APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (31/08/2026)
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 31 August 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 Mains Course, 2026
Assam’s Puthi Chitra / Dashavatar and Assamese Cultural Heritage
Syllabus Mapping
- GS Paper I: Indian History, Art and Culture.
- GS Paper V (Assam): Art, culture and heritage of Assam.
- Core Subject: Art, Culture and Heritage of Assam.
- Why in News: Artist Sujit Das’s traditional Sanchipat Puthi Chitra artwork, Dashavatar, became the first of its kind to be selected for the Lalit Kala Akademi’s 65th National Exhibition of Art, 2026.
Introduction
Assam’s Puthi Chitra is an indigenous illustrated manuscript-painting tradition that uniquely converges religious literature, visual art, botanical knowledge, and the Neo-Vaishnavite cultural legacy.
Prelims Perspective
- Puthi Chitra: Assam’s traditional illustrated manuscript painting, historically patronized by the Ahom and Koch courts and nurtured within Satras.
- Sanchipat: Primary manuscript material prepared from the bark of the Sanchi/Agar tree (Aquilaria agallocha).
- Other Materials: Tulapat (handmade paper-type material) and Talpat (palm-leaf).
- Traditional Pigments: Uses natural, locally prepared colors like Hengul, Haital, Dholmati, and Neel.
- Current Recognition: Sujit Das’s painting of the Dashavatar (Ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu) selected for the 65th National Exhibition of Art, 2026, organized by the Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi.
- Key Historical Manuscripts: Balisatra Bhagavata (dated 1539 AD on Tulapat; traditionally attributed to Srimanta Sankardeva) and Hastividyarnava (secular Ahom court text detailing elephant management).
- Preservation Bodies: Assam State Museum and the Directorate of Historical and Antiquarian Studies (leading manuscript digitization efforts with IGNCA).
Mains Perspective
Importance of Puthi Chitra
- Acts as a repository of collective memory, blending textual and visual narratives to seamlessly transmit complex religious and secular knowledge.
- Showcases Assam’s unique cultural identity, inextricably linked with Srimanta Sankardeva’s Neo-Vaishnavite movement and the institutional network of Satras.
- Serves as an instrument of cultural diplomacy and a living heritage that bridges ancient traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary arts.
Major Challenges
- Severe threat of physical degradation of manuscripts due to Assam’s highly humid climate, fungal growth, and improper handling.
- Rapid loss of traditional knowledge (such as pigment and Sanchipat preparation) and a critically declining base of young practitioners.
- Dilution of authentic traditional techniques due to mass commercialization and a lack of sustainable livelihood options for artists.
Government Initiatives
- National visibility and documentation platforms provided by the Lalit Kala Akademi exhibitions.
- Ongoing manuscript preservation and digitization drives by the Directorate of Historical and Antiquarian Studies in collaboration with IGNCA.
- Institutional training, exhibitions, and showcases conducted by the Government Art & Craft College to sustain traditional artistic techniques.
Way Forward
- Establish climate-sensitive specialized conservation laboratories and a comprehensive, publicly accessible digital database for all historical manuscripts.
- Revitalize the guru-shishya tradition through dedicated fellowships, art residencies, and integration of Puthi Chitra into formal fine arts curricula.
- Foster responsible cultural tourism around Satra circuits and create sustainable, authentic livelihood ecosystems for traditional artists.
Conclusion
To ensure the survival of Assam’s Puthi Chitra, conservation efforts must urgently transition from merely preserving fragile physical manuscripts to institutionalizing and transmitting the living knowledge systems behind them.
Bangladesh Situation and Its Impact on Northeast India
Syllabus Mapping
- GS Paper II: India and its neighborhood relations.
- GS Paper III: Internal security challenges and border management.
- GS Paper V (Assam): Assam’s border, security issues, and economic development.
- Core Subject: International Relations & Internal Security.
- Why in News: The Ministry of External Affairs and a Parliamentary Committee emphasized that Bangladesh’s current situation directly impacts Northeast India’s security, prompting coordinated action across central and state agencies against illegal migration, smuggling, and extremism.
Introduction
Bangladesh occupies a strategically critical position as both a neighbor and a geographical gateway, directly influencing the security, connectivity, and economic development of Northeast India.
Prelims Perspective
- Total Border Length: 4,096.70 km.
- Indian Bordering States (5): West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram.
- Assam Border Districts: Dhubri, South Salmara-Mankachar, Sribhumi, Cachar.
- Recent Security Interventions: Arrest of 14 Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) terrorists in Assam since December 2024 and seizure of 12,300 kg of narcotics.
- Guarding Forces: Border Security Force (BSF) for India and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) for Bangladesh.
- Border Technology: CIBMS (Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System) combines manpower, sensors, and intelligence, featuring a 61-km pilot in Dhubri, Assam.
- Joint Frameworks: CBMP (Coordinated Border Management Plan); reaffirmed during the 57th DG-level Border Coordination Conference in June 2026.
- Connectivity Landmarks: Akhaura-Agartala (first cross-border rail link to NE); Chattogram and Mongla (key transit seaports); PIWTT (Protocol on Inland Waterways Trade and Transit).
- Development Schemes: PM-DevINE, NESIDS-Roads/OTRI, SoNEC, and Special Development Packages.
Mains Perspective
Importance of Bangladesh for Northeast India
- Provides the Northeast with the most geographically efficient routes to the Bay of Bengal, drastically reducing transit distances and logistics costs.
- Functions as the linchpin for India’s regional integration goals, including the Act East Policy and BIMSTEC connectivity.
- Assam specifically acts as a strategic gateway linking mainland India, the Northeast, Bangladesh, and Southeast Asia.
Major Challenges
- Domestic political instability in Bangladesh directly threatens cross-border security coordination, bilateral trade, and infrastructure projects.
- Porous riverine and marshy terrains facilitate an interconnected nexus of illegal migration, drug trafficking, and extremist infiltration.
- Managing potential refugee and humanitarian inflows requires a delicate balance with strict national security obligations.
Government Initiatives
- Implementation of the technology-driven CIBMS and physical border infrastructure to counter difficult terrain vulnerabilities.
- Diplomatic and security coordination via the CBMP, enabling joint patrols and real-time intelligence sharing between the BSF and BGB.
- Deployment of targeted socio-economic schemes like PM-DevINE and NESIDS to eliminate the development-security nexus that breeds border crime.
Way Forward
- Adopt a holistic “Security + Development” approach that combines robust border enforcement with targeted border-area economic upliftment.
- Strengthen Assam-specific riverine surveillance by deploying floating BOPs, UAVs, and thermal imaging where physical fencing is impossible.
- Transition the Northeast’s identity from a mere security frontier into a thriving connectivity hub integrating BIMSTEC and Southeast Asian markets.
Conclusion
Effectively managing the India-Bangladesh border demands a synchronized, whole-of-government strategy that mitigates multidimensional security threats while actively harnessing the region’s immense connectivity and developmental potential.
India–Uzbekistan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Syllabus Mapping
- GS Paper II: India and its neighborhood/international relations; Bilateral, regional and global groupings.
- GS Paper III: Indian economy, Infrastructure and connectivity, Energy security, Critical minerals.
- Core Subject: International Relations & Strategic Connectivity.
- Why in News: During PM Narendra Modi’s August 2026 visit, India and Uzbekistan elevated their bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, setting a US$5 billion trade target by 2030 and expanding cooperation across critical minerals, defense, and digital infrastructure.
Introduction
The elevation of India-Uzbekistan relations into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership transforms conventional diplomacy into a multidimensional framework spanning security, multimodal connectivity, critical minerals, and digital technology diplomacy.
Prelims Perspective
- Geographical Fact: Uzbekistan is a double-landlocked country (surrounded by landlocked Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan); the only other in the world is Liechtenstein.
- Diplomatic Timeline: Relations established (1992); Strategic Partnership (2011); Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026).
- Economic Target: Achieve over US$5 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.
- Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): Agreement between India’s NIPL and Uzbekistan’s NIPC to enable Indian UPI apps to scan the UZQR code for merchant payments.
- Military Ties: The joint bilateral military exercise is Exercise Dustlik (held in Namangan Region in April 2026).
- Connectivity Nodes: India accesses Central Asia via the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Iran’s Chabahar Port to bypass Pakistan.
- Multilateral Frameworks: Uzbekistan hosts India at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the India–Central Asia Dialogue/Summit.
- Heritage & Soft Power: Joint conservation of ancient Buddhist sites Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa in Termez; setup of an ICCR Sanskrit Chair in Tashkent; and issuance of 100 Lal Bahadur Shastri Hindi Scholarships.
- Environmental Diplomacy: India announced a US$1 million grant for afforestation and ecological rehabilitation of the degraded Aral Sea region.
Mains Perspective
Strategic Drivers & Importance
- Secures India’s strategic autonomy by diversifying sources of critical minerals (exploration, processing, recycling) and civil nuclear energy, vital for green transition technologies.
- Functions as the primary anchor for India’s broader Central Asia outreach, establishing a buffer for counter-terrorism intelligence sharing regarding Afghanistan.
- Leverages India’s comparative advantages in Digital Public Infrastructure (UPI) and generic pharmaceuticals as potent instruments of technology and healthcare diplomacy.
Major Challenges
- The fundamental geographical disconnect necessitates heavy reliance on long, multimodal transit routes (Chabahar/INSTC), drastically inflating logistics costs.
- Deep economic penetration by China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Russia’s historical hegemony limit India’s operational strategic space.
- Underdeveloped financial connectivity and prevailing non-tariff barriers continually obstruct the realization of higher bilateral trade volumes.
Government Initiatives & Bilateral Outcomes
- Instituted a new Foreign Ministers-led oversight mechanism to ensure stringent implementation of bilateral agreements.
- Formalized cooperation in Ayurveda and modern medical research using the Tashkent Pharma Park as a primary launchpad for pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Aligned mutual defense and economic security protocols through the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and new frameworks for trade digitalization.
Way Forward
- Accelerate the operationalization of the Chabahar-INSTC transit corridors to definitively neutralize Pakistan’s terrestrial blockade on Indian goods.
- Transition critical mineral engagement from raw extraction to comprehensive value chains encompassing joint exploration, processing, and high-tech manufacturing.
- Counteract debt-heavy BRI diplomacy by expanding India’s export of transparent, capacity-building frameworks like India Stack (DPI), educational scholarships, and sustainable development grants.
Conclusion
The ultimate success of the India-Uzbekistan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership hinges on overcoming structural geographical barriers through sustained investments in multimodal connectivity and aggressive deployment of India’s digital and healthcare diplomacy.
Guwahati Solid Waste Management Crisis
Syllabus Mapping
- GS Paper II: Governance, Role of local bodies and urban governance.
- GS Paper III: Conservation, Environmental pollution/degradation, Urbanisation.
- GS Paper V (Assam): Urban development, Environmental issues, Problems of Assam’s cities.
- Core Subject: Urban Governance & Environmental Management.
- Why in News: Recent reports highlight irregular outsourced door-to-door garbage collection in Guwahati due to the closure of intermediate transfer stations and lack of municipal monitoring, leading to civic and environmental concerns.
Introduction
The Guwahati solid waste management crisis highlights the critical implementation gap between municipal outsourcing, logistical infrastructure, and environmental accountability in rapidly urbanizing cities.
Prelims Perspective
- Waste Generation & Administration: Guwahati generates approximately 550 TPD (Tonnes Per Day) of solid waste across 31 municipal wards managed by the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC).
- Collection Phases: Primary collection (door-to-door by outsourced NGOs) vs. Secondary collection (transfer stations to processing sites handled by GMC).
- SWM Rules 2026: Officially notified on 27 January 2026 via S.O. 388(E), replacing the 2016 framework.
- Waste Segregation: The 2026 rules mandate strict four-stream segregation: Wet, Dry, Sanitary, and Special-care waste.
- Key Locations: Boragaon (major waste processing and legacy waste site); Basistha (new land acquired for a transfer station); Deepor Beel (adjacent Ramsar Site vulnerable to leachate).
- Biomining: The scientific process used to excavate, segregate, and recover legacy waste from old dumpsites like West Boragaon.
- Digital Governance: The Swachhata App is utilized for citizen grievance redressal regarding waste collection.
Mains Perspective
Importance of Effective SWM
- Prevents urban flooding by eliminating plastic drain blockages and reduces uncontrolled greenhouse gas (methane) emissions.
- Safeguards ecologically sensitive zones, specifically preventing toxic leachate from contaminating the adjacent Deepor Beel wetland.
Major Challenges
- Logistical Breakdown: The closure of transfer stations rendered small primary collection vehicles highly inefficient for long-distance transport to Boragaon.
- Governance & Accountability Deficit: Outsourcing primary collection to NGOs without robust municipal oversight has led to a failure in actual service delivery.
- Absence of Source Segregation: Mixing household waste complicates material recovery, drastically increasing the landfill burden and legacy waste footprint.
Government Initiatives
- Implementation of biomining projects at West Boragaon to scientifically remediate and reclaim legacy waste sites.
- Promotion of decentralized home composting to treat organic waste near the source and reduce secondary transportation loads.
- Integration of civic participation and complaint resolution through the Swachhata App under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban.
Way Forward
- Transition to performance-based contracts for outsourced NGOs, linking financial payouts directly to verified outcomes like collection frequency and segregation rates.
- Implement strict digital monitoring utilizing GPS-enabled vehicles, QR-coded collection points, and real-time dashboards to ensure service accountability.
- Shift from a linear “collect-and-dump” model to a circular economy by establishing Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and enforcing strict four-stream source segregation.
Conclusion
Resolving Guwahati’s waste crisis requires the municipal corporation to transcend mere outsourcing by enforcing strict outcome-based accountability, decentralized processing, and circular-economy principles to safeguard both urban health and surrounding ecologies.
APSC MCQs
Topic1: Bangladesh Situation and Its Impact on Northeast
Q1. With reference to India–Bangladesh relations and the Northeast, consider the following statements:
- The Akhaura–Agartala rail link is the first cross-border railway link connecting northeastern India with Bangladesh.
- The Protocol on Inland Waterways Trade and Transit facilitates movement of goods between India and Bangladesh through specified river routes.
- The Chittagong and Mongla ports can be used by India for transit cargo to and from the Northeast.
- India and Bangladesh share a land boundary of more than 4,000 km.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d)
Explanation: All four statements are correct. The Akhaura–Agartala link has strengthened Northeast connectivity, while the inland-waterway protocol and access to Chittagong and Mongla ports are important for transit connectivity. India and Bangladesh share a boundary of about 4,096 km.
Q2. The recent concerns regarding Bangladesh and their possible impact on India’s Northeast are most directly associated with which of the following combinations?
- Cross-border migration
- Drug trafficking
- Human trafficking
- Infiltration by extremist networks
- Disruption of trans-border connectivity
Select the correct answer using the code below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
(d) 1 and 5 only
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The newspaper specifically reports concerns relating to migration, smuggling, drug trafficking and infiltration by extremist groups, while also highlighting the importance of connectivity and development cooperation between Bangladesh and the Northeast. India–Bangladesh mechanisms also cover security and border management, including drug and human trafficking.
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding India’s connectivity with Bangladesh:
- The Protocol on Inland Waterways Trade and Transit predates the creation of Bangladesh.
- The Akhaura–Agartala rail link enhances connectivity between Bangladesh and India’s Northeast.
- Chittagong and Mongla ports provide India with an alternative transit route for movement of cargo to the Northeast.
- The Maitri Setu connects Tripura with Bangladesh.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d)
Explanation: All are correct. The PIWTT has been operational since 1972, and India has used Bangladesh’s infrastructure to improve connectivity with the Northeast. The Maitri Setu is built over the Feni River and connects Tripura with Bangladesh.
Q4. With reference to the strategic significance of Bangladesh for India’s Northeast, consider the following statements:
- Bangladesh geographically separates India’s Northeast from the rest of the country except for the Siliguri Corridor.
- Greater connectivity through Bangladesh can reduce the transportation distance between the Northeast and mainland India.
- Improved connectivity with Bangladesh can simultaneously create opportunities for trade and increase the importance of border management.
- Bangladesh is irrelevant to India’s Act East policy because it lies west of Myanmar.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct. Bangladesh is a crucial component of India’s Neighbourhood First, Act East and Northeast connectivity strategy. Statement 4 is incorrect: Bangladesh’s geographical location makes it highly relevant to India’s connectivity with Southeast Asia.
Topic 2: India–Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership
Q5. With reference to the recent India–Uzbekistan relationship, consider the following statements:
- India and Uzbekistan have agreed to elevate their bilateral Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
- The two countries have set a bilateral trade target of USD 5 billion by 2030.
- The Inter-Governmental Commission between the two countries is being raised to the ministerial level.
- Uzbekistan is a member of the European Union.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The recent summit elevated the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, set a USD 5-billion trade target by 2030, and decided to raise the Inter-Governmental Commission to the ministerial level. Uzbekistan is a Central Asian republic, not an EU member.
Q6. Uzbekistan’s geographical location gives it strategic importance for India primarily because it:
- Is a Central Asian state.
- Lies along important Eurasian connectivity routes.
- Is directly connected to the Indian Ocean through its own coastline.
- Has relevance for India’s engagement with the wider Central Asian region.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Uzbekistan is a landlocked Central Asian country. Hence statement 3 is incorrect. Its location gives it importance for India’s Central Asian engagement and connectivity initiatives.
Q7. Consider the following statements regarding India’s engagement with Uzbekistan:
- India and Uzbekistan cooperate in areas such as agriculture and healthcare.
- Traditional medicine is one of the identified areas of cooperation.
- The two countries have agreed to encourage educational and cultural exchanges.
- Uzbekistan is geographically located between India and Myanmar.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a)
Explanation: The recent outcomes specifically mention cooperation in agriculture, healthcare, traditional medicines, education and culture, along with youth exchanges and heritage conservation. Uzbekistan is in Central Asia, not between India and Myanmar.
Q8. The term “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”, in the context of India–Uzbekistan relations, is best understood as:
(a) A military alliance involving a mutual-defence obligation
(b) A framework encompassing multiple dimensions of bilateral relations beyond conventional diplomacy
(c) A customs union eliminating all tariffs between the two countries
(d) A treaty establishing a common currency
Answer: (b)
Explanation: A comprehensive strategic partnership is a broad diplomatic framework covering multiple areas such as trade, investment, security, connectivity, technology, education, culture and people-to-people relations. It does not automatically constitute a military alliance. The recent India–Uzbekistan outcomes demonstrate this multidimensional approach.
Topic 3: Guwahati Solid Waste Management Crisis
Q9. With reference to solid waste management in Guwahati, consider the following statements:
- Primary collection refers to collection of waste from households and commercial establishments.
- Secondary collection and transportation in Guwahati are handled by the Guwahati Municipal Corporation.
- Transfer stations facilitate movement of waste from smaller collection vehicles to larger transportation systems.
- Guwahati generates approximately 550 tonnes of solid waste per day.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d)
Explanation: All four are correct according to GMC’s official information. GMC describes primary collection as house-to-house collection and states that secondary collection and transportation are handled by GMC. It reports approximately 550 TPD of waste generation.
Q10. Consider the following statements regarding municipal solid waste management:
- Source segregation reduces contamination of recyclable material.
- Composting is particularly relevant for biodegradable organic waste.
- A transfer station is necessarily the final disposal site for municipal solid waste.
- Biomining can be used for recovery and remediation of legacy waste at old dumpsites.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct. A transfer station is an intermediate facility, not necessarily a final disposal site. The Guwahati case illustrates the importance of transfer stations in the waste-transport chain.
Q11. Consider the following pairs:
| Term | Meaning |
| 1. Primary collection | House-to-house collection |
| 2. Secondary collection | Transportation from collection points towards processing/disposal |
| 3. Source segregation | Separation of different waste streams at generation point |
| 4. Biomining | Extraction and recovery/treatment of material from legacy waste |
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(d) 2 and 4 only
Answer: (c)
Explanation: All four are correctly matched. These distinctions are particularly important because the Guwahati crisis demonstrates that failure at one stage can disrupt the entire waste-management chain. GMC explicitly distinguishes primary and secondary collection.
Q12. Which one of the following best explains why closure or inadequate functioning of transfer stations can cause disruption in door-to-door garbage collection?
(a) Transfer stations are responsible for generating electricity from municipal waste.
(b) Small collection vehicles are generally designed primarily for local collection and may not be efficient for long-distance transportation to processing/disposal sites.
(c) Transfer stations are legally required to segregate all waste before households generate it.
(d) Transfer stations replace municipal authorities in monitoring outsourced agencies.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Transfer stations serve as an intermediate logistical link. Small vehicles collect waste locally and transfer it to larger vehicles for onward transportation. GMC’s system specifically uses transfer stations as part of secondary collection and transportation.
Topic 4: Assam’s Puthi Chitra / Dashavatar and Cultural Heritage
Q13. With reference to Assam’s traditional manuscript culture, consider the following statements:
- Sanchipat is traditionally associated with the bark of the Sanchi/Agar tree.
- Puthi Chitra refers to a tradition of illustrated manuscript painting.
- Assamese manuscript traditions were restricted exclusively to religious texts.
- Tulapat and Talpat are also associated with Assamese manuscript traditions.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct. Assamese manuscript culture included religious as well as literary, historical and knowledge-oriented material. The Assam State Museum records manuscripts on Sanchipat, Tulapat and Talpat.
Q14. The recent selection of Dashavatar by Sujit Das for the 65th National Exhibition of Art is significant because:
- It represents Assam’s traditional Puthi Chitra tradition.
- The work is executed on Sanchipat.
- It depicts the ten incarnations of Vishnu.
- The National Exhibition of Art is organised by the Lalit Kala Akademi.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d)
Explanation: All four are correct. The newspaper reports that Sujit Das’s Dashavatar was selected for the 65th National Exhibition of Art, that it is executed on Sanchipat, depicts Vishnu’s ten incarnations and represents Assam’s Puthi Chitra tradition. The Lalit Kala Akademi confirms the 65th NEA.
Q15. With reference to the cultural contribution of Srimanta Sankardeva, consider the following statements:
- His cultural movement contributed to the development of literature and performing arts in Assam.
- Satras became important institutions for preservation and transmission of cultural traditions.
- His movement had no connection with manuscript culture.
- Bhaona and Ankiya Naat are associated with the wider Sankari cultural tradition.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct. The newspaper explicitly links the development of literature, manuscript culture, visual arts and performing arts with the cultural movement initiated by Sankardeva. Statement 3 is therefore incorrect.
Q16. Consider the following statements regarding the preservation of Assam’s manuscript heritage:
- Digitisation can facilitate wider scholarly access while reducing repeated handling of fragile originals.
- Preservation of traditional art requires transmission of techniques and knowledge, not merely preservation of finished artworks.
- National exhibitions can contribute to wider recognition of regional art traditions.
- Cultural preservation necessarily requires freezing an art form in its historical form without allowing contemporary artists to reinterpret it.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct. Preservation involves documentation, conservation, digitisation and intergenerational transmission. The current recognition of Puthi Chitra illustrates how national platforms can increase visibility. The newspaper also highlights Sujit Das’s long-term efforts in preservation, documentation, practice and teaching. Statement 4 is incorrect because living traditions can evolve while retaining their core identity.
Daily APSC Mains Answer Writing
Q. “The security, stability and economic development of Northeast India are closely linked with effective management of the India–Bangladesh border.” Discuss.
Bangladesh occupies a strategically important position for Northeast India because of its geographical proximity and its potential role as a gateway for trade, transit and connectivity. At the same time, cross-border challenges such as illegal migration, smuggling, drug trafficking and extremist infiltration create significant security concerns. The recent concerns highlighted in the newspaper therefore demonstrate that India–Bangladesh relations have a direct bearing on the security and development of the Northeast.
How Bangladesh impacts Northeast India
1. Internal security: The India–Bangladesh border is vulnerable to illegal migration, narcotics trafficking, smuggling, human trafficking and extremist networks. The newspaper specifically reports arrests linked to the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) in Assam and significant narcotics seizures.
2. Border management: India shares a 4,096-km border with Bangladesh, passing through Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram and West Bengal. Its riverine and densely inhabited stretches make surveillance and physical fencing challenging.
3. Connectivity and economic development: Bangladesh can substantially improve the Northeast’s connectivity with mainland India and international markets through road, rail, inland waterways and port access. Projects such as the Akhaura–Agartala rail link and access to Chattogram and Mongla ports can reduce transportation distances and logistics costs.
4. Regional integration: Better connectivity can promote trade, tourism, investment and employment, strengthening the Northeast as a gateway towards Southeast Asia.
5. Assam-specific significance: For Assam, effective border management is simultaneously a security, governance and development issue. The state can become an important transit and economic hub if secure connectivity with Bangladesh is strengthened.
Major challenges
- Difficult riverine and porous border stretches
- Illegal migration and trafficking
- Drug and contraband networks
- Extremist infiltration
- Political instability affecting bilateral cooperation
- Coordination gaps among central and state agencies
- Balancing security concerns with legitimate cross-border trade and humanitarian considerations
The Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs has accordingly emphasised greater coordination among the MEA, MHA, DoNER and Northeastern states.
Way Forward
India should adopt a “Security + Development + Connectivity” approach by:
- Strengthening BSF–BGB intelligence sharing and coordinated patrols
- Expanding technological surveillance, particularly in riverine areas
- Improving border infrastructure and border-area development
- Ensuring effective implementation of connectivity projects
- Strengthening coordination among MEA, MHA, DoNER and state governments
- Maintaining continuous diplomatic engagement with Bangladesh
The India–Bangladesh relationship should not be viewed merely through the lens of border security. For Northeast India, a secure border and a well-connected border can reinforce each other. A balanced strategy combining effective border management, bilateral cooperation, economic connectivity and inclusive development can transform the India–Bangladesh border from a security frontier into a gateway for Northeast India’s economic integration with South and Southeast Asia.
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