APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (05/06/2026)
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 5June 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 Prelims Crash Course, 2026
Cell Broadcast System (CBS): India’s Indigenous Emergency Mobile Alert System
- GS Paper III: Disaster Management | Science & Technology
- GS Paper II: Governance
- GS Paper V: Disaster Management of Assam
🔴 Introduction
The Cell Broadcast System (CBS) is a next-generation public warning system developed by India to send real-time, geo-targeted emergency alerts directly to mobile phones during disasters.
- Operational Status: The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) recently announced CBS is fully operational across Assam.
- Development: Developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
- Significance: A major step towards strengthening India’s disaster preparedness and building an effective Early Warning System (EWS).
🔴 Key Features
- Coverage: Pan-India, including Assam.
- Technology: Uses Cell Broadcast Service for geo-targeted, real-time warnings.
- Compatibility: Functions across 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks.
- Accessibility: Supports multi-lingual messages.
- Resilience: Designed to work effectively even during severe network congestion.
🔴 How CBS Works
- Disaster management authorities identify an impending threat.
- An alert message is sent to telecom operators.
- The message is broadcast through all cell towers within the specifically affected geographic area.
- Every mobile phone connected to those towers receives the alert.
- Users receive: A pop-up warning, loud alarm tone, vibration, and voice reading (on supported devices).
- Note: Unlike traditional SMS, CBS does not require individual phone numbers.
🔴 Importance in Disaster Management
- Faster Dissemination: Critical warnings reach citizens within seconds.
- Geo-targeted Communication: Only affected areas receive alerts, minimizing widespread panic and confusion.
- Bypasses Network Congestion: Overcomes the traditional SMS failure rate during disaster-induced network overloads.
- Inclusive Last-Mile Connectivity: Multi-lingual support ensures warnings reach remote and vulnerable populations.
🔴 Prelims Pointers
- Cell Broadcast Service (CBS): A telecom technology that sends messages to all devices in a designated area; operates without phone numbers across 2G to 5G.
- C-DOT: Established in 1984; an autonomous telecom R&D centre under the DoT focusing on indigenous telecom technologies.
- NDMA: Apex disaster management body established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005; chaired by the Prime Minister of India.
- ASDMA: State-level authority coordinating disaster preparedness and response in Assam.
- Disasters Covered: Floods, flash floods, cyclones, thunderstorms, lightning, heavy rainfall, landslides, industrial accidents, and gas leaks.
🔴 Mains Pointers: Significance & Challenges A. Significance
- Strengthens Resilience: Improves preparedness and reduces disaster-related losses.
- Sendai Framework: Supports global goals by enhancing risk communication and EWS.
- Digital Governance: Demonstrates effective use of indigenous technology for public service.
- Vital for Assam: Crucial for a state highly vulnerable to annual floods, riverbank erosion, landslides, thunderstorms, and lightning.
B. Challenges
- Digital Divide: Vulnerable populations without mobile phones remain at risk.
- Device Compatibility: Older mobile devices may not support advanced CBS alert features.
- Language Standardization: Formulating clear, standardized local-language alerts is complex.
- Public Awareness & Fatigue: Lack of awareness may lead people to ignore alerts, while false alarms can cause “alert fatigue.”
- Infrastructure Dependence: The system still fundamentally requires uninterrupted telecom connectivity to function.
🔴 Government Initiatives
- Disaster Management Act, 2005: Provides the institutional framework for preparedness.
- Common Alerting Protocol (CAP): A standardized format for emergency alerts.
- National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP): Emphasizes the creation of robust early warning systems.
- Digital India Programme: Strengthens the underlying digital infrastructure supporting CBS.
- National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project: Supports technology-enabled disaster risk reduction.
🔴 International Best Practices India’s CBS aligns with global standards such as:
- United States: Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
- Japan: J-Alert System
- European Union: EU Public Warning System
- South Korea: Nationwide cell broadcast disaster alerts
🔴 Way Forward
- Improve Public Awareness: Conduct regular mock drills and community awareness campaigns.
- AI Integration: Combine CBS with Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based weather and flood prediction systems.
- Hyper-Local Alerts: Implement district and village-level targeting for greater precision.
- Multi-Hazard Expansion: Broaden alerts to cover heat waves, industrial disasters, earthquakes, and disease outbreaks.
- Assam-Specific Upgrades: Integrate CBS directly with Brahmaputra flood forecasting systems, river monitoring networks, and India Meteorological Department (IMD) alerts.
🔴 Conclusion
The Cell Broadcast System marks a major advancement in India’s disaster management architecture by enabling rapid, reliable, and geo-targeted emergency communication. For disaster-prone states like Assam, CBS is a life-saving tool that strengthens resilience and supports a technology-driven disaster management ecosystem. Its long-term success relies on effective implementation, robust public awareness, and seamless integration with advanced forecasting systems.
North East Vision Plan 2047 & 73rd NEC Plenary Session
- GS Paper II: Governance, Federalism & Regional Development
- GS Paper III: Economic Development, Infrastructure
- GS Paper V: Assam & North-East Development
🔴 Introduction
The 73rd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) was held in Shillong on 4 June 2026 under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
- Participants: Brought together Governors, Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, and senior officials of all eight North-Eastern States.
- Core Agenda: To deliberate on the North East Vision Plan 2047, a long-term roadmap aimed at transforming the region by the centenary year of India’s Independence.
- Assam’s Relevance: Crucial for Assam as the traditional gateway to the North-East, positioning the state to play a central role in regional integration and economic transformation.
🔴 Key Features
- Chairperson & Coordinating Ministry: Chaired by Amit Shah (Union Home Minister & NEC Chairman); coordinated by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).
- Core Objective: Transform the North-East into a major economic growth engine for India.
- Key Focus Sectors: Connectivity, Infrastructure, Tourism, Agriculture, Investment, Sports, Logistics, and Handloom & Handicrafts.
- Coverage: Spans all 8 North-Eastern States.
🔴 About the North Eastern Council (NEC)
- Establishment & Nature: Created under the North Eastern Council Act, 1971; functions as a statutory apex regional planning body.
- Member States: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
- Core Functions:
- Regional planning, coordination, and infrastructure development.
- Promotion of inter-state cooperation and economic/social development.
- Strengthening cooperative federalism.
🔴 Pillars of the North East Vision Plan 2047
- Economic Growth Hub: Industrial expansion, investment attraction, and start-up ecosystem development.
- Connectivity Hub: Comprehensive development across roadways, railways, inland waterways, air connectivity, and digital infrastructure.
- Innovation Hub: Technology-based industries, skill development, and dedicated research and innovation centres.
- Sustainability Hub: Green growth, renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, and climate-resilient development.
- Cultural Prosperity Hub: Promotion of indigenous cultures, tourism development, and preservation of tribal heritage.
🔴 Major Sectors Discussed in the Plenary
- Tourism: Focused expansion across eco-tourism, adventure tourism, spiritual tourism, and cultural tourism.
- Agriculture & Horticulture: Promotion of organic farming, high-value crops, and agri-exports.
- Self-Reliance in Food Production: Targeted production enhancement in milk, eggs, fish, and meat.
- Infrastructure & Investment: Development of economic corridors, multi-modal transport, and logistics networks alongside Ease of Doing Business reforms and the North East Investment Summit.
- Handloom, Handicrafts & Sports: Market linkage and Geographical Indication (GI)-based branding for local crafts; talent identification and infrastructure for sports.
🔴 Prelims Pointers
- Ministry of DoNER: Established in 2001 as the nodal ministry for North-East development.
- “Ashtalakshmi”: Term used to collectively describe the eight North-Eastern states.
- Key NEC/Central Initiatives:
- North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS).
- Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE).
- North East Road Sector Development Scheme.
- Border Area Development Programme.
- Act East Policy: Strategic framework positioning the North-East as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia via Bangladesh, Myanmar, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.
🔴 Mains Pointers: Significance & Challenges A. Importance
- Economic & Regional Transformation: Accelerates investment, generates employment, improves regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and addresses historical developmental disparities.
- National Integration & Security: Enhanced connectivity reduces regional isolation; robust infrastructure strengthens border management and national security.
- Strategic Act East Node: Solidifies the region’s position as India’s geographic and economic gateway to Southeast Asia.
- Assam’s Central Role: Positions Assam uniquely as the region’s primary transport gateway, educational centre, and logistics/economic hub.
B. Challenges
- Geographic & Environmental Constraints: Mountainous terrain escalates infrastructure costs; frequent disasters (floods/landslides) present constant climate risks.
- Deficits & Gaps: Remote areas suffer from persistent connectivity gaps; a shortage of industry-ready workforce creates a skill deficit.
- Coordination & Investment: Private investment remains limited; large regional projects require complex, multi-state cooperation.
- Environmental Sensitivity: Infrastructure projects face the challenge of balancing rapid development with strict biodiversity protection.
🔴 Government Initiatives
- PM-DevINE: Dedicated to infrastructure creation, livelihood generation, and social sector development.
- Act East Policy & UDAN Scheme: Promotes cross-border connectivity with ASEAN countries and regional air connectivity respectively.
- Bharatmala & NESIDS: Focused expansion of road networks and general infrastructure development in the region.
- Gati Shakti National Master Plan: Coordinates integrated, multi-modal infrastructure planning.
🔴 Assam-Specific Relevance
- Trade & Logistics Gateway: Developed as a logistics hub linking regional states with Bangladesh, Bhutan, and ASEAN markets.
- Sectoral Potential: High growth avenues in tea, bamboo, agarwood, horticulture, and fisheries.
- Tourism Heritage Circuits: Capitalizing on major destinations like Kaziranga, Manas, Majuli, and the Sivasagar heritage circuit.
- Inland Waterways: Development of National Waterway-2 (Brahmaputra River) for multi-modal logistics.
🔴 International Dimension The Vision Plan aligns with global and regional strategic frameworks:
- BIMSTEC: Enhancing Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.
- BBIN Initiative: Promoting trade and transport connectivity between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal.
- Indo-Pacific Strategy: Elevating the North-East into a critical strategic and economic node.
🔴 Way Forward
- Accelerate Infrastructure: Fast-track pending roads, railways, airports, and waterways projects.
- Boost Capital & Capitalize on Assam: Develop dedicated industrial clusters and special economic zones; establish Assam as the primary regional logistics hub and investment destination.
- Enhance Human Capital: Direct policy focus toward skill development, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
- Institutionalize Cooperation: Build permanent coordination mechanisms among the North-Eastern states to execute regional projects smoothly.
- Sustainable Execution: Ensure all economic and industrial growth is balanced strictly with ecological and biodiversity conservation.
🔴 Conclusion
The North East Vision Plan 2047 serves as a transformative blueprint to shift the North-East from a historically peripheral region into a major economic growth engine for India. Supported by the NEC and Ministry of DoNER, the plan offers an unprecedented opportunity for Assam to anchor regional connectivity and logistics, contributing directly to the broader national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Guwahati’s Air Quality Improvement & Environmental Challenges
- GS Paper III: Environment & Urban Governance
- GS Paper V: Environment & Urban Development of Assam
🔴 Introduction Data released by the Assam Pollution Control Board (APCB) ahead of World Environment Day 2026 presents a mixed picture of Guwahati’s environmental health.
- Key Trend: The city has witnessed a notable improvement in air quality in recent years, but water pollution and solid waste management remain major concerns.
- Core Need: Highlights the urgent requirement for integrated urban environmental governance and active citizen participation.
🔴 Key Indicators Matrix
- Air Quality Index (AQI) Status: Improved
- February 2023 AQI: 222
- February 2026 AQI: 179
- ‘Very Poor’ AQI Days: Reduced from 4 days (Feb 2023) to 0 days (Feb 2026).
- Primary Drivers: Traffic congestion and construction activities.
- Mitigation Measures: Introduction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and stricter construction compliance.
- Water Quality Status: Critical
- Major Concern: High Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels in the Bharalu and Pamohi rivers driven by untreated sewage and poor waste disposal.
- Solid Waste Status: High Deficit
- Daily Waste Generation: ~700 tonnes
- Daily Processing Capacity: ~300 tonnes/day at the Belor Tol facility.
🔴 Air Quality Dynamics The APCB report indicates a significant decline in air pollution levels compared to previous years, particularly during February, which is typically the worst month for air quality.
- Contributing Factors:
- Phased introduction of clean-fuel CNG public buses.
- Stricter enforcement of pollution norms during urban construction activities.
- Increased regular monitoring by state pollution control authorities.
🔴 Water Quality Concerns While air quality has advanced, river and water pollution remain severe environmental challenges for the city.
- Bharalu River: Continues to be heavily polluted, recording extreme BOD levels between 15 and 20 mg/L (far exceeding the prescribed safety limit of below 3 mg/L).
- Pamohi River: Emerged as a new area of concern, recently crossing the prescribed safety threshold with a reading of 4.1 mg/L.
- Brahmaputra and Basistha Rivers: Remain relatively stable and within the prescribed safety BOD limits.
🔴 Solid Waste Management Crisis The wide gap between waste generation and treatment infrastructure creates immense structural pressure on the city’s ecosystem.
- Infrastructure Deficit: Guwahati faces a daily unprocessed waste surplus of ~400 tonnes due to the limited capacity at the Belor Tol facility.
- Ecological & Health Risks: Leads directly to overflowing urban waste dumps, toxic leachate contamination into groundwater, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and severe public health threats.
🔴 Prelims Pointers
- Air Quality Index (AQI): A composite indicator utilized nationally to monitor, categorize, and communicate daily air quality status to the public.
- Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD): Measures the amount of dissolved oxygen required by microorganisms to biologically decompose organic matter in water; higher BOD values directly indicate higher water pollution.
- Pollution Regulatory Bodies: Managed by the Assam Pollution Control Board (APCB) at the state level and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at the national tier.
- Polluted River Stretches: Mitigation efforts based on CPCB frameworks have successfully reduced identified polluted river stretches in Assam from 44 stretches in 2018 down to 6 stretches.
🔴 Mains Pointers: Significance & Challenges A. Strategic Importance
- Public Health & Economics: Improved air quality directly minimizes respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, lowering healthcare costs while enhancing tourism, investment, and workforce productivity.
- Urban & Riverine Sustainability: Clean water systems are fundamental to safeguarding Assam’s unique riverine ecology and protecting the broader Brahmaputra ecosystem.
B. Core Challenges
- Urbanization & Infrastructure Deficit: Rapid growth in population and infrastructure outpaces existing waste management facilities, while untreated sewage continues to flow freely into urban rivers.
- Congestion & Compliance Gaps: Heavy vehicular emissions sustain background air pollution, which is compounded by low citizen compliance in waste segregation and limited public participation.
🔴 Government Initiatives
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Targets systematic reductions in particulate matter pollution across Indian cities.
- Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016: Standardizes the statutory mandate for segregation, processing, and scientific disposal of municipal waste.
- Conservation Frameworks: Supported by the National River Conservation Plan for urban river cleaning and the state’s transition towards CNG-based public transport systems.
🔴 Way Forward
- Infrastructure Scaling: Rapidly expand waste processing plants to bridge the 400-tonne daily deficit and establish robust sewage treatment networks to halt untreated discharge.
- Green Infrastructure & Mobility: Increase urban tree plantation, protect vital regional wetlands like Deepor Beel, and further scale up CNG and electric public transport.
- Civic Collaboration: Institutionalize localized awareness campaigns, community initiatives, and school education. As emphasized by APCB officials, long-term environmental recovery cannot be accomplished via top-down government intervention alone.
🔴 Conclusion
Guwahati’s improving air quality underscores that targeted interventions, such as cleaner public transport and rigorous regulatory enforcement, yield tangible environmental results. However, deep-seated issues in solid waste handling and river pollution prove that sustainable urban growth requires a holistic strategy—one that binds infrastructure expansion, resilient urban governance, and proactive citizen partnership together.
Illegal Fishing and Fisheries Resource Management in Assam
- GS Paper III: Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security & Sustainable Resource Management
- GS Paper V: Economy, Natural Resources & Environment of Assam
🔴 Introduction
The Fisheries Department recently intensified its law enforcement crackdown on illegal fishing activities in Goroimari and other parts of Assam, underscoring the growing challenge of unsustainable aquatic resource exploitation.
- Core Threat: Destructive practices such as using banned nets, chemical poisoning, electrofishing, and unseasonal harvesting threaten indigenous fish biodiversity and traditional livelihoods.
- Strategic Imperative: Given Assam’s vast network of rivers, floodplain wetlands, and reservoirs, sustainable fisheries management is critical for rural development and regional food security.
🔴 Status of the Fisheries Sector in Assam
Assam possesses one of the richest inland fisheries resource bases in India, serving as a pillar for the state’s rural economy.
- Ecosystem Assets: Comprises the Brahmaputra and Barak river systems, seasonal floodplain water bodies, reservoirs, ponds, and more than 3,500 wetlands (beels).
- Socio-Economic Value: Acts as the primary source of animal protein for the population, supports rural employment, generates livelihoods for lakhs of fishers, and contributes directly to the State Gross Domestic Product (SGDP).
🔴 Illegal Fishing: Typology and Ecological Impacts
Illegal fishing constitutes any harvesting activity that violates statutory laws, environmental regulations, or conservation norms.
- Common Illegal Practices:
- Fine-Mesh Nets: Captures juvenile fish before they reach reproductive maturity, depleting future fish stocks.
- Chemical Poisoning: Indiscriminate release of toxins into water bodies, killing non-target aquatic organisms.
- Electrofishing: Deploying electric currents to stun fish, which catastrophically destroys fish eggs, larvae, and micro-fauna.
- Breeding Season Exploitation: Harvesting during spawning periods, crippling the natural reproductive cycle.
- Ecological Consequences:
- Severe decline in endemic and indigenous fish diversity within the Brahmaputra basin.
- Disruption of aquatic food chains and progressive degradation of critical wetland breeding habitats.
- Long-term decline in natural fish productivity and wild stock replenishment.
🔴 Prelims Pointers
- Blue Economy: The sustainable utilization of ocean and inland aquatic resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and ecosystem health.
- Inland Fisheries: Aquaculture and capture fishing operations restricted to fresh and brackish water bodies like rivers, lakes, canals, reservoirs, and ponds.
- Key Wetlands of Assam: Vital habitats including Son Beel, Urpad Beel, Chandubi Lake, and Deepor Beel (Assam’s only designated Ramsar Site, crucial for regional aquatic biodiversity).
- Fishery Census: Periodic statistical exercises conducted by the Department of Fisheries to accurately assess fish stocks, farmer demographics, and yield parameters.
🔴 Mains Pointers: Significance & Challenges
A. Strategic Importance of Resource Management
- Nutritional & Livelihood Security: Delivers affordable protein to a high-consumption state and provides income diversification for fishermen, traders, processors, and logistics workers.
- Climate & Economic Resilience: Healthy wetland ecosystems act as buffers against environmental changes while steering sustainable growth under the Blue Economy paradigm.
B. Core Operational Challenges
- Anthropogenic Pressures: Widespread illegal fishing, wetland encroachment, land degradation, and municipal/industrial pollution entering aquatic zones.
- Environmental & Biological Vulnerabilities: Recurrent annual floods and riverbank erosion alter breeding grounds, climate change impacts water temperatures, and aggressive invasive species outcompete native fish.
- Regulatory Obstacles: Monitoring and enforcing conservation rules across vast, fragmented, and remote water bodies remains difficult due to weak field deployment.
🔴 Government Initiatives
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): Launched in 2020 to drive sustainable fisheries development, enhance production infrastructure, and ensure fisher welfare.
- Blue Revolution Scheme & FIDF: Integrated frameworks that support modern fisheries infrastructure development and financial funding.
- Assam Fisheries Development Programmes: State-led initiatives focusing on scientific fish farming, high-quality fish seed production, and targeted wetland (beel) restoration.
🔴 Assam-Specific Value Addition
- The Consumption-Production Deficit: Despite abundant freshwater resources, fish is such a core staple of Assamese cuisine that the state remains a fish-deficit state, frequently importing supplies from other Indian states.
- Indigenous Fish Species Checklist: Highly valued native species currently facing intense habitat pressure include:
- Chital (Chitala chitala)
- Borali (Wallago attu)
- Pabho (Ompok pabda)
- Rou (Labeo rohita)
- Bahu (Labeo gonius)
🔴 Way Forward
- Technology-Driven Enforcement: Implement Geographic Information System (GIS)-based monitoring and drone surveillance over large wetlands alongside strict statutory penalties for illegal operators.
- Co-Management Models: Institutionalize Community-Based Fisheries Management by involving local fishing clusters in enforcement and habitat protection.
- Conservation Frameworks: Enforce strict seasonal fishing bans during natural spawning windows and systematically restore degraded beels.
- Scientific Aquaculture: Expand modern, land-based fish farming techniques to reduce harvesting pressures on fragile wild riverine ecosystems.
🔴 Global and Institutional Standards
- FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (1995): Globally mandates sustainable fishing, proactive biodiversity conservation, and responsible resource utilization.
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Direct policy alignment with SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
🔴 Conclusion
Illegal fishing is a structural threat to Assam’s rich aquatic biodiversity, nutritional safety net, and rural livelihoods. Resolving this crisis demands a balanced strategy that pairs uncompromising enforcement with community-led conservation and scientific aquaculture. Proper implementation of modern frameworks like PMMSY can transform Assam’s water resources into an engine for rural prosperity and sustainable Blue Economy growth.
APSC Prelims MCQs
Q1. With reference to the Cell Broadcast System (CBS), consider the following statements:
- It can send emergency alerts to all mobile phones within a specific geographical area.
- It requires the phone numbers of individual recipients.
- It can function even during network congestion.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: CBS sends geo-targeted alerts without requiring individual phone numbers and works even during network congestion.
Q2. The Cell Broadcast System (CBS) has been developed by:
(a) ISRO
(b) NIC
(c) C-DOT
(d) DRDO
Answer: (c) C-DOT
Explanation: The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) developed the indigenous CBS under the Department of Telecommunications.
Q3. Which one of the following correctly describes the major advantage of Cell Broadcast messages over conventional SMS alerts?
(a) They require internet connectivity.
(b) They are delivered only to registered users.
(c) They can reach all devices in a target area simultaneously.
(d) They are limited to smartphones.
Answer: (c) They can reach all devices in a target area simultaneously.
Explanation: CBS is a location-based broadcasting technology that reaches all compatible devices connected to cell towers in the designated area.
Q4. With reference to the North Eastern Council (NEC), consider the following statements:
- It was established under an Act of Parliament.
- It serves as the apex regional planning body for the North-East.
- Sikkim is not a member of the NEC.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: NEC was established under the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. Sikkim is also a member of NEC.
Q5. The Ministry primarily responsible for coordinating the implementation of the North East Vision Plan 2047 is:
(a) Ministry of Home Affairs
(b) Ministry of Panchayati Raj
(c) Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER)
(d) Ministry of Rural Development
Answer: (c) Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER)
Explanation: DoNER is the nodal ministry for development initiatives and planning in the North-East.
Q6. The significance of the North-East in India’s Act East Policy primarily arises from:
(a) Its mineral reserves.
(b) Its strategic location connecting India with Southeast Asia.
(c) Its large manufacturing base.
(d) Its naval infrastructure.
Answer: (b) Its strategic location connecting India with Southeast Asia.
Explanation: The North-East serves as India’s land gateway to ASEAN and Southeast Asia.
Q7. Consider the following statements regarding Air Quality Index (AQI):
- AQI is a composite indicator of air pollution levels.
- A lower AQI indicates better air quality.
- AQI measures only particulate matter pollution.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: AQI is based on multiple pollutants including PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, NO₂, SO₂, CO, O₃ etc., not only particulate matter.
Q8. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is used as an indicator of:
(a) Soil fertility
(b) Groundwater recharge
(c) Organic pollution in water bodies
(d) Atmospheric pollution
Answer: (c) Organic pollution in water bodies
Explanation: Higher BOD indicates greater organic pollution and oxygen depletion in water.
Q9. Which one of the following is the most likely consequence of high BOD levels in a river?
(a) Increase in dissolved oxygen
(b) Increase in fish diversity
(c) Reduction in dissolved oxygen available for aquatic life
(d) Reduction in organic matter
Answer: (c) Reduction in dissolved oxygen available for aquatic life
Explanation: High BOD means microorganisms consume more oxygen, reducing oxygen available for aquatic organisms.
Q10. The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) primarily aims at:
(a) Increasing forest cover
(b) Reducing air pollution in Indian cities
(c) Conserving wetlands
(d) Promoting electric vehicles only
Answer: (b) Reducing air pollution in Indian cities
Explanation: NCAP is India’s flagship programme for improving urban air quality.
Q11. Which of the following fishing practices is generally considered illegal and ecologically destructive?
- Use of electric current for fishing.
- Fishing with poison.
- Use of fine-mesh nets that capture juvenile fish.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: All three methods damage fish stocks, aquatic biodiversity and breeding cycles.
Q12. Which of the following best describes the concept of Blue Economy?
(a) Exploitation of marine resources for maximum economic gain
(b) Sustainable use of aquatic resources for economic growth and ecosystem health
(c) Exclusive development of ocean-based industries
(d) Export-oriented fisheries production
Answer: (b) Sustainable use of aquatic resources for economic growth and ecosystem health
Explanation: Blue Economy balances economic development with environmental sustainability.
Q13. Consider the following statements regarding the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY):
- It aims to enhance fish production and productivity.
- It seeks to improve fisheries infrastructure.
- It applies only to marine fisheries.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: PMMSY covers both inland and marine fisheries and focuses on production, infrastructure and fisher welfare.
Q14. Consider the following pairs:
| Wetland | State |
| 1. Deepor Beel | Assam |
| 2. Son Beel | Assam |
| 3. Loktak Lake | Manipur |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c) All three
Explanation: Deepor Beel and Son Beel are important wetlands of Assam, while Loktak Lake is located in Manipur.
Q15. Which one of the following combinations correctly matches the topic with the relevant APSC/UPSC GS Paper?
(a) Cell Broadcast System — GS-I
(b) North East Vision Plan 2047 — GS-IV
(c) Fisheries Resource Management — GS-III
(d) Air Quality Index — GS-II only
Answer: (c) Fisheries Resource Management — GS-III
Explanation: Fisheries, agriculture, food security and resource management fall under GS-III. CBS is mainly GS-III, Vision 2047 relates to GS-II and GS-III, while environmental issues including AQI are primarily GS-III.
APSC Mains Practice Question
📘 GS Mains Model Question (APSC CCE)
📝 Question
Q. “Early Warning Systems are critical for reducing disaster risks and building resilient communities.” In this context, examine the significance of the Cell Broadcast System (CBS) in India’s disaster management framework. Discuss the challenges associated with its implementation and suggest measures to enhance its effectiveness. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
Model Answer
Introduction
India is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, facing floods, cyclones, landslides, earthquakes, lightning strikes, and other natural hazards. Timely dissemination of warnings is crucial for minimizing loss of life and property. In this regard, the Cell Broadcast System (CBS), developed by C-DOT in collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), represents a major advancement in India’s disaster early warning architecture.
Significance of CBS in Disaster Management
1. Real-Time Emergency Communication
CBS enables authorities to send instant alerts directly to mobile phones in affected geographical areas, ensuring rapid dissemination of warnings.
2. Geo-Targeted Alerts
Unlike conventional SMS, CBS can target specific locations, allowing precise communication to populations at risk.
3. Reliable During Emergencies
The system functions even during network congestion, a common challenge during disasters.
4. Strengthening Last-Mile Connectivity
It helps reach vulnerable populations in remote and disaster-prone regions, particularly in states like Assam that frequently experience floods and landslides.
5. Enhancing Disaster Preparedness
Timely alerts allow citizens and authorities to undertake preventive measures, reducing casualties and economic losses.
6. Promoting Digital Governance
CBS reflects the use of indigenous technology for public service delivery and disaster risk reduction.
Challenges
- Low public awareness regarding CBS alerts.
- Digital divide and limited access to mobile devices among vulnerable groups.
- Possibility of alert fatigue due to frequent warnings.
- Language and accessibility barriers.
- Dependence on telecom infrastructure in remote regions.
Way Forward
- Conduct regular public awareness campaigns and mock drills.
- Integrate CBS with AI-based weather forecasting and flood prediction systems.
- Provide multilingual and accessible alerts.
- Strengthen telecom infrastructure in remote and border areas.
- Integrate CBS with state disaster management platforms for seamless coordination.
Conclusion
The Cell Broadcast System marks a significant shift from reactive disaster response to proactive disaster preparedness. By providing accurate, timely, and location-specific warnings, CBS can substantially reduce disaster risks and strengthen community resilience. Effective implementation, public participation, and technological integration will be essential to realize its full potential in achieving the goals of the Sendai Framework and Disaster Management Act, 2005.
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