APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (16/05/2025)
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 (16-05-2025). 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
🟢 Topic: Rajnath Singh Calls for IAEA Oversight on Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons
📘 GS Paper 2: International Relations | Nuclear Security | Role of International Institutions
📘 GS Paper 3: Internal Security | Terrorism and National Security
📘 APSC GS Paper 5: India’s Foreign Policy | Security Concerns in South Asia
🔹 Introduction
In a sharp escalation of rhetoric, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during a visit to Srinagar post-Operation Sindoor, asserted that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons are unsafe and should be placed under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This comes in the backdrop of persistent cross-border terrorism and Pakistan’s repeated nuclear threats to India.
🔑 Key Points
| Aspect | Details |
| Statement Made By | Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister of India |
| Occasion | Visit to Srinagar after Operation Sindoor |
| Issue Raised | Pakistan’s irresponsible nuclear posture and threat credibility |
| Proposed Solution | IAEA oversight over Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal |
| Pakistani Reaction | Strongly rejected the remark, calling it “ignorant and provocative” |
| Backdrop | India’s hardened stance against terrorism, post-Galwan and Poonch incidents |
| Operation Sindoor | Described as India’s largest anti-terror operation in decades |
⚙️ Prelims Pointers
- IAEA: UN-affiliated body that monitors peaceful use of nuclear energy; HQ – Vienna.
- India’s Nuclear Doctrine: “No First Use” policy and minimum credible deterrence.
- Pakistan’s Nuclear Doctrine: Ambiguity maintained; implied first-use policy.
- Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT): Pakistan is not a signatory.
- Operation Sindoor: Ongoing counter-terrorism operation launched in 2025 in Kashmir region.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Significance of the Statement
- Geopolitical Messaging: Reinforces India’s growing assertiveness in global forums.
- Nuclear Stability Challenge: Highlights concerns over non-state actors and nuclear blackmail.
- Domestic Security Angle: Tied to India’s broader counter-terror policy post-Uri, Pulwama, Galwan.
- Multilateral Push: Seeks to bring nuclear security of South Asia into international spotlight.
- Strategic Communication: Uses Srinagar visit symbolically to amplify security concerns.
B. Concerns Regarding Pakistan’s Nuclear Arsenal
| Concern | Explanation |
| Proliferation Risk | AQ Khan network history; links to rogue regimes |
| State-Non-State Nexus | Terror groups and nuclear ambiguity create a volatile mix |
| Political Instability | Frequent regime change increases unpredictability |
| Nuclear First Use Policy | Lacks formal “No First Use” doctrine |
| Global Monitoring Weakness | Not part of NPT, CTBT; IAEA access is limited |
C. India’s Nuclear Policy and Global Role
- Adheres to “No First Use” and non-proliferation commitments
- Civil nuclear agreements with over a dozen countries (e.g., U.S., France, Australia)
- Actively participates in Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) negotiations
- Strategic Autonomy Doctrine: Advocates balanced nuclear policy independent of external pressures
D. Role of International Agencies like IAEA
- Mandate: Promote peaceful nuclear energy use, monitor nuclear facilities, ensure safeguards
- Limitations: Can inspect only member-agreed facilities; enforcement powers limited
- Successes: Iran’s nuclear inspections; failures in North Korea
- Need for Reform: Demands stronger enforcement against nuclear brinkmanship
E. Way Forward
- Multilateral Consensus Building: Engage global powers to pressure Pakistan
- Push for South Asian Nuclear Risk Reduction Framework
- Stronger India-IAEA Cooperation: Leverage moral high ground
- Information Warfare Readiness: Counter disinformation from rogue states
- Diplomatic Isolation of Nuclear Blackmailing: Strengthen India’s standing as a responsible nuclear state
📚 Important Treaties and Conventions
- Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) – India, Pakistan not signatories
- Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) – Signed by India, not ratified
- NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group) – India seeks full membership
- IAEA Safeguards Agreement – India complies with civil-nuclear oversight
🧩 Conclusion
Rajnath Singh’s call for IAEA supervision over Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal marks a bold shift in India’s international nuclear diplomacy. It positions India as a responsible nuclear power, challenges Pakistan’s recklessness, and invites the global community to reassess security norms in South Asia’s volatile context.
🟢 Topic: Death Toll Rises to 12 in Assam Thunderstorm Disaster
📘 GS Paper 1 (APSC): Geography | Climate of Assam
📘 GS Paper 3: Disaster Management | Climate Change Adaptation
📘 GS Paper 5 (Assam-specific): Natural Disasters in Assam | Disaster Preparedness
🔹 Introduction
A severe thunderstorm that struck Assam between 14–15 May 2025 claimed at least 12 lives and injured over 60, affecting multiple districts including Dhemaji, Darrang, Biswanath, Sonitpur, and Lakhimpur. Hundreds of homes were destroyed or damaged. The event underscores the vulnerability of Assam to extreme weather events, intensified by climate change and infrastructural gaps.
🔑 Key Points
| Feature | Detail |
| Death Toll | 12 reported (till 16 May), with many more injured |
| Districts Affected | Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Darrang, Biswanath, Sonitpur |
| Damages | Thousands of homes, electric poles, and trees damaged |
| Relief Measures | Ex-gratia announced by CM; relief camps activated |
| Institutional Response | Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) leading coordination |
| Meteorological Alert | Issued by IMD – pre-monsoon instability, squall winds, and lightning |
⚙️ Prelims Pointers
- ASDMA: Assam’s nodal agency for disaster preparedness and response.
- Thunderstorm Classification: Localized weather systems with lightning, wind gusts, and heavy rain.
- Red Alert by IMD: Indicates extreme weather likely – for thunderstorms, rainfall, or heatwaves.
- Lightning Hotspot: Assam is among India’s top 10 lightning-prone states.
- Disaster Types: Thunderstorms fall under hydrometeorological disasters.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Significance of Thunderstorm Disaster in Assam
- Highlights climate volatility in Northeast India.
- Reflects gaps in early warning dissemination at the grassroots level.
- Impacts agriculture, rural livelihoods, housing, power supply, and road networks.
- Affects disaster resilience of vulnerable groups like small farmers, children, and elderly.
B. Challenges in Preparedness and Response
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Forecast Accuracy | Thunderstorms are rapid, hyper-local events – difficult to predict precisely |
| Alert Penetration | Remote areas lack last-mile connectivity for alerts |
| Housing Vulnerability | Kucha houses made of bamboo, mud are storm-prone |
| Emergency Infrastructure | Inadequate shelters, delayed evacuation, weak inter-agency coordination |
| Climate Injustice | Poor communities bear brunt of extreme weather without adaptive capacity |
C. Government and Institutional Response
- CM’s Statement: Announced ex-gratia to victims’ families; ordered district readiness reviews
- ASDMA Efforts: Deployed teams, stockpiled relief materials, activated emergency control rooms
- IMD Bulletins: Regular forecast updates; mobile app alerts under Meghdoot and Damini
- Relief & Rehab: Distribution of tarpaulins, dry rations, temporary shelters arranged in affected districts
D. Way Forward
- Invest in Resilient Housing: Promote disaster-resilient low-cost housing under PMAY-G
- Early Warning Dissemination: Use ASHA workers, Panchayat members, and radio alerts
- Lightning-Safe Structures: Community shelters with grounding systems
- School Safety Programs: Integrate storm drills in rural schools
- Decentralised Response Teams: Panchayat-level disaster volunteers trained for rapid action
📚 Relevant Policies and Programs
- Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030)
- National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) – Updated post COVID
- Assam State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) – Includes early warning and adaptation
- Fani Protocol and SOPs – For cyclones, adapted to thunderstorms
🧩 Conclusion
The May 2025 thunderstorm in Assam is not an isolated weather anomaly—it is part of an intensifying climate risk profile for the state. Strengthening resilience at the last mile through early warning systems, community preparedness, and infrastructure upgrades is essential to saving lives in the future.
🟢 Topic: Snehalaya Launches ‘Project Dosti’ to Combat Substance Abuse Among Children
📘 GS Paper 2: Social Justice | Health & Education | NGOs in Development
📘 GS Paper 1 (APSC): Society | Child Welfare & Vulnerable Sections
📘 GS Paper 5 (Assam-specific): Social Issues in Assam | NGO Initiatives
🔹 Introduction
Snehalaya, a prominent child rights NGO based in Guwahati, launched ‘Project Dosti’, a community-based intervention to address rising substance abuse among street and marginalized children. The initiative includes peer counselling, rehabilitation support, and family reintegration to prevent addiction and promote child welfare.
🔑 Key Points
| Aspect | Description |
| Project Name | Project Dosti |
| Launched By | Snehalaya (Don Bosco initiative) |
| Target Group | Street-connected children, adolescent dropouts, vulnerable youth |
| Focus Areas | Substance abuse prevention, counselling, family reintegration, school re-enrolment |
| Components | Peer educator model, helpline, de-addiction camps, art therapy |
| Location | Guwahati urban slums and railway stations |
| Support Partners | Local police, Childline, State Child Protection Society |
⚙️ Prelims Pointers
- Snehalaya: Guwahati-based NGO working with street children since 2000.
- JJ Act, 2015: Defines care and protection responsibilities for children in conflict with law or at risk.
- Substance Abuse among Children: India’s 2019 national survey found ~1.8% of children under 18 consume psychoactive substances.
- Childline 1098: 24/7 emergency helpline for distressed children.
- Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS): Government’s umbrella scheme for child protection.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Significance of Project Dosti
- Addresses growing addiction trend among unsupervised children in urban spaces.
- Fills a critical service gap where government rehabilitation schemes are adult-oriented.
- Reinforces community-based child protection through youth-led outreach.
- Promotes safe spaces, trust, and de-stigmatization of addiction and trauma.
- Helps break the street-drug-prison cycle by focusing on early intervention.
B. Challenges in Combating Child Substance Abuse
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Stigma and Denial | Parents or society often ignore early signs |
| Lack of Infrastructure | Limited juvenile de-addiction centres in NE India |
| Legal Gray Zones | Children in addiction often fall between crime and welfare categories |
| Peer Pressure | Railway hubs, slums act as exposure points |
| Dropout Vulnerability | Education exclusion leads to risky behavior patterns |
C. Snehalaya’s Approach
- Peer Educator Model: Former victims trained to support current at-risk children
- Rehabilitation Homes: Temporary shelter with art therapy, vocational skills
- Collaboration: Works with Juvenile Justice Boards (JJB), Child Welfare Committees (CWC), and local police
- Family Engagement: Counselling and reintegration plans to restore family links
- Outreach Camps: Held in public spaces like railway stations, markets, and traffic signals
D. Way Forward
- Replicate ‘Dosti’ Model Across Assam: Expand peer-led rehab in other high-risk urban zones
- Policy Convergence: Link ICPS, JJ Act provisions, and state health departments
- Dedicated Child Rehab Infrastructure: Establish state-funded addiction treatment for minors
- Preventive Education: Include life skills and addiction awareness in school curriculum
- NGO-Govt Partnership Cells: Institutionalize long-term support systems for rescued children
📚 Relevant Acts & Policies
- Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection) Act, 2015
- Pencil Portal – Platform to combat child labour and trafficking
- National Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NPDDR)
- RTE Act, 2009 – Prevents exclusion of at-risk children from formal schooling
🧩 Conclusion
‘Project Dosti’ is a grassroots intervention with transformative potential, addressing one of Assam’s most under-discussed social threats—child substance abuse. Scaling such models through partnerships and policy backing can ensure a protective ecosystem for every child.
🟢 Topic: President of India to Inaugurate Kaziranga High-End Safari Lodges
📘 GS Paper 3: Environment | Conservation | Eco-tourism
📘 GS Paper 1 (APSC): Geography of Assam | Tourism Development
📘 GS Paper 5 (APSC): Assam-specific Initiatives | Protected Areas & Economy
🔹 Introduction
President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to inaugurate a set of high-end safari lodges in Kaziranga National Park, marking a new chapter in eco-tourism and conservation-linked livelihood generation in Assam. The initiative aims to balance wildlife protection with sustainable tourism and rural employment.
🔑 Key Points
| Feature | Details |
| Event | Inauguration of luxury eco-lodges at Kaziranga |
| Inaugurated By | President of India, Droupadi Murmu |
| Project Type | Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model |
| Purpose | Promote eco-tourism, create employment, reduce tourism pressure in core zones |
| Facilities | Solar-powered, low-carbon footprint lodges with local cultural aesthetics |
| Location | Buffer zone of Kaziranga to protect wildlife from over-tourism |
⚙️ Prelims Pointers
- Kaziranga National Park: UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to 2/3rd of world’s one-horned rhinoceros
- Eco-Tourism Zones: Developed to reduce human-wildlife conflict and promote conservation economy
- Elephant Corridors: Kaziranga is a key transit zone for elephants between Karbi Anglong hills
- Carrying Capacity: Limits placed on tourist entry to preserve park ecology
- Green Building Norms: Adopted under ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code) for these lodges
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Significance of High-End Safari Lodges
- Boost to Eco-Tourism: Diversifies Assam’s tourism appeal beyond traditional circuits
- Revenue for Conservation: Lodges contribute funds for wildlife protection activities
- Employment Generation: Trained guides, cooks, housekeepers sourced locally
- Cultural Promotion: Lodges incorporate local architecture, crafts, and cuisine
- Sustainable Development Model: Minimizes ecological footprint while maximizing community benefits
B. Challenges & Risks
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Ecological Sensitivity | Even eco-tourism can disturb breeding and feeding patterns of wildlife |
| Monoculture Tourism | Over-focus on safari tourism may marginalize other experiences (cultural, tea, heritage) |
| Equity in Benefit Sharing | Villagers outside project zones may feel excluded |
| Waste Management | Increased tourist footfall can overwhelm local waste disposal infrastructure |
| Regulatory Oversight | Need to ensure EIA compliance and control over illegal land use |
C. Steps Taken by Government
- PPP Model with Regulation: Contracts ensure ecological compliance and community share
- Skill Training for Locals: Conducted under Hunar Se Rozgar and Tourism Skill Councils
- Online Permit Systems: Limit unregulated visitor access during peak seasons
- Eco-Sensitive Zoning: Infrastructure outside core zones of Kaziranga
- Tourism Circuit Integration: Linked with Majuli, Pobitora, and Orang under Assam tourism plan
D. Way Forward
- Promote Inclusive Tourism: Homestays and low-cost eco-options alongside luxury
- Monitoring Wildlife Impact: Use of camera traps and AI for movement pattern tracking
- Community Tourism Boards: Involve local panchayats in tourism governance
- Carbon-Neutral Infrastructure: Promote solar panels, compost toilets, plastic-free zones
- Educational Tourism: Link safaris with awareness drives on rhino and elephant conservation
📚 Relevant Schemes & Frameworks
- Swadesh Darshan 2.0 – Theme-based tourist circuits with ecological focus
- National Eco-Tourism Policy (Draft)
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (amended 2022)
- UN SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
- Assam Tourism Policy 2022
🧩 Conclusion
The inauguration of eco-sensitive luxury lodges in Kaziranga by the President symbolizes a mature phase in Assam’s conservation journey, where ecology and economy are co-creators of prosperity. If managed responsibly, this model can serve as a template for eco-tourism across India’s protected areas.
APSC Prelims Practice Questions
✅ TOPIC 1: India Calls for IAEA Oversight on Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons
Q1. Which of the following statements about the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is/are correct?
- IAEA is an autonomous organization under the United Nations system.
- It monitors only civilian nuclear facilities of member states.
- India is a member of the IAEA and is subject to its safeguards on all nuclear facilities.
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. All of the above
✅ Answer: A. 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: The IAEA is an autonomous body under the UN umbrella.
- Statement 2 is correct: It can monitor only those civilian facilities where states permit.
- Statement 3 is incorrect: India allows IAEA oversight only on its civilian nuclear reactors, not its military/nuclear weapons facilities.
✅ TOPIC 2: Assam Thunderstorm Disaster – May 2025
Q2. Thunderstorms in Assam are classified as:
A. Geological disasters
B. Biological disasters
C. Hydro-meteorological disasters
D. Industrial disasters
✅ Answer: C.
Explanation:
Thunderstorms, lightning, and squalls are classified under hydro-meteorological disasters, as per NDMA categorization.
Q3. Which of the following agencies is primarily responsible for disaster management in Assam?
A. Indian Meteorological Department
B. Central Water Commission
C. Assam State Disaster Management Authority
D. Geological Survey of India
✅ Answer: C.
Explanation:
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) is the nodal body for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery in the state.
✅ TOPIC 3: ‘Project Dosti’ by Snehalaya
Q4. With reference to child protection in India, consider the following statements:
- The Juvenile Justice Act mandates protection of children from substance abuse.
- Childline 1098 is operated under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- Snehalaya is a government-run child rehabilitation program in Assam.
Which of the above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: A.
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: JJ Act protects children in need of care and protection, including addicts.
- Statement 2 is correct: Childline 1098 is run under MWCD.
- Statement 3 is incorrect: Snehalaya is an NGO, not a government scheme.
✅ TOPIC 4: President to Inaugurate Eco-Lodges at Kaziranga
Q5. Consider the following statements about Kaziranga National Park:
- It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- It lies along the banks of the Brahmaputra River.
- It is India’s only natural habitat for Asiatic lions.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. All of the above
✅ Answer: A.
Explanation:
- Statement 1: ✅ Correct
- Statement 2: ✅ Correct
- Statement 3: ❌ Incorrect – Asiatic lions are found only in Gir National Park, Gujarat.
Q6. Which of the following are essential features of eco-tourism as promoted in Kaziranga?
- Local employment and cultural integration
- Low environmental impact construction
- Tourist accommodation within the core area of the park
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. All of the above
✅ Answer: A.
Explanation:
Eco-tourism emphasizes community benefit and sustainability, but tourist lodges are set up in buffer zones, not core areas, to protect wildlife.
APSC Mains Practice Question
📝 Mains Question:
Q. How can eco-tourism initiatives like the Kaziranga high-end safari lodges contribute to sustainable development in Assam? Highlight the benefits and risks associated with such projects in ecologically sensitive zones.
(GS Paper 3 – Environment & Sustainable Development | APSC GS Paper 5 – Assam-specific Initiatives)
Word Limit: 250
✅ Model Answer:
🔹 Introduction
Eco-tourism combines conservation, community welfare, and sustainable travel, aiming to generate income while preserving nature. The inauguration of high-end eco-lodges in Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, signals Assam’s shift toward nature-based tourism models that also empower local economies.
🔍 Role in Sustainable Development
| Area | Impact |
| Conservation Funding | Tourism revenue supports anti-poaching and park maintenance. |
| Local Livelihoods | Employment for local youth as guides, drivers, and hospitality staff. |
| Cultural Preservation | Integration of local architecture and cuisine promotes heritage. |
| Tourism Diversification | Reduces overdependence on core zones, spreads economic benefit to buffer areas. |
| Green Infrastructure | Solar-powered and low-impact construction reduces carbon footprint. |
⚠️ Risks & Challenges
| Risk | Explanation |
| Ecological Pressure | Even regulated tourism may disrupt wildlife habitats and migration routes. |
| Waste Generation | Improper management can lead to pollution in wetlands and grasslands. |
| Exclusive Access | High-end tourism may exclude local or low-income tourists, raising equity concerns. |
| Commercialisation | Cultural authenticity may be compromised for profit motives. |
| Carrying Capacity Breach | Excessive tourist flow can strain park resources. |
🛠️ Way Forward
Strict Zoning Laws: Limit construction to buffer areas with ecological oversight.
Community-Based Governance: Involve local panchayats and SHGs in tourism planning.
Waste & Water Management: Mandate EIA, eco-certification, and zero-waste policies.
Inclusivity Measures: Promote homestays and affordable eco-lodges alongside luxury resorts.
Monitoring Wildlife Impact: Use technology (camera traps, drones) to assess tourist effects.
🧩 Conclusion
Eco-tourism in Kaziranga can become a blueprint for sustainable development in Northeast India if it balances ecological integrity with inclusive growth. The success of such initiatives hinges on community ownership, ecological safeguards, and long-term conservation goals over short-term profits.
✨ APSC Prelims Crash Course, 2025
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