APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (08/05/2025)
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 (08-05-2025). 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
🇮🇳 Operation Sindoor: India’s Retaliatory Strike Against Cross-Border Terrorism
📘 GS Paper 3: Internal Security | Role of Security Forces
📘 GS Paper 2: International Relations | India and Neighbourhood
📘 GS Paper 5 (Assam-specific): National Security Concerns
🔹 Introduction
In a bold and strategic response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir—which killed 26 civilians—India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 6, 2025. The operation involved precision missile and drone strikes targeting nine terrorist camps inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The move signalled India’s resolve against terrorism emanating from across the border, while keeping the response measured, non-escalatory, and focused on non-military assets.
🔑 Key Points
| Feature | Description |
| Trigger Event | Pahalgam terror attack (April 22, 2025); 26 civilians killed by Pakistan-based terrorists |
| Operation Name | Operation Sindoor – chosen by PM Modi |
| Date of Strike | May 6, 2025 (01:05 am – 01:30 am) |
| Method | Precision missile & drone strikes |
| Targets | 9 terrorist bases, incl. those of Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen |
| Notable Hits | Markaz Taiba (Lahore), JeM HQ (Bahawalpur), Hizbul base (Sialkot) |
| Casualties (Reported) | 70+ terrorists killed, 60 injured; JeM chief’s family members among the dead |
| Government Stance | Measured, proportionate, responsible action in line with UN Security Council norms |
| PM’s Role | Personally monitored the strike and briefed the cabinet post-operation |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Pahalgam Attack: April 2025, civilian-targeted terror incident linked to Pakistan-based groups.
UNSC Article 51: Right to self-defence recognized under the UN Charter.
Jaish-e-Mohammad & LeT: Globally designated terrorist organisations headquartered in Pakistan.
Standoff Weapons: Missiles/drones used without violating sovereign airspace (technical nuance).
Operation Sindoor: Symbolic name referencing widowhood, in honour of women victims.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Significance of Operation Sindoor
Assertive Yet Measured Response: India maintained a proportionate response, avoiding escalation while asserting sovereignty.
Deterrence: Sent a strong message to terror groups and their state sponsors that India will retaliate decisively.
Intelligence & Precision: Demonstrated India’s enhanced surveillance and strike capabilities using real-time intelligence.
Symbolic Messaging: “Sindoor” as a name invoked emotional resonance and national unity.
Global Diplomacy: India cited UNSC norms and briefed key allies in advance, minimizing diplomatic fallout.
B. Challenges and Risks
| Challenge | Description |
| Escalation Risk | Pakistan’s retaliatory threats raised concerns of a full-scale war. |
| Civilians in Crossfire | Post-strike Pakistani shelling targeted Indian civilians near LoC. |
| Nuclear Overhang | Presence of nuclear weapons in both countries amplifies strategic risks. |
| International Scrutiny | India must maintain transparency to avoid diplomatic isolation. |
C. Government & Military Strategy
Cabinet-Level Monitoring: PM-led coordination ensured strategic alignment.
Avoidance of Pakistani Military Targets: Focused on terror infrastructure only.
Use of Women Officers: Operation briefings led by Col. Sophia Qureshi (Army) and Wing Cmdr. Vyomika Singh (IAF) showed gender-inclusive leadership.
Information Warfare: India countered disinformation (e.g., from Global Times, pro-Pak handles) with official transparency.
D. Way Forward
Strengthen Border Surveillance: Modernize ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) along LoC and IB.
Diplomatic Follow-through: Engage global platforms like FATF, UNSC to isolate state-sponsored terrorism.
Civilian Protection Mechanisms: Improve shelters and warning systems in border areas.
Strategic Restraint with Tactical Resolve: Maintain balance between deterrence and escalation control.
🧩 Conclusion
Operation Sindoor marks a watershed in India’s evolving counter-terrorism doctrine—one that blends military precision with diplomatic prudence. By demonstrating its capability to hit back without provoking all-out war, India has set a new benchmark in cross-border counter-terror responses.
🧬 NECTAR’s Bio-Economy Push in Assam: Convergence for Rural Livelihoods
📘 GS Paper 3: Bio-Economy | Inclusive Growth | Technology & Rural Development
📘 GS Paper 2: Governance | Government Initiatives
📘 GS Paper 5 (Assam-specific): Livelihood | Biotechnology in Assam
🔹 Introduction
The North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) is implementing a convergence-driven bio-economy initiative in Assam. This programme aims to boost rural livelihoods using biotechnology, natural resources, and community participation. The initiative represents a paradigm shift from subsidy-based to innovation-led rural development.
🔑 Key Points
| Feature | Details |
| Implementing Body | NECTAR (under Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India) |
| Nature of Project | Convergent bio-economy initiative using local natural resources |
| Core Areas | Bamboo, bio-manure, aquaculture, mushroom cultivation, agri-processing |
| Target Groups | Tribal and remote rural populations |
| Pilot Sites in Assam | Bodo-dominated belts, foothills of Karbi Anglong, Goalpara, and Baksa |
| Support Provided | Technological inputs, processing units, market linkages, training |
| Stakeholders | DST, APART (Assam Agri. Transformation Project), Krishi Vigyan Kendras, NEHHDC |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
NECTAR: An autonomous society under DST promoting tech-based solutions in the NE region.
Bio-Economy: Economic activity driven by biotechnology, agriculture, and sustainable resource use.
APART: Assam Agribusiness & Rural Transformation Project (World Bank-supported).
NEHHDC: North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation—key in value-addition.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance of the Bio-Economy Initiative
Rural Livelihood Boost: Helps tribal and rural communities earn sustainably from local resources.
Sustainability & Innovation: Promotes low-carbon, circular economy models.
Skill Development: Capacity building through grassroots training in biotech practices.
Women & Youth Engagement: Mushroom farming, bio-manure, and bamboo crafts empower rural women.
Market Access: NECTAR ensures end-to-end value chains and direct market connectivity.
B. Challenges
| Challenge | Description |
| Awareness Deficit | Many rural communities are unaware of biotech benefits. |
| Market Volatility | Demand-supply mismatch and pricing fluctuations. |
| Logistics & Cold Chains | Perishable produce like mushrooms needs temperature-controlled transport. |
| Institutional Coordination | Complex convergence with multiple government departments can slow execution. |
C. Government & Institutional Support
Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs): Act as knowledge hubs for on-ground training.
APART & NEHHDC: Offer logistical and funding support.
DST’s Role: Provides scientific validation and technical tools.
State Government Partnership: Ensures alignment with local agri and rural development policies.
D. Way Forward
Digital Monitoring: Use blockchain/QR for traceability of bio-based products.
Scalable Models: Replicate successful pilots across other NE states.
Public-Private Collaboration: Involve biotech startups for product innovation and branding.
Export Enablement: Position Assam’s bamboo, mushrooms, and herbal produce in global markets.
🧩 Conclusion
NECTAR’s bio-economy model in Assam is a forward-thinking convergence of science, sustainability, and self-reliance. If scaled effectively, it can transform Assam’s rural economy from subsistence to surplus—empowering communities through bio-resources, skill, and smart technologies.
🏥 Urban Primary Health Centres in Assam: Strengthening City Healthcare
📘 GS Paper 2: Health | Government Schemes & Policies
📘 GS Paper 3: Urban Development | Social Sector Initiatives
📘 GS Paper 5 (Assam-specific): Public Health Infrastructure in Assam
🔹 Introduction
To address the growing demand for accessible urban healthcare, the Assam Government has decided to upgrade 40 Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) across the state. These centres are expected to serve as the first point of contact for non-critical medical issues and public health outreach in rapidly growing urban clusters.
🔑 Key Points
| Feature | Description |
| Policy Decision | 40 UPHCs to be upgraded under the Urban Health Mission |
| Goal | Strengthen preventive and primary healthcare in urban areas |
| Services Offered | OPD care, maternal and child health, immunisation, NCD screening |
| Staffing Pattern | MBBS doctors, ANMs, pharmacists, lab technicians |
| Geographic Coverage | Targeting underserved urban zones in Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Silchar, etc. |
| Funding Source | Shared between National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) and State Government |
| Priority Groups | Urban poor, daily wage labourers, migrant workers, street dwellers |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
NUHM: Launched in 2013 as a sub-mission of NHM to strengthen urban health infrastructure.
UPHC vs CHC: UPHCs cater to city slums & low-income zones; CHCs are larger, rural secondary units.
ANM: Auxiliary Nurse Midwife – key for immunisation and maternal health.
Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Clinics: Now part of UPHC structure to fight diabetes, hypertension.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance for Urban Assam
Bridges Healthcare Gaps: Urban poor often excluded from both public hospitals and private clinics.
Reduces Hospital Burden: Treating common ailments at UPHCs eases load on tertiary hospitals.
Public Health Gateway: UPHCs play a crucial role in early disease detection, vaccination drives, and epidemic control.
Equity in Health Access: Benefits vulnerable groups—street vendors, construction workers, domestic workers.
B. Challenges
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Human Resource Shortage | Many UPHCs suffer from understaffing and irregular doctor availability. |
| Infrastructure Gaps | Some centres lack diagnostic facilities or drug stocks. |
| Urban Migration Pressure | Floating populations in cities make service delivery difficult. |
| Coordination | Health dept, urban local bodies, and NGOs often lack synergy. |
C. Government Measures
State-National Convergence: Assam Health Dept. works with NUHM for resource sharing.
Digital Health Records: Integration of patients into Ayushman Bharat Digital Health ID system.
Mobile Health Units: Proposed to reach slum areas not covered by UPHCs.
Community Participation: ASHAs and Urban Health Volunteers being inducted for outreach.
D. Way Forward
Recruitment Reforms: Fill vacancies through fast-track medical officer appointments.
Upgrading Diagnostics: Introduce point-of-care testing tools for diabetes, pregnancy, malaria, etc.
Health Literacy Drives: Use UPHCs as hubs for awareness on nutrition, tobacco, and reproductive health.
Data-driven Monitoring: Real-time dashboards for service tracking and medicine availability.
🧩 Conclusion
The expansion of UPHCs in Assam marks a timely investment in urban primary healthcare—critical for an increasingly urbanising state. If well-resourced and community-integrated, these centres can become the foundation of preventive and inclusive healthcare in Assam’s cities.
🛣️ Revival of North Bank Rail-Cum-Road Bridge Proposal: Strategic Infrastructure for Assam
📘 GS Paper 3: Infrastructure | Economic Development | Connectivity
📘 GS Paper 2: Government Policies & Interventions
📘 GS Paper 5 (Assam-specific): Transport & Connectivity in Assam
🔹 Introduction
In a significant infrastructural move, the Assam Government has revived the long-pending proposal for constructing a rail-cum-road bridge over the Brahmaputra on the North Bank of the river. The project, first mooted nearly two decades ago, is now being reassessed in terms of strategic, economic, and environmental feasibility, and will be presented to the Centre for approval.
🔑 Key Points
| Feature | Details |
| Project Type | Combined rail and road bridge over the Brahmaputra |
| Location | North Bank region (likely between Gohpur and Majuli/Dhemaji belt) |
| Original Proposal | First raised in early 2000s but shelved due to cost and strategic ambiguity |
| Current Status | Under review; feasibility reassessed by State PWD & Transport Dept. |
| Strategic Goal | Link underserved North Bank areas with central Assam and beyond |
| Centre’s Role | Assam Government to formally submit proposal to the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Railways |
| Public Demand | Long-standing public and local political demand in Lakhimpur, Dhemaji |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
North Bank: Refers to the northern side of the Brahmaputra; includes districts like Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Sonitpur.
Bogibeel Bridge: India’s longest rail-cum-road bridge (4.94 km), located upstream near Dibrugarh-Tinsukia.
Rail-Cum-Road Bridges: Dual-utility bridges that support both vehicular and railway transport on separate decks.
PWD Assam: Public Works Department in charge of infrastructure execution in the state.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance of the Project
Enhanced Connectivity: Reduces travel time from north to south bank by hours, improving trade and mobility.
Strategic Significance: Ensures faster troop movement and supply chain resilience near Arunachal border.
Socio-Economic Integration: Connects remote flood-prone districts with markets, education and healthcare hubs.
Disaster Resilience: Provides an alternate route during monsoon disruptions or ferry breakdowns.
Tourism Boost: Opens up travel corridors toward Majuli, Kaziranga (North Bank entry), and Arunachal foothills.
B. Challenges
| Challenge | Description |
| High Capital Cost | Rail-cum-road bridges are cost-intensive (~₹5,000–₹10,000 crore). |
| Land Acquisition | Riverine and tribal lands may be sensitive to development. |
| Hydrological Risks | Brahmaputra’s siltation, erosion and dynamic flow pose engineering difficulties. |
| Centre-State Coordination | Delays in DPR (Detailed Project Report) approval and funding pipeline. |
C. Government Action So Far
Feasibility Study Initiated: PWD working with transport consultants to reassess technical viability.
Integration with Bharatmala: Potential inclusion under Phase-II of the national highway development scheme.
Stakeholder Consultation: Ongoing local-level meetings to ensure alignment with public interest.
D. Way Forward
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Essential before execution to mitigate ecosystem disruption.
PPP Model: Explore public-private partnerships for faster implementation and financing.
Bridge Clustering Strategy: Integrate with existing and proposed Brahmaputra bridges to create a unified corridor network.
Time-bound Project Management: Ensure that DPR, land clearance, and tendering are executed within strict deadlines.
🧩 Conclusion
The revival of the North Bank rail-cum-road bridge proposal reflects Assam’s ambition to close the connectivity gap that divides its regions. If executed efficiently, the project could serve as a transformative corridor—accelerating growth, security, and integration in one of the most critical yet underserved parts of the state.
APSC Prelims Practice Questions
🛡️ Topic 1: Operation Sindoor – India’s Retaliatory Strike
Q1. Consider the following statements about Operation Sindoor:
- It was India’s first-ever cross-border airstrike post-Uri (2016).
- The operation exclusively targeted Pakistani military installations.
- It was launched as a response to a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: B
🧾 Explanation:
- Statement 1 is incorrect: India had conducted Balakot strikes in 2019 post-Pulwama.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: Targets were terror camps, not Pakistani military sites.
- Statement 3 is correct: The strikes were a response to the April 2025 Pahalgam attack.
Q2. The use of drone and missile-based precision strikes under Operation Sindoor is most relevant to which of the following doctrines?
A. Cold Start Doctrine
B. Strategic Deterrence Doctrine
C. Surgical Strike Doctrine
D. Nuclear Retaliation Doctrine
✅ Answer: C
🧾 Explanation:
- The strikes resemble surgical strike doctrine—measured, targeted, cross-border strikes without full-scale escalation.
🧬 Topic 2: NECTAR’s Bio-Economy Push in Assam
Q3. Which of the following best describes a “Bio-Economy” initiative in the context of NECTAR’s recent programme?
A. A trade mechanism for genetically modified organisms
B. Use of biological resources and biotechnological innovation to generate rural income
C. An agricultural subsidy scheme for organic farmers
D. An environmental tax on chemical-based industries
✅ Answer: B
🧾 Explanation:
- Bio-economy involves using natural resources (like bamboo, mushrooms, manure) for economic activities, as seen in NECTAR’s convergence model.
Q4. Match the following institutions with their roles in the bio-economy convergence programme in Assam:
| Institution | Role |
| A. NECTAR | 1. Field-level training and demonstrations |
| B. APART | 2. Agribusiness and logistical support |
| C. KVKs | 3. Central technology convergence and pilot design |
A. A-3, B-2, C-1
B. A-1, B-3, C-2
C. A-2, B-1, C-3
D. A-3, B-1, C-2
✅ Answer: A
🧾 Explanation:
- NECTAR = Tech design and convergence hub.
- APART = World Bank-linked agri-business support.
- KVKs = Field-level training and demonstration units.
🏥 Topic 3: Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) in Assam
Q5. Which of the following services are typically offered at Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs)?
- Maternal and child healthcare
- Emergency surgical services
- Non-communicable disease (NCD) screening
- Immunisation programmes
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1, 3 and 4 only
C. 1 and 2 only
D. All of the above
✅ Answer: B
🧾 Explanation:
- UPHCs are meant for primary care, not emergency surgeries (that’s for secondary/tertiary care).
- Services include OPD, maternal health, immunisation, NCD clinics.
Q6. The National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) was launched primarily to:
A. Provide mobile health vans in remote villages
B. Offer free dialysis to rural BPL patients
C. Strengthen primary health services in urban poor areas
D. Build medical colleges in tier-2 cities
✅ Answer: C
🧾 Explanation:
- NUHM was launched in 2013 to bridge the urban-rural health access gap, particularly in slums and low-income urban settlements.
🛣️ Topic 4: Revival of North Bank Rail-Cum-Road Bridge Proposal
Q7. Consider the following benefits of a proposed rail-cum-road bridge over the North Bank of Brahmaputra:
- Faster civilian and military movement
- Improved connectivity to eastern Arunachal Pradesh
- Reduced flood vulnerability of road networks
- Enhanced river transport services
Which of the above are valid benefits?
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1, 2, 3 and 4
D. 2 and 4 only
✅ Answer: A
🧾 Explanation:
- River transport enhancement is not a direct outcome of bridge construction.
- Rest are valid: bridge improves road redundancy, troop mobility, and access to flood-prone North Bank areas.
Q8. Which of the following statements best explains the term “rail-cum-road bridge”?
A. A double-decker bridge that allows both trains and cars to operate on the same platform
B. A bridge with integrated lanes for rail and road, usually on separate levels
C. A rural bridge that connects highways to railway stations
D. A bridge connecting rail freight yards to expressways
✅ Answer: B
🧾 Explanation:
Rail-cum-road bridges usually feature road on top, rail below or vice versa, using separate decks.
APSC Mains Practice Question
📝 GS Paper 3 – Internal Security | India’s Security Challenges | Role of Security Forces
Q. India’s response through Operation Sindoor marks a shift in its counter-terror strategy. Analyse the significance of this operation in the context of India’s evolving security doctrine. Also, examine the challenges associated with such cross-border precision strikes.
✅ Model Answer:
Introduction:
India’s Operation Sindoor, launched in May 2025, was a calibrated, precision strike against terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, following the brutal Pahalgam terrorist attack. The operation targeted terrorist infrastructure without escalating to full-scale conflict. This marks a clear evolution in India’s security doctrine—from passive deterrence to active counter-force retaliation.
🔍 Significance of Operation Sindoor in India’s Security Doctrine:
- Assertive Posture Without Escalation:
The use of drones and missiles shows that India is willing to engage below the threshold of conventional war—a middle path between inaction and war. - Emphasis on Surgical Precision:
Like the Balakot (2019) and Uri (2016) responses, Operation Sindoor highlights India’s improved surveillance and precision strike capability. - Legitimacy Through Proportionality:
The operation avoided targeting Pakistani military assets, thereby adhering to international law (UN Charter Article 51) and presenting India as a responsible actor. - Information and Psychological Warfare:
India proactively countered misinformation campaigns from adversarial platforms, leveraging credible media, transparency, and symbolism (e.g., naming the strike “Sindoor”). - Integration of Women in Strategic Roles:
The operation briefing was led by senior women officers, reflecting a gender-progressive shift in defence leadership.
⚠️ Challenges of Cross-Border Precision Strikes:
| Dimension | Challenge |
| Strategic | Risk of retaliation or miscalculation escalating to broader conflict. |
| Diplomatic | Need to maintain global support while asserting national sovereignty. |
| Operational | Requires real-time intelligence, accuracy, and technological superiority. |
| Civilian Risk | Potential for collateral damage, especially in dense border areas. |
| Nuclear Overhang | Tensions with a nuclear-armed adversary require tight escalation control. |
🛠️ Recommendations & Way Forward:
- Enhance ISR Capabilities: Invest in drones, satellites, and AI-based surveillance.
- Build Legal Consensus: Proactively justify strikes under the global ‘right to self-defence’ clause.
- Civilian Protection Systems: Improve border warning mechanisms to reduce civilian casualties from post-strike shelling.
- Regional Diplomacy: Counterbalance hard power with diplomatic outreach to maintain regional peace.
- Strategic Doctrine Codification: Create a clearly articulated framework for future cross-border counter-terror operations.
🧩 Conclusion:
Operation Sindoor represents a mature, calibrated evolution in India’s counter-terrorism doctrine—balancing firmness with restraint. It signals to adversaries and the international community that India will not tolerate cross-border terrorism, while remaining committed to responsible statecraft.
✨ APSC Prelims Crash Course, 2025
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