APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (20/11/2025)
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 (20-11-2025). These issues are key for both APSC Prelims and Mains preparation, offering insights into the APSC CCE Syllabus.
✨ APSC CCE Prelims Crash Course, 2026
Topic 1 – “Experts Stress the Need for AI-Driven Defence Against Cyber Attacks”
(GS Paper 3: Cyber Security, Science & Tech)
Source: The Assam Tribune, 20 Nov 2025, Page 1 & Page 2
1. Introduction
India’s cyber threat landscape has expanded rapidly, with a sharp rise in cyber frauds, digital breaches, and sophisticated attacks—many originating from hostile actors. At NIELIT’s national cyber conference in Guwahati, experts stressed that the country now requires AI-driven, scalable cyber defence and forensic systems to counter modern, graph-based attack patterns.
2. Key Points from the News
Cyber fraud in India touched ₹22,845 crore in 2024, marking a 205.6% increase over the previous year.
36 lakh+ financial fraud cases were reported; CERT-In detected 20.5 lakh cybersecurity incidents in 2024—up from 15.9 lakh in 2023.
Investigations face bottlenecks:
Fragmented systems
Limited remote capabilities
Outdated investigation methods
Large digital evidence backlogs
AI-powered analytics, automated extraction, and graph-based detection are essential to match attackers’ non-linear strategies.
Digital evidence now features in 90% of criminal cases, and 98% of prosecutors consider it crucial.
Capacity gaps remain in police/forensic agencies—training and digital infrastructure require urgent strengthening.
Conference theme: “Cyber Secure Bharat: Fortifying India’s Digital Future.”
3. Prelims Pointers
CERT-In = National nodal agency for responding to cybersecurity threats (under MeitY).
Digital Forensics = Scientific process of identifying, collecting, analyzing, and presenting digital evidence.
AI in Cybersecurity = Used for anomaly detection, threat intelligence, predictive analytics, and malware analysis.
NIELIT = National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology.
4. Mains Pointers
Significance
Enhances national security amid rising state-sponsored cyber threats.
Ensures economic stability by preventing large-scale financial frauds.
Strengthens trust in digitisation initiatives like Digital India, UPI, and e-governance.
Challenges
Shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals.
Outdated digital forensics tools in many states.
Lack of unified, real-time information-sharing between agencies.
Growing AI-enabled attacks (deepfakes, automated phishing, ransomware).
Government Initiatives
National Cyber Security Strategy (proposed).
Cyber Swachhta Kendra.
Indian CERT’s upgraded monitoring systems.
Capacity-building programmes through MeitY, NIELIT, police academies.
Way Forward
Invest in AI-driven autonomous threat detection systems.
Create National Digital Evidence Grid for seamless inter-agency access.
Mandate cybersecurity standards for private sector & financial institutions.
Build state-level digital forensic labs and specialised cyber police units.
Promote public awareness on safe digital behaviour.
5. Conclusion
The 20-11-2025 conference highlights that India’s cyber threats are becoming faster, more sophisticated, and state-backed. Only a comprehensive AI-enabled cyber defence ecosystem, backed by skilled personnel and strong institutional coordination, can secure India’s digital future.
Topic 2 – “India Repatriates 125 Citizens from Thailand: Crackdown on Cyber Scam Centres in Myanmar”
(GS Paper 2: Diaspora • India–ASEAN Relations • Consular Diplomacy | Internal Security)
Source: The Assam Tribune, 20 Nov 2025, Page 4 (International)
1. Introduction
In a major humanitarian and diplomatic operation, India repatriated 125 citizens from Thailand’s Mae Sot on 19 November 2025. These individuals were victims of trafficking and forced labour, trapped in cyber-scam centres operating in Myanmar’s Myawaddy region, a hotspot for transnational organised crime.
This mission forms part of India’s wider effort—having repatriated around 1,500 citizens since March 2025—to protect its diaspora from illegal employment syndicates operating across Southeast Asia.
2. Key Points from the News
125 Indians repatriated from Mae Sot (Thailand) via special Indian Air Force flight.
These individuals were rescued from cyber-scam centres in Myanmar’s Myawaddy region.
Coordinated operation by:
Embassy of India, Bangkok
Consulate of India, Chiang Mai
Thai Government & Tak Province authorities
Victims were lured through fake IT job offers, then trafficked to Myanmar.
Many were forced to work in online fraud factories, with poor living conditions.
Government advisory issued:
Verify employer credentials abroad.
Indian tourists must not misuse visa-free entry to Thailand for work.
The operation is part of India’s “proactive consular protection strategy”.
3. Prelims Pointers
✔ Myawaddy (Myanmar)
Located in Kayin State, bordering Thailand.
Controlled partly by local militias & crime syndicates.
Hub for scam centres targeting global victims.
✔ ASEAN–India Relations
India and Thailand share:
Coordinated Patrols (CORPAT)
Mekong–Ganga Cooperation
BIMSTEC frameworks
✔ Trafficking Indicators (UNODC)
Fake job offers
Withholding of passports
Forced cybercrime labour—a new global trend
✔ Indian Air Force (IAF)
Plays key role in evacuation missions (e.g., Operation Kaveri, Operation Ganga).
4. Mains Pointers
A. Significance of the Repatriation
Diaspora Protection Priority
India’s growing migrant population in Southeast Asia requires constant monitoring.
Countering Transnational Crime
Scam centres are part of global cyber fraud networks.
Humanitarian Responsibility
Victims face torture, extortion, and illegal confinement.
Strengthened India–Thailand Cooperation
Enhances bilateral security coordination under Act East Policy.
B. Challenges
Porous Myanmar–Thailand border → easy trafficking routes.
Weak law enforcement in conflict-hit Myanmar regions.
Rapid evolution of cyber-scam networks using cryptocurrencies & AI tools.
Victims hesitate to report due to fear of prosecution or stigma.
Visa misuse increases vulnerability for migrant workers.
C. Government Initiatives
Consular rescue missions via Bangkok & Chiang Mai missions.
Strong advisories against illegal overseas employment.
Coordination with Thai authorities for border rescues.
India’s broader framework:
MADAD portal for distressed Indians abroad
e-Migrate System for safe recruitment
Bilateral MoUs with ASEAN nations on labour mobility
Plan to enhance cybercrime cooperation under BIMSTEC Security Pillar.
D. Way Forward
Strengthen crackdown on illegal recruitment agents in India.
Joint India–Thailand cybercrime task force to track scam networks.
Stricter verification mechanisms for overseas job offers.
Increased awareness campaigns in high-migration states.
Work with INTERPOL to dismantle transnational crime syndicates.
5. Conclusion
The repatriation of 125 Indians from Thailand highlights the complex intersection of cybercrime, human trafficking, and regional instability in Southeast Asia. India’s swift diplomatic response showcases its commitment to diaspora welfare and reinforces the need for enhanced regional cooperation to combat cyber-scam networks.
For sustainable safety, India must integrate humanitarian rescue, cybercrime intelligence sharing, and safe-migration awareness into a robust Indo–ASEAN engagement strategy.
Topic 3 – “Cotton University–Bhutan Varsity Initiative to Tackle Escalating Climate Risks”
(GS Paper 3: Climate Change • Disaster Management • Environment | GS Paper 2: International Relations – Neighbourhood Cooperation)
Source: The Assam Tribune, 20 Nov 2025, Page 3
1. Introduction
Climate risks across the Eastern Himalayas—particularly Northeast India and Bhutan—are escalating due to glacier retreat, erratic monsoons, lightning surges, and transboundary pollution. To address this, Cotton University (Guwahati) and Bhutan’s Royal University have launched a collaborative initiative to jointly assess regional climate vulnerabilities, enhance scientific research, and co-design climate-resilient development pathways.
This reflects India’s broader strategy of strengthening science-based diplomacy with Himalayan neighbours.
2. Key Points from the News
Cotton University and Royal University of Bhutan jointly highlighted shared climate threats:
Glacier melt accelerating in Bhutan’s highlands.
Shifting monsoon patterns affecting Assam’s flood–drought cycles.
Increasing lightning events across NE India.
Rising transboundary air pollution from Bhutanese highlands to Brahmaputra valley.
Initiative aims to:
Strengthen cross-border climate data sharing.
Enhance research on hydrology & ecosystem shifts.
Influence policy-level adaptation frameworks in both countries.
Collaborative workshops emphasised community-level resilience, scientific modelling, and sustainable development.
3. Prelims Pointers
✔ Eastern Himalaya Ecosystem
A global biodiversity hotspot.
Hydrological source of Brahmaputra system (Yarlung–Tsangpo).
Highly sensitive to temperature rise and monsoon variability.
✔ Transboundary Climate Risks
GLOFs (Glacial Lake Outburst Floods)
Riverine flooding
Smoke & aerosol movement
Landslides and soil erosion
✔ India–Bhutan Climate Cooperation Platforms
Bilateral Hydropower Agreements
SATHEE (Science and Technology for Himalayan Environment and Ecology)
ICIMOD membership (Nepal-based, India & Bhutan both part)
4. Mains Pointers
A. Significance of the Initiative
1️⃣ Strengthening Science Diplomacy
Enhances India–Bhutan relations through knowledge exchange.
Helps align policies on disaster management, river governance, and biodiversity protection.
2️⃣ Addressing Shared Climate Vulnerabilities
Assam’s flood patterns are deeply linked to upstream Bhutanese hydrology.
Bhutan’s glacier retreat intensifies downstream flooding and sediment load.
3️⃣ Data Gaps Filled
Joint research improves climate modelling essential for:
GLOF prediction
Flood early warning
Lightning risk mapping
River-basin planning
4️⃣ Supporting Local Communities
Enables climate-resilient agriculture, early warning dissemination, and livelihood adaptation.
B. Key Challenges
Fragmented cross-border meteorological data hampers accurate forecasting.
Institutional coordination between Indian and Bhutanese agencies still limited.
Difficult Himalayan terrain limits real-time sensor deployment.
Political sensitivities in managing transboundary rivers.
High cost of climate monitoring infrastructure (LIDAR, radar, glacial sensors).
C. Government Initiatives
India’s National Mission for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE).
Bhutan’s Forest & Nature Conservation Act prioritises ecological stability.
India–Bhutan Hydropower Cooperation integrates ecological safeguards.
Joint River Commission mechanisms in the Eastern Himalayas.
ICIMOD-supported Himalayan Climate Assessment Programme.
D. Way Forward
Establish a Himalayan Climate Risk Observatory jointly managed by India and Bhutan.
Real-time cross-border early warning systems for lightning, GLOFs, and floods.
Integrate community science, especially indigenous knowledge systems.
Promote green hydropower, climate-smart agriculture, and watershed restoration.
Enhance capacity-building for young climate scientists across NE India & Bhutan.
5. Conclusion
The Cotton University–Bhutan partnership exemplifies how regional scientific collaboration can help tackle the escalating climate crisis in the Eastern Himalayas. With shared vulnerabilities and interconnected ecosystems, coordinated climate research and resilience planning are essential for sustainable development across India’s Northeast and Bhutan.
This initiative strengthens both science diplomacy and environmental governance, contributing to long-term climate security in South Asia.
Topic 4 – “China–Philippines Face-Off in South China Sea: Regional Security Concerns Escalate”
(GS Paper 2: International Relations • Indo-Pacific • Maritime Security | APSC: India’s Act East & Regional Security)
Source: The Assam Tribune, 20 Nov 2025, International Page
TG@Assam_Tribune (18-11-2025)
1. Introduction
The South China Sea (SCS) witnessed yet another flashpoint as China and the Philippines confronted each other near the Second Thomas Shoal, following aggressive manoeuvres by Chinese vessels.
This confrontation—part of an ongoing cycle of maritime militarisation—has heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific, involving the US, ASEAN, and regional powers.
For India, the episode reinforces the importance of a rules-based maritime order, freedom of navigation, and stable sea lanes vital to its Indo-Pacific strategy.
2. Key Points from The Assam Tribune (20 Nov 2025)
Chinese coast guard vessels blocked Philippine supply boats headed to the BRP Sierra Madre outpost.
Manila accused Beijing of ramming, water-cannoning, and dangerous manoeuvres in violation of UNCLOS.
China claimed the Philippines “entered Chinese waters illegally.”
The US reiterated that Philippines–US Mutual Defence Treaty (MDT) applies to attacks on Philippine assets.
ASEAN expressed concern, urging restraint and adherence to the 2002 Code of Conduct agreement.
Tensions rise days before major ASEAN defence meetings.
3. Prelims Pointers
✔ Second Thomas Shoal
Located in the Spratly Islands.
Controlled by Philippines via a grounded ship (BRP Sierra Madre).
✔ UNCLOS
Defines territorial seas (12 nm), EEZ (200 nm).
South China Sea disputes centre around China’s Nine-Dash Line, rejected by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (2016).
✔ ASEAN Claimants
Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei.
✔ US–Philippines Mutual Defence Treaty, 1951
Covers armed attacks on public vessels.
Frequently invoked in SCS standoffs.
4. Mains Pointers
A. Why Tensions Are Rising
1️⃣ China’s Maritime Assertiveness
Expanding military presence through fortified artificial islands.
New maritime laws permit China Coast Guard to use force.
2️⃣ Philippines’ Firm Stand
Manila under its new government has strengthened ties with the US and Japan.
Regular resupply missions to Second Thomas Shoal symbolise sovereignty.
3️⃣ Strategic Geography
SCS hosts ~$3.4 trillion annual trade; choke points critical for global supply chains.
Claimed areas rich in hydrocarbons and fisheries.
B. Implications for the Indo-Pacific
✔ Security Risks
Increased probability of military miscalculation.
US–China tensions worsen as US naval escorts rise.
✔ ASEAN Unity Tested
Cambodia & Laos lean China’s way; Vietnam & Philippines push back.
Undermines ASEAN’s diplomatic coherence.
✔ Global Trade Vulnerability
Any escalation can disrupt shipping routes crucial to Japan, India, and Southeast Asia.
C. India’s Strategic Stakes
1️⃣ Freedom of Navigation
India’s energy imports to the Northeast Asia route pass through SCS.
2️⃣ Defence Partnerships
Naval exercises with Vietnam, Philippines, Japan.
Potential India–Philippines BrahMos missile deployments.
3️⃣ Rule-Based Order
India rejected the nine-dash line and supports UNCLOS-based maritime governance.
4️⃣ Act East Policy
Peace in SCS is essential for India’s connectivity projects:
Kaladan
IMT Highway
ASEAN–India shipping corridors
D. Challenges to Conflict Resolution
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Overlapping Claims | Multi-actor dispute complicates negotiation. |
| China’s Hard Power | Military buildup gives Beijing leverage. |
| Weak ASEAN Mechanisms | No binding enforcement on China. |
| US–China Rivalry | Regional diplomacy increasingly polarised. |
5. Way Forward
✔ Strengthen ASEAN-led Code of Conduct negotiations
Binding, time-bound mechanisms needed.
✔ Promote multilateral naval confidence-building
Information-sharing, hotlines, and joint patrols.
✔ India’s Role
Advocate UNCLOS in Quad & ASEAN forums
Enhance maritime domain awareness (MDA) with Southeast Asia
Offer training and defence capacity-building to ASEAN states
✔ Avoid Militarised Escalation
Encourage diplomatic channels, third-party mediation, and deconfliction arrangements.
6. Conclusion
The China–Philippines confrontation at Second Thomas Shoal is a volatile reminder of the fragile maritime balance in the South China Sea.
A stable Indo-Pacific requires rule-of-law, cooperative security frameworks, and collective resistance to unilateral coercion.
For India, supporting ASEAN centrality and safeguarding maritime freedom remains crucial to its Act East and Indo-Pacific strategies.
Topic 5 – “NDRF Launches Northeast Youth Training Programme on Disaster Preparedness”
(GS Paper 3: Disaster Management • Capacity Building • Governance | APSC GS-V: Assam & NE Disaster Vulnerability)
Source: The Assam Tribune, 20 Nov 2025, Page 3
TG@Assam_Tribune (20-11-2025)
1. Introduction
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has launched a specialised training programme for youth across Northeast India to build a community-driven disaster response network.
Given that the Northeast is among India’s most disaster-prone regions—facing floods, earthquakes, landslides, lightning, and forest fires—empowering local youth is vital for rapid response, life-saving assistance, and resilient communities.
This initiative reflects India’s shift toward “Jan Bhagidari in Disaster Management”, aligning with the Sendai Framework’s emphasis on community preparedness.
2. Key Highlights from The Assam Tribune (20 Nov 2025)
TG@Assam_Tribune (20-11-2025)
NDRF 1st Battalion (Guwahati) held a multi-hazard preparedness workshop for Northeast youth.
Focus areas included:
Earthquake awareness & drills
Flood rescue techniques
Basic life support (BLS), CPR
Fire safety, evacuation methods
Landslide & lightning risk mitigation
Youth from Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, and Meghalaya participated.
Emphasis on community first responders (CFRs) as the backbone of disaster response.
NDRF highlighted the need for collaboration with State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs) and local district authorities.
Participants were trained to act as “force multipliers” during crises.
3. Prelims Pointers
✔ National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
Created under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Mandate: specialist response to natural & man-made disasters.
NE coverage mainly by 1st Battalion (Guwahati).
✔ Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030)
Priority 1: Understanding disaster risk
Priority 4: Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response
✔ Disaster Profile of Northeast India
Zone V earthquake belt
Brahmaputra & Barak floods
Landslide-prone hill states
High lightning vulnerability (Assam, Meghalaya)
Glacial melt influences (Arunachal–Bhutan region)
4. Mains Pointers
A. Why the Initiative is Important
1️⃣ High Disaster Exposure of Northeast India
Assam faces annual floods affecting 25–30 lakh people.
Meghalaya and Manipur face recurrent landslides.
Arunachal & Assam lie in the highest seismic zone (Zone V).
2️⃣ Local Communities as First Responders
70–80% of golden-hour rescues are done by locals before formal teams arrive.
NDRF aims to build trained community rescue networks.
3️⃣ Bridging Capacity Gaps
Shortage of trained volunteers, equipment, and early warning dissemination.
Youth training addresses last-mile preparedness.
4️⃣ Strengthening State–Centre Coordination
NDRF–SDRF synergy is critical for efficient disaster response.
B. Challenges
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Difficult Terrain | Remote hills delay response & evacuation. |
| Limited Infrastructure | Poor road connectivity hampers rescue logistics. |
| Awareness Deficit | Many communities lack disaster literacy. |
| Recurrent Flooding | Drainage congestion, deforestation worsen flood severity. |
| Resource Constraints | SDRFs often under-equipped. |
C. Government Initiatives
Aapda Mitra Scheme – Community volunteers training.
Common Alert Protocol for mobile-based early warnings.
National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP).
Regional Early Warning Centre for Lightning (IMD).
Brahmaputra River Basin Management Programme (for hydro-risks).
D. Way Forward
✔ Strengthen Community-Based Disaster Preparedness
Village Disaster Management Committees (VDMCs)
School-based safety drills under NDMA guidelines
✔ Expand Youth Training Across NE
Cover remote areas of Arunachal, Nagaland, Mizoram.
✔ Integrate Technology
Drone-assisted assessment
Portable communication sets
Mobile apps for reporting & SOS
✔ Improve Urban Resilience
Earthquake-resistant construction
Landslide-risk mapping for hill towns
✔ Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships
Involving universities, NGOs, army, media.
5. Conclusion
NDRF’s youth training programme marks a significant step toward grassroots disaster resilience in the Northeast.
By turning youth into trained responders, the initiative strengthens the region’s ability to manage floods, earthquakes, landslides, and other hazards.
Sustained investment in capacity-building, early warning systems, and community awareness is essential to build a disaster-resilient Northeast India.
APSC Prelims Practice Question
✅ TOPIC 1 — AI-Driven Cyber Defence & Digital Forensics
Q1. With reference to India’s cyber threat landscape, consider the following statements:
- CERT-In is the national nodal agency for cybersecurity and functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Digital evidence is used in more than 80% of criminal cases in India.
- AI-based analytics can help detect non-linear, graph-based cyber-attack patterns.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
✔ Correct Answer: b)
Explanation:
- CERT-In functions under MeitY, not MHA → Statement 1 is incorrect.
- The news reports that digital evidence appears in ~90% cases, so statement 2 is correct.
- AI-based analytics indeed detect network-graph attack behaviours → statement 3 is correct.
Q2. Which of the following correctly explains the sharp rise in cyber frauds in India?
a) Over-dependence on Aadhaar-linked services
b) Increased use of outdated cryptographic systems
c) Proliferation of organised cyber-scam centres and AI-enabled fraud techniques
d) Failure of banks to adopt two-factor authentication
✔ Correct Answer: c)
Explanation:
The article highlights AI-driven cyber frauds and organised scam factories as key reasons for the 205.6% rise in cybercrimes. No evidence that Aadhaar or 2FA is the root cause.
✅ TOPIC 2 — India Repatriates Citizens from Thailand’s Mae Sot (Cyber Scam Trafficking)
Q3. The recent repatriation of 125 Indians from Mae Sot, Thailand is linked to:
a) Illegal gold smuggling networks
b) Forced labour in cyber-scam centres operating from Myanmar
c) Human trafficking connected to Middle Eastern recruitment frauds
d) Evacuation due to conflict in northern Thailand
✔ Correct Answer: b)
Explanation:
Victims were lured through fake IT jobs → trafficked → forced to work in Myanmar-based cyber-scam hubs.
Q4. Which of the following institutions is MOST relevant to India’s handling of trafficking and victim repatriation in Southeast Asia?
- MADAD Portal
- e-Migrate System
- BIMSTEC Security Cooperation Track
- SAARC Criminal Database
Select the correct answer:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1, 2 and 3 only
c) 3 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
✔ Correct Answer: b)
Explanation:
- MADAD (MEAx) and e-Migrate (safe migration) are directly relevant.
- BIMSTEC has a counter-terrorism & transnational crime track.
- SAARC Criminal Database is irrelevant to the Myanmar–Thailand trafficking corridor.
✅ TOPIC 3 — Cotton University–Bhutan Climate Risk Collaboration
Q5. The Cotton University–Royal University of Bhutan collaboration focuses on which of the following shared environmental risks?
- Increasing lightning incidents
- Glacier melting
- Transboundary pollution
- Desertification
Select the correct answer:
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2, 3 and 4 only
c) 1, 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
✔ Correct Answer: c)
Explanation:
Northeast India and Bhutan share risks of glacier melt, lightning, and transboundary aerosol movement. Desertification is not a primary Himalayan concern.
Q6. Which of the following international organisations plays a major role in Himalayan climate research, and both India and Bhutan are members?
a) UNEP Green Climate Fund
b) ICIMOD
c) SAARC Disaster Response Cell
d) UNFCCC Working Group–II
✔ Correct Answer: b)
Explanation:
ICIMOD (Kathmandu-based) includes India, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, etc., and is a key Himalayan climate research institution.
✅ TOPIC 4 — China–Philippines South China Sea Face-Off
Q7. Consider the following statements about the South China Sea (SCS):
- The 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling invalidated China’s Nine-Dash Line claims.
- Second Thomas Shoal is part of the Paracel Islands.
- The US–Philippines Mutual Defence Treaty applies to attacks on Philippine public vessels.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
✔ Correct Answer: b)
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct.
- Statement 2: Incorrect — Second Thomas Shoal is in the Spratly Islands, not Paracels.
- Statement 3: Correct as per US State Dept clarifications.
Q8. Why is the Second Thomas Shoal strategically significant?
- It lies close to major global shipping routes.
- It contains large offshore oil & gas reserves.
- It hosts a grounded Philippine naval outpost used to assert sovereignty.
Select the correct answer:
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
✔ Correct Answer: a)
Explanation:
The shoal is not confirmed to have major oil reserves; main significance is location + sovereign outpost.
✅ TOPIC 5 — NDRF Northeast Youth Disaster Preparedness Programme
Q9. Consider the following statements:
- NDRF was created under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
- The NDRF operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- NDRF battalions are responsible for both disaster response and local law enforcement.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
✔ Correct Answer: a)
Explanation:
- Statements 1 & 2 are correct.
- NDRF does not perform law enforcement → statement 3 is incorrect.
Q10. The Northeast youth training initiative launched by NDRF focuses on which types of hazards?
a) Cyclones, tsunamis, and glacial lake outburst floods
b) Floods, earthquakes, lightning, and landslides
c) Industrial hazards and nuclear leakage
d) Droughts and salinity intrusion
✔ Correct Answer: b)
Explanation:
The programme addresses multi-hazard risks prominent in the NE region: floods, earthquakes, lightning, landslides.
⭐ Summary Table
| Topic | Question Numbers |
| AI & Cyber Defence | Q1–2 |
| Repatriation from Thailand | Q3–4 |
| Climate Risk Collaboration | Q5–6 |
| China–Philippines SCS | Q7–8 |
| NDRF Youth Programme | Q9–10 |
APSC Mains Practice Question
✅ GS Mains 10-Marker (150 words, pointwise)
“Transboundary climate risks in the Eastern Himalayas require collaborative scientific action rather than isolated national responses.” Discuss in the context of the recent India–Bhutan academic partnership.
Introduction (2–3 sentences)
The Eastern Himalayas are a single ecological system where climate hazards—glacier retreat, extreme rainfall, GLOFs, landslides, and lightning—cross national boundaries. The recent Cotton University–Royal University of Bhutan partnership demonstrates how shared vulnerabilities demand coordinated scientific responses.
Body
1. Why Transboundary Climate Risks Need Joint Action
- Shared Hydrology: Melting Bhutanese glaciers intensify Brahmaputra floods in Assam; unilateral monitoring is ineffective.
- Atmospheric Linkages: Aerosol transport, lightning surges and monsoon shifts operate across borders.
- Ecological Connectivity: Forest loss and species migration patterns require basin-wide assessment.
2. How the India–Bhutan Collaboration Addresses These Risks
- Joint Research Platforms: Hydrology, climate modelling, and glacier monitoring conducted collaboratively.
- Data Sharing & Early Warning: Cross-border systems for GLOFs, lightning alerts, and extreme rainfall forecasting.
- Community Resilience: Co-designed training for local adaptation, livelihood diversification, and disaster preparedness.
- Policy Alignment: Harmonising adaptation strategies for the Brahmaputra basin; improved science diplomacy.
Conclusion (2 sentences)
The India–Bhutan academic partnership illustrates that climate security in the Eastern Himalayas cannot emerge from isolated national measures. Shared science, shared data, and shared solutions are essential for sustainable regional resilience.ental coordination to ensure sustainable coexistence between people and elephants.
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