APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (09/09/2026)
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 09 September 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
India Joins US-led Initiative for Secured 6G Networks
Syllabus Mapping
- GS-II: International Relations, Bilateral Agreements, and Global Technology Governance.
- GS-III: Science & Technology, Cybersecurity, Critical Digital Infrastructure, and Indigenization of Technology.
- GS-V (Assam Special): Application of Advanced ICT in Disaster Management, Flood Monitoring, and Northeast Border Connectivity.
- Why in News: India joined the US-led multilateral coalition of 25 nations under the “Call to Action for 6G Leadership and Security” to coordinate national policies, safeguard supply chains, and shape global 6G telecommunications standards ahead of commercial deployment in the 2030s.
Introduction
6G represents the convergence of ultra-low latency connectivity, artificial intelligence, and sensing, evolving from a telecommunications standard into the foundational, strategic infrastructure for future economic competitiveness and national security.
Prelims Perspective
- International Framework (IMT-2030): 6G is officially designated as IMT-2030 by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which finalized the foundational framework in 2023.
- ITU Usage Scenarios for 6G: Identifies six key usage scenarios:
- Immersive Communication (IC)
- Hyper-Reliable and Low-Latency Communication (HRLLC)
- Massive Communication (MC)
- Ubiquitous Connectivity (UC)
- AI and Communication (AIAC)
- Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC)
- US-led 6G Initiative: Titled the “Call to Action for 6G Leadership and Security”, launched in July 2026 by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) under the US Department of Commerce.
- Coalition Strength: Comprises the United States plus 24 partner nations, including India, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan.
- Diplomatic Platform: India’s accession was finalized during talks on the sidelines of the G20 Innovation Ministerial at Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
- Bharat 6G Vision: Unveiled by India on 22 March 2023, targeting India as a frontline developer and contributor to 6G technology by 2030.
- Core Principles of Bharat 6G: Anchored on three pillars: Affordability, Sustainability, and Ubiquity.
- Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA): Launched in July 2023 to unite industry, academia, and telecom operators; expanded to 90 members across 7 working groups (Technologies, Spectrum, Applications, Devices, Green/Sustainability, Outreach).
- Indigenous Testbeds & Research: Department of Telecommunications funded two experimental platforms: the 6G THz Testbed and the Advanced Optical Communication Testbed; sanctioned 100 academic 5G labs and approved 104 6G research proposals.
- Critical Distinction Trap:
- IMT-2030: Global ITU standard/framework.
- Bharat 6G Vision: India’s domestic policy roadmap.
- Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA): Indian industry-academia execution platform.
- Call to Action for 6G: Multilateral security and supply-chain partnership led by the US NTIA.
Mains Perspective
Strategic & Economic Importance
- Foundational Backbone for Industry 4.0: Integrates autonomous systems, digital twins, robotics, and critical infrastructure, transcending standard broadband to act as a physical-digital nervous system.
- Shift to Technological Sovereignty: Transitions India from a mere technology consumer to an intellectual property (IP) owner and global technology supplier, advancing Atmanirbhar Bharat.
- Geopolitical & Security Rule-Making: Enables India to co-author trusted global telecom protocols, mitigating supply-chain weaponization and digital surveillance vulnerabilities.
Key Challenges
- Hardware & Semiconductor Dependencies: High reliance on foreign fabrication for high-frequency radio-frequency (RF) components, photonics, and sub-terahertz semiconductor chips.
- R&D & Patent Deficit: Low domestic ownership of Standard Essential Patents (SEPs), compounded by high capital requirements and a shortage of specialized talent across AI-telecom convergence.
- Expanded Attack Surfaces & Digital Divide: Interconnecting billions of critical IoT systems escalates cyberattack risks, while deployment costs threaten to widen the rural-urban digital disparity.
Government Initiatives
- Institutional Frameworks: Operationalized the Bharat 6G Vision Document and the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA) to align academia, startups, and telecom players.
- Infrastructure & Prototyping: Funded dedicated THz and Optical testbeds alongside 100 incubation labs to build domestic prototyping capability.
- Strategic Diplomatic Alignments: Partnering with like-minded coalitions to secure vendor diversity, open architecture (Open RAN), and trusted hardware supply chains.
Assam & Northeast Relevance (APSC GS-V)
- Terrain-Resilient Disaster Mitigation: Real-time ISAC (Integrated Sensing & Communication) capability can transform flood early warning, river embankment tracking, and landslide response.
- Bridging Frontier Isolation: Facilitates ubiquitous connectivity for telemedicine, precision hill agriculture, and secure logistical support across difficult border topographies.
Way Forward
- Security-by-Design Architecture: Mandate zero-trust principles and trusted hardware sourcing at the design stage rather than patching existing networks retroactively.
- Semiconductor Integration: Tie domestic 6G component development directly to incentives under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).
- Global Interoperability & Inclusivity: Champion global standards within the ITU that prioritize energy-efficient (green) network nodes and low-cost rural connectivity.
Conclusion
By balancing active participation in trusted international standard-setting bodies with aggressive domestic component R&D, India can safeguard its strategic autonomy and emerge as an architect, rather than an adopter, of next-generation digital ecosystems.
AI: Agentic AI Demand + AI Governance Gap in India
Syllabus Mapping
- GS-II & GS-III: Digital Governance, Science & Technology (AI, Cybersecurity), Economic Development, and Employment.
- GS-IV: Ethics in Technology, Accountability, and Human Oversight.
- GS-V (Assam Special): Technology-enabled governance and disaster management applications.
- Why in News: Recent reports highlight a major policy dilemma in India: a massive 260% surge in demand for Agentic AI engineers driven by a 119% increase in enterprise AI investment, sharply contrasting with the fact that only 22% of Indian organizations possess adequate AI governance frameworks.
Introduction
The rapid evolution from generative AI to autonomous Agentic AI has created a critical “innovation-governance gap,” where the deployment of AI systems capable of independent action is far outpacing institutional regulatory capacity.
Prelims Perspective
- Agentic AI vs. Generative AI: Generative AI produces output based on prompts; Agentic AI executes multi-step plans, interacts with tools/APIs, evaluates results, and acts autonomously.
- CIEL HR Report (March 2024–May 2026): Demand for Agentic AI engineers grew by 260% YoY in 2026.
- Other High-Growth AI Roles: GenAI solutions architects and AI product owners (120%), LLM engineers (86.5%), and MLOps engineers (82.2%).
- Automation Potential: AI can handle up to 70% of ticket resolution/report generation and 65% of test-case creation.
- ServiceNow Enterprise AI Maturity Index 2026: Indian enterprise AI investment grew 119% (vs. 110% globally), and AI will account for 21.3% of average Indian IT budgets by 2027 (up from 16.6%).
- The Governance Deficit: Only 22% of Indian organizations have AI governance processes; 54% are deploying AI agents, but only 11% use fully autonomous workflows.
- Major Corporate Concerns: Data accuracy/access (74%), transparency/misinformation (60%), regulatory complexity (55%), and privacy/security (50%).
- India AI Governance Guidelines (Feb 2026): A principle-based framework anchored on seven Sutras to balance innovation with safety.
- Proposed Institutional Mechanisms: Includes the AI Governance Group, Technology & Policy Expert Committee, and AI Safety Institute.
- Statutory Data Framework: AI data processing is governed by the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
Mains Perspective
Strategic & Economic Importance
- Workforce Transition: Shifts the labor market from routine task execution to AI supervision, cybersecurity, MLOps, and domain expertise.
- Productivity Catalyst: Drives business competitiveness and new industries, transforming AI from an experimental tool into foundational enterprise infrastructure.
- Governance & Public Service: Enables precise delivery in tax administration, predictive policing, and disaster management (e.g., flood forecasting in Assam).
Key Challenges
- The Accountability Void: As AI acts autonomously, identifying liability for biased, harmful, or erroneous decisions becomes legally and ethically complex (the “Black Box” problem).
- Skill & Talent Shortages: India faces significant market-level skill gaps (38–61%) across critical sectors like AI engineering, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.
- Fragmented Data & Legacy Infrastructure: Poor-quality datasets, siloed information, and the difficult integration of AI into legacy systems heavily restrict effective deployment.
Government Initiatives
- India AI Mission: Strengthens domestic compute capacity, foundational datasets, startup ecosystems, and responsible AI skill-building.
- Principle-Based Governance: The India AI Governance Guidelines promote a techno-legal approach utilizing seven Sutras to foster inclusive, safe, and trusted AI ecosystems.
- Data Privacy Alignment: Enforcing the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 to ensure data innovation coexists securely with user consent and privacy.
Way Forward
- Risk-Based Regulation & Auditing: Mandate algorithmic auditing, red-teaming, and stringent safety testing for high-risk, high-impact AI applications.
- Mandatory Human-in-the-Loop: Ensure consequential autonomous decisions retain meaningful human oversight, clear audit trails, and defined redressal mechanisms.
- Targeted Reskilling (Skills India 2.0): Pivot from generic digital literacy to specialized training in AI safety, ML engineering, ethics, and data governance.
Conclusion
India must prioritize “governance before autonomy,” deploying robust, risk-based regulatory institutions and reskilling frameworks to ensure the rapid adoption of Agentic AI remains safe, accountable, and human-centric.
Potato Value Chain, Irrigation Expansion, Agarwood & PM-KUSUM in Assam
Syllabus Mapping
- GS-III: Agriculture, Irrigation, Renewable Energy, Rural Economy, Food Processing.
- GS-V (Assam Special): Assam’s Economy, Horticulture, Environment, and Agricultural Development.
- Why in News: Assam’s Agriculture and Irrigation Minister chaired a review meeting in Nalbari to strategize on potato value-chain development, expanding irrigation targets, commercial horticulture, and integrating renewable energy via PM-KUSUM.
Introduction
Developing integrated agricultural value chains and utilizing solar irrigation models are critical for transitioning Assam’s agriculture from traditional subsistence farming to a commercially viable, sustainable rural economy.
Prelims Perspective
- Meeting Location: Nalbari (Review meeting chaired by Minister Pijush Hazarika).
- Corporate Market Linkage: PepsiCo is directly purchasing potatoes from local growers for assured market security.
- Irrigation Target: The state plans to expand irrigation coverage by 4,000 bighas in Nalbari district.
- Horticulture Diversification: Promoted alternative commercial crops include dragon fruit and apple berry.
- Agarwood (Sanchi) Policy: Regulated and promoted under the Assam Agarwood Promotion Policy, 2020, with high commercial density potential (e.g., 1,000 trees per bigha).
- Knowledge Centre Initiative: A modern agricultural Knowledge Centre was inaugurated at Bongaon (Nalbari).
- PM-KUSUM Scheme: Executed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
- PM-KUSUM Components:
- Component A: Decentralized grid-connected renewable-energy plants (up to 2MW).
- Component B: Stand-alone solar agricultural pumps in off-grid areas.
- Component C: Solarization of grid-connected agricultural pumps (including Feeder-Level Solarization).
- Northeast Financial Benefit: Under PM-KUSUM, Northeast states receive a higher Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of 50% for standalone solar pumps, compared to the standard 30% elsewhere.
Mains Perspective
Importance
- Economic Value Addition: Shifting focus from just production to storage, processing, and marketing strengthens farmers’ income and mitigates distress selling.
- Agricultural Diversification: Transitioning from monsoon-dependent traditional farming to commercial horticulture and agarwood reduces financial vulnerability.
- Sustainable Energy: Integrating solar pumps reduces crippling diesel costs and cuts agricultural carbon emissions.
Challenges
- Infrastructure Deficits: Severe shortage of cold storage and specialized processing units hinders the shelf life and value addition of perishable goods like potatoes.
- Sustainability vs. Exploitation: Rapid agarwood commercialization risks illegal logging, unregulated trade, and depletion of natural Aquilaria malaccensis populations.
- Groundwater Over-extraction: Heavily subsidized or free daytime solar energy can incentivize unsustainable groundwater pumping if not monitored closely.
Government Initiatives
- Integrated Support: Fostering direct farmer-corporate linkages (e.g., PepsiCo) alongside expanding micro-irrigation and establishing rural Knowledge Centres.
- Policy Backing: The Assam Agarwood Promotion Policy, 2020 provides a legal and economic framework for planting and exporting agarwood.
- Renewable Subsidy: PM-KUSUM provides targeted financial subsidies to lower agricultural energy expenditures.
Way Forward
- FPO Empowerment: Strengthen Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to consolidate land holdings, improve negotiating power, and scale processing units.
- Efficient Water Management: Pair solar pump subsidies with mandatory micro-irrigation (drip/sprinkler) techniques to safeguard the water table.
- Balanced Commercial Forestry: Ensure traceability, enforce CITES regulations, and provide certified quality planting materials to align agarwood cultivation with environmental conservation.
Conclusion
Transforming Assam’s agrarian landscape requires integrating crop diversification, robust post-harvest infrastructure, and renewable energy to ensure ecological sustainability alongside economic prosperity for farmers.
Northeast Security: NIA Probe, Foreign Nationals, Myanmar-based Ethnic Armed Groups & UAPA
Syllabus Mapping
- GS-II: Governance, Polity, and Bilateral Security Relations.
- GS-III: Internal Security, Border Management, Transnational Organized Crime, and Security Legislation (NIA/UAPA).
- GS-V (Assam Special): Northeast Security Dynamics, Cross-Border Insurgency Networks, and Strategic Transit Corridors.
- Why in News: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a chargesheet against seven foreign nationals (one US and six Ukrainian citizens) operating as mercenaries with alleged links to Myanmar-based Ethnic Armed Groups (Victoria Camp) and insurgent outfits in the Northeast, invoking immigration laws while continuing investigation under UAPA Section 18.
Introduction
The arrest of foreign mercenaries linking Myanmar-based armed factions with local insurgent outfits highlights the transition of Northeast India’s security landscape from localized sub-national conflicts into a complex, cross-border transnational security threat.
Prelims Perspective
- National Investigation Agency (NIA): Formed under the NIA Act, 2008; serves as India’s central counter-terrorism agency; 2019 Amendment authorized the investigation of scheduled offenses committed abroad affecting Indian citizens or national interests.
- UAPA & NIA Linkage: The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 is listed as a Scheduled Act under the NIA Act, empowering the agency to investigate terror conspiracy cases across state jurisdictions.
- Key UAPA Provisions:
- Section 15: Defines terrorist acts.
- Section 16: Prescribes punishment for terrorist acts.
- Section 17: Penalizes raising funds for terrorist activities.
- Section 18: Punishes conspiracy, attempt, abetment, incitement, or facilitation of a terrorist act (minimum 5 years up to life imprisonment).
- Section 18A & 18B: Address organizing terrorist training camps and recruiting for terror acts, respectively.
- Protected Area Permit (PAP) Regime: Mandatory specialized clearance required for foreign nationals visiting specific notified areas in the Northeast (including Mizoram); possession of a valid Indian regular visa does not exempt foreigners from obtaining a PAP.
- India–Myanmar Border Geography: Measures 1,643 km across four Northeastern states: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram.
- Total Northeast Land Border: Stretches across 5,484 km of international boundaries bordering five nations: Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, and Nepal.
- Free Movement Regime (FMR): Historically permitted border dwellers to travel up to 16 km without visas; officially scrapped by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in February 2024 to curb demographic imbalance, smuggling, and insurgent infiltration.
- Key Case Details: Suspects were arrested across Kolkata, Lucknow, and Delhi airports with transit stops in Guwahati; recovered equipment included drones, tactical accessories, and encrypted digital devices tied to Victoria Camp (Myanmar).
Mains Perspective
Strategic & Cross-Border Importance
- Transnational Insurgent Nexus: Ethnic conflicts and ungoverned spaces in post-coup Myanmar provide safe havens, combat training, and external mercenary support to active Northeast insurgent factions (e.g., NSCN-K).
- The Conflict-Narcotics Triad: Proximity to the Golden Triangle links illegal narcotics smuggling and arms trafficking directly with the funding of sub-conventional warfare against the Indian state.
- Strategic Vulnerability of the Corridor: Prolonged volatility directly hampers India’s Act East Policy and key regional connectivity projects like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project.
Key Challenges
- Porous Borders & Difficult Topography: Dense jungles, river valleys, and ridgelines make comprehensive physical fencing impractical, leaving large stretches vulnerable to clandestine crossings.
- Asymmetric & Technological Warfare: Proliferation of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) drones, encrypted messaging, and cross-border cyber footprints strains legacy border surveillance protocols.
- Civil-Security Duality: Balancing aggressive security measures (like the scrapping of the FMR) against historic cross-border ethnic, familial, and cultural ties among contiguous tribes.
Government Initiatives
- Structural Oversight: Counter-insurgency and border defense are spearheaded by the Assam Rifles, CAPFs, state police, and coordinated under the MHA’s North East Division.
- Border Modernization: Transition from open-border agreements to boundary infrastructure construction, border outposts, and technical fencing managed by the Border Management-I Division.
- Dual Approach Strategy: Coupling legal enforcement (UAPA/NIA Act) and armed force provisions (AFSPA) with negotiated political settlements, rehabilitation packages, and surrender policies.
Way Forward
- Smart Border Surveillance: Deploy a Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) featuring LiDAR, micro-aerostats, thermal imaging, and counter-drone systems along unfenced riverine corridors.
- Institutionalized Intelligence Coordination: Strengthen real-time operational intel-sharing among the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC), NIA, state police special branches, and border-guarding forces.
- Bilateral Counter-Terror Diplomacy: Deepen coordinated patrols, mutual legal assistance, and intelligence sharing with Myanmar authorities to neutralize safe sanctuaries and dismantle transnational mercenary networks.
Conclusion
Securing the Northeast demands a multi-pronged doctrine that seamlessly blends technology-driven border management and rigorous counter-terror investigations with bilateral diplomacy and inclusive socio-economic mainstreaming.
APSC MCQs
Topic 1: India Joins US-led Initiative for Secure 6G Networks
Q1. With reference to the sixth generation (6G) of mobile communication, consider the following statements:
- The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has associated 6G with the IMT-2030 framework.
- Integrated sensing and communication is among the identified usage scenarios of 6G.
- 6G is intended only to provide higher internet speeds than 5G.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation:
6G is associated with IMT-2030. Its potential applications include immersive communication, ubiquitous connectivity, AI and communication, and integrated sensing and communication. It is much broader than simply increasing internet speed.
Q2. India’s “Bharat 6G Vision” seeks to position India as:
A. A passive consumer of 6G technologies developed by other countries
B. A frontline contributor in the design, development and deployment of 6G by 2030
C. The exclusive global regulator of 6G standards
D. The sole manufacturer of all 6G semiconductor components
Answer: B
Explanation:
The Bharat 6G Vision, released in March 2023, aims to make India a frontline contributor to 6G design, development and deployment by 2030. It also stresses affordability, sustainability and ubiquity.
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding 6G technology:
- Artificial Intelligence is expected to become more closely integrated with communication networks in 6G.
- Integrated sensing and communication can allow communication infrastructure to perform sensing-related functions.
- 6G development has no relevance to national security because telecommunications are primarily civilian infrastructure.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation:
6G has important national-security implications involving trusted networks, cybersecurity, supply chains, data security and technological sovereignty. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.
Q4. Consider the following pairs:
| Initiative/Institution | Association |
| 1. Bharat 6G Alliance | Collaboration among industry, academia and research stakeholders |
| 2. ITU | Development of international telecommunications standards/frameworks |
| 3. Bharat 6G Vision | Target of making India a frontline contributor to 6G by 2030 |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Explanation:
All three are correctly matched. The Bharat 6G Alliance was created to bring together stakeholders from industry, academia and research, while the ITU plays a key role in global telecommunications standardisation.
Topic 2: Agentic AI, Enterprise AI Investment & AI Governance in India
Q5. With reference to “Agentic AI”, consider the following statements:
- It can plan and execute multi-step tasks with a relatively high degree of autonomy.
- It can use external tools or data sources while carrying out a task.
- Unlike generative AI, it cannot evaluate the outcome of its actions and modify its subsequent actions.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation:
A key feature of agentic AI is its ability to plan, act, use tools, evaluate results and potentially adjust its actions. Statement 3 incorrectly presents agentic AI as incapable of feedback-based action.
Q6. Recent discussions on AI governance in India have highlighted which of the following as major governance concerns?
- Data privacy
- Algorithmic bias
- Transparency and accountability
- Human oversight
- Cybersecurity
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
C. 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: D
Explanation:
AI governance is not limited to privacy. It covers fairness, transparency, accountability, human oversight, cybersecurity, safety and responsible use. The recent Indian AI governance framework also reflects this broader approach.
Q7. Consider the following statements regarding Generative AI and Agentic AI:
- Generative AI primarily focuses on generating content such as text, images, audio or code.
- Agentic AI can use AI-generated outputs as part of a larger decision-making or task-execution process.
- Every Generative AI system is necessarily an agentic AI system.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation:
Generative AI and agentic AI overlap but are not synonymous. An agentic system may use a generative model, but every generative AI system does not autonomously plan and execute tasks.
Q8. The rapid growth of enterprise AI adoption creates a governance challenge primarily because:
A. AI can operate only without access to organisational data
B. AI adoption can grow faster than organisations’ ability to establish appropriate governance, security and accountability mechanisms
C. AI eliminates the need for human decision-making in all sectors
D. AI systems cannot be integrated with legacy IT systems
Answer: B
Explanation:
The current-affairs issue highlighted a governance gap: AI investment and deployment are expanding rapidly, while many organisations still lack mature governance frameworks. This creates risks related to privacy, security, accountability, misinformation and compliance.
Topic 3: Potato Value Chain, Irrigation, Agarwood & PM-KUSUM in Assam
Q9. Consider the following components of the potato value chain:
- Production
- Cold storage
- Processing
- Market linkage
- Transport
Which of the above are important components of an integrated agricultural value chain?
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1, 3 and 5 only
C. 2, 4 and 5 only
D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: D
Explanation:
An agricultural value chain extends beyond cultivation. It includes inputs → production → harvesting → storage → processing → transport → marketing → consumer. The Assam potato initiative reported in the newspaper specifically focuses on productivity, cold storage, processing and market linkages.
Q10. With reference to PM-KUSUM, consider the following statements:
- It promotes the use of solar energy in agriculture.
- It includes provision for standalone solar agricultural pumps.
- It includes solarisation of grid-connected agricultural pumps.
- It is exclusively a scheme for installation of rooftop solar panels on residential buildings.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 4 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: A
Explanation:
PM-KUSUM is an important agricultural-energy scheme. Its components include decentralised renewable energy plants, standalone solar pumps and solarisation of grid-connected agricultural pumps/feeders. It is not a residential rooftop-solar scheme.
Q11. Consider the following statements regarding solar-powered irrigation:
- It can reduce farmers’ dependence on diesel for irrigation.
- It can reduce irrigation costs under suitable conditions.
- Unregulated use of solar pumps may encourage excessive groundwater extraction.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Explanation:
Solar irrigation can reduce energy costs and diesel dependence. However, when electricity has no marginal fuel cost, farmers may have greater incentive to pump groundwater. Hence solarisation should be combined with groundwater management and water-efficient irrigation.
Q12. With reference to agarwood (sanchi) cultivation in Assam, consider the following statements:
- Agarwood is associated with the tree Aquilaria malaccensis.
- Agarwood has economic value because of its fragrant resinous wood.
- Sustainable plantation and regulation are important because excessive extraction can threaten natural populations.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Explanation:
A. malaccensis is the principal agarwood-producing species associated with the region. Agarwood has high commercial value, particularly in perfumery and traditional uses. Therefore, cultivation and sustainable management are important.
Topic 4: Northeast Security: NIA, Foreign Nationals, Myanmar-based EAGs & UAPA
Q13. With reference to the recent NIA investigation involving foreign nationals and Myanmar-based ethnic armed groups, consider the following statements:
- The accused included a US national and Ukrainian nationals.
- The investigation involved alleged links with ethnic armed groups in Myanmar.
- The NIA’s chargesheet invoked UAPA charges against all the accused.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation:
The newspaper reported one US national and six Ukrainian nationals. The investigation involved alleged links with ethnic armed groups and movement through Myanmar. However, the chargesheet did not invoke UAPA at that stage, while further investigation under UAPA remained open.
Q14. With reference to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, consider the following statements:
- Section 15 deals with terrorist acts.
- Section 17 deals with raising funds for terrorist acts.
- Section 18 deals with conspiracy, attempt, abetment or related acts concerning terrorist activities.
- UAPA is included in the Schedule to the NIA Act.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1, 2 and 4 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: D
Explanation:
All four statements are correct. Section 18 is particularly relevant to the current affair because the accused had initially been booked under this provision. The NIA maintains the UAPA and its rules as part of its statutory framework.
Q15. Consider the following statements regarding the India–Myanmar border:
- Arunachal Pradesh shares an international border with Myanmar.
- Nagaland shares an international border with Myanmar.
- Manipur shares an international border with Myanmar.
- Mizoram shares an international border with Myanmar.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1, 2 and 4 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: D
Explanation:
All four states — Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram — share an international boundary with Myanmar. This makes the India–Myanmar frontier particularly important for Northeast security.
Q16. With reference to the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar, consider the following statements:
- It was linked to the traditional social and ethnic connections of communities living on both sides of the border.
- The Union Government announced in 2024 its decision to scrap the FMR citing internal security and demographic concerns.
- The FMR was primarily intended to facilitate movement of foreign tourists across the entire Northeast without immigration restrictions.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation:
The FMR reflected the special social and ethnic links along the India–Myanmar border. In February 2024, the MHA announced its decision to scrap it, citing internal security and demographic concerns. It was not a general tourist-movement arrangement.
Daily APSC Mains Answer Writing
Q. “The internal security architecture of Northeast India is increasingly challenged by transnational non-state actors and cross-border insurgent networks.” In light of recent developments involving foreign operatives and Myanmar-based armed groups, critically examine these security vulnerabilities and evaluate the efficacy of institutional and legal countermeasures.
Answer:
The National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) chargesheet against transnational mercenaries linked to Myanmar’s Victoria Camp underscores that Northeast India’s security matrix has transitioned from isolated sub-national insurgencies into a complex, cross-border hybrid threat.
1. Emerging Transnational Security Vulnerabilities
- External Sanctuaries & Proxy Training: Ungoverned zones in post-coup Myanmar offer operational sanctuaries and combat training to outfits like NSCN(K) and ULFA(I) via alliances with local Ethnic Armed Groups (EAGs).
- The Conflict-Narcotics Nexus: Proximity to the Golden Triangle fuels a vicious nexus where illicit arms and high-grade synthetic drugs (Yaba/Meth) cross border states into Assam’s transit corridors to finance insurgent balance sheets (MHA Annual Report).
- Asymmetric Technological Proliferation: Increased seizure of commercial drones, tactical accessories, and military-grade encrypted communication equipment bypasses conventional electronic border intercepts.
- Topographical and Demarcation Friction: Over 5,484 km of international borders (including 1,643 km with Myanmar) run across dense ridgelines and riverine tracts, rendering complete physical fencing practically unviable (Madhukar Gupta Committee).
2. Evaluation of Institutional & Legal Countermeasures
| Pillar | Measures Taken | Critical Limitations & Challenges |
| Investigative Mechanism | NIA Act (2019 Amendment): Extraterritorial jurisdiction over terror conspiracies targeting Indian interests abroad. | Heavy reliance on foreign digital forensics; overseas asset and suspect access requires complex diplomatic extradition. |
| Statutory Framework | UAPA, 1967 (Sec. 18): Stringent penalization of terror conspiracies, abetment, and recruitment without direct territorial presence. | Inability to immediately sustain UAPA charges in court without conclusive proof of local terror linkage, forcing reliance on the Foreigners Act. |
| Border Management | Scrapping of Free Movement Regime (FMR, 2024): Decision to end the 16 km visa-free regime and enforce biometric logging. | Friction with border tribal communities having trans-border kinship; risk of local alienation without formal livelihood alternatives. |
| Area Regulation | Enforcement of the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime in sensitive border states like Mizoram and Nagaland. | Gaps in inter-state intelligence sharing at domestic transit hubs (e.g., Guwahati, Kolkata) allow evasion by foreign operatives. |
3. Multi-Pronged Way Forward
- Deploy Smart Border Tech: Accelerate the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) integrating LiDAR, tethered surveillance drones, and ground sensors along vulnerable riverine gaps.
- Institutional Coordination: Bridge real-time operational actionable intel through state chapters of the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) and Assam Police Special Branch.
- Regional Security Diplomacy: Deepen coordinated border patrols and mutual legal assistance treaties (MLAT) with Myanmar’s border authorities to dismantle transnational insurgent hubs.
- Combine Security with Development: Expand the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) to strategic border settlements to build local community resilience against insurgent recruitment and smuggling syndicates.
Neutralizing transnational security threats requires a synergy of smart border management, proactive regional diplomacy, and cooperative federalism. By balancing sovereign integrity with human-centric governance and inclusive growth, India can secure the Northeast and truly realize the inclusive ethos of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.
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