APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (08/04/2025)
For APSC CCE and other Assam Competitive examinations aspirants, staying updated with current affairs is vital. This blog covers most important topics from the Assam Tribune today (08-04-2025). These issues are key for both APSC Prelims and Mains preparation, offering insights into the APSC CCE Syllabus.
🌧️ Rising Pre-Monsoon Rainfall & Flood Alert in Northeast India
GS Paper 1, 3 – Geography, Disaster Management, Climate Change
🔹 Introduction
Pre-monsoon rainfall has intensified across Northeast India, raising flood alerts and concerns about preparedness, particularly in Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh.
🔑 Key Points
IMD Alerts & Rainfall Trends
IMD predicts above-normal pre-monsoon rainfall (March–May) in Northeast India.
Assam, especially Barak and Brahmaputra Valleys, faces early flooding risk.
Likely impact of Western Disturbances and La Niña rebound contributing to heavy rains.
Vulnerable Regions
Barak Valley and Upper Assam districts are highly flood-prone.
Low-lying areas, riverine islands (chars), and settlements near embankments are most vulnerable.
State Response & Early Measures
Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) has issued early warnings.
Stockpiling of boats, essential relief materials, and mock drills are underway.
Strengthening embankments and drainage systems pre-monsoon.
Environmental Concerns
Deforestation and encroachment in floodplains worsen the flooding impact.
Siltation of rivers like the Brahmaputra reduces their carrying capacity.
Climate change is altering traditional rainfall patterns and intensifying downpours.
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Barak River: Major river in South Assam; tributary of Surma-Meghna river system.
La Niña: Cooling phase of ENSO; often brings more rainfall to eastern India.
ASDMA: Assam’s nodal disaster agency for early warning and flood mitigation.
Chars (River Islands): Prone to erosion and flooding in Brahmaputra basin.
📝 Mains Pointers
✅ Importance of Addressing Pre-Monsoon Floods
Human Impact
Recurrent displacement and damage to livelihoods, especially among rural communities.
Example: 2022 Assam floods affected over 55 lakh people (ASDMA report).
Infrastructure Vulnerability
Roads, bridges, embankments, and farmlands are heavily damaged by early floods.
Ecological Impact
Waterlogging and siltation affect wetlands, aquatic biodiversity, and farming cycles.
🚨 Challenges
Inadequate Forecasting Infrastructure
Limited automated weather stations and real-time river level sensors.
Poor Drainage in Urban Areas
Cities like Guwahati face urban floods due to poor sewage and drainage networks.
Delayed Embankment Repairs
Many embankments are old and prone to breaches; maintenance is slow.
Climate Volatility
Unpredictable rains challenge planning and resource allocation.
🏛️ Government Initiatives
Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS) in collaboration with NESAC and ISRO.
Brahmaputra River Restoration Plan by Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Mission Flood Free Assam (proposed): Long-term structural and non-structural mitigation.
🔭 Way Forward
Enhancing Early Warning Systems
Community-based alert networks, expansion of Doppler radars.
Watershed Management
Afforestation, river basin zoning, check dams to control runoff.
Embankment Strengthening & River Dredging
Use of geo-synthetic materials and eco-friendly techniques.
Urban Flood Management
Smart drainage and rainwater harvesting in cities.
🧩 Conclusion
With early pre-monsoon rainfall intensifying flood risk in the Northeast, a blend of traditional wisdom and modern disaster planning is crucial to protect lives and livelihoods in one of India’s most ecologically sensitive regions.
📦 India’s Merchandise Exports Show Signs of Recovery
GS Paper 3 – Indian Economy | External Sector | Trade
🔹 Introduction
After a period of decline due to global economic slowdown, India’s merchandise exports are showing a steady rebound, supported by key sectors like engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, and electronics.
🔑 Key Data and Trends
Export Growth Figures (Recent Data)
Merchandise exports rose to $41.4 billion in March 2025, up from $38.2 billion in February 2025 (Source: DGFT).
Key sectors driving the recovery:
Engineering goods: +6.2%
Pharmaceuticals: +5.8%
Electronics: +9.3%
Trade deficit narrowed to $15.6 billion.
Sectoral Recovery
Textiles & Apparel: Showing slight recovery after duty rationalization.
Agri exports: Basmati rice, marine products seeing demand from Middle East & EU.
Auto components: Surge in exports to Latin America and Africa.
Destination-wise Recovery
USA remains the top export destination.
UAE, Netherlands, and Bangladesh see strong growth.
India benefits from diversification away from China by global importers.
🌐 Geopolitical & Economic Context
Global Demand Revival
Easing of inflation in developed economies boosting consumer demand.
Freight costs have normalized post-COVID, improving margins.
India’s FTAs and Trade Diplomacy
Interim trade deal with UK and discussions with GCC and EU underway.
Recent FTA with UAE (CEPA) boosted exports of gems & jewellery.
PLI Scheme Impact
Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for electronics, pharma, and textiles helping boost capacity and competitiveness.
Example: Mobile exports rose 18% YoY.
⚙️ Government Initiatives Supporting Exports
| Initiative | Description |
| RoDTEP | Refunds taxes/duties not refunded under other schemes. |
| TMA | Aims to support agri exports via transport subsidies. |
| District as Export Hub | Localized export promotion, especially for handicrafts and food processing. |
| Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) | Enhances export logistics at state level. |
📉 Challenges
Global Trade Uncertainty
Red Sea crisis, disruptions in Suez Canal raise shipping costs.
Ongoing US-China tension affecting global supply chains.
Domestic Bottlenecks
Inadequate port infrastructure.
High logistics cost (13–14% of GDP vs global avg. 8%).
WTO-related Hurdles
Issues over export subsidies and compliance with global trade rules.
Currency Volatility
INR fluctuations reduce predictability of earnings for exporters.
📊 Prelims Facts
Top Indian export items: Petroleum products, machinery, pharmaceuticals, jewellery, electronics.
Major export destinations: USA, UAE, Netherlands, Bangladesh, Singapore.
Export Promotion Councils: 26 sector-specific councils under Ministry of Commerce.
📝 Mains Pointers
Link exports to employment generation – e.g., textiles and MSMEs.
Importance of building global value chains (GVCs) around India.
Role of digital trade and e-commerce platforms in export expansion.
🧩 Conclusion
India’s merchandise exports bouncing back reflects a resilient economy adjusting to shifting global trade patterns. A strategic push toward infrastructure, policy reforms, and global market access can further consolidate this recovery.
🧨 NRC-Related Violence in Assam’s Barak Valley
GS Paper 2 – Polity & Governance | Internal Security | Federalism
GS Paper 1 – Society | Communalism | Migration Issues
🔹 Introduction
The National Register of Citizens (NRC) process in Assam, especially in the Barak Valley, has reignited communal tensions and led to outbreaks of violence, underscoring the complex intersection of identity, citizenship, and state policy.
📍 Context and Background
What is NRC?
The NRC is a register of Indian citizens compiled to detect illegal migrants, especially from Bangladesh.
Assam is the only state with an NRC updated under Supreme Court supervision.
Final NRC published in August 2019, excluded over 19 lakh people.
Why Barak Valley is Sensitive?
Comprises Cachar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi districts.
Bengali-speaking majority, many of whom trace ancestry to pre-1971 migrants.
NRC viewed as discriminatory by sections of this population.
🔥 Recent Violence – Key Details
| Element | Description |
| Trigger | Tensions following reports of NRC-related notices and detention centre preparations. |
| Casualties | Clashes between local communities, reports of arson and injuries. |
| Target Groups | Bengali-speaking Muslims and Hindus facing suspicion over citizenship. |
| Police Response | Imposition of Section 144, flag marches, arrests of alleged instigators. |
🧠 Core Issues Involved
Citizenship vs. Identity
NRC exclusion linked with identity politics—fear of statelessness fuels unrest.
Legal Uncertainty
Many excluded from NRC still await Foreigners Tribunal decisions.
Fear of detention centers due to lack of clarity on rights of the excluded.
Communal Polarisation
NRC used by some political groups to stir ethnic tensions (Assamese vs Bengalis, Hindu vs Muslim).
Social and Economic Anxiety
Those excluded are often poor, illiterate, with no legal support to fight their case.
Risk of loss of property, voting rights, and access to welfare schemes.
⚖️ Government & Judicial Response
State Government has denied targeting any specific group.
Central government yet to notify rules for implementing CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act).
Supreme Court: Reiterated the humanitarian need for due process and dignity.
High-level inquiry ordered into the recent violence and law-and-order lapses.
🧩 Related Constitutional & Legal Aspects
Article 14 – Right to Equality: Any exclusion process must be fair and non-discriminatory.
Article 21 – Right to Life includes protection from arbitrary detention.
Foreigners Act, 1946 and Citizenship Act, 1955 govern exclusion processes.
🌐 National & International Implications
UN and Amnesty International have flagged humanitarian concerns over NRC.
NRC-like exercises in other states could replicate similar tensions if not well-planned.
Diplomacy with Bangladesh affected if deportation is raised as an option.
📝 Mains Pointers
Balancing national security with human rights is crucial in citizenship issues.
Need for transparent tribunal processes, free legal aid, and grievance redressal.
Use of social harmony programs, awareness campaigns, and inter-community dialogue to reduce tensions.
Digital authentication, record preservation, and grievance appeal systems essential for a fair NRC.
📊 Prelims Facts
Barak Valley comprises about 18–20% of Assam’s population.
NRC pilot in Assam was first conducted in 1951.
Assam Accord (1985) set March 24, 1971, as the cut-off date for citizenship in Assam.
🧭 Conclusion
The NRC-related unrest in Assam’s Barak Valley highlights the need for a more inclusive and just approach to citizenship verification. Ensuring fairness, transparency, and communal harmony is critical to uphold constitutional values.
🇮🇳🤝🇯🇵 India-Japan Naval Exercises in Bay of Bengal
GS Paper 2 – International Relations | Bilateral Relations
GS Paper 3 – Security | Maritime Security | Defense
🔹 Introduction
India-Japan naval exercises in the Bay of Bengal reflect the growing defense cooperation between two major Indo-Pacific powers aiming to uphold maritime security and freedom of navigation.
🌐 Context and Background
| Feature | Detail |
| Exercise Name | JIMEX (Japan-India Maritime Exercise) |
| Participants | Indian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) |
| Location | Bay of Bengal |
| Purpose | Enhance interoperability, conduct anti-submarine warfare, maritime domain awareness, joint operations |
JIMEX has been conducted biennially since 2012, alternating between Japan and India.
Held amid rising China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, especially in the South China Sea and Eastern Indian Ocean.
🧭 Strategic Significance
1. Strengthening Indo-Pacific Cooperation
Reinforces Free, Open, Inclusive Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision shared by both countries.
Supports QUAD maritime cooperation (India, Japan, US, Australia).
2. Countering Chinese Influence
Naval drills act as a strategic message amid China’s String of Pearls and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) outreach.
3. Boost to Defense Diplomacy
Builds trust, coordination, and mutual understanding in high-seas operations.
Enhances synergy with joint patrolling, anti-submarine warfare, air-defense coordination.
4. Indian Ocean Regional Stability
Indian Navy’s dominant presence in the Bay of Bengal ensures regional security.
Japan’s growing interest in Malacca Strait–Andaman–Nicobar zone indicates its evolving maritime doctrine.
📍 Exercise Components
Surface and anti-submarine warfare training
Replenishment at sea, tactical maneuvers
Search and rescue (SAR) and aircraft operations
Exchange of maritime domain awareness (MDA) data
🌏 Geopolitical Importance
| Country | Strategic Gain |
| India | Secures Bay of Bengal flank, reinforces Act East Policy |
| Japan | Enhances naval reach beyond East Asia, checks China’s expansion |
| ASEAN | Reassurance against aggressive naval posturing by regional powers |
| US & Allies | Aligned with broader Indo-Pacific strategy |
🧠 India-Japan Defense Ties – Recent Developments
Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) signed in 2020
Joint participation in Malabar Exercises
Japan included in Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR)
Working toward bilateral defense industrial cooperation (ex: US-2 amphibious aircraft)
📊 Reports, Indices, Data
India’s Defense Budget (2024-25): ₹6.2 lakh crore – focus on maritime capability (MoD)
Global Firepower Index 2024: India ranks 4th; Japan 8th
QUAD Security Dialogue increasingly focused on maritime threats (QUAD 2023 Joint Statement)
📝 Mains Pointers
India and Japan’s complementary maritime geographies make cooperation crucial for Indo-Pacific balance.
Continued exercises boost interoperability and signal regional power projection.
Collaboration on defense tech, logistics, and intelligence sharing must be deepened.
Enhancing port infrastructure in Andaman & Nicobar and Japanese bases (like Djibouti) can serve as strategic assets.
📌 Prelims Quick Facts
JIMEX started in 2012
Bay of Bengal is world’s largest bay, bounded by India, Bangladesh, Myanmar
Japan’s navy is called JMSDF (Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force)
India’s Act East Policy emphasizes stronger ties with ASEAN and East Asia
🧭 Conclusion
The India-Japan naval exercise is more than a military drill—it’s a declaration of shared values and strategic intent. A deeper maritime synergy can act as a stabilizing anchor in a turbulent Indo-Pacific.
APSC Prelims Practice Questions
1. Rising Pre-Monsoon Rainfall & Flood Alert in Northeast India
Q1. With reference to pre-monsoon rainfall patterns in India, consider the following statements:
- Pre-monsoon showers in Northeast India are largely caused by western disturbances.
- Pre-monsoon rainfall plays a major role in the tea industry of Assam.
- IMD uses Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) to assess short-term drought or flood risks.
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: B. 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is incorrect: Western Disturbances mainly affect North and Northwest India; pre-monsoon rains in the Northeast are influenced by local convection, easterly winds and moisture from the Bay of Bengal.
- Statement 2 is correct: Assam’s tea industry heavily depends on timely pre-monsoon showers for leaf quality and quantity.
- Statement 3 is correct: The IMD uses SPI for identifying meteorological drought and potential flood-like conditions due to excess rainfall.
2. India’s Merchandise Exports Show Signs of Recovery
Q2. Which of the following sectors contributed the most to India’s merchandise exports growth in recent months as per Ministry of Commerce data?
- Electronics
- Petroleum products
- Pharmaceuticals
- Engineering goods
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 4 only
C. 1, 2 and 4 only
D. All of the above
✅ Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation:
India’s merchandise export recovery is driven by electronics (PLI scheme boost), petroleum products (higher global prices and demand), pharmaceuticals (generic drugs export), and engineering goods (machinery and auto components). According to Commerce Ministry’s March 2025 update, these sectors showed consistent rebound despite global slowdown concerns.
3. NRC-Related Violence in Assam’s Barak Valley
Q3. Consider the following statements about the National Register of Citizens (NRC):
- NRC updation process in Assam was mandated by the Citizenship Act, 1955.
- Barak Valley has seen more NRC-related litigation than Brahmaputra Valley.
- Supreme Court directly monitored the NRC updation in Assam.
Which of the above statements are correct?
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 1, 2 and 3
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1 only
✅ Answer: A. 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: NRC update is carried out under provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955, and Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: While Barak Valley has seen incidents and protests, the majority of NRC cases and challenges were concentrated in Brahmaputra Valley.
- Statement 3 is correct: The Supreme Court directly supervised the NRC process in Assam.
4. 🇮🇳🤝🇯🇵 India-Japan Naval Exercises in Bay of Bengal
Q4. The ‘JIMEX’ exercise, seen recently in news, is held between which countries?
A. India and Japan
B. India and France
C. Japan and Australia
D. India and Indonesia
✅ Answer: A. India and Japan
Explanation:
The 2025 edition, held in the Bay of Bengal, included anti-submarine drills, fleet maneuvering, and communication interoperability exercises.
JIMEX (Japan-India Maritime Exercise) is a bilateral naval exercise between India and Japan, conducted to enhance interoperability and maritime security cooperation.
APSC Mains Practice Question
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.
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