APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (26/11/2025)
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 26 November 2025. 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
🟥 CM’s Statement on Zubeen Garg’s Death: Murder Angle, Conspiracy Timeline & Investigation Progress
GS Prelims: Criminal Law (BNS), SIT, Post-Mortem Procedures, State Police Systems
GS Mains (GS-II / GS-III): Governance, Law & Order, Criminal Justice Reforms, State–Centre Coordination
Assam Paper V: Contemporary Issues of Assam, Law & Order, Social Impact
🔹 Introduction
The unexpected and tragic death of renowned Assamese icon Zubeen Garg triggered widespread debate across the State. In the latest Assembly session (26 November 2025), the Chief Minister declared that the case was “a plain and simple murder”, asserting that a well-planned conspiracy had been underway since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The government presented an updated status of the investigation being carried out by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
This marks one of the most high-profile criminal investigations in Assam’s recent history, combining legal, forensic, and political dimensions.
🔑 Key Points & Developments
1. Case Categorised as Murder
CM stated unequivocally that the death was not negligence or culpable homicide, but murder.
He claimed one individual killed Zubeen with help from 4–5 accomplices.
2. Conspiracy Predating the Pandemic
According to the CM, the conspiracy began at least eight years ago, predating COVID-19.
SIT has been instructed to include the entire pre-pandemic timeline in its inquiry.
3. Legal Position under BNS
FIR registered under Sections 61, 105, 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Later, Section 103 (murder) was added to prevent early bail of accused individuals.
4. SIT Progress Report Presented
252 witness statements recorded.
29 seizures made, including electronic devices and documents.
7 arrests so far; no accused granted bail.
Comparative study conducted between the Singapore post-mortem and GMCH report.
5. Forensic & Documentation Inputs
Singapore authorities sent key forensic documents.
SIT gathered evidence from Bihu committees, forming part of Zubeen’s final public engagements.
6. Special Prosecutor & Fast-Track Trial
Government to request Gauhati High Court for a fast-track trial.
A special public prosecutor will be appointed.
Possibility of forming an Assembly House Committee after chargesheet submission.
7. Opposition Reactions
Opposition raised concerns about alleged loopholes in the investigation.
Akhil Gogoi staged a protest in the House; suspended by the Speaker.
Congress walked out, expressing dissatisfaction.
8. Public Sentiment & Proposed Resolution
Government agreed to support a House resolution seeking Bharat Ratna for Zubeen Garg, reflecting widespread public emotion.
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): New criminal code replacing IPC.
Murder under Section 103 (BNS): Equivalent to IPC Section 302.
SIT: A specialised team formed for sensitive cases; can include multidisciplinary officers.
Post-Mortem Comparison: Courts accept comparative analyses when deaths occur outside India.
Adjournment Motion: Allows the opposition to discuss urgent matters of public importance.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Significance of the Case
High Public Interest: Involves one of Assam’s most beloved cultural figures.
Test of Governance: Puts spotlight on law-and-order capacity of state institutions.
Transparency Demand: Citizens expect comprehensive reporting and accountability.
Legal Reform Case Study: First major murder case under BNS framework.
International Cooperation: Involvement of Singapore authorities enhances cross-border investigation mechanisms.
B. Key Challenges
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Complex Conspiracy Timeline | Events traced back nearly 8 years require deep forensic reconstruction. |
| Political Sensitivity | Public sentiment may generate pressure for rapid conclusions. |
| Forensic Divergence | Every detail in Singapore vs. GMCH reports must be reconciled carefully. |
| Accused Network | Involvement of multiple individuals complicates evidence chains. |
| Media Pressure | Continuous public scrutiny affects investigation neutrality. |
C. Government’s Actions (Administrative & Legal)
Formation of SIT with multi-level expertise.
Addition of stronger BNS sections to ensure no early relief for accused.
Fast-track trial proposal for speedy justice.
Deployment of international forensic cooperation with Singapore.
Data-driven evidence collection (CCTV, digital forensic extractions, committees’ records).
D. Way Forward
Ensure transparency through periodic investigation briefs without compromising secrecy.
Strengthen forensic labs for handling cross-border cases.
Legislative oversight via House committee for accountability.
Establish witness protection mechanisms for sensitive testimonies.
Public communication strategy to avoid misinformation and maintain social harmony.
🧩 Conclusion
The government’s stand that Zubeen Garg’s death was a “plain, simple murder” marks a turning point in Assam’s criminal justice narrative. The case underscores the need for transparent law enforcement, robust forensic analysis, and political maturity. As the SIT moves toward filing the chargesheet, the outcome will significantly shape public confidence in the State’s governance and legal institutions.
Topic 2: Assam Satra Preservation & Development Commission Bill, 2025
GS Paper 1: Art & Culture — Vaishnavite Heritage, Satriya Institutions
GS Paper 2: Governance, Regulatory Bodies, State Legislation
Assam Paper V: Sattras of Assam, Land Encroachment, Cultural Preservation
🔹 Introduction
Assam’s Sattras—monastic institutions founded by Srimanta Sankaradeva and Madhabdeva—are central to the State’s Vaishnavite tradition and cultural identity. However, over the past decades, Sattras have faced encroachment, land disputes, governance gaps, and preservation challenges.
To address these systemic issues, the State Government introduced the Assam Satra Preservation & Development Commission Bill, 2025, establishing a specialised regulatory and quasi-judicial body dedicated to the protection, management, and sustainable development of Sattras and their land.
🔑 Key Points
1. Establishment of a New Commission
A dedicated Assam Satra Preservation & Development Commission will be created.
Structured as a specialised, quasi-judicial body with powers equivalent to a civil court (CPC, 1908).
2. Composition of the Commission
Chairperson: A retired Judge of the High Court.
Member Secretary: Director of Land Requisition, Acquisition & Reforms.
Other Members:
Five members representing major Sattras.
One retired civil servant.
3. Mandate & Functions
Protection, preservation, regulation, and proper management of Sattras.
Survey and inspection of Sattras and their lands.
Suo motu inquiries into land encroachment, mismanagement, or heritage damage.
Ability to entertain appeals/petitions against orders of District Commissioners.
4. Enforcement Powers
Powers akin to a civil court for summoning records, witnesses, and issuing orders.
Commission’s observations are binding on Deputy Commissioners for action.
5. Financial Architecture
Creation of the Assam Satra Preservation and Development Fund.
Officials to be deployed on deputation, ensuring efficiency without expanding permanent staff.
6. Objectives (as stated in the Bill)
Create a coherent and accountable framework for Satra preservation.
Protect State lands belonging to Sattras from misuse and encroachment.
Enable planned, culturally sensitive development of these heritage institutions.
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Sattras: Monastic institutions established by Srimanta Sankaradeva (Neo-Vaishnavite movement).
Eka Sarana Nama Dharma: Core philosophical foundation of Assam Vaishnavism.
CPC (1908): Commission given powers similar to a civil court — summoning, evidence, inquiry.
Encroachment Issues: Many Sattras—Bordowa, Barpeta, Batadrava—face land pressure.
Classical Dance: Sattriya is India’s 8th classical dance form (recognized in 2000).
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance of the Bill
Cultural Protection:
Institutionalizes protection of Assam’s Vaishnavite heritage and Sattriya culture.
Preservation of Sacred Lands:
Addresses long-standing encroachment issues threatening historical Sattras.
Administrative Streamlining:
Provides a unified authority, reducing dependence on multiple fragmented departments.
Judicial Strength:
Quasi-judicial powers ensure accountability and enforceability of decisions.
Culturally Sensitive Development:
Aims to promote heritage tourism, research, archival protection, and structured development.
B. Challenges
Land Records Gaps:
Many Sattras lack updated land documentation, complicating enforcement.
Political Sensitivity:
Encroachment cases often intersect with identity politics and migration debates.
Implementation Burden:
Requires coordination with district authorities, revenue departments, and Satra committees.
Financial Constraints:
Fund management, heritage restoration, and maintenance require sustained investment.
Balancing Autonomy & Regulation:
Sattras have traditional autonomy—excessive regulation may face community resistance.
C. Govt Initiatives and Complementary Policies
Digitization of Satra land records.
Ongoing anti-encroachment drives in protected belts.
Cultural mapping under the Ministry of Culture & ASDMA projects.
Heritage conservation schemes (e.g., PRASAD, State tourism schemes).
Support for Sattriya dance and cultural institutions.
D. Way Forward
Clear land demarcation & GIS mapping of Sattras.
Community participation through Satra Committees & Mahasabhas.
Capacity building for heritage conservation and legal enforcement.
Digital archives to preserve manuscripts, artefacts, and oral heritage.
Sustainable cultural tourism to generate revenue while ensuring preservation.
🧩 Conclusion
The Assam Satra Preservation & Development Commission Bill, 2025 marks a significant policy shift toward safeguarding one of Assam’s most defining cultural legacies. By combining legal authority, administrative oversight, and cultural sensitivity, the Bill aims to strengthen protection of Sattras, address encroachment, and preserve the spiritual and socio-cultural heritage integral to Assamese identity. Effective implementation—backed by community trust—will determine its long-term success.
Topic 3: Assam Seeds Corporation – CAG Findings on Production Failure (2018–2024)
GS Paper 3: Agriculture, Seed Sector Reforms, PDS & Input Supply
GS Paper 2: Governance, PSU Performance, Audit & Accountability
Assam Paper V: Agriculture in Assam, Irrigation, Seed Security, Farmer Welfare
🔹 Introduction
Quality seeds determine agricultural productivity, food security, and farmers’ income. The Assam Seeds Corporation Limited (ASCL)—a key public sector entity responsible for producing certified seeds—has been underperforming for years.
The latest CAG report (tabled on 26 November 2025) reveals alarming inefficiencies: ASCL could supply only 0.28% of the Agriculture Department’s seed requirement between 2018–19 and 2023–24.
This raises major concerns about Assam’s seed security, farm productivity, and reliance on private suppliers.
🔑 Key Findings by CAG
1. Negligible Contribution to State Seed Requirement
Out of 1.59 lakh MT seed requirement provided to the Agriculture Department,
ASCL supplied only 437.54 MT from its own production (0.28%).
2. Huge Underutilisation of Land
Each year, ASCL had access to 250.5 hectares of cultivable land.
But 39–124.5 hectares (15.57%–49.70%) remained unutilised annually.
3. Poor Yields & Productivity
Average paddy seed yield: 2.38 MT/ha
State average yield: 3.49 MT/ha
Indicates 31.8% lower productivity than State average.
4. Massive Shortfall in Targets
Shortfall: 34.02% overall during 2018–24
Shortfall ranged from:
6.70% in 2023–24
49.86% in 2018–19
Non-paddy seed production was extremely poor (35.12 MT vs 366.75 MT target).
5. Key Operational Constraints
Absence of irrigation facilities across most ASCL farms.
High dependence on monsoon → crop failure risk.
Poor drainage, waterlogging during heavy rains → crop loss.
6. Technical & Human Resource Gaps
Lack of trained technical manpower.
Poor scientific pest control practices.
No proper soil testing mechanism.
7. Weak Monitoring & Management
No periodic review of seed farms.
No strategy to analyse low productivity.
Audit found absence of effective monitoring mechanism.
8. Marketing & Branding Failures
No market intelligence on seed demand in neighbouring states.
No strategy on pricing or competitor analysis.
No brand identity → low customer trust.
9. Financial Losses
12 seed farms had a combined loss of ₹43 lakh over six years.
🧠 Prelims Pointers
CAG: Constitutional authority for auditing Union & State finances (Art. 148).
Certified Seeds: Produced following strict quality standards; key to agricultural productivity.
Seed Replacement Rate (SRR): Critical for yield; Assam’s SRR remains below national target.
Assam’s Major Crops: Paddy, pulses, oilseeds, horticulture crops.
Key Irrigation Schemes: PMKSY, AIBP, Minor Irrigation Projects of Assam.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Significance of the Issue
Seed Security:
Reliable seed supply is the foundation of national food security.
Farmer Dependence on Private Sector:
Poor ASCL performance pushes farmers toward costly private traders.
Impact on Yields & Income:
Non-availability of quality seeds affects production and profitability.
Public Sector Inefficiency:
Highlights weaknesses in State agricultural PSU governance.
Policy Implications:
Points to gaps in irrigation, infrastructure, manpower, and monitoring.
B. Challenges Identified
| Category | Key Challenges |
| Infrastructure | Lack of irrigation, drainage, cold storage, seed processing units. |
| Technical | Low soil fertility management, no soil testing, poor pest control. |
| Institutional | No monitoring system, poor leadership, outdated practices. |
| Operational | Land underutilisation, irregular farm planning, insufficient trained staff. |
| Market-Linked | No branding, no pricing strategy, no regional market analysis. |
C. Government Initiatives (Recent & Relevant)
PMKSY (Irrigation) expansion to improve water access in agriculture.
Seed Village Programme to train farmers in local seed production.
Assam’s Artificial Intelligence-based farm monitoring in select districts.
Collaboration with Israel’s Centre of Excellence for Vegetables (Guwahati, 2025).
Proposed reforms to modernise ASCL under the Agriculture Department.
D. Way Forward
Irrigation & Drainage Infrastructure Upgrade
Reduce monsoon dependency; build micro-irrigation & drains.
Revamping ASCL’s Technical Capacity
Hire agronomists, seed technologists; regular soil & pest diagnostics.
GIS Mapping & Farm Planning
Use digital tools for land utilisation and productivity tracking.
Market Strategy & Branding
Introduce a recognised ASCL brand; competitive pricing; link with FPOs.
Public–Private Partnerships (PPP) in Seed Production
Engage private firms for joint seed multiplication and certification.
Third-Party Audits & Accountability
Ensure independent monitoring and annual performance reviews.
🧩 Conclusion
The CAG report exposes systemic inefficiencies in the Assam Seeds Corporation that undermine seed security, agricultural productivity, and farmer welfare in the State. Low land utilisation, poor infrastructure, technical gaps, and weak governance have collectively crippled performance.
Strengthening ASCL through modernisation, scientific farm management, and accountable governance is vital to achieving Assam’s agricultural goals and reducing dependence on private seed markets.
🌾 Assam Seeds Corporation – Land Mismanagement & CAG Recommendations (2025)
GS Prelims: CAG, Seed Sector, Agriculture Inputs, PSU Governance
GS Mains (GS-III): Agriculture, Land Management, Public Sector Reforms, Governance Failures
Assam Paper V: Agriculture of Assam, Seed Security, Land Use Challenges
🔹 Introduction
The Assam Seeds Corporation Limited (ASCL) is mandated to produce certified quality seeds for farmers, playing a key role in boosting the State’s agricultural productivity. However, the CAG’s latest performance audit (2018–19 to 2023–24) revealed severe land mismanagement, chronic underutilisation, and governance failures, directly contributing to ASCL’s poor seed output.
These findings raise major concerns about land-use efficiency, resource wastage, and the effectiveness of agricultural institutions in Assam.
🔑 Key Findings: Land Mismanagement in ASCL
1. Vast Areas of Land Remained Unutilised
ASCL had 250.5 hectares of seed farm land annually.
However, between 39 to 124.5 hectares (i.e., 15.57% to 49.70%) remained unutilised each year.
This reflects weak farm planning, labour shortages, and administrative neglect.
2. No Irrigation Infrastructure on Most Farms
All 12 seed farms lacked irrigation, making them dependent on rainfall.
Result: frequent crop failures, poor yield, and inability to meet production targets.
3. Waterlogging & Drainage Problems
Many ASCL farms faced chronic waterlogging, leading to pest outbreaks and reduced seed germination.
4. Failure in Land Preparation & Soil Health Management
No regular soil testing.
No systematic use of fertilisers, green manure, or micronutrients.
Long-term soil degradation in several farms.
5. Lack of Scientific Farm Planning
No annual cultivation plan aligned with:
seed requirement targets,
agro-climatic zones,
crop diversification strategies.
Land often lay idle due to bureaucratic delays.
6. Absence of Monitoring Systems
Management failed to track:
cultivated vs. idle land,
pest outbreaks,
crop losses,
productivity benchmarks.
No internal audits on land utilisation.
7. Loss-Making Farms
Several farms incurred losses due to low productivity and unmanaged land.
Poor returns despite large landholding — symptomatic of governance failure.
8. Opportunity Cost
Idle land could have been leased to FPOs, SHGs, private producers, or used for seed hubs — none of these were explored.
🧠 Prelims Pointers
CAG: Constitutional authority under Article 148; audits PSUs & state institutions.
Certified Seeds: Foundation for increasing yield; quality governed by the Seeds Act, 1966.
SRR (Seed Replacement Rate): Assam’s SRR remains lower than national targets.
PMKSY (Irrigation): Scheme for creating irrigation sources in agriculture.
GIS Mapping: Modern tool for land utilisation analysis.
📝 CAG Recommendations: Key Directives for Reform
1. Prepare Action-Oriented Annual Farm Plans
Detailed crop calendar to ensure full land utilisation.
Clear accountability for each farm manager.
2. Install Irrigation Systems
Proposal for micro-irrigation:
drip,
sprinkler,
solar-powered irrigation.
Reduce monsoon dependency.
3. Improve Drainage & Soil Health Infrastructure
Scientific land levelling and drainage channels.
Annual soil health mapping.
Integrated nutrient management.
4. Strengthen Monitoring Mechanisms
Monthly reporting on land utilisation.
Third-party monitoring by agricultural universities.
Digital dashboards for real-time data.
5. Build Technical Capacity
Hire skilled agronomists, seed technologists, and farm supervisors.
Regular training for pest and disease management.
6. Rationalise Land Use with PPP Model
Lease out unutilised land to:
FPOs,
Krishi Vigyan Kendras,
private seed-producing companies
— for revenue and improved productivity.
7. Introduce GIS-Based Farm Mapping
Use satellite-based monitoring.
Prevent misreporting and encourage scientific planning.
8. Establish Accountability for Losses
Responsibility for chronic land mismanagement to be fixed on officers.
Annual performance evaluation recommended.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Why Land Mismanagement Matters
Directly reduces seed availability.
Increases reliance on private players, raising farmers’ costs.
Wastes public assets and taxpayer investment.
Hampers productivity of key crops like paddy, pulses, and oilseeds.
Undermines Assam’s agricultural self-sufficiency goals.
B. Challenges Behind Mismanagement
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Institutional Weakness | Outdated organisational structure; weak leadership. |
| Infrastructure Gap | Lack of irrigation, drainage, machinery. |
| Technical Deficit | Shortage of agronomists & seed experts. |
| Poor Planning | No crop calendar; mismatched targets. |
| Resource Waste | Idle land, uncontrolled waterlogging. |
| Financial Stress | Recurring losses discourage investment. |
C. Way Forward
Complete overhaul of ASCL governance with performance-based management.
Modern irrigation & scientific land management across all farms.
PPP + Farmer Producer Organisations partnership to use idle land.
Digital farm monitoring (GIS + drones) to track crop progress and land use.
Seed hubs & organic blocks on ASCL land to improve productivity.
Accountability mechanisms with annual CAG compliance review.
🧩 Conclusion
The CAG findings highlight deep-rooted structural issues within the Assam Seeds Corporation, particularly in land use and farm management. These lapses have severely affected seed production, undermining the agricultural ecosystem.
Implementing the CAG’s recommendations with urgency—supported by scientific planning, irrigation reforms, and accountable governance—can transform ASCL into a productive, efficient, and farmer-centric institution.(I)’s operational capabilities. For Assam and the broader region, this realignment represents a step forward toward lasting peace, provided it is supported with robust border management and inclusive development strategies.ciency, energise the Namrup industrial ecosystem, and support the long-term agricultural needs of the Northeastern region. The success of these initiatives will depend on efficient execution, energy availability, and sustained policy support.
ASPC Prelims Practice Questions
✅ PRELIMS QUESTIONS (26–11–2025)
A mix of UPSC patterns: direct, conceptual, tricky, assertion–reason, match-the-following.
🟥 TOPIC 1 — Zubeen Garg Case (Murder Angle & BNS)
Q1. With reference to the legal provisions invoked in the Zubeen Garg case, consider the following:
- Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) deals with murder.
- Section 61 of BNS relates to causing death by negligence.
- Adding Section 103 prevents early bail for the accused.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation:
- Section 103 BNS corresponds to “murder” (true).
- Section 61 relates to causing death by negligence, initially applied, then upgraded (true).
- Adding Section 103 strengthens the case and prevents easy bail (true).
- Only the combination “1 and 3” perfectly aligns with the news focus on murder; statement 2 is true but was not the central focus of bail context — hence UPSC-style tricky filtering gives A.
Q2. Which of the following is/are correct about the SIT investigation in the case?
- It collected over 250 statements.
- It conducted comparative analysis of Singapore and GMCH post-mortem reports.
- All accused have been granted conditional bail.
Select the correct answer:
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
Explanation:
- Over 250 witness statements → True.
- Comparative PM analysis → True.
- No accused has received bail → False.
🟦 TOPIC 2 — Assam Satra Preservation & Development Commission Bill, 2025
Q3. The Assam Satra Preservation & Development Commission will have which of the following characteristics?
- It will be headed by a retired High Court judge.
- It will have powers similar to a civil court under the CPC.
- Its orders will be merely recommendatory without binding effect.
Select the correct answer:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation:
- Headed by retired High Court judge → True.
- Powers aligned with CPC → True.
- Orders are binding on Deputy Commissioners → Not recommendatory → False.
Q4. Which of the following fall under the mandate of the proposed Satra Commission?
- Suo motu inquiries into encroachment.
- Protection and regulation of Sattras.
- Settlement of land disputes outside Satra premises.
- Preservation of Vaishnavite manuscripts.
Select the correct answer:
A. 1, 2 and 4 only
B. 1, 3 and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1 and 2 only
Answer: A
Explanation:
- 1 → Yes, Commission can initiate suo motu inquiries.
- 2 → Yes, core mandate.
- 4 → Yes, preservation responsibilities include manuscripts.
- 3 → Land disputes outside Sattras do not fall under its purview.
🟩 TOPIC 3 — Assam Seeds Corporation (Low Output, CAG Findings)
Q5. According to the CAG report (2018–2024), the Assam Seeds Corporation contributed only 0.28% to the State’s seed requirement. This was primarily due to:
- Lack of irrigation facilities.
- Underutilisation of cultivable land.
- Damage to crops due to waterlogging.
- High pest attacks due to lack of scientific management.
Select the correct answer:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2, 3 and 4 only
C. 1, 2, 3 and 4
D. 1, 3 and 4 only
Answer: C
Explanation:
All four factors directly contributed to extremely low seed productivity.
Q6. Assertion–Reason
Assertion (A): ASCL’s seed yield was significantly lower than the State average.
Reason (R): ASCL lacked irrigation, proper drainage, and adequate soil health management.
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true
Answer: A
Explanation:
Production gaps were directly due to lack of infrastructure and scientific farming.
Q7. Which of the following statements is NOT correct about the CAG findings?
A. ASCL had access to 250+ hectares of cultivable land every year.
B. Almost half of its land remained unused in some years.
C. ASCL had state-of-the-art irrigation facilities.
D. Non-paddy seed production was significantly below target.
Answer: C
Explanation:
ASCL had no irrigation facilities, which led to monsoon dependency.
🟫 TOPIC 4 — ASCL Land Mismanagement & CAG’s Recommendations
Q8. CAG recommended which of the following measures for improving ASCL’s land management?
- GIS-based mapping of farms.
- Leasing unused land to FPOs.
- Increasing dependency on monsoon rainfall.
- Scientific soil and nutrient management.
Select the correct answer:
A. 1, 2 and 4 only
B. 1, 3 and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: A
Explanation:
- CAG suggested GIS mapping, leasing land, scientific soil care.
- Increasing monsoon dependence is the opposite of what CAG recommended.
Q9. Which of the following is a governance challenge highlighted in the CAG report?
A. Excessive use of advanced digital monitoring
B. Lack of internal audits and periodic performance reviews
C. Oversupply of certified seeds
D. Surplus land productivity
Answer: B
Explanation:
CAG criticised weak monitoring, absence of audits, and no performance tracking.
🟦 TOPIC 5 — Lachit Divas (Cultural Context)
Q10. Lachit Divas commemorates:
A. The birth anniversary of Bir Chilarai
B. The coronation of Sukapha
C. The victory of Lachit Borphukan in the Battle of Saraighat
D. The foundation of the Ahom capital at Charaideo
Answer: C
Explanation:
Lachit Divas honours the hero of Saraighat (1671).
APSC Mains Practice Question
📝 MAINS QUESTION (GS-III / Assam Paper V)
Q. “The CAG’s findings on the Assam Seeds Corporation expose deep structural weaknesses in the State’s seed security ecosystem.” Discuss the significance of these findings and suggest a comprehensive reform strategy to improve certified seed production in Assam.
✅ MODEL ANSWER (Pointwise, ~250 words)
Introduction
Certified seed availability is fundamental to agricultural productivity and farmers’ income. The recent CAG audit (2018–19 to 2023–24) revealed severe inefficiencies in the Assam Seeds Corporation Limited (ASCL), including only 0.28% contribution to the State’s total seed requirement. These findings highlight systemic failures in governance, infrastructure, and technical capacity within Assam’s seed sector.
Significance of the CAG Findings
1. Alarming Gap in Seed Security
ASCL supplied an insignificant portion of required seeds, forcing farmers to depend heavily on private suppliers, often at higher costs.
2. Underutilised Public Assets
Despite having over 250 hectares of cultivable land, up to half remained unused every year, indicating critical operational inefficiency.
3. Infrastructure Deficiency
The absence of irrigation, drainage, and soil-health systems resulted in low yields and crop failures.
4. Weak Governance & Accountability
Lack of internal audits, monitoring, and scientific planning point to structural administrative gaps within ASCL.
5. Poor Financial Performance
Recurring losses from multiple seed farms reflect ineffective management of public funds and wastage of agricultural potential.
Reforms Needed to Strengthen Certified Seed Production
1. Infrastructure Modernisation
- Install micro-irrigation, drainage channels, and farm mechanisation.
- Introduce soil testing labs and integrated nutrient management.
2. Scientific Land Utilisation
- GIS-based mapping for real-time land tracking.
- Prepare season-wise crop calendars to ensure 100% land utilisation.
3. Organisational Restructuring
- Revise staff recruitment; hire agronomists and seed technologists.
- Create farm-wise performance evaluation and accountability indices.
4. PPP & FPO Participation
- Lease idle farm land to Farmer Producer Organisations or private seed developers to boost output.
5. Strengthen Monitoring Systems
- Third-party audits with agricultural universities.
- Monthly reporting dashboards for cultivation, yield, and losses.
6. Market Strategy & Branding
- Develop an ASCL seed brand with competitive pricing and regional marketing.
Conclusion
The CAG findings are a wake-up call for Assam’s agricultural ecosystem. Addressing structural deficiencies through scientific planning, infrastructure upgrades, accountability mechanisms, and collaborative models can transform ASCL into a dependable seed-producing institution, strengthening the State’s seed security and enhancing farmers’ resilience.que environmental and socio-cultural fabric.
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