APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (30/07/2026)

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 30 July 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 Foundation Course, 2026

 

Assam Floods, Disaster Management & Climate Resilience

• GS Paper III: Disaster Management | Environment | Climate Change
• GS Paper II: Governance | Government Policies & Interventions
• GS Paper V (Assam): Disaster Management, Environment & Climate Change

🔴 Introduction & Current Situation

• Current Crisis: Severe floods in Upper Assam (Sivasagar, Charaideo, Golaghat, Jorhat) have claimed 75 lives and affected >3.32 lakh people.
• Agencies Deployed: Army, Air Force, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), and Fire & Emergency Services.
• Relief Focus: Rescue, shelters, drinking water, healthcare, and dedicated children’s learning spaces.
• Core Issue: Floods are annual, but increasing climate variability, extreme rainfall, river erosion, and rapid urbanisation necessitate a shift towards climate-resilient infrastructure.

🔴 Why is Assam Highly Flood Prone?

• Natural Factors:
  • Brahmaputra River: Among the world’s most sediment-laden rivers; young Himalayan geology produces excessive sediment.
  • Drainage: Fed by >50 tributaries from Arunachal Pradesh, Bhutan, Meghalaya, and Nagaland.
  • Topography & Climate: Low-gradient floodplains, heavy monsoon rainfall, and frequent river channel migration.
• Human-induced Factors:
  • Deforestation in catchment areas and illegal hill cutting.
  • Wetland destruction, floodplain encroachment, and poor urban drainage.
  • Sand mining and climate change-induced extreme rainfall.

🔴 Climate Change & Assam Floods

• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and India Meteorological Department (IMD) studies show an increase in:
  • Extreme rainfall, flash floods, cloudbursts, river discharge variability, and landslides.
• Impact on Assam: Results in longer flood duration, accelerated erosion, frequent urban floods, severe infrastructure loss, and agricultural uncertainty.

🔴 Prelims Specific: Brahmaputra Basin & Factoids

• Brahmaputra River:
  • Origin: Chemayungdung Glacier near Mount Kailash (Tibet).
  • Nomenclature: Yarlung Tsangpo (Tibet) ➔ Siang/Dihang (Arunachal Pradesh) ➔ Brahmaputra (Assam) ➔ Jamuna (Bangladesh).
  • North Bank Tributaries: Subansiri, Jia Bharali, Manas, Beki.
  • South Bank Tributaries: Dhansiri, Kopili, Digaru, Kulsi.
• Important Assam Wetlands: Deepor Beel (Ramsar Site), Maguri Motapung Beel, Sone Beel, Dora Beel, Urpad Beel.
• Key Authorities & Acts:
  • ASDMA: Established 2007; Chairperson: Chief Minister.
  • National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): Created under Disaster Management (DM) Act, 2005; Chairperson: Prime Minister.
  • DM Act, 2005: Also established SDMAs, DDMAs, NDRF, and National/State Disaster Response Funds.
  • NDRF: World’s largest humanitarian disaster response force (under Ministry of Home Affairs).
• Agencies & Frameworks:
  • Central Water Commission (CWC): Nodal agency for flood forecasting and reservoir advisories.
  • National Flood Commission (Rashtriya Barh Aayog): Established 1976; Chairman: Jagdish Narain.
  • Sendai Framework (2015–2030): Adopted in Japan. 4 Priorities: Understand risk, strengthen governance, invest in resilience, Build Back Better.
  • National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP): Aligned with Sendai, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Paris Agreement.
• Important Reports:
  • Global Risks Report (World Economic Forum)
  • State of India’s Environment (Centre for Science and Environment)

🔴 Main Pointers

• Importance of Flood Management:
  • Humanitarian: Saves lives; protects vulnerable communities from displacement.
  • Economic: Prevents annual damage to agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and public infrastructure.
  • Environmental: Curbs wetland degradation, biodiversity loss, and habitat destruction.
  • Governance: Tests Centre-State coordination, last-mile delivery, and digital governance.
• Key Challenges:
  • River Erosion: ~8% of Assam’s land lost since the 1950s, causing mass displacement.
  • Urban Flooding: Severe in Guwahati due to wetland encroachment, blocked drains, and unplanned urbanisation.
  • Infrastructure & Encroachment: Weak embankments, blocked natural drainage, and encroachment on floodplains/wetlands.
• Government Initiatives:
  • National: DM Act 2005, Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, Jal Shakti Abhiyan.
  • Assam-Specific: Flood Early Warning System, Brahmaputra Board, State Action Plan on Climate Change, Community-based Disaster Management.
• Climate Resilience Measures:
  • Structural: Raised embankments, elevated roads, Chang Ghar (traditional elevated housing), retention ponds.
  • Non-Structural: GIS mapping, floodplain zoning, early warning, insurance, school disaster plans.

🔴 Way Forward

• Short-Term: Ensure faster rescue operations, universal early warning coverage, relief camp digitisation, and strict disease surveillance.
• Medium-Term: Focus on scientific embankment strengthening, wetland restoration, passing floodplain zoning legislation, and executing urban drainage master plans.
• Long-Term: Transition to Integrated Brahmaputra Basin Management, nature-based flood management, AI/GIS-based prediction, and strengthened transboundary river cooperation.

🔴 Conclusion

Assam’s floods are no longer purely seasonal hydrological events but complex disasters amplified by climate change, environmental degradation, and rapid urbanisation. Building long-term resilience requires a decisive shift from reactive relief to proactive risk reduction through scientific basin management and ecosystem restoration, ensuring the protection of lives, livelihoods, and sustainable development.

ST Status for Six Communities of Assam

• GS Paper II: Polity | Governance | Social Justice
• GS Paper I: Indian Society | Diversity
• GS Paper V (Assam): Political & Administrative System | Social Justice | Tribal Affairs

🔴 Introduction & Current Status

• Core Issue: The Central Government is currently awaiting the Assam Government’s Group of Ministers (GoM) report regarding the grant of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six major communities in Assam.
• The Six Communities: Tai Ahom, Moran, Matak, Chutia, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Tea Tribes.
• Context: This is a politically, constitutionally, and socially significant issue, marked by decades of demand from these communities and corresponding concerns from existing tribal organisations.

🔴 The Six Communities (Background)

• Tai Ahom: Descendants of the Tai people; established the Ahom Kingdom in 1228 CE (ruled Assam for nearly six centuries).
• Moran: Indigenous Assamese community with historical links to Upper Assam and traditional agriculture.
• Matak: Ethnic community associated with the Moamoria movement and Upper Assam.
• Chutia: Ancient indigenous community with a distinct historical kingdom pre-dating Ahom rule.
• Koch-Rajbongshi: Indigenous community spread across Assam and neighbouring states with a rich cultural identity.
• Tea Tribes: Descendants of colonial-era labourers brought mainly from central and eastern India to work in tea plantations.

🔴 Constitutional Provisions

• Article 342: Outlines the specification of STs.
  • The President: Specifies STs for each State/Union Territory via a Presidential Notification.
  • Parliament: Holds the exclusive power to include or exclude any community from the ST list through legislation. (Neither the State Government nor the President can unilaterally alter the notified list).
• Article 366(25): Defines Scheduled Tribes as those deemed under Article 342.
• Article 46: A Directive Principle mandating the State to promote the educational/economic interests of STs and protect them from social injustice.

🔴 Procedure for Inclusion in the ST List

The process follows Government of India modalities (issued 1999, amended 2002/2022):

1. Step 1: Proposal initiated by the State Government/UT Administration.
2. Step 2: Examination by the Registrar General of India (RGI).
3. Step 3: Review by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST).
4. Step 4: Recommendation sent to the Union Government (Ministry of Tribal Affairs).
5. Step 5: Final amendment of the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order by Parliament.

🔴 Criteria for ST Status

While no rigid constitutional definition exists, traditional indicators include:

• Distinct culture
• Geographical isolation (historical)
• Primitive traits (historical terminology, now discontinued in official policy)
• Shyness of contact (historical)
• Socio-economic backwardness
• Current Focus: Objective socio-cultural and anthropological assessment.

🔴 Prelims Pointers

• NCST: A Constitutional body established by the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003 (Article 338A). Functions include safeguarding ST interests, monitoring welfare, and investigating complaints.
• RGI: Responsible for the Census, demographic data, and verifying SC/ST inclusion proposals.
• Ministry of Tribal Affairs: Established in 1999 for tribal welfare and policy formulation.
• Constitutional Safeguards for STs: Articles 15(4), 16(4), 46, 244, 275(1), plus the Fifth and Sixth Schedules.
• Sixth Schedule: Provides autonomous administration (via Autonomous District Councils) to tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura.

🔴 Benefits of ST Status

• Educational: Reservation in institutions, scholarships, hostels, coaching.
• Employment: Government job reservations, age/qualifying mark relaxations.
• Political: Reserved constituencies for greater representation.
• Economic: Tribal Sub-Plan benefits, skill development, entrepreneurship schemes.
• Social: Constitutional safeguards and protection against exploitation.

🔴 Mains Pointers

• Importance:
  • Social Justice & Equality: Addresses historical disadvantage and implements Articles 14, 15, 16, and 46.
  • Cultural & Human Development: Conserves distinct heritage while improving access to education and livelihoods.
  • Assam’s Social Stability: A transparent process can reduce grievances and build institutional trust.
• Challenges:
  • Demand-Resource Balance: Increased competition for reservations, scholarships, and welfare funds.
  • Existing Opposition: The Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA) fears inclusion will dilute the rights of current STs.
  • Political & Administrative Hurdles: Electoral sensitivity, the need for rigorous anthropological verification, and complex administrative adjustments (revising reservation quotas, updating databases).
• Government Initiatives & Schemes:
  • Digital Governance: Aadhaar-linked Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and tribal portals.
  • Key Schemes: PM JANMAN (for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups), Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY), and National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC).
• Supreme Court Stance: The SC consistently holds that amending SC/ST lists is exclusively a Parliamentary matter based on expert evaluation, barring unilateral executive action.
• Comparative Perspective: India’s model (affirmative action + constitutional safeguards) mirrors indigenous protections in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Bolivia.

🔴 Value Addition for Mains

• Key Institutions to Remember: RGI (scrutinises), NCST (recommends), Parliament (amends).
• Case Study Context: The Assam ST proposal perfectly illustrates the constitutional friction between recognising new identities through affirmative action and protecting the vested interests of existing Scheduled Tribes. It highlights the necessity of multi-level scrutiny before constitutional amendment.

🔴 Way Forward

• Ensure Scientific Evaluation: Rely on updated ethnographic and socio-economic data.
• Transparent Consultation: Engage applicant communities and existing ST organisations in dialogue to promote social harmony.
• Protect Existing Beneficiaries: Carefully assess the impact on current reservation structures.
• Holistic Development: Move beyond mere legal recognition by focusing on quality education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

🔴 Conclusion

The push for ST status by Assam’s six communities highlights the complex task of balancing historical identity, constitutional justice, and social equity. Resolving this requires strict adherence to Article 342, backed by objective evidence, to ensure that fulfilling the aspirations of these new groups does not undermine the rights of existing STs, thereby fostering inclusive development and cohesion in the state.

Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Assam Amendment) Bill, 2026

• GS Paper II: Governance | Government Policies & Interventions
• GS Paper III: Infrastructure | Inclusive Development | Environment
• GS Paper V (Assam): Governance | Economy | Environment | Land Administration

🔴 Introduction

• Context: The Assam Legislative Assembly passed the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) (Assam Amendment) Bill, 2026 to simplify and accelerate land acquisition for specified infrastructure and public projects.
• Core Debate: The Bill has sparked public debate over balancing rapid development with environmental protection, transparency, community rehabilitation, and land rights.
• Parent Law: RFCTLARR Act, 2013, which originally replaced the colonial Land Acquisition Act, 1894.

Background: Principal RFCTLARR Act, 2013

• Objectives: Ensure fair compensation, transparent acquisition processes, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R), public participation, and livelihood protection.
• Fair Compensation: Up to 4 times market value in rural areas; up to 2 times in urban areas.
• Social Impact Assessment (SIA): Mandatory in most cases to evaluate social/environmental costs, identify affected families, and assess alternatives.
• R&R Benefits: Includes housing assistance, livelihood support, monetary benefits, employment/annuity, and resettlement infrastructure.
• Transparency: Mandates public hearings, public disclosure, and Gram Sabha consultation where applicable.

What the Assam Amendment Seeks

• Key Exemptions: Seeks to exempt notified categories of projects from Chapter II (SIA) and Chapter III (restrictions on acquiring certain agricultural land) of the principal Act to speed up project execution.

Why the Bill is Controversial

• Environmental Protection: Diluted safeguards threaten ecologically sensitive zones like Dora Beel and areas adjoining Kaziranga National Park.
• Rights of Indigenous Communities: Raises fears of cultural displacement, loss of traditional livelihoods, and reduced participation in decision-making.
• Transparency Concerns: Bypassing SIA reduces independent assessment, public consultation, and overall accountability.
• Biodiversity Risks: Fast-tracking large projects in biodiversity-rich districts like Dima Hasao increases ecological threats.
• Development vs. Environment Clash: Pits infrastructure (roads, railways, industrial parks) against ecological realities (wetland loss, wildlife corridor disruption, forest degradation).

🔴 Prelims Specific

• RFCTLARR Act, 2013: Replaced the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. Key pillars include SIA and R&R.
• Constitutional Provisions:
  • Article 300A: Property is a constitutional legal right (not a Fundamental Right); deprivation is only valid by authority of law.
  • Article 39(b): Material resources should be distributed for the common good.
  • Article 48A: State endeavor to protect and improve the environment.
  • Article 51A(g): Citizen’s fundamental duty to protect forests, lakes, and wildlife.
• Relevant Laws/Rules: Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 [replaced by Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980]; Biological Diversity Act, 2002; Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules.
• Important Policies & Goals: National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), PM Gati Shakti, National Logistics Policy, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 (Sustainable Cities), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

🔴 Main Pointers

• Importance of the Amendment (Government Perspective):
  • Infrastructure & Economy: Accelerates development of roads, railways, airports, and industrial corridors, thereby boosting manufacturing and employment generation.
  • Ease of Doing Business: Simplifies procedures, reduces project delays, and improves the investment climate.
  • Public Utilities: Expedites vital projects in health, education, water supply, and renewable energy.
• Challenges & Concerns:
  • Food Security: Potential loss of crucial agricultural land.
  • Environmental Damage: Direct impacts on wetlands, forests, biodiversity hotspots, and wildlife habitats.
  • Displacement: Adversely affects indigenous communities, farmers, and forest-dependent populations.
  • Governance Deficit: Exempting projects from SIA limits transparency, community consultation, and independent evaluation.
  • Litigation: Perceived procedural deficiencies may ironically increase legal disputes, delaying projects further.
• Assam-Specific Ecological Vulnerabilities: Areas like Dora Beel, Kaziranga landscape, Dima Hasao, and Brahmaputra floodplains require careful land-use planning due to their blend of ecological importance and high livelihood dependence.

Value Addition for Mains

• Ethical Dimension (GS-IV Link): Highlights the ethical friction between public interest (infrastructure), individual property rights, environmental stewardship, and inter-generational equity.
• Case Study Context: Proposed tourism infrastructure near Kaziranga and land transfer issues in Dima Hasao illustrate the immediate need to reconcile state economic development with strict ecological conservation and community rights.

🔴 Way Forward

• Strengthen SIA: Ensure exemptions are narrowly tailored and justified; utilize digital mapping, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and independent expert evaluations.
• Ensure Fair Compensation: Guarantee timely, market-linked valuation and focus on holistic livelihood restoration beyond just monetary payouts.
• Protect Ecologically Sensitive Areas: Strictly avoid land acquisition in wetlands, wildlife corridors, and critical biodiversity zones.
• Improve Public Consultation: Maintain transparent hearings, active community participation, and easily accessible information.
• Promote Sustainable Development: Align state infrastructure planning directly with environmental carrying capacity and climate resilience metrics.

🔴 Conclusion

The 2026 Assam Amendment illustrates the ongoing challenge of achieving rapid infrastructure development without compromising constitutional rights, environmental sustainability, and social justice. A durable land acquisition framework must marry efficient project execution with fair compensation, transparent decision-making, and robust ecological safeguards to ensure development is legally sound and inclusive.

Cotton University–Aaranyak MoU on Biodiversity & Climate Research

• GS Paper III: Environment | Biodiversity | Climate Change | Disaster Management | Science & Technology
• GS Paper II: Education | Governance | Institutional Collaboration
• GS Paper V (Assam): Biodiversity | Environment | Higher Education | Sustainable Development

🔴 Introduction & Partnership Overview

• Context: Cotton University signed a 5-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aaranyak (a leading biodiversity conservation organisation in Northeast India) to boost academic and research collaboration.
• Core Focus Areas: Biodiversity conservation, climate change, environmental governance, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), and sustainable development across Northeast India.
• Key Activities: Joint research, student internships, faculty exchange, seminars, workshops, and collaborative scientific publications.
• Strategic Alignment: Reflects a University–Research Organisation Partnership encouraged under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to integrate higher education with societal needs and evidence-based environmental governance.

🔴 Strategic Context & Institutional Profiles

• Cotton University: Established in 1901 (as Cotton College) and became a State Public University in 2017 in Guwahati. Recently set up a Centre for Biodiversity Research (CBR) aligned with NEP 2020, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP).
• Aaranyak: Scientific and industrial research organisation founded in 1989 by Dr. Bibhab Kumar Talukdar (headquartered in Guwahati). Focuses on wildlife conservation (rhino, tiger, elephant, pygmy hog, greater adjutant stork, vulture), climate adaptation, wildlife genetics, and community-based conservation across the Eastern Himalayas.

🔴 Significance of Northeast India

• Global Ecological Value: Forms part of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot and the Eastern Himalayan region, characterized by extensive forest cover, high species endemism, rich tribal ecological knowledge, and climate-sensitive mountain and river ecosystems.
• Assam’s Key Protected Areas & Wetlands: Kaziranga, Manas, Dibru-Saikhowa, Raimona, Orang, and Dehing Patkai National Parks, alongside the Deepor Beel Ramsar Site.

🔴 Prelims Specific: Biodiversity & Governance Factoids

• Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot: One of the world’s 36 Biodiversity Hotspots (Conservation International classification), spanning Northeast India and Southeast Asia.
• Hotspot Qualification Criteria: Must contain at least 1,500 endemic vascular plant species and have lost at least 70% of its original habitat.
• CBD: Adopted at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit for biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource use, and equitable benefit-sharing. India is a Party.
• Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022): Sets the “30×30” target (protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030).
• National Biodiversity Authority (NBA): Statutory body under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (succeeded by the 2023 Amendment framework) headquartered in Chennai.
• State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) & BMCs: SBBs regulate biological resource access at the state level; Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) are formed by local bodies to prepare People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs).
• Key Environmental Reports:
  • India State of Forest Report (Forest Survey of India – FSI)
  • Living Planet Report (World Wide Fund for Nature – WWF)
  • Global Biodiversity Outlook (CBD Secretariat)
  • Assessment Reports (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – IPCC)

🔴 Main Pointers: Importance, Challenges & Initiatives

• Importance of Collaboration:
  • Biodiversity & Climate: Scientific species documentation, habitat restoration, climate adaptation, and carbon sequestration.
  • DRR & Academics: Healthy ecosystems buffer climate extremes and prevent soil erosion/floods; fosters interdisciplinary student training and faculty exchange.
  • Policy Linkages: Translates field data into actionable inputs for Environmental Impact Assessments and climate policies.
• Challenges:
  • Habitat loss (deforestation, urbanization, infrastructure expansion).
  • Escalating Human–Wildlife Conflict (HWC) involving elephants, leopards, and rhinos.
  • Ecological data gaps and limited long-term research funding.
• Government Frameworks & Schemes:
  • National: National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), Green India Mission, Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative), Amrit Dharohar Scheme, Project Tiger, Project Elephant, and Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH).
  • Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

🔴 Value Addition for Mains

• Case Study: The Cotton University–Aaranyak MoU (2026) serves as a practical model for university-NGO partnerships, bridging academic theory with field conservation in ecologically sensitive zones.
• Key Quote: “Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land.” — Aldo Leopold.

🔴 Way Forward

• Institutionalize Partnerships: Replicate university-NGO models across the Northeast.
• Citizen Science & Indigenous Knowledge: Involve local communities in biodiversity monitoring and integrate traditional ecological knowledge into policy.
• Ecosystem Resilience: Prioritize the restoration of wetlands, degraded forests, and wildlife corridors.
• Evidence-Based Policy: Convert field research directly into state disaster management and conservation strategies.

🔴 Conclusion

The Cotton University–Aaranyak partnership represents a strategic step toward safeguarding Northeast India’s ecological future. By integrating higher education with field-level conservation research, it fulfills national goals under NEP 2020 and global commitments under the CBD, providing a blueprint for evidence-based environmental governance.

APSC Prelims MCQs

1. With reference to the Disaster Management Act, 2005, consider the following statements:

1. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is chaired by the Prime Minister.
2. The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) is chaired by the Governor.
3. The Act provides for the establishment of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2 only
C. 1 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Explanation: NDMA is chaired by the Prime Minister, while SDMA is chaired by the Chief Minister. The Disaster Management Act, 2005 also provides for the establishment of the NDRF.

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2. Which of the following best describes the concept of “Climate Resilience”?

A. Increasing industrial production while reducing carbon emissions.
B. The ability of natural and human systems to anticipate, withstand, recover from and adapt to climate-related stresses and disasters.
C. Exclusive dependence on structural flood control measures.
D. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through carbon taxation alone.

Answer: B

Explanation: Climate resilience refers to the capacity of ecosystems, infrastructure and communities to prepare for, absorb, recover from and adapt to climate-related shocks.

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3. With reference to the Brahmaputra River, consider the following statements:

1. It is known as Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet.
2. It enters India through Arunachal Pradesh where it is called Siang.
3. The Manas River is a south-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Explanation: The Brahmaputra is called Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet and Siang in Arunachal Pradesh. Manas is a north-bank tributary.

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4. With reference to the inclusion of communities in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list, consider the following statements:

1. Article 342 empowers the President to specify Scheduled Tribes for a State or Union Territory.
2. After the initial notification, only Parliament can amend the Scheduled Tribes list.
3. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has no role in examining proposals for inclusion.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Explanation: Article 342 governs ST notification. Parliament alone can amend the notified list. NCST examines proposals; therefore Statement 3 is incorrect.

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5. With reference to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), consider the following statements:

1. It is a constitutional body established under Article 338A.
2. It was created by the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act.
3. It functions under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Explanation: NCST is a constitutional body under Article 338A created by the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003. It is not a department under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

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6. Consider the following statements regarding the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013:

1. It replaced the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.
2. It provides for Social Impact Assessment (SIA) before land acquisition in most cases.
3. It completely abolished the concept of Rehabilitation and Resettlement.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Explanation: The 2013 Act replaced the 1894 Act and strengthened SIA and Rehabilitation & Resettlement provisions.

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7. Article 300A of the Constitution of India relates to:

A. Protection of forests and wildlife
B. Right to constitutional remedies
C. Right to property as a constitutional legal right
D. Reservation for Scheduled Tribes

Answer: C

Explanation: Article 300A provides that no person shall be deprived of property except by authority of law. Property is a constitutional legal right, not a Fundamental Right.

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8. Which one of the following institutions is responsible for preparing flood forecasts for major rivers in India?

A. National Disaster Management Authority
B. Central Water Commission
C. Geological Survey of India
D. National Green Tribunal

Answer: B

Explanation: The Central Water Commission (CWC) is the nodal agency for flood forecasting and river-level monitoring.

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9. With reference to biodiversity conservation in India, consider the following statements:

1. Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) are constituted by local bodies.
2. People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) are prepared by Biodiversity Management Committees.
3. The National Biodiversity Authority is headquartered in New Delhi.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Explanation: BMCs are constituted by local bodies and prepare PBRs. The National Biodiversity Authority is headquartered in Chennai.

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10. Consider the following:

1. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
2. Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
3. National Biodiversity Action Plan

Which of the above are directly related to biodiversity conservation?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 1 only

Answer: C

Explanation: All three are important policy instruments/frameworks for biodiversity conservation at international or national levels.

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11. Which one of the following is NOT one of the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)?

A. Conservation of biological diversity
B. Sustainable use of biological diversity
C. Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources
D. Mandatory reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

Answer: D

Explanation: Greenhouse gas reduction is addressed mainly under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement, not the CBD.

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12. Which of the following best explains the significance of a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) under the RFCTLARR Act, 2013?

A. It determines only the market value of land.
B. It evaluates the likely social, economic and environmental impacts of land acquisition before implementation.
C. It replaces the Environmental Impact Assessment for all projects.
D. It is conducted only after completion of land acquisition.

Answer: B

Explanation: SIA assesses the likely impacts on affected communities, livelihoods and the environment before acquisition.

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13. Consider the following pairs:

Organisation	Primary Function
1. Aaranyak	Biodiversity conservation and environmental research
2. Cotton University	State public university in Assam
3. National Biodiversity Authority	Wildlife law enforcement

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Explanation: Aaranyak is a biodiversity research and conservation organisation, and Cotton University is a state public university. The National Biodiversity Authority regulates biodiversity-related matters; it is not a wildlife law enforcement agency.

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14. The term “People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR)” is associated with:

A. National Forest Policy, 1988
B. Biological Diversity Act, 2002
C. Forest Rights Act, 2006
D. Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

Answer: B

Explanation: PBRs are prepared by Biodiversity Management Committees under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 to document local biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.

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15. Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched?

Constitutional Provision	Subject
1. Article 342	Scheduled Tribes
2. Article 338A	National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
3. Article 300A	Right to Property

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D

Explanation: Article 342 deals with Scheduled Tribes, Article 338A establishes the NCST, and Article 300A provides the constitutional right to property. These are frequently tested constitutional provisions in UPSC and APSC examinations.

APSC Mains Practice Question

📘 GS Mains Model Question (APSC CCE)

📝 Question

“Recurring floods in Assam are no longer merely a natural phenomenon but a manifestation of climate change, ecological degradation and governance challenges.” Examine. Suggest a comprehensive strategy for building climate-resilient flood management in Assam.

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Model Answer

Introduction (30–40 words)

The 2026 Assam floods, affecting over 3.32 lakh people and causing significant loss of life and property, demonstrate that flood disasters have evolved into complex socio-ecological crises. Climate change, environmental degradation and unplanned development have intensified the vulnerability of the Brahmaputra basin.

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Body

Floods in Assam: Beyond a Natural Disaster

1. Climate Change

• Increase in extreme rainfall events due to global warming.
• Greater variability in monsoon patterns.
• Higher frequency of flash floods and prolonged inundation.
• Scientific evidence from IPCC AR6 and IMD supports rising climate-induced hydrological extremes.

2. Ecological Degradation

• Loss of wetlands such as natural flood buffers.
• Deforestation in upper catchments.
• Riverbank erosion due to excessive sedimentation.
• Encroachment of floodplains and natural drainage channels.

3. Governance Challenges

• Weak enforcement of floodplain zoning regulations.
• Poor urban planning leading to frequent urban flooding (e.g., Guwahati).
• Inadequate maintenance of embankments.
• Limited inter-state and transboundary river basin coordination.

4. Socio-Economic Impacts

• Damage to agriculture, fisheries and tea plantations.
• Destruction of roads, schools and healthcare infrastructure.
• Displacement of vulnerable communities.
• Increased poverty, migration and livelihood insecurity.

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Comprehensive Strategy for Climate-Resilient Flood Management

Structural Measures

• Strengthen embankments using scientific river engineering.
• Construct elevated roads, bridges and flood-resilient public infrastructure.
• Restore wetlands and reconnect natural drainage systems.
• Promote flood-resilient housing models such as Chang Ghar.

Non-Structural Measures

• Scientific floodplain zoning.
• AI, GIS and satellite-based flood forecasting.
• Community-based disaster preparedness and awareness programmes.
• Universal early warning systems with last-mile connectivity.
• Crop insurance and climate-resilient agriculture.

Institutional Measures

• Integrated Brahmaputra River Basin Management involving Centre, States and neighbouring countries.
• Strengthen ASDMA, NDMA and local disaster management authorities.
• Mainstream disaster risk reduction into district development planning.

Environmental Measures

• Afforestation in upstream catchments.
• Protection of wetlands and biodiversity.
• Nature-based solutions for flood mitigation.
• Climate adaptation under the State Action Plan on Climate Change.

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Conclusion (30–40 words)

Assam must shift from a relief-centric to a resilience-centric disaster management approach. Scientific river basin planning, ecosystem restoration, climate-resilient infrastructure and participatory governance, aligned with the Sendai Framework and SDG 13, are essential to minimise future flood risks and ensure sustainable development.

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