APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (24/01/2026)
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 January 2026. 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
Climate Crisis in Assam: Winter Temperature Anomalies and Climate Change Signals
APSC GS Paper III: Environment | Climate Change | Disaster Risk
APSC GS Paper V: Assam – Environment, Ecology & Climate Vulnerability
Introduction
The Assam Tribune (24 January 2026) reported unusually high winter temperatures across Assam, deviating from established seasonal patterns. The report flagged these anomalies as early warning signals of climate change, with potential implications for agriculture, ecosystems, public health, and disaster preparedness in a climate-sensitive State like Assam.
Key Points from the Newspaper
Assam experienced abnormally warm winter conditions, contrary to traditional cold-season trends.
The warming pattern was observed across multiple districts, not as an isolated event.
Experts linked the phenomenon to:
Changing climate patterns
Increased frequency of temperature variability
Concerns were raised regarding:
Impact on cropping cycles
Stress on biodiversity and wetlands
Altered weather predictability
The report highlighted that such anomalies are no longer sporadic but increasingly recurrent, indicating a systemic shift.
Prelims Pointers
Temperature Anomaly: Deviation from long-term average temperature.
Climate Change Signal: Observable environmental change indicating long-term climatic shifts.
Seasonal Variability: Alteration in normal seasonal patterns.
Climate Vulnerability: Susceptibility of a region to climate-related risks.
Mains Pointers
A. Importance / Significance
1. Indicator of Climate Change
Winter warming reflects long-term climate disruption, not short-term weather fluctuation.
Reinforces scientific understanding that climate change affects all seasons, not just summers.
2. Impact on Agriculture
Warmer winters can:
Disrupt rabi crops
Affect pest cycles
Reduce productivity
Assam’s agrarian economy is especially sensitive to such changes.
3. Ecological Consequences
Wetlands, migratory birds, and biodiversity depend on seasonal temperature stability.
Altered winters may disturb:
Breeding cycles
Migration patterns
Aquatic ecosystems
4. Public Health Implications
Temperature anomalies can influence:
Spread of vector-borne diseases
Respiratory health patterns
Health systems may face new seasonal stress.
B. Challenges / Concerns Highlighted
Unpredictability of Weather
Farmers and planners rely on seasonal predictability, which is eroding.
Policy Lag
Climate adaptation measures often focus on floods and rainfall, not winter warming.
Data and Awareness Gaps
Limited localised climate data hampers district-level planning.
Compounded Risks
Winter warming may combine with:
Flood risks
Heat stress
Ecosystem degradation
C. Governance and Institutional Context (as per Newspaper)
The report stressed the need to:
Recognise winter anomalies as a policy-relevant climate issue
Integrate temperature trends into State climate planning
Emphasis on:
Strengthening climate observation
Climate-sensitive development planning
(No new climate policy or scheme announcement was reported.)
D. Way Ahead
Climate-Responsive Planning
Incorporate temperature variability into agriculture and water management strategies.
Strengthening Climate Monitoring
Improve district-level climate data collection and analysis.
Adaptation in Agriculture
Promote climate-resilient crop varieties and flexible sowing calendars.
Ecosystem Protection
Protect wetlands and forests that buffer climate impacts.
Public Awareness
Sensitise communities to climate change as a year-round phenomenon.
Conclusion
As highlighted in the Assam Tribune, winter temperature anomalies in Assam are no longer aberrations but indicators of a deepening climate crisis. Recognising these changes as climate signals rather than isolated weather events is crucial for effective policy response. For a State already vulnerable to floods and ecological stress, addressing warming winters through adaptive governance and climate-resilient planning is essential to safeguard livelihoods, biodiversity, and long-term sustainability.
WEF Global Reskilling Initiative and India’s Workforce Transition
APSC GS Paper II: Social Sector | Education & Skill Governance
APSC GS Paper III: Economy | Employment | Human Capital
APSC GS Paper V: Assam – Skill Development & Youth Employment
Introduction
The Assam Tribune (24 January 2026) reported that India has joined the Global Reskilling Initiative of the World Economic Forum (WEF), signalling a strategic policy response to rapid changes in the nature of work. The development reflects India’s recognition that technological disruption, automation, and green transitions are reshaping labour markets, necessitating large-scale reskilling and upskilling of the workforce.
Key Points from the Newspaper
India has formally joined the World Economic Forum Global Reskilling Initiative.
The initiative aims to:
Equip workers with future-ready skills
Support workforce transition amid technological change
The focus is on:
Reskilling existing workers
Preparing youth for emerging job roles
The initiative aligns with:
Digital transformation
Changing industry requirements
The move was framed as essential for:
Sustaining employability
Maintaining economic competitiveness
Prelims Pointers
Global Reskilling Initiative: WEF-led platform to support large-scale workforce reskilling.
Reskilling: Training workers with new skills for different roles.
Upskilling: Enhancing existing skills to meet evolving job requirements.
Workforce Transition: Shift of labour from declining to emerging sectors.
Mains Pointers
A. Importance / Significance
1. Responding to Technological Disruption
Automation and digitalisation are altering job profiles.
Reskilling reduces the risk of technological unemployment.
2. Strengthening Human Capital
Skilled workforce is central to:
Productivity growth
Innovation
Economic resilience
3. Youth Demographic Advantage
India’s large working-age population can become an asset only if:
Skills match labour market demand
4. Global Economic Integration
Participation in a global initiative enhances:
Policy learning
Alignment with international skill standards
B. Challenges / Concerns Highlighted
Scale of the Challenge
India’s workforce size makes reskilling a massive logistical task.
Skill Mismatch
Existing education and training systems often lag behind industry needs.
Digital Divide
Unequal access to digital tools limits reskilling outreach.
Implementation Capacity
Translating global initiatives into local action remains a challenge.
C. Governance and Institutional Context (as per Newspaper)
India’s participation reflects:
Policy acknowledgement of changing labour markets
Need for coordinated action among government, industry, and training institutions
Emphasis on:
Workforce adaptability
Lifelong learning frameworks
(The newspaper did not report details of funding, timelines, or sector-specific targets.)
D. Way Ahead
Alignment with National Skill Ecosystem
Integrate global reskilling objectives with domestic training frameworks.
Industry-Linked Training
Ensure skill programmes are demand-driven and industry-relevant.
Inclusive Reskilling
Extend opportunities to informal workers and rural youth.
Digital Enablement
Leverage online platforms for scalable skill delivery.
Monitoring Outcomes
Track employability and job transitions, not just training numbers.
Conclusion
As highlighted in the Assam Tribune, India’s entry into the WEF Global Reskilling Initiative marks an important step towards preparing its workforce for a rapidly transforming economic landscape. However, the success of this engagement will depend on effective domestic implementation, inclusive access to skill opportunities, and strong alignment between education, industry, and employment policies. In the long run, workforce transition driven by reskilling will be critical to ensuring that technological change becomes an engine of growth rather than a source of exclusion.
India–Bangladesh Diplomatic Tensions and Security of Indian Missions Abroad
APSC GS Paper II: International Relations | Diplomacy | Internal & External Security
APSC GS Paper V: Assam – Bordering Countries, Regional Stability
Introduction
The Assam Tribune (24 January 2026) reported diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh, arising from incidents that raised concerns over the security of Indian diplomatic missions abroad. The episode brought renewed focus on the Vienna Convention obligations of host countries, the vulnerability of diplomatic establishments during periods of political or social unrest, and the broader implications for regional stability in South Asia.
Key Points from the Newspaper
India raised concerns regarding the safety and security of its diplomatic missions and personnel in Bangladesh.
The issue emerged amid heightened bilateral tensions, drawing official diplomatic communication.
Emphasis was placed on:
The responsibility of the host country to protect foreign missions
Maintenance of diplomatic norms and international obligations
The situation was treated as:
A matter of diplomatic propriety, not merely a law-and-order issue
The report highlighted the sensitivity of:
India–Bangladesh relations, especially given geographic proximity and deep interdependence
Prelims Pointers
Diplomatic Mission: Official representation of a State in a foreign country.
Host State Responsibility: Obligation to protect foreign diplomatic premises and personnel.
Vienna Convention (1961): International treaty governing diplomatic relations.
Diplomatic Protest: Formal communication expressing concern or objection.
Mains Pointers
A. Importance / Significance
1. Protection of Diplomatic Norms
Safety of missions is foundational to:
Peaceful international engagement
Functional diplomacy
Any lapse undermines international legal commitments.
2. Regional Stability
India–Bangladesh relations are crucial for:
Border management
Trade and connectivity
Countering transnational challenges
Diplomatic incidents can strain otherwise cooperative relations.
3. Security Beyond Borders
Security of Indian missions is part of:
National security
Protection of Indian citizens and interests abroad
4. Relevance for Assam
Assam shares close geographic and socio-economic linkages with Bangladesh.
Bilateral tensions can impact:
Border districts
Cross-border movement and cooperation
B. Challenges / Concerns Highlighted
Vulnerability during Domestic Unrest
Diplomatic missions may become targets during:
Political instability
Public protests
Balancing Diplomacy and Assertion
India must protect its interests without escalating tensions.
Public Perception and Misinformation
Media narratives and misinformation can aggravate diplomatic strains.
Regional Sensitivities
Any strain affects broader South Asian diplomatic equilibrium.
C. Institutional and Diplomatic Context (as per Newspaper)
Ministry of External Affairs (India): Raised concerns through diplomatic channels.
Host Country Authorities: Responsible for ensuring mission security.
Diplomatic Engagement: Preference for dialogue and adherence to international conventions.
Legal Framework: Vienna Convention as the governing norm.
(No breakdown of retaliatory measures or escalation steps was reported.)
D. Way Ahead
Strengthening Diplomatic Communication
Continuous engagement to prevent misunderstandings.
Reinforcing Host-State Obligations
Clear reminders of responsibilities under international law.
Crisis Management Protocols
Improved coordination during periods of unrest.
Regional Confidence Building
Preserve long-term cooperation despite short-term tensions.
Public Diplomacy
Counter misinformation through transparent communication.
Conclusion
As highlighted in the Assam Tribune, concerns over the security of Indian missions amid India–Bangladesh diplomatic tensions underscore the fragility of diplomatic infrastructure during political stress. While such incidents test bilateral relations, adherence to international norms, diplomatic restraint, and constructive engagement remains essential. For India, safeguarding missions abroad is not only a legal imperative but a strategic necessity—particularly in a closely interlinked neighbourhood like South Asia, where diplomacy and security are deeply intertwined.
All-India Bank Strike for Five-Day Work Week: Labour Rights & Industrial Relations
APSC GS Paper III: Economy | Labour Relations | Industrial Relations
APSC GS Paper II: Governance | Public Institutions | Social Justice
Introduction
The Assam Tribune (24 January 2026) reported an All-India bank strike organised by bank employees’ unions to press for the demand of a five-day work week in the banking sector. The strike brought renewed attention to labour rights, collective bargaining, and industrial relations in a sector that plays a pivotal role in financial inclusion, credit delivery, and economic stability.
Key Points from the Newspaper
Bank employees across the country observed a nationwide strike.
The central demand was the introduction of a five-day work week for banks.
Trade unions argued that:
Banking work intensity has increased due to digitisation and expanded services.
Parity is needed with other sectors already following a five-day schedule.
The strike affected:
Routine banking services
Public access to branch-based transactions
The issue was framed as part of ongoing negotiations between bank unions and management/government.
Prelims Pointers
Industrial Strike: Collective cessation of work by employees to press demands.
Five-Day Work Week: Labour practice limiting work to five days per week.
Collective Bargaining: Negotiation process between employers and employee unions.
Banking Sector: Key service sector with public interface and systemic importance.
Mains Pointers
A. Importance / Significance
1. Labour Rights and Work-Life Balance
Five-day work week is linked to:
Employee well-being
Reduced burnout
Improved productivity
2. Changing Nature of Banking Work
Digital banking, compliance requirements, and expanded financial inclusion have increased workload.
Employees argue that working conditions have not kept pace with role expansion.
3. Industrial Relations in Public Sector
The strike reflects the role of organised labour unions in articulating workforce concerns.
Demonstrates the continued relevance of collective action in public sector enterprises.
4. Governance and Service Delivery
Banking strikes directly affect:
Common citizens
Small businesses
Rural and semi-urban populations
Highlights the tension between labour rights and uninterrupted essential services.
B. Challenges / Concerns Highlighted
Disruption of Public Services
Strikes inconvenience customers and may affect time-sensitive financial transactions.
Negotiation Deadlocks
Prolonged demands without resolution strain labour–management relations.
Balancing Rights and Responsibilities
Banks are commercial institutions with public obligations.
Perception Management
Repeated strikes can affect public confidence in banking institutions.
C. Institutional and Governance Context (as per Newspaper)
Bank Employees’ Unions: Organised the strike to press demands.
Bank Management / Government: Key stakeholders in negotiations.
Industrial Relations Framework: The issue is being addressed through dialogue rather than coercive measures.
The newspaper did not report:
Any immediate settlement
Any legislative change on work hours
D. Way Ahead
Structured Dialogue
Resume negotiations through institutionalised collective bargaining mechanisms.
Productivity-Linked Reforms
Explore five-day work week with:
Efficiency benchmarks
Customer service safeguards
Phased Implementation
Pilot models to assess impact on service delivery.
Technology Optimisation
Use digital banking to minimise service disruption.
Balanced Industrial Relations
Protect labour rights while ensuring continuity of essential banking services.
Conclusion
As highlighted in the Assam Tribune, the All-India bank strike over a five-day work week reflects evolving labour expectations in a transforming banking sector. While the demand underscores legitimate concerns about workload and work-life balance, its resolution lies in constructive dialogue, institutional negotiation, and balanced policy design. Sustainable industrial relations in banking must reconcile employee welfare with the sector’s critical public service role, ensuring that labour reforms strengthen rather than disrupt economic governance.
APSC Prelims MCQs
🟩 TOPIC 1: Climate Crisis in Assam – Winter Temperature Anomalies
Q1. The unusually high winter temperatures reported in Assam are best described as:
(a) Normal seasonal fluctuation
(b) Isolated weather events
(c) Temperature anomalies indicating climate change
(d) Effects of urban heat islands only
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
The newspaper characterised the warmer winters as recurrent deviations from long-term averages, signalling climate change, not short-term weather variability.
Q2. Which of the following sectors is most immediately affected by warmer winter temperatures in Assam?
(a) Mining
(b) Agriculture and cropping cycles
(c) Defence manufacturing
(d) Inland navigation
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Warmer winters disrupt rabi crops, pest cycles, and agricultural planning, making agriculture the most sensitive sector.
Q3. Why are winter temperature anomalies considered a serious policy concern?
(a) Winters are economically insignificant
(b) Climate policies focus only on rainfall
(c) They indicate year-round climate disruption
(d) They affect only urban areas
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
The report stressed that climate change affects all seasons, and winter warming reflects systemic climatic shifts.
🟩 TOPIC 2: WEF Global Reskilling Initiative & Workforce Transition
Q4. India joined which global platform to address large-scale workforce reskilling?
(a) ILO Decent Work Programme
(b) UNESCO Skills Framework
(c) Global Reskilling Initiative of the World Economic Forum
(d) World Bank Human Capital Project
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
The Assam Tribune reported India’s entry into the WEF Global Reskilling Initiative to address future skill demands.
Q5. The primary objective of the Global Reskilling Initiative is to:
(a) Replace higher education
(b) Address technological unemployment
(c) Reduce labour migration
(d) Promote public sector jobs
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
The initiative focuses on reskilling and upskilling workers to adapt to automation and technological change.
Q6. Workforce transition mainly refers to:
(a) Shifting workers between countries
(b) Moving labour from informal to government jobs
(c) Transition from declining to emerging job roles
(d) Increasing retirement age
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Workforce transition involves adapting skills to new and emerging sectors, not merely changing employers or locations.
🟩 TOPIC 3: India–Bangladesh Diplomatic Tensions & Mission Security
Q7. Under international law, the responsibility to protect diplomatic missions lies primarily with:
(a) The sending State
(b) The host State
(c) The United Nations
(d) The International Court of Justice
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
As per the Vienna Convention, the host country is responsible for ensuring the safety of foreign diplomatic missions.
Q8. India raised concerns over the security of its missions in:
(a) Myanmar
(b) Nepal
(c) Bangladesh
(d) Sri Lanka
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
The newspaper reported diplomatic communication between India and Bangladesh regarding mission security.
Q9. Why are India–Bangladesh relations particularly sensitive for Assam?
(a) Assam hosts international embassies
(b) Assam shares geographical proximity and cross-border linkages
(c) Assam controls foreign policy
(d) Assam has no border fencing
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Assam’s geographic proximity and socio-economic linkages make bilateral tensions directly relevant to the State.
🟩 TOPIC 4: All-India Bank Strike – Five-Day Work Week
Q10. The nationwide bank strike was primarily organised to demand:
(a) Higher minimum wages
(b) Privatisation of banks
(c) A five-day work week
(d) Abolition of digital banking
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
The central demand highlighted was the introduction of a five-day work week in banking.
Q11. Which concept best explains the negotiation process used by bank unions to raise their demands?
(a) Arbitration
(b) Collective bargaining
(c) Judicial review
(d) Fiscal decentralisation
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Unions use collective bargaining to negotiate working conditions with management/government.
Q12. A major governance challenge highlighted by bank strikes is:
(a) Inflation control
(b) Balancing labour rights with uninterrupted public services
(c) Bank nationalisation
(d) Capital adequacy norms
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Banks are essential service providers, so strikes raise concerns about balancing employee welfare and public convenience.
APSC Mains Practice Question
GS Mains Model Question
Q. Climate change is increasingly manifesting through subtle yet persistent shifts in seasonal patterns.
In this context, examine the significance of winter temperature anomalies reported in Assam and discuss their implications for ecology, agriculture, and governance.
(15 marks)
Model Answer
Introduction
The Assam Tribune (24 January 2026) reported unusually high winter temperatures across Assam, marking a clear departure from established seasonal norms. These winter temperature anomalies were highlighted as early climate change signals, indicating that climate disruption in Assam is no longer confined to floods or extreme rainfall but is increasingly evident through seasonal warming trends.
Body
A. Significance of Winter Temperature Anomalies
- Early Warning Signal of Climate Change
- Persistent winter warming reflects long-term climatic shifts, not isolated weather events.
- It underscores that climate change impacts are year-round, affecting all seasons.
- Agricultural Implications
- Warmer winters disrupt:
- Rabi cropping cycles
- Pest and disease patterns
- Soil moisture balance
- Assam’s agriculture, heavily dependent on climatic predictability, faces rising uncertainty.
- Ecological Consequences
- Wetlands, forests, and biodiversity depend on seasonal temperature stability.
- Altered winters can disturb:
- Migratory bird patterns
- Breeding cycles of flora and fauna
- Aquatic ecosystems
- Public Health Dimensions
- Temperature variability may influence:
- Vector-borne diseases
- Respiratory health trends
- Health systems may face new seasonal stress patterns.
B. Governance and Policy Implications
- Planning Blind Spots
- Climate policies often prioritise floods and rainfall, overlooking winter warming.
- Data and Monitoring Gaps
- Limited district-level temperature data hampers localised climate adaptation.
- Compounded Climate Risks
- Winter warming interacts with:
- Flood vulnerability
- Heat stress
- Ecosystem degradation
C. Way Forward
- Climate-Responsive Governance: Integrate temperature variability into State climate and agriculture planning.
- Strengthened Climate Monitoring: Improve localised data collection and early warning systems.
- Agricultural Adaptation: Promote climate-resilient crops and flexible sowing calendars.
- Ecosystem Protection: Safeguard wetlands and forests that buffer climate impacts.
- Public Awareness: Recognise climate change as a multi-seasonal challenge.
Conclusion
As highlighted in the Assam Tribune, winter temperature anomalies in Assam represent a silent but significant dimension of the climate crisis. Ignoring these signals risks underestimating the depth of climate vulnerability facing the State. Addressing winter warming through anticipatory governance, adaptive planning, and ecosystem-sensitive development is essential to protect Assam’s livelihoods, biodiversity, and long-term sustainability.
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