APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (10/06/2025)
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 (10-06-2025). These issues are key for both APSC Prelims and Mains preparation, offering insights into the APSC CCE Syllabus.
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✈️ Renaming Mohanbari Airport After Dr. Bhupen Hazarika: Cultural Recognition and Regional Identity
📘 GS Paper 1: Modern Indian History & Culture | Regional Contributions
📘 GS Paper 2: Indian Polity – Centre-State Relations | Official Nomenclature
📘 GS Paper 5 (APSC): Assam – Culture, Personalities, State Initiatives
🔹 Introduction
On 9 June 2025, the Assam Legislative Assembly passed a resolution to rename Mohanbari Airport in Dibrugarh after Sudhakantha Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, a towering figure in Assamese music, literature, and cinema. This decision is part of a year-long centenary celebration honouring his legacy, reflecting the state’s effort to institutionalize cultural pride and identity.
🔑 Key Points
| Feature | Details |
| Resolution Passed | In Assam Assembly; moved by Minister Jogen Mohan |
| Occasion | 100th birth anniversary of Dr Bhupen Hazarika (1926–2026) |
| Inauguration Event | PM Narendra Modi to launch celebrations at Khanapara on Sept 7, 2025 |
| Cultural Activities Planned | 1,000 students to perform “Asom Amar Rupahi”, statewide tribute events |
| Other Proposed Initiatives | Commemorative coin, biopic, translated biography, music museum |
| Alternative Naming Proposal | Tezpur Airport may be renamed ‘Jyoti-Bishnu Airport’ |
| Legacy Preservation | Chair at Banaras Hindu University, 4 lakh books for schools |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Dr Bhupen Hazarika: Padma Vibhushan awardee, Dadasaheb Phalke laureate, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha)
Known for blending Assamese folk with progressive socio-political commentary
Famous works: Bistirno Parore, Ganga Amar Ma, Manuhe Manuhor Babe
Dibrugarh: Major cultural and economic hub in Upper Assam
Airports named after cultural icons: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (Hyd), Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (Varanasi), Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport (Guwahati)
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Significance of the Move
Symbolizes regional assertion within national narrative
Encourages cultural nationalism rooted in pluralism
Helps integrate youth with legacy of icons
Enhances tourism branding of Upper Assam
Boosts pride and emotional connect for Assamese diaspora
B. Government Strategy for Cultural Soft Power
Initiatives such as:
Lachit Borphukan Jayanti
Proposal for UNESCO status to Charaideo Maidam
Promotion of Sankari culture and Ahom heritage
Aligns with India’s larger strategy of soft diplomacy and cultural assertion
Recognizes role of arts and music in socio-political discourse
C. Concerns & Criticisms
| Concern | Explanation |
| Politicization of Naming | Risks becoming symbolic without policy backing for cultural development |
| Regional Imbalance | Other deserving regions may feel overlooked |
| Infrastructure vs Symbolism | Cultural honour must be matched with service quality at airport |
| Sustainability of Events | Temporary events may not translate into long-term cultural revival |
D. Way Forward
🏛️ Establish Bhupen Hazarika Cultural Complexes in each division
📚 Include his songs and works in school curriculum (ethics, philosophy, music)
📽️ Develop a biopic and documentary series under National Film Archives
🛬 Upgrade Mohanbari airport facilities to match national standards
🌏 Promote Assamese music and literature globally via Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
📑 Relevant Policies & Precedents
Naming of Public Infrastructure Guidelines (GoI)
UNESCO Cultural Heritage Criteria
Assam State Cultural Policy (Draft)
India’s Soft Power Strategy – MEA & ICCR initiatives
Previous Renaming: LGBI Airport (Guwahati) named after Assam’s first CM
🧩 Conclusion
The renaming of Mohanbari Airport after Dr. Bhupen Hazarika is more than a token gesture—it is a strategic cultural act to embed Assam’s identity in its modern infrastructure. If followed through with educational, technological, and institutional measures, it could serve as a model for honouring regional icons while shaping national narratives.
🚫 Internet Suspension in Hailakandi to Curb Exam Cheating: Governance vs Rights Debate
📘 GS Paper 2: Governance | Law & Order | Fundamental Rights
📘 GS Paper 3: Internal Security | Cyber Governance
📘 GS Paper 5 (APSC): Assam – Public Administration | Ethics | Rights vs Restrictions
🔹 Introduction
The Hailakandi district administration in Assam imposed a temporary internet shutdown for over 24 hours to prevent cheating during recruitment exams. While officials cited the step as a precautionary security measure, it reignites the debate around proportionality, legality, and civil liberties, especially under the lens of digital rights and access to services.
🔑 Key Developments
| Feature | Description |
| Action Taken | Suspension of mobile internet services under Section 144 of CrPC |
| District Affected | Hailakandi (Barak Valley), Assam |
| Duration | Over 24 hours on 9–10 June 2025 |
| Justification | Preventing mass cheating, question paper leaks during competitive exam |
| Public Impact | Disruption to banking, education (online classes), telemedicine, e-commerce |
| Legal Basis | Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency) Rules, 2017 under Section 5(2) of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Section 144 CrPC: Empowers DM to issue orders to prevent public disorder
Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 (Section 5): Legal basis for internet suspension
Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India (2020): SC held that access to internet is a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a) and must meet tests of proportionality and reasonableness
Internet Shutdown Tracker: India has the highest number of internet suspensions globally
Barak Valley Districts: Hailakandi, Karimganj, Cachar
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Administrative Rationale Behind the Suspension
Aimed to prevent malpractices in exams where digital leak risk is high
Past incidents of question paper leaks via messaging apps (e.g., Telegram, WhatsApp)
Used as a pre-emptive security tool during protests, riots, communal tension
Officials claim it’s a “short-term trade-off” for long-term integrity
B. Constitutional & Ethical Concerns
| Issue | Explanation |
| Freedom of Expression | Article 19(1)(a) includes right to access information via internet |
| Right to Education | Suspension affects online classes, e-learning for students |
| Economic Disruption | Hits digital payments, e-commerce, and local businesses |
| Judicial Oversight | Often missing; suspensions are executive orders without public review |
| Lack of Uniform Policy | No national standard on when and how long shutdowns should last |
C. Assam Context
Assam has seen repeated suspensions during:
Citizenship Amendment Act protests (2019)
HSLC exam paper leak (2023)
Recent administrative exams (2024–25)
Tension between law enforcement’s intent and digital dependency of citizens growing, especially in semi-urban and rural Assam
D. Way Forward
⚖️ Introduce State Internet Suspension Review Boards with legal oversight
📢 Mandate public notification and judicial review within 24 hours of suspension
🧑🏫 Use tech-enabled exam surveillance systems (e.g., AI-based proctoring, jammers)
📱 Promote network-specific blocking (e.g., social media apps) instead of full shutdowns
🧾 Frame Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) balancing security with fundamental rights
📑 Relevant Legal Frameworks & Reports
Supreme Court Judgment – Anuradha Bhasin v. UOI (2020)
Indian Telegraph Act, 1885
UN Guidelines on Internet Shutdowns (2021) – only in exceptional cases
Law Commission Report on Civil Liberties and Emergencies (2023 Draft)
India Internet Governance Report – flags over 700 shutdowns between 2015–2024
🧩 Conclusion
While ensuring exam integrity is a legitimate administrative goal, internet shutdowns must be proportionate, accountable, and legally reviewed. In Assam and elsewhere, the challenge lies in balancing order and openness—security and civil liberty—in an age where the internet is a basic enabler of rights, services, and livelihood.
🚰 Revival of Traditional Water Structures in Assam Under National Water Mission
📘 GS Paper 1: Geography – Water Resources
📘 GS Paper 3: Environment | Resource Conservation | Sustainable Development
📘 GS Paper 5 (APSC): Assam – Water Management | Traditional Knowledge | Rural Development
🔹 Introduction
As part of the National Water Mission’s (NWM) “Catch the Rain” campaign, Assam has initiated a revival program for traditional water harvesting structures (TWHS) across multiple districts. These include ponds, wells, community tanks, and bamboo aqueducts found in tribal, tea garden, and floodplain regions. This effort supports both climate resilience and rural water self-sufficiency.
🔑 Key Developments
| Feature | Description |
| Campaign Title | “Catch the Rain – Where It Falls, When It Falls” |
| Scheme Linked | Jal Shakti Abhiyan |
| Districts Covered | Nagaon, Dhemaji, Baksa, Karbi Anglong, Cachar, Goalpara |
| Structure Types Revived | Traditional ponds, Zabo systems, ring wells, bamboo pipe networks |
| Objectives | Enhance groundwater recharge, reduce dependency on piped supply, revive dying water cultures |
| Community Role | Local panchayats, SHGs, and students involved in mapping and maintenance |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
National Water Mission: One of the 8 Missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
Amrit Sarovar Scheme (2022): Target to build/restore 75 water bodies in each district
Zabo System: A traditional water harvesting system in hilly terrains of Northeast India
Bamboo Irrigation: Used by tribal farmers in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao to transport hill water
Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Ministry of Jal Shakti-led initiative for water conservation and groundwater recharge
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance of Reviving Traditional Water Systems
Provide low-cost and low-energy water access in remote areas
Improve groundwater recharge and flood resilience in monsoon-affected Assam
Promote community ownership and sustainability
Act as climate-resilient adaptation mechanisms amid erratic rainfall
Resurrect ethno-ecological wisdom embedded in rural Assam’s water practices
B. Key Challenges
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Siltation and Encroachment | Many ponds and tanks have become unusable due to neglect or urban sprawl |
| Loss of Traditional Knowledge | Younger generations unaware of local water systems |
| Funding and Convergence Issues | Delays in integrating MNREGA, NRLM, and Jal Shakti funds |
| Maintenance and Monitoring | Lack of trained local staff for upkeep post-revival |
| Technical Gaps | Inadequate hydrological surveys before selecting revival sites |
C. Assam-Specific Measures
Training programs for rural youth under Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
Revival of ponds in satras, tribal villages, and tea gardens
Use of drone mapping and GIS tagging for water structure documentation
Creation of village-level water registers with SHG and panchayat involvement
Assam Water Resources Department working with Jal Jeevan Mission for groundwater recharge
D. Way Forward
📚 Document traditional water knowledge systems as part of school curriculum
🛠️ Institutionalize Water User Associations (WUAs) for structure governance
📊 Develop a “Water Heritage Map of Assam” listing historic and indigenous systems
🧠 Integrate scientific assessment with community traditions for sustainable design
💡 Incentivize eco-entrepreneurs for managing ponds and water bodies as rural commons
📑 Relevant Policies & Frameworks
National Water Policy (2012) – Advocates for community-based water management
State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC-Assam) – Includes water conservation goals
UN SDG Goal 6 – Ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all
MGNREGS – Offers wage and material support for water conservation works
PMKSY (Har Khet Ko Pani) – Water for every farm through minor irrigation revival
🧩 Conclusion
Reviving traditional water harvesting structures is more than a rural infrastructure task—it is an opportunity to blend heritage with sustainability, science with tradition, and decentralization with resilience. Assam’s proactive approach under the “Catch the Rain” campaign can become a model of participatory water governance in India’s climate-stressed future.
🛰️ ISRO’s Cartosat Satellites to Help Assam in Land and Urban Planning
📘 GS Paper 3: Science & Technology – Space Applications | Urban Development
📘 GS Paper 2: Governance – e-Governance, Digital Infrastructure
📘 GS Paper 5 (APSC): Assam – Resource Management | Smart Planning | Disaster Preparedness
🔹 Introduction
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has agreed to collaborate with the Assam Government to provide Cartosat satellite imagery and analytics to aid in urban planning, land-use mapping, and natural resource management. This data-driven approach is aimed at making Assam’s land governance transparent, efficient, and climate-resilient—especially in rapidly expanding cities like Guwahati, Silchar, and Dibrugarh.
🔑 Key Highlights
| Feature | Description |
| Partner Agencies | ISRO (Cartosat) + Assam Urban Development Authority (AUDA) |
| Technology Used | Cartosat-3 imagery (0.25m resolution), GIS mapping, remote sensing |
| Focus Areas | Urban sprawl mapping, land encroachment detection, flood zoning |
| Assam’s Urban Context | Cities like Guwahati, Nagaon, Dibrugarh facing haphazard growth and land-use violation |
| Broader Goal | Integration of space technology in sustainable urban governance |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Cartosat Series: High-resolution Earth observation satellites under ISRO’s Cartosat program
Cartosat-3: Launched in 2019, offers 25 cm resolution; best among Indian civilian satellites
Bhuvan Portal: ISRO’s public GIS platform for land, forest, and urban planning
Guwahati Smart City Project: Includes GIS-based drainage and mobility mapping
Urban Development Authority (AUDA): Assam’s nodal planning agency for urban land policy
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Benefits of Cartosat-Based Planning in Assam
Helps detect encroachments on forest land, wetlands, and riverbeds
Enables real-time floodplain monitoring and risk zoning (Brahmaputra, Barak basins)
Supports urban infrastructure planning – roads, housing, drains, land-use compliance
Aids in environmental clearance and zoning approvals
Reduces corruption in land mutation, property tax mapping, and encroachment eviction
B. Challenges in Implementation
| Challenge | Description |
| Data Accessibility | GIS data must be simplified for use by local administrators and ULBs |
| Institutional Capacity | Most Urban Local Bodies lack trained GIS professionals |
| Land Records Modernization | Assam still in early stages of digitizing land ownership records |
| Inter-Agency Coordination | Requires alignment of ISRO, ULBs, Survey Department, Forest Dept |
| Citizen Awareness | Low public understanding of satellite/GIS-backed land governance |
C. Assam’s Current Initiatives
Brahmaputra River Data Bank: Remote sensing used for flood monitoring
Guwahati Smart City using drones and GIS for mobility and infrastructure mapping
Revenue Dept partnered with NRSC (ISRO wing) for land data integration
Urban planning modules being added to Assam Urban Knowledge Hub (AUKH)
Capacity-building of town planners under AMRUT and AIILSG
D. Way Forward
🛰️ Train ULB staff in remote sensing tools and urban GIS via ISRO-NRSC partnership
🗺️ Develop Urban Cartographic Atlases for major cities with public access
🧑🏫 Introduce urban informatics modules in engineering and planning colleges
📜 Digitize and geo-tag all land records, integrating with Bhulekh and e-Patta
🤝 Use PPPs to deploy tech for slum mapping, housing policy, and green space tracking
📑 Relevant Policies & Frameworks
ISRO’s North East Space Applications Centre (NE-SAC) – regional hub at Shillong
National Urban Policy Framework (NUPF) – data-driven, resilient urban planning
Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP)
National Geospatial Policy 2022 – promotes civilian use of satellite data
Urban & Regional Development Plans Formulation & Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines
🧩 Conclusion
By integrating space technology with urban policy, Assam is pioneering a model of evidence-based governance. Leveraging Cartosat imagery can help the state leapfrog traditional planning challenges and build resilient, inclusive, and tech-enabled urban centres. The future of Assam’s cities lies in the skies—if we know how to read them.
APSC Prelims Practice Questions
✅ Topic 1: Renaming of Mohanbari Airport after Dr. Bhupen Hazarika
1. Consider the following about Dr. Bhupen Hazarika:
- He was a recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and Padma Vibhushan.
- He served as a nominated Member of the Rajya Sabha.
- His songs often blended Assamese folk with progressive political themes.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 2 only
D. 1, 2 and 3 ✅
🧠 Explanation:
All are correct. Dr. Bhupen Hazarika was a cultural icon, Rajya Sabha MP, and nationally recognized for his contributions to cinema and music with awards like the Dadasaheb Phalke and Padma Vibhushan.
✅ Topic 2: Internet Suspension in Hailakandi
2. Under which law does the Indian government or state authority suspend internet services?
A. The Information Technology Act, 2000
B. The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 ✅
C. The Disaster Management Act, 2005
D. The Communications Regulation Act, 2020
🧠 Explanation:
Internet shutdowns in India are carried out under Section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, guided by the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services Rules, 2017.
3. In Anuradha Bhasin vs Union of India, the Supreme Court ruled that:
A. Internet access is a constitutional right under Article 21.
B. Internet shutdowns must follow the principle of proportionality. ✅
C. Internet can only be shut down by Parliament.
D. Shutdowns are not subject to judicial review.
🧠 Explanation:
The Anuradha Bhasin case (2020) ruled that freedom of speech via the internet is protected under Article 19(1)(a) and any restriction must be proportionate, necessary, and reasonable.
✅ Topic 3: Revival of Traditional Water Systems
4. Zabo, Bamboo Drip Irrigation, and Kulh are examples of:
A. Traditional weaving practices
B. Indigenous healthcare techniques
C. Local grain preservation methods
D. Water harvesting systems ✅
🧠 Explanation:
These are traditional water conservation systems—Zabo (Nagaland), Bamboo irrigation (Assam/Meghalaya), and Kulh (Himachal Pradesh).
5. The “Catch the Rain” campaign is associated with:
A. Smart irrigation automation
B. Promotion of rooftop solar panels
C. Traditional festival revival
D. Rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge ✅
🧠 Explanation:
“Catch the Rain – Where it Falls, When it Falls” is part of the National Water Mission, promoting decentralized rainwater harvesting.
✅ Topic 4: ISRO’s Cartosat Collaboration with Assam
6. The Cartosat series of satellites launched by ISRO are primarily used for:
A. Communication and GPS services
B. Deep space exploration
C. Earth observation and urban planning ✅
D. Disaster relief and monetary transfers
🧠 Explanation:
Cartosat satellites are high-resolution remote sensing satellites used for urban planning, land-use mapping, and infrastructure monitoring.
7. Which of the following cities in Assam are major focus areas for satellite-based urban planning?
- Guwahati
- Dibrugarh
- Nagaon
- Tezpur
Choose the correct code:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 ✅
C. 1, 3 and 4
D. All of the above
🧠 Explanation:
The article highlights urban sprawl mapping in Guwahati, Nagaon, and Dibrugarh using Cartosat satellite imagery.
APSC Mains Practice Question
📝 Mains Question (GS Paper 2 – Governance | Fundamental Rights | Internal Security):
Q. Internet shutdowns are increasingly used by state administrations as a tool to manage law and order. Critically examine the constitutional, ethical, and practical implications of such shutdowns, with reference to recent events in Assam.
📘 Model Answer
Introduction
India leads the world in the number of internet shutdowns, often invoked for preventing unrest, curbing misinformation, or protecting exam integrity. A recent example is from Hailakandi district in Assam, where mobile internet was suspended for 24 hours during recruitment exams to prevent cheating. While the intent may be administrative efficiency, such actions raise concerns regarding citizens’ rights, digital dependency, and democratic oversight.
Legal and Constitutional Framework
| Provision | Relevance |
| Section 5(2) of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 | Empowers government to suspend telecom services in public interest. |
| Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services Rules, 2017 | Regulates internet shutdowns; requires review within 24 hours. |
| Article 19(1)(a) & 19(1)(g) | Freedom of speech and trade – impacted by blanket shutdowns. |
| Anuradha Bhasin vs Union of India (2020) | Supreme Court upheld internet as a facilitator of fundamental rights and imposed proportionality and reasonability as essential checks. |
Ethical & Practical Implications
✅ Positive Intentions
- Prevents digital cheating, question paper leaks, and organized malpractice.
- Maintains law and order in riot-prone or communally sensitive situations.
- Used to control viral misinformation during emergencies or elections.
❌ Criticisms and Challenges
| Concern | Explanation |
| Overreach of Executive Power | Many shutdowns are imposed without proper judicial review. |
| Economic Loss | Disrupts e-commerce, banking, small businesses reliant on UPI and internet. |
| Digital Divide Worsens | Students, online workers, and telemedicine users in rural areas suffer. |
| Erosion of Rights | Undermines free speech, right to information, and education. |
Assam Context
- Hailakandi (June 2025): Internet cut to prevent exam cheating, affecting thousands.
- Past examples:
- HSLC paper leak (2023)
- Protests during NRC and CAA (2019–20)
- Increasing use of shutdowns as first response rather than last resort.
Way Forward
A. Legal Reform & Transparency
- Amend Telegraph Act or introduce a Digital Rights Law ensuring judicial oversight.
- Mandate public notification and reasoning for all shutdowns.
B. Technology Over Blanket Bans
- Use app-specific blocking or AI-enabled proctoring instead of full shutdowns.
- Install network jammers in exam centres as targeted tools.
C. Rights-Based Approach
- Implement principle of proportionality from Anuradha Bhasin judgment.
- Create State-level Internet Review Boards for accountability.
Conclusion
Internet shutdowns must be seen as exceptional, not routine governance tools. In a digitally dependent society like Assam, the balance between security and liberty, and efficiency and empathy, must be carefully maintained. Adopting a rights-based, technologically adaptive, and legally transparent approach is the need of the hour to uphold India’s constitutional and democratic ethos.
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