APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (13/10/2025)

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 (13-10-2025). These issues are key for both APSC Prelims and Mains preparation, offering insights into the APSC CCE Syllabus.

✨ APSC CCE Online Coaching, 2026

🟩 Topic 1 – India to Host UN Troop Contributing Countries’ Conclave (UNTCC) 2025

Introduction

India will host the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries’ Chiefs Conclave (UNTCC) in New Delhi from 14–16 October 2025, reaffirming its leadership role in global peacekeeping. The conclave brings together senior military officials from 32 nations that contribute personnel to UN peace missions.

Key Points

• Organiser: Indian Army & Ministry of Defence
• Participants: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, and military chiefs from 32 countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, France, Kenya, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.
• Agenda:
  • Address operational challenges and interoperability in peacekeeping.
  • Enhance inclusivity and technology in mission operations.
  • Share best practices and build a collective framework for future missions.
• Theme: “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – The World is One Family.”
• Significance: India remains one of the largest contributors to UN Peacekeeping Forces, with over 6,000 troops deployed in 10 missions globally.

Prelims Pointers

• India’s rank in UN peacekeeping contributions: Among the top 5 globally.
• First Indian female peacekeeper contingent: Deployed in Congo (MONUSCO) in 2023.
• India’s first UN mission participation: Korea (1950–54) under UN Command.
• UN Department overseeing peacekeeping: Department of Peace Operations (DPO).

Mains Pointers

Importance

• Strengthens India’s image as a responsible global security provider.
• Platform for defence diplomacy and South–South cooperation.
• Enhances India’s claim for permanent membership in UNSC.
• Reflects India’s commitment to multilateralism and global peace.

Challenges

• Increasing asymmetric threats to peacekeepers.
• Funding and logistics issues in UN missions.
• Lack of representation of developing nations in UN peacekeeping decision-making.
• Need for modern equipment, digital surveillance, and AI tools for peace operations.

Government Initiatives

• Launch of Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in New Delhi.
• Joint exercises with African and ASEAN nations.
• Training modules on gender-sensitive operations and civilian protection.

Way Forward

• Push for UN reforms for equitable representation.
• Develop AI-based situational awareness tools for missions.
• Promote women-led peacekeeping contingents.
• Strengthen South–South peacekeeping cooperation under the G20 framework.

Conclusion

Hosting the UNTCC 2025 underscores India’s evolution from a troop contributor to a thought leader in global peacekeeping. It also aligns with India’s larger diplomatic vision of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”

Topic 2 : 🪖 Governor Attends Army Veterans’ Rally at Narangi Military Station, Guwahati – Focus on Welfare & Civil–Military Relations

📘 GS Paper II – Governance | Welfare of Vulnerable Sections | Civil–Military Relations
📘 GS Paper III – Internal Security & Disaster Management
📘 GS Paper V – Assam-specific: Defence Presence, Disaster Response, and Border Security

🔹 Introduction

On 12 October 2025, Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria attended the Army Veterans’ Rally at Narangi Military Station, Guwahati, organized by the Red Horns Division (21 Mountain Division) under the Eastern Command.
The rally was part of the Army’s sustained outreach towards veteran welfare, family support, and civil–military integration, reflecting India’s commitment to honouring its ex-servicemen and strengthening bonds between citizens and the armed forces.

🔑 Key Points

Aspect	Details
Organized by	Indian Army’s Eastern Command, Red Horns Division
Chief Guest	Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria
Venue	Narangi Military Station, Guwahati
Participants	~1,200 veterans and families from Lower and Central Assam
Main Objectives	Grievance redressal, pension revision, healthcare enrollment, and rehabilitation support
Key Announcements	Expansion of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) clinics in North Assam; launch of digital portal for veteran pension tracking
Special Feature	“Veer Nari Sammelan” to honour war widows (martyrs’ families)
Welfare Agencies Present	Directorate of Indian Army Veterans (DIAV), Kendriya Sainik Board, and State Department of Sainik Welfare, Assam

⚙️ Background Context

• Assam’s Military Legacy: Assam has over 80,000 ex-servicemen, many serving in border management, police, and disaster response post-retirement.
• Veterans’ Rallies: Held periodically across commands to facilitate welfare assistance, pension resolution, and medical camps.
• ECHS Coverage: Over 18 lakh veterans nationwide, with Assam contributing ~1.5 lakh members.
• Red Horns Division: Raised in 1982; plays a vital role in counter-insurgency and flood-relief operations across Lower Assam and North Bank.

🧠 Prelims Pointers

• ECHS (Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme):
  • Launched in 2003 under the Ministry of Defence.
  • Provides cashless medical treatment in empanelled civil hospitals.
• DIAV (Directorate of Indian Army Veterans): Coordinates welfare, resettlement, and grievance redressal.
• SPARSH (System for Pension Administration – Raksha): Digital platform under MoD for transparent pension disbursal.
• Armed Forces Flag Day: Observed on 7 December every year for veteran welfare and fundraising.

📝 Mains Pointers

A. Significance of the Rally & Veteran Welfare

Dimension	Description
Recognition & Dignity	Symbolizes respect and gratitude towards those who served the nation.
Policy Implementation	Helps review welfare schemes at ground level and improve delivery.
Civil–Military Integration	Strengthens trust and cooperation between citizens, government, and armed forces.
Information Outreach	Creates awareness about healthcare, pension, and resettlement benefits.
Psychosocial Support	Provides moral and emotional care to veterans and widows (Veer Naris).

B. Challenges Faced by Veterans

Challenge	Description
Delayed Pension & Documentation Issues	Many face delays due to digital transition under SPARSH.
Health Infrastructure Gaps	Limited ECHS polyclinics in remote NE districts.
Employment After Retirement	Resettlement opportunities are fewer in civilian sectors.
Mental Health & Rehabilitation	PTSD and adjustment difficulties often overlooked.
Data Coordination	State Sainik Boards lack real-time veteran data integration.

C. Government & Institutional Measures

• SPARSH Platform: 100% digital pension processing and grievance redressal.
• Armed Forces Veterans Day (14 January): Annual recognition of service.
• Skill India Collaboration: Special verticals for retired soldiers (security, logistics, disaster response).
• ECHS Expansion: New polyclinics in Dibrugarh, Tezpur, and North Lakhimpur approved.
• State Sainik Welfare Department, Assam: Offers grants, ex-gratia support, and educational aid for dependents.
• Veterans’ Cell at Raj Bhavan: Launched in 2024 for direct grievance submission to Governor’s office.

D. Way Forward

1. Veteran One-Stop Portal: Integrate ECHS, SPARSH, and State Boards under a unified system.
2. Mental Health Outreach: Introduce tele-counselling and trauma support for aged veterans.
3. Employment Linkages: Create quotas for veterans in PSUs, skill missions, and MSMEs.
4. Community Integration: Encourage civic volunteering and disaster response roles.
5. Periodic Policy Review: Regular consultative meets between MoD, State, and veterans’ associations.

🧩 Conclusion

The Narangi Veterans’ Rally symbolizes India’s ethos of “Nation First, Soldier Always.”
By ensuring welfare, dignity, and continued engagement of ex-servicemen, Assam and the Indian Army are reinforcing a mature civil–military partnership essential for social cohesion, disaster resilience, and national security.

Topic 3 : ⚡ NHPC’s Dibang Multipurpose Project Cleared by Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC)

📘 GS Paper III – Infrastructure | Environment | Energy Security
📘 GS Paper II – Centre–State Relations | Environmental Governance
📘 GS Paper V – Assam & Northeast Development

🔹 Introduction

In October 2025, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) granted clearance to the Dibang Multipurpose Project (2880 MW) in Arunachal Pradesh — India’s largest planned hydroelectric project.
Implemented by NHPC Limited, the project is located on the Dibang River (tributary of Brahmaputra) in Lower Dibang Valley, with significant implications for Assam’s downstream ecology, flood control, and power supply in the Northeast.

🔑 Key Points

Aspect	Details
Project Name	Dibang Multipurpose Project (DMP)
Implementing Agency	NHPC Limited
Location	Lower Dibang Valley District, Arunachal Pradesh
River System	Dibang River (tributary of Brahmaputra)
Installed Capacity	2,880 MW (12 × 240 MW units)
Dam Type	Concrete Gravity Dam (278 m high – India’s tallest)
Clearance Granted By	Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), MoEFCC
Main Objectives	Hydropower generation, flood moderation, irrigation potential
Estimated Cost	₹31,000 crore (as per revised 2025 estimate)
Environmental Safeguards	Biodiversity impact study, fish migration mitigation plan, and sedimentation control
Downstream Impact States	Assam and Nagaland

⚙️ Background Context

• Strategic Importance: Part of India’s Hydropower Development Policy (2008) for energy security and counterbalancing Chinese dam activity upstream on the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra).
• Previous Controversies:
  • Multiple environmental litigations filed citing displacement of Idu-Mishmi tribal population and risk of downstream flooding in Assam.
  • Revised DPR approved in 2019; project delayed due to forest clearance concerns.
• Assam Context: Downstream districts like Dibrugarh, Dhemaji, and Lakhimpur face high flood risk due to sediment-heavy Brahmaputra tributaries; DMP aims to regulate monsoon flow.

🧠 Prelims Pointers

• NHPC (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation): PSU under Ministry of Power; India’s largest hydropower developer.
• EAC (Expert Appraisal Committee): A statutory body under MoEFCC for environmental clearance of Category A projects under EIA Notification 2006.
• Brahmaputra Tributaries: Subansiri, Lohit, Dibang, Siang.
• Idu-Mishmi Tribe: Indigenous group of Lower Dibang Valley, known for their animist traditions and sustainable forest management.
• Key Biodiversity Area Nearby: Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary (notified 1998).

📝 Mains Pointers

A. Significance of the Project

Dimension	Description
Energy Security	Adds 2,880 MW clean power, aiding NE Grid and reducing coal dependence.
Flood Control	Moderates Brahmaputra flood peaks by ~40% during monsoon.
Economic Development	Employment generation and infrastructure boost in Arunachal & Assam.
Strategic Relevance	Strengthens India’s upstream hydro presence near China border.
Renewable Commitment	Supports India’s Panchamrit target: 50% energy from renewables by 2030.

B. Environmental & Social Concerns

Concern	Explanation
Displacement & Livelihood Loss	Affects ~2,700 people, mostly from Idu-Mishmi tribe.
Downstream Flow Regulation	Risk of sudden discharge affecting Assam’s floodplain ecology.
Biodiversity Loss	Threat to fish species like golden mahseer and river dolphin.
Cumulative Impact	160+ dams planned in Arunachal may alter Brahmaputra’s sediment load.
Seismic Zone V	Project lies in a highly earthquake-prone region.

C. Government & Institutional Measures

• Compensatory Afforestation Plan: ₹1,200 crore for reforestation of 4,500 ha.
• Wildlife Management Plan: Buffer corridor creation for Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Tribal Rehabilitation Plan: Resettlement and skill training for affected families.
• Joint Assam–Arunachal Flood Coordination Mechanism: Data sharing for early warning.
• CWC Monitoring: Central Water Commission to oversee dam safety & flow releases.

D. Way Forward

1. Downstream Impact Study (DIS): Regular hydrological assessments for Assam’s floodplain.
2. Community Participation: Involve Idu-Mishmi groups in environmental monitoring.
3. E-flow Regulation: Maintain minimum ecological flow (30–50%) year-round.
4. Technological Safety: Employ real-time flow sensors and AI-based dam control.
5. Regional Energy Equity: Prioritize local electricity distribution to Assam and NE states.

🧩 Conclusion

The clearance of the Dibang Multipurpose Project marks a strategic milestone for India’s hydropower expansion and climate-resilient infrastructure.
However, balancing energy generation with ecological sustainability and indigenous rights remains crucial.
With transparent governance and adaptive management, Dibang can become a model of “Green Hydro Diplomacy” for the Northeast.

Topic 4 :🌧️ Brahmaputra Valley Rain Forecast & Flood Preparedness: IMD–ASDMA Coordination Efforts

📘 GS Paper III – Disaster Management | Geography | Environment
📘 GS Paper II – Governance & Institutional Mechanisms
📘 GS Paper V – Assam-specific: Flood Management and Disaster Preparedness

🔹 Introduction

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a forecast for heavy to very heavy rainfall across the Brahmaputra Valley, covering districts such as Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur, and Jorhat, over the next 5 days.
In response, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) has activated flood preparedness protocols, focusing on real-time monitoring, embankment surveillance, and relief logistics.
This reflects Assam’s increasing shift from reactive to anticipatory disaster management under a climate-resilient governance model.

🔑 Key Points

Aspect	Description
Forecast Period	13–17 October 2025
Issued By	India Meteorological Department (IMD) Regional Centre, Guwahati
Districts on High Alert	Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur, Golaghat, and Majuli
Alert Type	Orange to Red rainfall warnings
Coordinating Agency	Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA)
Key Measures Initiated	Pre-positioning of NDRF/SDRF teams, embankment monitoring, and evacuation drills
Supporting Institutions	Central Water Commission (CWC), Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Public Health Engineering Department (PHED)
Digital Tools Used	Assam Flood Early Warning System (AFEWS) and Brahmaputra Basin Flood Forecast Portal
Focus Areas	Riverine flood zones and flash-flood-prone hills of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao

⚙️ Background Context

• Brahmaputra River Basin: One of the world’s most flood-prone basins due to high monsoonal rainfall, siltation, and seismic activity.
• Recurrent Flood Cycle: Assam faces annual losses worth ₹6,000–7,000 crore due to floods and erosion.
• IMD–ASDMA Collaboration: Strengthened under the Climate Risk Early Warning Systems (CREWS) initiative supported by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
• New Strategy (2024–25): Integration of rainfall forecast with village-level vulnerability mapping for anticipatory action.

🧠 Prelims Pointers

• ASDMA (Assam State Disaster Management Authority):
  • Established in 2007 under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
  • Chaired by the Chief Minister of Assam.
• IMD Colour Codes for Warnings:
  • Yellow: Be aware
  • Orange: Be prepared
  • Red: Take action
• CWC Flood Forecasting: Operates 330+ stations nationwide, including 14 in Assam.
• National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): Formed in 2006, headquartered in New Delhi, with NE battalions based in Guwahati and Itanagar.
• Project AFEWS: Joint initiative of IIT Guwahati and ASDMA for AI-based rainfall-runoff prediction.

📝 Mains Pointers

A. Significance of the Preparedness Drive

Dimension	Description
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)	Preemptive actions reduce human and livestock casualties.
Climate Resilience	Enhances adaptive capacity under changing rainfall patterns.
Institutional Coordination	Demonstrates synergy between IMD, ASDMA, and local administration.
Public Awareness	SMS-based alert dissemination strengthens community response.
Infrastructure Safeguard	Prioritizes safety of embankments, roads, and transmission lines.

B. Major Challenges in Flood Management

Challenge	Explanation
Embankment Breaches	Aging and poor maintenance of 5,000+ km of embankments.
Siltation of Brahmaputra	High sediment load (~735 million tonnes/year) reduces river capacity.
Encroachment on Floodplains	Urban and agricultural expansion worsens drainage congestion.
Data Gaps	Limited real-time rainfall and flow monitoring in upper catchments.
Post-Disaster Recovery Delays	Relief fund disbursal bottlenecks and overlapping jurisdictions.

C. Government Initiatives

• Flood Hazard Atlas for Assam (ISRO–NESAC collaboration): Maps flood-prone areas using satellite data.
• Integrated Flood Warning App (ASDMA): Provides geotagged alerts and safe route navigation.
• Chief Minister’s Flood Mitigation Mission (2024): Long-term embankment reconstruction and dredging works.
• National River Basin Management Plan: Framework for multi-state coordination in the Brahmaputra basin.
• Climate Adaptation Fund: Supports local flood-proofing and raised housing in vulnerable panchayats.

D. Way Forward

1. Shift to Basin-Wide Management: Integrate Arunachal, Assam, and Meghalaya rainfall and flow data.
2. Community-Led Early Warning Systems: Train local youth volunteers for real-time reporting.
3. Silt and Sediment Management: Introduce sediment traps and dredging at key junctions.
4. Use of AI and Remote Sensing: Predict micro-level flood hotspots for proactive evacuation.
5. Institutional Reforms: Empower ASDMA with statutory funding and coordination powers.

🧩 Conclusion

The IMD–ASDMA coordination during the Brahmaputra rainfall alert demonstrates a maturing disaster governance model for Assam — one that prioritizes anticipatory resilience over reactive relief.
With technological integration and inter-agency cooperation, Assam can move toward a flood-resilient, data-driven disaster management framework aligned with the Sendai Framework for DRR (2015–2030).

Topic 5 : 🧭 India–Myanmar Border Coordination Meeting: Strengthening Security & Trade along the Tamu–Moreh Axis

📘 GS Paper II – India & Its Neighbourhood Relations | International Relations
📘 GS Paper III – Internal Security | Border Management | Insurgency in Northeast India
📘 GS Paper V – Assam & NE Dimension: Border Security and Cross-Border Connectivity

🔹 Introduction

In early October 2025, India and Myanmar held a Border Coordination Meeting at Tamu–Moreh (Manipur sector) to review security, trade facilitation, and insurgency control along their shared 1,643 km border.
The meeting, attended by senior officials from Assam Rifles, Myanmar Army (Tatmadaw), and Ministry of External Affairs, underscored India’s focus on border stability, counter-insurgency cooperation, and safe movement of goods and civilians amid the ongoing Myanmar internal conflict.

🔑 Key Points

Aspect	Description
Date & Venue	Tamu (Myanmar) – Moreh (India), October 2025
Participants	Senior officers of Assam Rifles, Indian Army, Myanmar Army, and border affairs officials
Main Agenda	Strengthen joint patrolling, regulate cross-border movement, and enhance border trade mechanisms
Border States Involved	Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram
Key Decisions Taken	<ul><li>Joint operations against insurgent camps along Indo-Myanmar border.</li><li>Activation of Border Liaison Offices (BLOs) for real-time intelligence sharing.</li><li>Discussion on reopening of Moreh–Tamu border trade post with stricter regulation.</li><li>Coordination for rehabilitation of refugees displaced by Myanmar conflict.</li></ul>
Significance for Assam	Strengthened border security reduces inflow of illegal arms, narcotics, and potential insurgent linkages spreading into Assam.

⚙️ Background Context

• Border Dynamics: India and Myanmar share a 1,643 km porous border, of which ~520 km runs through Mizoram and Manipur, and the rest through Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Free Movement Regime (FMR): Allows tribes living along the border to travel 16 km on either side without visa – currently under suspension (since 2024) due to insurgency and migration surge.
• Insurgency Context: Groups like NSCN-K, ULFA (I), PLA, and KYKL exploit the porous border for arms transit and safe havens.
• Connectivity Projects Affected: The India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway and Kaladan Multimodal Transit Project face disruptions due to conflict and instability.

🧠 Prelims Pointers

• Bordering Indian States with Myanmar: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram.
• Free Movement Regime (FMR): Operationalized in 2018, under the Indo–Myanmar Friendship Treaty (1951) spirit.
• India–Myanmar Border Management Agreement (2014): Defines coordination between security agencies.
• Moreh (India) – Tamu (Myanmar): The principal trade point on the Indo–Myanmar border.
• Security Agencies: Assam Rifles is the lead agency for guarding the Indo–Myanmar border.
• Kaladan Project: Connects Sittwe Port (Myanmar) to Mizoram via river and road link.

📝 Mains Pointers

A. Strategic Significance of the Meeting

Dimension	Description
Security Cooperation	Joint patrolling to curb insurgent infiltration and smuggling.
Trade Facilitation	Revival of cross-border commerce via Moreh Land Port under Act East Policy.
Humanitarian Dimension	Coordination for managing refugee influx due to Myanmar’s civil unrest.
Regional Stability	Enhances India’s credibility as a stabilizing power in the Indo-Myanmar corridor.
Assam’s Security Relevance	Reduces transshipment of illegal arms and narcotics through Nagaland–Assam route.

B. Major Challenges

Challenge	Explanation
Myanmar’s Internal Conflict	Military–ethnic clashes limit joint security operations.
Porous Terrain	Difficult forested border makes surveillance and fencing complex.
Smuggling Networks	Increase in drugs, wildlife products, and small arms trafficking.
Refugee Management	Humanitarian concerns clash with border control objectives.
Impact on Act East Projects	Trilateral Highway and Kaladan projects face periodic disruption.

C. Government & Bilateral Initiatives

• Operation Sunrise I & II (2019–2020): Joint India–Myanmar operations targeting insurgent camps.
• Border Infrastructure Development: Fencing and Border Outpost (BOP) construction in sensitive stretches.
• Land Port Development: Upgradation of Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Moreh under Land Ports Authority of India.
• Act East Policy: Emphasizes connectivity, energy, and people-to-people ties with ASEAN through Myanmar.
• Joint Working Group on Border Management: Regular high-level dialogue mechanism under MEA & Myanmar’s Ministry of Home Affairs.

D. Way Forward

1. Strengthen Border Surveillance: Use drones, satellite imaging, and AI-based tracking systems.
2. Humanitarian Coordination: Establish refugee registration and health support systems.
3. Revive FMR with Regulation: Replace suspension with biometric-based monitored mobility.
4. Insurgency Neutralization: Enhance coordination among Assam Rifles, state police, and Myanmar Army.
5. Economic Integration: Fast-track Trilateral Highway and cross-border SEZs to bring stability through growth.

🧩 Conclusion

The India–Myanmar Border Coordination Meeting underscores India’s dual strategy of hard security and developmental diplomacy in the Northeast frontier.
Balancing security imperatives, humanitarian concerns, and regional connectivity will be key to realizing the Act East Policy’s vision of peace and prosperity in the extended neighbourhood.

APSC Prelims Practice Questions

Topic 1: India Hosts UN Troop Contributing Countries’ Conclave (UNTCC 2025)

Q1. With reference to UN Peacekeeping Operations, consider the following statements:

1. India is among the top five troop-contributing nations to UN Peacekeeping missions.
2. The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) under the UN Secretariat manages peacekeeping activities.
3. Only countries with permanent membership in the UN Security Council can lead peacekeeping missions.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Answer: (a)
Explanation: India ranks among the top troop-contributing nations and DPO oversees UN peacekeeping. Permanent UNSC members do not have exclusive leadership rights in missions.

Q2. Which of the following best describes the objective of the UN Troop Contributing Countries’ Conclave (UNTCC) hosted by India?
(a) Negotiating global military disarmament treaties
(b) Enhancing coordination and interoperability among peacekeeping nations
(c) Discussing global sanctions and arms embargoes
(d) Establishing UN regional military commands

✅ Answer: (b)
Explanation: UNTCC aims to improve coordination, inclusivity, and operational standards among peace-contributing nations.

Topic 2: Army Veterans’ Rally at Narangi – Civil–Military Relations

Q3. The Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), often mentioned in veteran welfare programs, functions under the:
(a) Ministry of Defence
(b) Ministry of Home Affairs
(c) Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
(d) Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Labour

✅ Answer: (a)
Explanation: ECHS operates under the Ministry of Defence, providing cashless healthcare to ex-servicemen and dependents.

Q4. Which of the following digital platforms was launched by the Ministry of Defence to ensure transparent pension disbursal for veterans?
(a) e-Kranti
(b) SPARSH
(c) GARV Portal
(d) BharatNet

✅ Answer: (b)
Explanation: SPARSH (System for Pension Administration–Raksha) enables end-to-end digital processing for defence pensions.

Topic 3: NHPC’s Dibang Multipurpose Project (DMP)

Q5. The Dibang Multipurpose Project, recently approved, is located in which of the following river basins?
(a) Subansiri Basin
(b) Siang Basin
(c) Dibang Basin
(d) Lohit Basin

✅ Answer: (c)
Explanation: The DMP lies in the Dibang basin, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, in Lower Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh.

Q6. Consider the following pairs:

Project	River	State
1. Subansiri Lower Project	Subansiri	Arunachal Pradesh–Assam Border
2. Dibang Multipurpose Project	Dibang	Arunachal Pradesh
3. Tipaimukh Project	Barak	Meghalaya

Which of the pairs is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Answer: (a)
Explanation: Tipaimukh is on the Barak River but lies in Manipur–Mizoram border, not Meghalaya.

Topic 4: IMD–ASDMA Flood Preparedness in Brahmaputra Valley

Q7. The Assam Flood Early Warning System (AFEWS), used for real-time rainfall monitoring, was developed jointly by:
(a) IMD and IIT Bombay
(b) ASDMA and IIT Guwahati
(c) NESAC and ISRO
(d) NDMA and CWC

✅ Answer: (b)
Explanation: AFEWS is an AI-based flood forecasting system jointly developed by ASDMA and IIT Guwahati.

Q8. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030), recently mentioned in flood preparedness initiatives, emphasizes which of the following principles?

1. Shift from disaster response to disaster risk prevention.
2. Emphasis on early warning and local capacity building.
3. Legally binding obligations on member nations.

Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Answer: (a)
Explanation: Sendai Framework focuses on preparedness and resilience but is not legally binding.

Topic 5: India–Myanmar Border Coordination Meeting (Tamu–Moreh Axis)

Q9. With reference to the India–Myanmar border, consider the following statements:

1. It passes through four Indian states: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram.
2. The Free Movement Regime (FMR) allows residents within 40 km on either side to travel without a visa.
3. The border is entirely guarded by the Border Security Force (BSF).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

✅ Answer: (a)
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. FMR allows 16 km, not 40 km; the Assam Rifles guards the Indo–Myanmar border.

Q10. The Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project, a key initiative under India’s Act East Policy, connects:
(a) Kolkata Port with Yangon via the Andaman Sea
(b) Sittwe Port (Myanmar) with Mizoram via river and road network
(c) Guwahati with Mandalay via Trilateral Highway
(d) Chennai Port with Dawei SEZ

✅ Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Kaladan project links Sittwe Port in Myanmar to Mizoram through the Kaladan River and road corridor.

APSC Mains Practice Question

 🧭 India–Myanmar Border Management: Balancing Security, Connectivity, and Humanitarian Concerns

📘 GS Paper II – India and its Neighbourhood Relations | Governance
📘 GS Paper III – Internal Security | Border Management | Insurgency
📘 GS Paper V – Assam & Northeast: Security and Connectivity

🔹 Introduction

India shares a 1,643 km long border with Myanmar, connecting four northeastern states — Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram.
This frontier is not just a geopolitical line but a cultural and economic bridge linking South Asia with Southeast Asia under the Act East Policy.
However, escalating instability in Myanmar, cross-border insurgency, and migration have posed complex challenges to India’s security–development–humanitarian balance.

🔑 Body

1. Strategic Significance of the India–Myanmar Border

Dimension	Importance
Security	Key to curbing insurgent networks like ULFA(I), NSCN-K, and PLA operating across the frontier.
Economic	Acts as India’s gateway to ASEAN via the Trilateral Highway and Kaladan Multimodal Project.
Socio-cultural	Shared ethnic ties among Nagas, Kukis, and Chins; sustains traditional Free Movement Regime (FMR).
Diplomatic	Strengthens India’s Neighbourhood First and Act East strategies.

2. Major Challenges in Border Management

Challenge	Description
Insurgency & Safe Havens	Northeast insurgent groups exploit the porous terrain and weak law enforcement on the Myanmar side.
Smuggling Networks	Rise in drug trafficking, arms movement, and wildlife trade through Manipur and Mizoram corridors.
Refugee Influx	Post-coup violence in Myanmar (2021) led to over 50,000 refugees entering India’s NE states.
Porous Terrain	Forested hills make surveillance and fencing impractical.
Disrupted Connectivity Projects	Violence and instability have slowed down Trilateral Highway and Kaladan projects.

3. Institutional & Bilateral Mechanisms

• Operation Sunrise I & II (2019–2020): Joint military operations targeting insurgent camps along the border.
• Border Liaison Offices (BLOs): Facilitating local coordination and intelligence sharing.
• Integrated Check Posts (ICPs): Developed at Moreh (Manipur) under the Land Ports Authority of India.
• Free Movement Regime (FMR): Permits cross-border tribal movement within 16 km, currently suspended since 2024.
• Joint Working Group (JWG): Regular dialogue between Indian and Myanmar Home Ministries on border management.

4. India’s Balancing Act

Dimension	Action/Policy
Security Response	Enhanced deployment of Assam Rifles and intelligence coordination with Tatmadaw (Myanmar Army).
Humanitarian Handling	States like Mizoram have offered aid to refugees on humanitarian grounds despite policy restrictions.
Developmental Diplomacy	India continues cross-border projects (Trilateral Highway, Kaladan Port) to stabilize the region through economic engagement.
Digital Border Surveillance	Introduction of drones, AI-based patrol monitoring, and smart fencing pilots in Nagaland–Manipur sector.

5. Way Forward

1. Institutional Integration: Establish a Unified Northeast Border Command under MHA for coordinated surveillance.
2. Community Engagement: Empower local tribal councils in peace-building and intelligence sharing.
3. Humanitarian Corridor: Set up biometric refugee registration linked to UNHCR support mechanisms.
4. Revive Connectivity with Caution: Resume Trilateral Highway construction under joint security escort.
5. Regional Diplomacy: Engage ASEAN and BIMSTEC frameworks for collaborative counter-insurgency and border trade stability.

🧩 Conclusion

India’s engagement with Myanmar is a microcosm of its broader foreign policy challenge — balancing strategic security with humane diplomacy.
By coupling border management with connectivity and community trust, India can convert its vulnerable frontier into a corridor of stability and prosperity, realizing the true spirit of the Act East Policy.

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