APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (24/12/2025)
For APSC CCE and other Assam competitive exam aspirants, staying consistently updated with reliable current affairs is essential for success. This blog provides a well-researched analysis of the most important topics from The Assam Tribune dated 24 December 2025. Each issue has been carefully selected and explained to support both APSC Prelims and Mains preparation, ensuring alignment with the APSC CCE syllabus and the evolving trends of the examination.
✨ APSC CCE Prelims Crash Course, 2026
Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project: Commissioning of Unit-2 and Its Significance for Northeast India
📘 GS Paper II (Mains): Government Policies | Centre–State Relations | Federal Cooperation
📘 GS Paper III (Mains): Infrastructure | Energy Security | Sustainable Development
📘 GS Paper V (Assam): Economy | Power Sector | Environment & Development
📘 GS Prelims: Hydropower | NHPC | Renewable Energy | Assam–Arunachal Projects
(Topic selected strictly from the headline:
“Subansiri project unit 2 commissioned”, The Assam Tribune*, 24 December 2025)*
TG@Assam_Tribune (24-12-2025)
🔹 Introduction
The commissioning of Unit-2 of the 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project marks a critical milestone in India’s largest hydropower project. Located on the Subansiri River, a major tributary of the Brahmaputra, the project is central to strengthening energy security, grid stability, and sustainable development in the Northeast, while also advancing India’s Net Zero commitments.
🔑 Key Points from the Newspaper
| Aspect | Details |
| Project | Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project |
| Installed Capacity | 2,000 MW (8 units × 250 MW) |
| Recent Development | Commissioning of Unit-2 |
| Implementing Agency | NHPC |
| Nature of Project | Run-of-the-river with small pondage |
| Strategic Importance | Largest hydropower project in India |
| Beneficiaries | 16 States including Assam & Arunachal Pradesh |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Subansiri River
Tributary of Brahmaputra; originates in Arunachal Pradesh
NHPC
India’s premier hydropower PSU
Run-of-the-River Project
Limited storage; lower submergence than large dams
Flood Moderation
Flood cushion of ~442 million cubic metres
Renewable Energy
Hydropower classified as renewable under India’s energy policy
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance / Significance
1. Energy Security
Adds large-scale renewable capacity to the national grid
Ensures reliable power supply to Northeast India
2. Regional Development
Improves industrial prospects and reduces power deficits
Expected to curb out-migration by generating local employment
3. Climate Commitments
Supports India’s Net Zero and low-carbon transition goals
4. Flood Management
Provides flood moderation in the Subansiri–Brahmaputra basin
5. Strategic Infrastructure
Enhances grid resilience in a geographically sensitive region
B. Socio-Economic Benefits
| Dimension | Impact |
| Employment | ~7,000 local jobs during construction |
| Livelihoods | Allied activities: transport, services, MSMEs |
| Women Empowerment | Livelihood programmes in piggery, sericulture, handloom |
| Power Access | Free power allocation to Assam & Arunachal Pradesh |
| Tourism | Improved navigation and regional connectivity |
C. Environmental & Governance Challenges
Ecological Concerns
Impact on river ecology and downstream biodiversity
Seismic Sensitivity
Location in a high seismic zone
Inter-State Coordination
Assam–Arunachal concerns on safety and water flow
Public Trust
Past protests highlight need for transparency
D. Government Measures & Safeguards
Phased Commissioning
Gradual operationalisation of remaining units
Riverbank Protection
Erosion control works up to 60 km downstream
Community Development
NHPC-led livelihood and social programmes
Regulatory Oversight
Environmental clearances and safety audits
E. Way Forward
Strengthen dam safety monitoring and seismic resilience
Continuous environmental impact assessment
Transparent Centre–State coordination mechanisms
Integrate hydropower with renewables + storage
Ensure inclusive benefit-sharing with local communities
🧭 Conclusion
The commissioning of Subansiri Lower Project’s Unit-2 is a landmark in India’s renewable energy journey and a turning point for the Northeast’s power landscape. While its benefits for energy security, flood moderation, and regional development are substantial, long-term success depends on robust safety mechanisms, ecological sensitivity, and cooperative federal governance. Managed prudently, Subansiri can become a model of sustainable hydropower development in fragile regions.
Assam’s Urban Flooding Challenge: Drainage Failures, Encroachment & Climate Stress
📘 GS Paper II (Mains): Governance | Urban Local Bodies | Disaster Management
📘 GS Paper III (Mains): Environment | Climate Change | Infrastructure
📘 GS Paper V (Assam): Urbanisation | Floods | Environmental Management
📘 GS Prelims: Urban Flooding | Climate Adaptation | Assam-specific Current Affairs
(Topic chosen strictly from the newspaper headline/lead reporting recurring urban flooding in Guwahati and other towns, The Assam Tribune, 24 December 2025.)
🔹 Introduction
Recurring urban flooding in Assam, particularly in Guwahati, has re-emerged as a major governance and planning challenge. The problem is driven by inadequate drainage infrastructure, encroachment on natural wetlands, rapid urbanisation, and climate-induced extreme rainfall, turning seasonal rain events into disruptive urban disasters.
🔑 Key Points from the Newspaper
| Aspect | Details |
| Affected Areas | Guwahati and emerging urban centres |
| Immediate Cause | Waterlogging after moderate–heavy rainfall |
| Structural Issues | Choked drains, loss of wetlands |
| Governance Gap | Weak enforcement of land-use norms |
| Climate Factor | Short-duration high-intensity rainfall events |
| Public Impact | Traffic paralysis, property damage, health risks |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Urban Flooding
Flooding caused by intense rainfall overwhelming city drainage
Wetlands
Natural sponges that absorb excess runoff
Climate Change
Increases frequency of extreme precipitation events
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)
Primary agencies for drainage and stormwater management
Disaster Management Act, 2005
Emphasises mitigation and preparedness, not only relief
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance / Significance
1. Public Safety & Health
Flooding leads to accidents, water-borne diseases, and contamination
2. Economic Disruption
Loss of work hours, damage to shops, vehicles, and homes
3. Governance Indicator
Reflects quality of urban planning and service delivery
4. Assam-Specific Vulnerability
High rainfall, low-lying terrain, proximity to Brahmaputra
B. Causes of Urban Flooding
| Cause | Explanation |
| Drainage Deficit | Undersized, poorly maintained drains |
| Wetland Encroachment | Loss of natural flood buffers |
| Unplanned Urbanisation | Construction without hydrological planning |
| Solid Waste | Drains clogged by plastic and debris |
| Climate Extremes | Cloudbursts and intense rainfall |
C. Existing Measures
State Urban Flood Mitigation Projects
Stormwater Drainage Upgradation
Eviction Drives on Encroached Wetlands
Disaster Response Mechanisms
Smart City interventions (select areas)
D. Way Forward
Integrated Urban Drainage Planning
Basin-based, climate-resilient designs
Wetland Protection
Legal demarcation and restoration
Land-Use Enforcement
Strict zoning and building regulation
Solid Waste Management
Prevent drain choking
Early Warning & Preparedness
Rainfall forecasting and response protocols
🧭 Conclusion
Urban flooding in Assam is not merely a rainfall issue but a planning and governance failure amplified by climate change. Sustainable solutions lie in restoring natural drainage systems, strengthening urban institutions, and adopting climate-resilient infrastructure. Addressing the challenge is essential to make Assam’s cities safe, livable, and future-ready.
Assam’s Declining Child Sex Ratio: Social Bias, Governance Gaps & Policy Response
📘 GS Paper II (Mains): Governance | Social Justice | Welfare Policies
📘 GS Paper I (Mains): Society | Gender Issues | Demography
📘 GS Paper V (Assam): Society | Human Development Indicators
📘 GS Prelims: Census | Child Sex Ratio | Gender Schemes | Assam-specific Current Affairs
(Topic chosen strictly from the newspaper headline/lead reporting concerns over the declining child sex ratio in Assam, The Assam Tribune, 24 December 2025.)
🔹 Introduction
Recent data and official concern highlighted in The Assam Tribune point to a declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) in Assam, signalling persistent son preference, gender-biased social norms, and gaps in enforcement of protective laws. The trend undermines gender equality, social stability, and long-term human development in the State.
🔑 Key Points from the Newspaper
| Aspect | Details |
| Indicator | Child Sex Ratio (0–6 age group) |
| Trend | Declining in several districts of Assam |
| Key Concern | Gender imbalance at birth |
| Suspected Drivers | Son preference, misuse of prenatal diagnostics |
| Institutional Response | Monitoring by Health & Social Welfare depts |
| Policy Focus | Awareness and strict enforcement of laws |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Child Sex Ratio (CSR)
Number of girls per 1,000 boys in the 0–6 age group
PCPNDT Act, 1994
Prohibits sex selection and misuse of prenatal diagnostic techniques
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
National scheme to address declining CSR
Gender Equity
Linked to SDG 5 (Gender Equality)
Assam Context
Mixed progress across districts; urban pockets show sharper decline
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance / Significance
1. Social Stability
Skewed sex ratios lead to long-term social imbalance
2. Gender Justice
Reflects deep-rooted discrimination against girl children
3. Developmental Impact
Affects education, workforce participation, and health outcomes
4. Governance Challenge
Indicates enforcement and behavioural change gaps
B. Causes of Declining Child Sex Ratio
| Cause | Explanation |
| Son Preference | Cultural and economic bias |
| Prenatal Sex Selection | Illegal use of diagnostic technologies |
| Dowry & Social Norms | Perceived economic burden of daughters |
| Weak Enforcement | Poor monitoring of clinics |
| Urbanisation | Easier access to technology |
C. Existing Laws & Government Measures
PCPNDT Act enforcement & inspections
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao awareness drives
Conditional Cash Transfer Schemes for girl child
Anganwadi & ASHA involvement
School enrolment and retention programmes
D. Way Forward
Strict Enforcement
Zero tolerance for PCPNDT violations
Behavioural Change
Community-led campaigns and male engagement
Economic Incentives
Education-linked benefits for girl children
Data Monitoring
District-level CSR dashboards
Women Empowerment
Education, safety, and employment opportunities
🧭 Conclusion
The declining child sex ratio in Assam is a stark reminder that legal frameworks alone cannot dismantle entrenched gender bias. Sustainable improvement requires a multi-dimensional strategy combining enforcement, social transformation, and empowerment of girls. Correcting the imbalance is essential for Assam’s equitable and inclusive development.
Man–Elephant Conflict in Assam: Habitat Fragmentation, Human Safety & Conservation Governance
📘 GS Paper II (Mains): Governance | Public Policy | Disaster & Risk Management
📘 GS Paper III (Mains): Environment | Biodiversity | Human–Wildlife Conflict
📘 GS Paper V (Assam): Environment | Forests | Wildlife Conservation
📘 GS Prelims: Wildlife Conservation | Elephant Corridors | Assam-specific Current Affairs
(Topic chosen strictly from the newspaper headline/lead reporting rising man–elephant conflict incidents in Assam, The Assam Tribune, 24 December 2025.)
🔹 Introduction
Assam has witnessed a rise in man–elephant conflict, resulting in loss of human lives, elephant mortality, crop damage, and property loss. The incidents, highlighted in The Assam Tribune, underscore a persistent governance challenge rooted in habitat fragmentation, land-use change, and inadequate conflict-mitigation infrastructure in one of India’s most elephant-rich landscapes.
🔑 Key Points from the Newspaper
| Aspect | Details |
| Trend | Increase in human–elephant encounters |
| Affected Areas | Forest fringes, tea estates, agrarian villages |
| Impacts | Human casualties, crop loss, elephant deaths |
| Immediate Triggers | Crop raiding, night-time movement |
| Institutional Response | Forest department patrols and compensation |
| Core Concern | Shrinking habitats and blocked corridors |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus)
IUCN: Endangered; Schedule I (Wildlife Protection Act, 1972)
Elephant Corridors
Natural movement paths linking habitats
Project Elephant
Centrally Sponsored Scheme for elephant conservation
Compensation Mechanisms
Ex-gratia for human death/injury and crop damage
Assam Context
One of India’s highest elephant populations; high conflict zones
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance / Significance
1. Human Safety & Livelihoods
Direct threat to life, crops, and rural incomes
2. Conservation Outcomes
Retaliatory killings harm elephant populations
3. Governance & Land-Use Planning
Tests coordination among forest, revenue, and local bodies
4. Assam’s Ecological Context
Fragmented forests amid tea gardens and settlements
B. Causes of Rising Conflict
| Cause | Explanation |
| Habitat Fragmentation | Roads, railways, settlements in elephant ranges |
| Corridor Disruption | Encroachment and infrastructure barriers |
| Crop Attractants | Paddy, banana, sugarcane near forests |
| Climate Stress | Altered food/water availability |
| Weak Early Warning | Limited real-time alerts to communities |
C. Existing Measures
Project Elephant interventions
Solar/electric fencing (select areas)
Early warning systems and patrols
Compensation & relief mechanisms
Awareness drives with local communities
D. Way Forward
Secure & Restore Corridors
Legal protection, land acquisition/relocation where necessary
Science-based Land-Use Planning
Wildlife-sensitive zoning for infrastructure
Community-Centric Mitigation
Crop diversification, deterrents, rapid response teams
Technology Deployment
GPS-collared elephants, SMS/IVR alerts
Timely Compensation
Fast, transparent payouts to reduce retaliation
🧭 Conclusion
Man–elephant conflict in Assam reflects a broader challenge of reconciling development with conservation. Sustainable mitigation demands habitat protection, corridor restoration, and community partnership, backed by technology and responsive governance. Ensuring coexistence is vital for protecting both human lives and Assam’s iconic wildlife heritage.s is essential to safeguarding both lives and livelihoods in a flood-prone State like Assam.comprehensive, multi-agency approach can protect Assam’s fragile ecology while upholding the rule of law and human safety.
APSC Prelims MCQs
Topic 1: Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (Unit-2 Commissioned)
Q1. The Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project is implemented by which organisation?
A. NTPC
B. NHPC
C. NEEPCO
D. POWERGRID
Correct Answer: B
Q2. The Subansiri River, on which the Subansiri Lower Project is built, is a tributary of the:
A. Barak
B. Teesta
C. Brahmaputra
D. Lohit
Correct Answer: C
Q3. The Subansiri Lower Project is best described as a:
A. Large storage dam with extensive submergence
B. Pumped storage hydropower project
C. Run-of-the-river project with limited pondage
D. Tidal energy project
Correct Answer: C
Topic 2: Urban Flooding in Assam
Q4. Urban flooding in cities like Guwahati is aggravated mainly due to:
A. Reduced rainfall intensity
B. Excess forest cover
C. Encroachment on wetlands and natural drains
D. Increased groundwater recharge
Correct Answer: C
Q5. Wetlands are crucial in urban flood management primarily because they:
A. Increase soil erosion
B. Act as natural buffers absorbing excess runoff
C. Block stormwater flow
D. Increase construction land availability
Correct Answer: B
Q6. Which institution bears the primary responsibility for stormwater drainage management in cities?
A. State Disaster Management Authority
B. Central Water Commission
C. Urban Local Bodies
D. National Disaster Response Force
Correct Answer: C
Topic 3: Declining Child Sex Ratio in Assam
Q7. Child Sex Ratio (CSR) refers to the number of:
A. Girls per 1,000 women
B. Girls per 1,000 boys in the 0–6 age group
C. Women per 1,000 men
D. Female births per 100 male births
Correct Answer: B
Q8. Which law specifically prohibits sex selection and misuse of prenatal diagnostic techniques?
A. Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act
B. Juvenile Justice Act
C. PCPNDT Act, 1994
D. Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act
Correct Answer: C
Q9. Declining child sex ratio has long-term implications mainly because it can lead to:
A. Higher fertility rates
B. Social imbalance and gender injustice
C. Increased female workforce participation
D. Reduced urbanisation
Correct Answer: B
Topic 4: Man–Elephant Conflict in Assam
Q10. The Asian elephant is listed under which category in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972?
A. Schedule II
B. Schedule III
C. Schedule I
D. Schedule V
Correct Answer: C
Q11. A key ecological reason for increasing man–elephant conflict in Assam is:
A. Overpopulation of elephants
B. Habitat fragmentation and loss of corridors
C. Excessive rainfall
D. Expansion of protected areas
Correct Answer: B
Q12. Project Elephant primarily aims at:
A. Captive breeding of elephants
B. Protection of elephant corridors and habitats
C. Tourism promotion in elephant reserves
D. Relocation of elephants outside IndiaCorrect Answer:B
APSC Mains Practice Question
GS Mains Question
“Man–elephant conflict in Assam reflects a deeper crisis of land-use planning and conservation governance.”
Discuss the causes and suggest sustainable solutions.
Model Answer
Introduction
Assam accounts for a significant share of human–elephant conflict incidents in India, leading to loss of human lives, crop damage, and retaliatory killing of elephants. The persistence of conflict indicates structural issues in habitat management, development planning, and community engagement, rather than isolated wildlife problems.
Causes of Man–Elephant Conflict
- Habitat Fragmentation
- Forest diversion for roads, railways, settlements, and tea estates
- Disruption of Elephant Corridors
- Encroachment and infrastructure blocking traditional movement paths
- Attractive Crops near Forests
- Paddy, banana, and sugarcane draw elephants into villages
- Climate Stress
- Altered rainfall and water scarcity affect food availability
- Weak Early-Warning Systems
- Limited real-time alerts for communities
Impacts
- Human Safety & Livelihood Loss
- Deaths, injuries, and destruction of crops and homes
- Conservation Setback
- Retaliatory killings reduce elephant populations
- Governance Challenge
- Erodes trust between communities and forest authorities
Way Forward
- Secure Elephant Corridors
- Legal protection and habitat restoration
- Wildlife-Sensitive Land-Use Planning
- Avoid linear infrastructure in critical habitats
- Community-Based Mitigation
- Crop diversification, local rapid response teams
- Technology Deployment
- GPS-collaring, SMS alerts, drone surveillance
- Timely Compensation
- Fast and transparent ex-gratia payments
Conclusion
Man–elephant conflict in Assam underscores the need to reconcile development with ecological limits. A sustainable solution lies in science-based planning, community partnership, and strong conservation governance, ensuring coexistence between people and wildlife while safeguarding Assam’s ecological heritage.
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