APSC MCQs / APSC Prelims Practice Questions based on Assam Tribune (Daily) – 06/05/2025

Q1. With reference to humanitarian interventions during internal conflicts in India, consider the following statements:

1. The Indian Constitution empowers the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to intervene in any state-level human rights crisis without the state’s consent.
2. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in India are legally recognized under the Refugee Convention, 1951.
3. The Manipur ethnic conflict has led to increased IDPs in neighboring states like Mizoram and Assam.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 3 only ✅
D. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: NHRC requires state cooperation; its role is recommendatory and not enforceable without consent in state matters.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: India is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, and IDPs do not enjoy separate legal recognition under national refugee law.
• Statement 3 is correct: Manipur conflict has led to displacement into nearby northeastern states.

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958:

1. It empowers security forces to arrest without warrant and use force in ‘disturbed areas’.
2. A state government has the exclusive power to declare an area as ‘disturbed’ under AFSPA.
3. The Act was originally enacted to deal with insurgency in the Kashmir Valley.

Which of the statements is/are correct?
A. 1 only ✅
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: AFSPA gives security forces sweeping powers in notified areas.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Both the central and state governments can declare a region as ‘disturbed’.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: The Act originated in 1958 for the Northeast, not Kashmir (J&K was included later in 1990).

Q3. Recently launched in Assam, the ‘Project AAGHAAZ’ is aimed at:

A. Improving counter-insurgency capabilities of Assam Police
B. Integrating Artificial Intelligence in crime prediction
C. Rehabilitating and reintegrating surrendered militants ✅
D. Promoting inter-state police cooperation in the Northeast

Explanation:

• Project AAGHAAZ is a rehabilitation initiative focusing on the mainstreaming of former insurgents, by providing skill development and economic integration.

Q4. Which of the following components are essential in successful de-radicalization and rehabilitation programs like ‘AAGHAAZ’?

1. Vocational training and skill development
2. Community sensitization
3. Political representation of former insurgents
4. Surveillance-based reintegration

A. 1 and 2 only ✅
B. 1, 2 and 3
C. 1, 2, and 4
D. All of the above

Explanation:

• While 1 and 2 are core to reintegration, 3 and 4 are not always applicable or recommended universally in such programs.

Q5. Deepor Beel, frequently mentioned in relation to Guwahati floods, is:

A. A glacial lake located in Arunachal Pradesh
B. A Ramsar wetland site suffering from urban encroachment ✅
C. An artificial reservoir created for flood control
D. A seasonal river prone to flash floods

Explanation:

• Deepor Beel is a permanent freshwater lake and Ramsar site in Assam. It’s under stress due to rapid urbanization and garbage dumping.

Q6. Consider the following factors contributing to urban floods in Indian cities:

1. Shrinkage of wetlands
2. Climate-induced heavy rainfall
3. Poorly planned urban infrastructure
4. Availability of sponge cities

Which of the above contribute to increased flood risk?

A. 1, 2 and 3 only ✅
B. 1, 2 and 4
C. 2, 3 and 4
D. All of the above

Explanation:

Sponge cities (like in China) reduce flood risk by absorbing rainwater — they are not a contributing factor to floods, unlike the first three.