation level |
| Regions Targeted | Northeast India (particularly Assam), Kerala, Tripura |
🌿 Strategic Importance
Rubber Quality Enhancement: Focus on high-yield, disease-resistant clones
Rural Employment: Trains growers and creates value chain opportunities
Import Reduction: Reduces dependency on rubber imports for domestic tyre industry
Industrial Linkage: Aligns rural production with industrial demand
Sustainability: Encourages environment-friendly tapping and processing practices
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Rubber Board of India: Statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Natural Rubber States: Kerala (dominant), Tripura, Assam, Tamil Nadu
iSPEED: Skilling initiative under Project INROAD – targets 2 lakh growers
ATMA: Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association – represents major tyre companies
Tyre Industry Demand: Raw material-intensive; relies heavily on quality rubber sourcing
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance of the Initiative
| Area | Impact |
| Skill Development | 2 lakh growers to be trained in quality improvement and tapping |
| Rural Empowerment | Enhances livelihood in plantation zones (esp. Tripura, Assam) |
| Industry Efficiency | Better quality inputs lead to reduced production costs |
| Supply Chain Strengthening | Ensures steady raw material supply to tyre and allied sectors |
| Technology Integration | Training includes digital mapping, clone selection, yield tracking |
B. Key Challenges
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Low Yields in NE | Compared to Kerala, NE rubber productivity is significantly lower |
| Climate Vulnerability | Rainfall variability and pests impact plantation stability |
| Infrastructure Gaps | Processing and storage infrastructure still weak in interior regions |
| Smallholder Fragmentation | Land holdings are tiny and often unorganized |
📊 Policies and Reports
National Rubber Policy, 2019: Aims for sustainable growth in rubber cultivation
NE Vision 2035 (NITI Aayog): Promotes diversification of rural livelihoods
Atmanirbhar Bharat: Encourages self-sufficiency in raw material sourcing
🧭 Way Forward
🧑🏫 Community-Based Training Units: Farmer Field Schools to scale iSPEED outreach
🛠️ Cold Storage and Transport Infra: Support perishables in rubber supply chains
🌱 Agroforestry Integration: Combine rubber with intercropping (e.g., pineapple, turmeric)
📈 Farmer-Industry MoUs: Contract farming with price assurance
📲 Geo-Mapping of Plantations: Use digital tools for planning and monitoring
🧩 Conclusion
Project INROAD, with its iSPEED initiative, is a model of cooperative development between industry and agriculture. For rubber-growing states like Assam, it represents not just economic opportunity but a chance to integrate rural value chains with national manufacturing strength, aligning perfectly with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
🎓 Dip in HS Final Exam Results: Trends, Causes & Policy Gaps
📘 GS Paper 2: Education | Governance | Social Justice
📘 GS Paper 1: Indian Society | Demographic Trends
🔹 Introduction
The Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB), formerly AHSEC, released the Higher Secondary Final Examination 2025 results, showing a notable decline in pass percentages across all major streams. This decline comes amid recent reforms in the exam format and reflects deeper challenges in public education quality, regional equity, and the implementation of NEP 2020.
🔑 Key Data Points
| Stream | Pass % (2024) | Pass % (2025) |
| Science | 89.88% | 84.88% |
| Arts | 88.36% | 81.03% |
| Commerce | 87.66% | 82.18% |
Total Appeared: 3.02 lakh students across Arts, Commerce, Science, and Vocational
Toppers’ List: Not released for the second consecutive year
Gender Outcome: Girls outperformed boys in all streams
Vocational Stream: Disparities ranged from 100% in some districts (e.g. Biswanath) to only 29.27% in Hailakandi
District Highlights: Dima Hasao remained the lowest-performing district with just 46.6% pass rate
🧠 Prelims Pointers
ASSEB: Assam State School Education Board, renamed from AHSEC
No Ranks Policy: Assam has scrapped public ranking to reduce exam stress
Vocational Education: Part of NEP 2020 to promote skill-based learning
NEP 2020 Reforms: Shift toward concept-based, analytical assessments
Dima Hasao: One of Assam’s most backward districts in terms of educational access
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Key Issues Reflected
| Issue | Explanation |
| Assessment Reform Gaps | Shift to concept-based papers not supported by teacher training |
| Rural-Urban Divide | Peripheral districts like Dima Hasao still lack adequate schools |
| Gender Gap Reversal | Girls outperforming boys — possible sociological shift in urban areas |
| Vocational Disparity | Some districts excel, others lack proper training and faculty |
| Digital Divide | Unequal access to online learning during COVID fallout still lingers |
B. Significance of the Trend
Indicator of how educational policies meet ground realities
Affects college admissions, job prospects, and youth mobility
Challenges the efficacy of NEP 2020 rollout at the secondary level
C. Policy Challenges
| Challenge | Impact |
| Teacher Training Deficit | No centralized program to equip teachers for NEP’s analytical questions |
| Infrastructure Inequality | Vast differences in labs, libraries, ICT tools |
| Dropout Risks | Poor performance may push students out of the education system |
| Mental Health Issues | Performance pressure without adequate counselling systems |
📊 Reports & Policies
Annual Status of Education Report (ASER): Highlights foundational learning deficits
Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE+): Flags inter-district inequalities
Right to Education Act: Mandates infrastructure and teacher norms, often unmet in remote regions
National Education Policy 2020: Introduces concept-based learning, vocational tracks, and flexibility
🧭 Way Forward
🏫 Bridge Programmes: Especially in Science and Maths for rural students
👩🏫 NEP-Aligned Training: Mission-mode teacher development initiative
🧑🎓 Gender-Sensitive Counselling: Support mechanisms for both boys and girls
🛠️ Vocational Investment: Upgrade labs, hire trainers, and industry tie-ups in backward districts
📱 Digital Equity: Affordable data, free devices, and smart classrooms
🧩 Conclusion
The decline in pass percentages is more than a statistical fluctuation; it reflects the structural gaps in public education, especially in implementing NEP 2020 equitably. A focused approach that prioritizes teacher readiness, student wellbeing, and rural inclusivity is essential for building a future-ready Assam.
APSC Prelims Practice Questions
📊 Topic 1: Caste Census 2025
Q1. Which of the following statements regarding caste enumeration in India is/are correct?
- The decennial Census in India has not recorded caste data since 1951.
- The Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 was conducted under the Census Act, 1948.
- Article 15 and Article 16 of the Constitution empower the state to provide for affirmative action based on caste data.
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 2 only
D. All of the above
✅ Answer: A
🧠 Explanation: SECC was conducted under a different framework, not the Census Act. Articles 15(4) and 16(4) permit affirmative action for socially and educationally backward classes.
Q2. Which Constitutional body has recently emphasized the need for comprehensive caste data to improve policy targeting?
A. Finance Commission
B. NITI Aayog
C. Election Commission of India
D. Inter-State Council
✅ Answer: B
🧠 Explanation: NITI Aayog has advocated for caste-based enumeration to improve welfare targeting and resource distribution.
🚧 Topic 2: Greenfield NH-6 Corridor
Q3. The Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) used in NH-6 infrastructure development consists of:
A. 100% government-funded project
B. 100% private developer-financed
C. 60% government support and 40% private finance upfront
D. 40% government support and 60% recovered by the developer over time
✅ Answer: D
🧠 Explanation: Under HAM, the government pays 40% during construction; 60% is recovered by the developer via annuity payments.
Q4. The Shillong–Silchar Greenfield Corridor (NH-6) directly benefits which of the following areas?
- East Jaintia Hills
- Ri Bhoi District
- Dima Hasao
- Panchgram
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1, 2 and 4 only
C. 2 and 4 only
D. All of the above
✅ Answer: B
🧠 Explanation: The 166.8 km greenfield corridor spans East Jaintia Hills, Ri Bhoi in Meghalaya and Panchgram in Assam—not Dima Hasao.
🌱 Topic 3: Rubber – Project INROAD and iSPEED
Q5. Project INROAD and the iSPEED initiative primarily aim to:
A. Increase the export of synthetic rubber
B. Train small rubber growers in quality improvement and sustainability
C. Digitize the tyre manufacturing industry
D. Develop bio-degradable rubber alternatives
✅ Answer: B
🧠 Explanation: iSPEED focuses on skilling 2 lakh small growers under Project INROAD, improving productivity and linking to industry needs.
Q6. Which of the following states are known for natural rubber cultivation in India?
- Kerala
- Tripura
- Assam
- Karnataka
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 3 and 4 only
D. All of the above
✅ Answer: D
🧠 Explanation: All listed states are involved in rubber cultivation, though Kerala leads in terms of area and output.
📉 Topic 4: Assam HS Final Exam Results
Q7. The recent decline in Assam’s HS Final Examination pass percentage has been attributed to:
- NEP 2020’s new exam reforms
- Poor teacher training
- Removal of public rank lists
- Low investment in school infrastructure in backward districts
A. 1, 2 and 4 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 1, 2, 3 and 4
D. 2 and 4 only
✅ Answer: A
🧠 Explanation: While rank list removal aims to reduce stress, it doesn’t directly impact performance. Poor training and NEP-based exam reform gaps contributed to lower pass rates.
Q8. Which of the following districts reported the lowest pass percentage in Assam HS 2025 results?
A. Biswanath
B. Kamrup (Metro)
C. Dima Hasao
D. Hailakandi
✅ Answer: C
🧠 Explanation: Dima Hasao recorded the lowest pass percentage at just 46.6%, indicating acute regional inequality in educational outcomes.
APSC Mains Practice Question
📝 Mains Question (GS Paper 2 – Governance | Social Justice)
“The inclusion of caste enumeration in the 2025 Census could redefine the contours of welfare delivery in India. Critically examine its potential impact and associated challenges.”
🔹 Introduction
For the first time since independence, the Government of India has approved caste-based enumeration as part of the decadal Census 2025. While caste is a deeply embedded aspect of India’s social structure, the absence of comprehensive caste data has limited the precision of welfare delivery. The inclusion marks a landmark step in evidence-based governance.
🔹 Why Caste Enumeration Matters
| Area | Impact |
| Welfare Targeting | Accurate data allows precise identification of socio-economically backward groups |
| Policy Design | Informs education, health, employment, and housing schemes |
| Affirmative Action | Empirical basis for quotas and sub-categorization within OBCs |
| Budget Allocation | Promotes equity in state-level and central funding patterns |
| Judicial Scrutiny | Empowers courts and commissions to assess fairness in reservation |
🔹 Precedents and Gaps
- SECC 2011: Incomplete release and poor data integrity; not officially adopted for policy.
- Mandal Commission (1980): Last national attempt to quantify OBCs—outdated and methodologically limited.
- Recent State Surveys: Bihar and Karnataka undertook caste-based surveys but lacked uniform methodology.
🔹 Challenges and Criticisms
| Challenge | Concern |
| Political Polarization | Risk of deepening identity politics and social fragmentation |
| Administrative Overload | Massive logistical exercise for enumerators |
| Data Integrity | Risks of duplication, underreporting, or misclassification |
| Privacy Concerns | No clear data protection law for handling sensitive identity data |
| Judicial Oversight | Ambiguity over how courts will view such data in reservation litigation |
🔹 Balanced View: Opportunities vs Risks
✅ Opportunities:
- Helps rationalize schemes like PM Vishwakarma Yojana, Pre-Matric scholarships
- Enables caste sub-categorization within OBCs (e.g. EBCs vs dominant OBCs)
⚠️ Risks:
- Could spark inter-caste tensions or demands for new reservations
- Might become a tool for electoral mobilization if not carefully regulated
🔹 Way Forward
- 📊 Transparent Methodology
- Involve social scientists, anthropologists, and the National Statistical Commission
- 🔐 Legal Data Safeguards
- Align with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023
- 🧑⚖️ Judicial Backing
- Constitutional bench guidance on usage of caste data in policymaking
- 👥 Stakeholder Consultations
- Include state governments, civil society, and backward commissions
- 📈 Actionable Analytics Post-Census
- Use data for real-time dashboards on community development indices
🔹 Conclusion
The caste census, if implemented with scientific rigor and constitutional safeguards, can be a powerful instrument of corrective justice. However, in a diverse democracy like India, the challenge lies not in collecting caste data—but in ensuring that it becomes a bridge to equality, not a wedge of division.
✨ APSC Prelims Crash Course, 2025
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