APSC Answer Writing (Daily) based on Assam Tribune – 16/10/2026

For APSC CCE and other Assam Competitive examinations aspirants, practicing Daily Answer Writing is vital. This blog covers the most important Main question and its model Answer from the Assam Tribune today (16-10-2026).

Q. Evaluate the efficacy of conditional cash transfer (CCT) schemes in addressing the twin challenges of early child marriage and higher education dropouts in Assam, with special reference to the expanded Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina and Nijut Babu schemes. (15 Marks, 250 words)

Aligning with SDG-4 (Quality Education) and SDG-5 (Gender Equality), Assam’s transition toward Direct Benefit Transfers represents a strategic intervention to reverse the state’s high teenage pregnancy rate (11.7% per NFHS-5) and bridge the post-matriculation gender gap.

1. Contextual Need: The Twin Challenges in Assam

• Social Challenge: High incidence of child marriage in specific demographic pockets (e.g., Dhubri, Barpeta), traditionally addressed only through punitive police action.
• Economic Challenge: Steep dropout rates after Class 10 due to inability to afford college commutes, hostel fees, and daily expenses.

2. Efficacy of the Schemes (Multi-Dimensional Impact)

• Behavioural Nudge (Social Engineering): By explicitly barring married girls at the Higher Secondary and Undergraduate levels from receiving stipends, Nijut Moina creates a powerful financial deterrent for families considering early marriage.
• Inclusive Human Resource Development: The recent expansion to include ANM, GNM, and BSc Nursing students ensures the scheme directly feeds into Assam’s growing demand for trained healthcare professionals.
• Gender-Balanced Welfare (Equity): While Nijut Moina addresses universal female enrolment, the concurrent rollout of Nijut Babu (for boys with family income <4 LPA) prevents the marginalisation of economically weaker male students.
• Targeted Financial Delivery: The direct release of funds (e.g., the recent Rs 58.59 crore instalment for 5.42 lakh students) via Aadhaar-Based Payment Systems eliminates middlemen and ensures timely assistance.

Table: Comparative Stakeholder Utility

3. Limitations and Implementation Challenges

• Fiscal Burden: Sustaining a recurring monthly DBT model, especially with the addition of four new universities next year, will heavily strain the state exchequer.
• Exclusion Errors: Students compelled to enroll in private or unrecognized institutions due to limited government college seats are completely excluded from the safety net.
• Administrative Bottlenecks: Relying on ‘Nodal Teachers’ for manual monthly verification of the 70% attendance and discipline mandate risks bureaucratic delays.

4. Way Forward (Institutional Measures)

• Digital Attendance Integration: Implement biometric or portal-based automated attendance tracking to remove the administrative burden on nodal teachers.
• Skill-Linkage (ASDM): Mandate beneficiaries to undergo short-term digital literacy or soft-skill workshops under the Assam Skill Development Mission to ensure employability upon graduation.
• Outcome Auditing: NITI Aayog or a third-party agency should conduct an annual social audit to statistically correlate the DBT disbursements with actual reductions in district-wise child marriage rates.

By embedding behavioural conditionalities into constitutional mandates (Article 15(3) & 41), these schemes successfully transition Assam’s welfare approach from punitive law enforcement to positive socioeconomic empowerment, securing a resilient demographic dividend.

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