Table of Contents

APSC Answer Writing (Daily) based on Assam Tribune – 08/4/2025

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 (08-04-2025).

Mains Question & Model Answer

Q. The NRC process in Assam aimed to address long-standing concerns over illegal immigration, but it has also led to social unrest and violence in regions like Barak Valley. Critically examine the constitutional, humanitarian, and administrative challenges associated with NRC, and suggest a way forward.

Model Answer:

India’s democratic fabric is rooted in the ideals of justice, equality, and fraternity—yet, the NRC process in Assam has revealed tensions between citizenship verification and humanitarian concerns.

1. Context and Background

The National Register of Citizens (NRC) was updated in Assam to identify illegal immigrants under the Citizenship Act, 1955 and rules of 2003.
Final NRC (2019) excluded over 19 lakh people, causing legal and social anxiety.
Barak Valley, with significant linguistic and religious diversity, has seen renewed violence and protests amid reports of NRC misuse and exclusion fears.

2. Constitutional Challenges

a) Violation of Fundamental Rights

Article 14 (Right to Equality): Selective exclusion and language/religious bias in data verification.
Article 21 (Right to Life and Liberty): Fear of statelessness without judicial remedy.

b) Lack of Uniform Policy

NRC was conducted only in Assam despite similar demographic concerns in border states like West Bengal or Tripura.

3. Humanitarian Concerns

a) Fear Among Minorities

Marginalised communities fear exclusion due to lack of proper documents, especially in rural and impoverished areas.

b) Statelessness

No clear provision of citizenship or deportation pathway for excluded people; India is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention (1951).

c) Impact on Women and Children

Women often have no birth records or school certificates, leading to disproportionate exclusions.

4. Administrative and Legal Hurdles

a) Foreigners Tribunals Overburdened

100+ tribunals in Assam face staff shortage, and many declared foreigners are in detention centres.

b) Flawed Documentation Process

Legacy data inconsistencies and linguistic issues hinder proper representation (Barak Valley has high Bengali-speaking population).

c) Implementation Gap

The NRC was meant to be a technical exercise, but political interference and lack of legal support made it chaotic.

6. Reports & Committees

Assam Accord (1985) basis of NRC – cutoff date: 24 March 1971.
Justice Biplab Sharma Committee (2020) – highlighted implementation flaws.
UNHCR Report (2020) – warned of human rights concerns.

7. Way Forward

a) Establish Review Mechanisms

Independent NRC Review Panels with judicial oversight.

b) Legal Aid to the Excluded

Free legal counselling and translation services for marginalized applicants.

c) National-Level Policy

Either replicate NRC uniformly or reframe it under National Population Register (NPR) framework.

d) Build Trust Among Communities

Dialogue platforms in Barak and Brahmaputra valleys to avoid ethnic polarization.

e) International Best Practices

Follow global norms like UNHCR’s principles of “non-refoulement” and inclusive documentation.

Conclusion:

The NRC process must not become a tool of exclusion but a step toward inclusive governance. A compassionate, transparent, and legally sound mechanism is essential to uphold the spirit of the Constitution.“A state is known by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens.” — This guiding principle should define the future course of NRC in India.

✨ Looking for top-quality APSC Mains Guidance with Personalised Mentor?

🔔 Join Our WhatsApp Study Group!

For exclusive access to premium quality content, including study materials, current affairs, MCQs, and model answers for APSC CCE and other Assam competitive exams.

Click here to join: SuchitraACS Study WhatsApp Group