APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (22/08/2026)
For APSC CCE and other Assam competitive exam aspirants, staying consistently updated with reliable current affairs is essential for success. This blog provides a well-researched analysis of the most important topics from The Assam Tribune dated 22 August 2026. Each issue has been carefully selected and explained to support both APSC Prelims and Mains preparation, ensuring alignment with the APSC CCE syllabus and the evolving trends of the examination.
✨ APSC CCE Mains Course, 2026
Kaziranga National Park: IUCN Conservation Outlook, Eco-Sensitive Zone & Landscape-Level Conservation
Syllabus Mapping
- GS Paper III: Environment, Ecology, Biodiversity & Climate Change
- GS Paper V (Assam): Assam’s Environment, Biodiversity, Protected Areas & Sustainable Development
- Why in News: The latest IUCN World Heritage Outlook (2025) rated Kaziranga as “Good with Some Concerns”, spotlighting corridor fragmentation and intensifying debate over the State’s proposed site-specific 1–3 km Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) versus the default 10 km buffer.
Introduction
Kaziranga National Park is a dynamic Brahmaputra floodplain ecosystem whose long-term survival depends on unbroken ecological connectivity with the adjoining Karbi Anglong hills.
Prelims Perspective
- Geographical Setting: Located in Assam’s Brahmaputra floodplain; core area notified as a Tiger Reserve (2007) covering 858.98 sq km.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: Inscribed in 1985 under Criterion (ix) (ongoing fluvial/ecological processes) and Criterion (x) (threatened biodiversity conservation).
- IUCN World Heritage Outlook (2025): Rated “Good with Some Concerns” (not categorized as “Significant Concern” or “In Danger”).
- Key Wildlife: Prime habitat for the Greater one-horned rhinoceros, Asian elephant, Royal Bengal tiger, wild water buffalo, and swamp deer.
- Corridor Delineation: 9 animal corridors officially identified between Kaziranga and Karbi Anglong, classified into Functional Corridors (no land-use change permitted) and Structural Corridors (regulated agroforestry and agricultural practices allowed).
- High-Ground Refuge: Karbi Anglong hills serve as the vital natural refuge for wildlife during seasonal floods.
- Infrastructure Interventions: NH-37 runs along the southern boundary; monitored by sensor-based automated vehicle speed regulatory systems to prevent animal-vehicle collisions.
- Invasive Flora Threats: Spread of invasive species including Mikania micrantha and Eichhornia crassipes.
- Institutional Mechanism: Conservation financed and managed through the Kaziranga Tiger Conservation Foundation under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- ESZ Regulatory Principle: Eco-Sensitive Zones act as transition shock-absorbers based on site-specific activity regulation rather than blanket prohibition.
- Assam PA Network Data: State hosts 7 National Parks, 20 Wildlife Sanctuaries (including 3 proposed), 4 Tiger Reserves, 2 Biosphere Reserves, 2 World Heritage Sites, 1 Ramsar Site, 5 Elephant Reserves, and 46 Important Bird Areas (IBAs).
Mains Perspective
Importance of Landscape-Level Protection
- Highland Flood Refuge: Maintains unhindered movement to the Karbi Anglong hills, preventing mass animal mortality during extreme monsoon inundations.
- Fluvial Ecological Health: Preserves natural Brahmaputra siltation, wetland rejuvenation, and grassland dynamics without artificial structural barriers.
- Global Heritage Integrity: Safeguards the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and trans-boundary ecosystem services including carbon sequestration and water regulation.
Challenges & Threats
- Linear Infrastructure & Encroachment: NH-37 traffic, commercial construction, and unregulated resort tourism sever critical migratory paths.
- Extractive Pressures & Invasives: Watershed degradation from mining/quarrying in Karbi Anglong, coupled with aggressive spread of invasive weeds.
- Conservation vs. Livelihood Friction: Balancing the livelihood needs of fringe communities with the regulatory restrictions of a wide Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).
Government & Conservation Initiatives
- Corridor Legalization: Formal notification and protection of 9 Karbi Anglong corridors with strict land-use zoning.
- Smart Traffic Management: Deployment of automated sensor-based speed tracking and animal-sensing systems along highway crossing zones.
- Statutory Institutional Support: Operationalisation of the Kaziranga Tiger Conservation Foundation for dedicated ecological funding and anti-poaching security.
Way Forward
- Scientific & Participatory ESZ: Delineate buffer zones based on wildlife movement mapping, hydrology, and local dependency rather than arbitrary administrative boundaries.
- Unified Landscape Governance: Transition from isolated park boundaries to a unified Kaziranga–Karbi Anglong–Brahmaputra floodplain landscape framework.
- Climate-Resilient Green Infrastructure: Enforce Cumulative Impact Assessments (CIA) and construct dedicated animal flyovers/underpasses across linear transport corridors.
Value Addition (Conceptual Anchor)
- Core Principle: “The ecological boundary of Kaziranga is wider than its administrative boundary.”
- Policy Framework: Protected Area Core → Regulated ESZ Buffer → 9 Functional Corridors → Karbi Anglong Highland Refuge → Community-Led Stewardship.
Conclusion
Long-term conservation of Kaziranga requires moving beyond anti-poaching inside the park to a participatory, landscape-level model that secures wildlife corridors, regulates buffer development, and integrates climate resilience.
Census 2027: Language Enumeration & Assam’s Linguistic Diversity
Syllabus Mapping
- GS Paper I: Indian Society, Diversity of India & Regionalism
- GS Paper II: Governance & Constitutional Provisions Relating to Linguistic Minorities
- GS Paper V (Assam): Assam’s Society, Demography, Culture & Linguistic Diversity
- Why in News: The Asam Sahitya Sabha appealed to diverse communities in Assam to record Assamese as their link language alongside their respective mother tongues during Census 2027, highlighting the nuances of language enumeration and cultural identity.
Introduction
Language enumeration in Census 2027 reflects the vital imperative to balance the constitutional preservation of diverse mother tongues with the functional role of link languages in fostering inter-community cohesion across Assam.
Prelims Perspective
- Census Milestones: 16th Census overall and 8th since Independence; administered under the Census Act, 1948 and Census Rules, 1990 (first population census after 2011).
- Digital Innovations: India’s first digital census featuring mobile data collection, Self-Enumeration (SE), GIS/web mapping, and centralized digital monitoring.
- Assam Enumeration Schedule: Self-Enumeration (2–16 August 2026) followed by Phase I: House Listing & Housing Census (17 August–15 September 2026); Phase II: Population Enumeration has a national reference date of 1 March 2027.
- Census Language Tables: C-16 (Population by Mother Tongue), C-17 (Bilingualism and Trilingualism), C-18 (Bilingualism by Age & Sex), and C-19 (Bilingualism by Educational Level & Sex).
- Conceptual Distinctions: Mother tongue (home/childhood language) vs. Link language (inter-group bridge language) vs. Official language (statutorily prescribed language for state administration).
- Eighth Schedule Scope: Contains 22 constitutionally recognized languages (including Assamese and Bodo), whereas Census captures a much broader spectrum of non-scheduled mother tongues and dialects.
- Constitutional Articles for Linguistic Minorities:
- Article 29(1): Right of any section of citizens to conserve their distinct language, script, or culture.
- Article 30: Right of linguistic and religious minorities to establish and administer educational institutions.
- Article 343 & 345: Prescribes official languages for the Union and State Legislatures respectively.
- Article 350: Entitlement to submit grievance redressal representations in any language used in the Union or State.
- Article 350A: Directs States/local bodies to provide primary-stage instruction in the mother tongue to linguistic minority children.
- Article 350B: Mandates the appointment of a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities by the President.
- 2011 Assam Linguistic Baseline (Economic Survey 2025–26): Assamese (~1.51 crore), Bengali (~90.24 lakh), Hindi (~21.01 lakh), and Bodo (~14.16 lakh).
Mains Perspective
Importance of Language Enumeration
- Evidence-Based Governance: Generates critical empirical baselines to tailor mother-tongue primary education, linguistic welfare schemes, and public communication strategies.
- Minority Rights Operationalization: Enables effective implementation of Articles 29, 30, and 350A, preventing institutional neglect of vulnerable tribal and minority dialects.
- Demographic & Multilingual Mapping: Documents real-world patterns of bilingualism and generational language shifts driven by urbanization and migration.
Challenges
- Identity Politicization: Language enumeration risks triggering socio-political friction when mother-tongue data is tied to political mobilization or ethnic anxieties.
- Language Attrition: Non-scheduled tribal and minor languages face risk of extinction due to intergenerational language shift toward dominant regional mediums.
- Categorical Oversimplification: Rigid single-language census questions risk misrepresenting fluid, real-world multilingual identities (e.g., Mother tongue + Link language + Medium of instruction).
Government & Constitutional Framework
- Constitutional Safeguard Matrix: Enforceable protections under Articles 29, 30, 350A, and 350B safeguarding minority educational and cultural autonomy.
- Eighth Schedule Recognition: Inclusion of regional indigenous languages like Assamese and Bodo ensures institutional support and statutory development.
- Institutionalized Census Data: Decennial release of dedicated C-Series language tables under the Census Act, 1948 ensures transparent monitoring of linguistic trends.
Way Forward
- Additive Multilingualism: Promote a non-exclusionary framework of “Mother Tongue + Regional Link Language (Assamese) + Multilingual Proficiency” to safeguard local identity while sustaining unity.
- Enforce Primary Mother-Tongue Learning: Vigorously implement Article 350A and National Education Policy guidelines for foundational schooling in indigenous mother tongues.
- Digital Preservation & Translation: Establish state-backed digital language archives, lexicography projects, and multilingual e-governance portals for seamless civic access.
Value Addition (Conceptual Anchor)
- Core Principle: “The challenge is to promote a common language of communication without converting linguistic diversity into linguistic uniformity.”
- Policy Chain: Linguistic Diversity → Mother Tongue Identity → Link Language & Governance → Constitutional Safeguards (Art 350A/B) → Social Cohesion.
Conclusion
Census language enumeration must be utilized as an instrument for constitutional inclusion and cultural preservation, ensuring that the growth of shared link languages enriches rather than displaces indigenous mother tongues.
Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary: Waterbird Conservation, Wetland Restoration & Biodiversity of Assam
Syllabus Mapping
- GS Paper III: Environment & Biodiversity | Wetland Conservation | Climate Change
- GS Paper V: Assam’s Environment, Biodiversity & Protected Areas
- Why in News: The 7th Kaziranga Waterbird Count (2026) documented over 1 lakh waterbirds across the Kaziranga-Laokhowa landscape, identifying Rowmari Beel as the highest-count wetland and recording the first-ever sighting of the rare migratory Smew.
Introduction
Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary acts as critical ecological infrastructure within the Brahmaputra floodplain, sustaining a dynamic mosaic of wetlands and grasslands essential for both terrestrial megafauna and migratory waterbirds of the Central Asian Flyway.
Prelims Perspective
- Location & Geography: Located in Nagaon district, Assam, on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra river.
- Status & Size: Officially notified as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1979 (not a National Park); covers an area of 70.13 sq km.
- Landscape Connectivity: Forms an integral part of the contiguous Laokhowa–Burachapori ecosystem, bridging wet alluvial grasslands, riparian forests, and riverine wetlands.
- Fauna & Flora: Supports rhino, wild buffalo, tiger, hog deer, fishing cat, ~225 bird species, and serves as a breeding ground for ~39 fish species.
- 7th Kaziranga Waterbird Count (2026): A synchronized survey (Jan 4–11) covering 166 wetlands and 10 ranges; recorded 105,540 waterbirds across 107 species.
- Top Wetlands: Rowmari Beel recorded the highest avian congregation (15,661 birds), followed by Dondowa Beel (14,469).
- Smew (Mergellus albellus): A migratory diving duck from northern Eurasia; recorded for the first time in the Kaziranga landscape during the 2026 count.
- Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis): A highly threatened bird species relying on the landscape’s grassland ecosystems; closely monitored by the Wildlife Institute of India.
- Abundant Species: Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus), Northern Pintail, and Lesser Whistling Duck dominated the 2026 count.
- Flyway Significance: Vital stopover and wintering site on the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) connecting Eurasia and South Asia.
- Policy Framework: Protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.
- Institutional Backing: Supported by the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) (formed by merging NWCP & NLCP in 2013) and the Assam State Wetlands Authority.
Mains Perspective
Importance
- Ecological Infrastructure: Wetlands (beels) act as natural shock-absorbers that provide flood regulation, groundwater recharge, and nutrient cycling for the broader Brahmaputra basin.
- Global Biodiversity Link: Functions as a critical survival node along the Central Asian Flyway, anchoring the aquatic food web for international migratory species and local fisheries.
Challenges
- Food-Web Disruption: Illegal and unsustainable fishing directly depletes fish stocks, starving out wetland-dependent avian predators.
- Habitat Degradation: Natural wetland hydrology is increasingly choked by siltation, agricultural encroachment, invasive weeds, and climate-induced shifts in flood patterns.
Government Initiatives
- Habitat Restoration: Active interventions including anti-encroachment drives, de-siltation, invasive vegetation removal, and strict legal enforcement against illegal fishers.
- Scientific Baseline Monitoring: Institutionalization of the annual Kaziranga Waterbird Count to track species distribution, population trends, and wetland health.
Way Forward
- Ecosystem-Centric Management: Transition from isolated species protection to an integrated approach that secures hydrological connectivity between wetlands, catchments, and river channels.
- Community-Led Conservation: Neutralize conservation-livelihood conflicts by engaging locals through Wetland Mitras, sustainable fishing licenses, and regulated eco-tourism.
Value Addition
- Conceptual Flow: Brahmaputra Floodplain → Wetlands/Beels → Aquatic Food Web → Resident/Migratory Waterbirds (CAF) → Ecosystem Resilience.
- Mains Argument: “Conserving Laokhowa is not merely about protecting birds; it is about protecting the entire wetland-river-grassland continuum that sustains them.”
Conclusion
Securing Laokhowa’s ecological future requires abandoning fragmented, species-only approaches in favor of a climate-resilient, landscape-level governance model that integrates wetland hydrology, strict law enforcement, and sustainable community livelihoods.
India–Bhutan Relations: Boundary Management & Strategic Partnership
Syllabus Mapping
- GS Paper II: International Relations & Bilateral Relations
- GS Paper III: Internal Security, Border Management & Connectivity
- GS Paper V (Assam): Northeast India, International Borders & Regional Connectivity
- Why in News: The August 2026 Joint Technical Meeting between the Survey of India and Bhutan’s National Land Commission focused on boundary coordination and emerging technologies, showing a shift from basic border security to advanced boundary management.
Introduction
India and Bhutan’s relationship is moving beyond traditional security and hydropower into a technology-driven connectivity partnership that places Assam at the centre of regional economic integration.
Prelims Perspective
- Diplomatic Timeline: The foundational Friendship Treaty was signed in 1949 and revised in 2007; formal diplomatic relations began in 1968.
- Geographical Borders: Bhutan shares borders with China and four Indian states: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, and Sikkim.
- Boundary Management Agencies: Technical coordination is managed jointly by the Survey of India and the International Boundaries unit of Bhutan’s National Land Commission.
- Assam–Bhutan Rail Link: A 69 km Kokrajhar–Gelephu railway line is proposed, backed by a September 2025 MoU.
- West Bengal–Bhutan Rail Link: A 20 km Banarhat–Samtse railway link is also under development.
- Border Check Post: An Immigration Check Post was inaugurated at Darranga (Assam)–Samdrup Jongkhar (Bhutan) in November 2024 to facilitate land travel, including for third-country nationals.
- Waterway Connectivity: The Jogighopa Inland Waterway Terminal in Assam opened in January 2025 to support regional multimodal trade.
- Economic Hub: Bhutan is currently developing the Gelephu Mindfulness City in its south, directly bordering Assam.
- Space Cooperation: ISRO launched the jointly developed India–Bhutan SAT on 26 November 2022.
- Hydropower Projects: Key India-assisted dams in Bhutan include Chukha, Kurichhu, Tala, Mangdechhu, Punatsangchhu-I, and Punatsangchhu-II.
- Trade Volume: India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner, accounting for 79.88% of its total trade in 2024.
Mains Perspective
Importance of the Partnership
- Strategic Buffer: A stable Bhutan secures India’s vulnerable Himalayan frontier and protects the northeastern approaches from regional geopolitical pressures.
- Economic Integration: Connectivity projects transform Assam into a central logistics gateway for Northeast India and cross-border trade.
- Energy Security: Hydropower cooperation creates mutual interdependence, giving Bhutan export revenue and providing India with clean electricity.
Challenges
- Terrain and Ecology: Building infrastructure in the Himalayas is expensive and poses risks to sensitive forests and watersheds.
- Geopolitical Realities: Bhutan’s location between India and China requires India to respect Bhutan’s sovereign choices while securing its own interests.
- Open Border Risks: Increased connectivity demands better policing to manage illegal trade and transnational crime without hurting legitimate local movement.
Government Initiatives
- 2007 Friendship Treaty: Upgraded the bilateral framework to reflect modern sovereign equality and mutual respect.
- Development Talks: Regular Bilateral Development Cooperation Talks directly support Bhutan’s Five-Year Plans (currently the 13th Plan).
- Multimodal Infrastructure: Active development of the Kokrajhar–Gelephu railway, Darranga land port, and Jogighopa waterways.
Way Forward
- Tech-Driven Borders: Use modern tools like GIS, satellite imagery, and GNSS for precise boundary mapping and dispute prevention.
- Assam–Bhutan Corridors: Fast-track logistics and transport links connecting Northeast India to Bhutan’s upcoming Gelephu Mindfulness City.
- Green Energy Expansion: Broaden the traditional hydropower focus to include solar energy, grid integration, and e-mobility.
Value Addition
- Conceptual Flow: Boundary Stability → Strategic Trust → Connectivity → Trade & Energy → Northeast Integration → Regional Stability.
- Core Argument: The emerging Assam–Bhutan connectivity architecture transforms the international border from a peripheral frontier into an active gateway for regional trade and integration.
Conclusion
The future of India–Bhutan relations depends on combining high-tech boundary management with seamless multimodal connectivity, establishing Assam as the primary economic bridge of the eastern Himalayas.
APSC MCQs
TOPIC 1: Kaziranga — IUCN Conservation Outlook, ESZ & Landscape Conservation
Q1. With reference to the conservation status of Kaziranga National Park, consider the following statements:
- Kaziranga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site under criteria (ix) and (x).
- The IUCN World Heritage Outlook 2025 assessed Kaziranga as “Good with Some Concerns”.
- The “Good with Some Concerns” category means that the site has already lost its Outstanding Universal Value.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation: Kaziranga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site under criteria (ix) and (x). The 2025 IUCN Conservation Outlook places it under “Good with Some Concerns”, which indicates a positive outlook with significant conservation concerns—not that its Outstanding Universal Value has already been lost.
Q2. The ecological importance of the Karbi Anglong landscape to Kaziranga is best explained by which of the following?
A. It is the only breeding ground of the greater one-horned rhinoceros in India.
B. It provides higher-ground refuge and movement space for wildlife, particularly during floods.
C. It is legally part of the core area of Kaziranga National Park.
D. It serves exclusively as a corridor for migratory birds.
Answer: B
Explanation: The Karbi Anglong hills are ecologically connected to Kaziranga. During floods, wildlife moves towards higher areas, making these landscapes and corridors crucial for wildlife movement and climate resilience. The IUCN assessment specifically recognises the importance of strategic wildlife corridors towards the Karbi Anglong hills.
Q3. With reference to Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs), consider the following statements:
- An ESZ is intended to regulate certain activities around protected areas rather than automatically prohibit all human activity.
- ESZ delineation can take into account the ecological characteristics of a particular protected area.
- Every National Park in India must necessarily have a uniform ESZ extending exactly 10 km from its boundary.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation: ESZs are intended primarily as regulatory buffers around protected areas. Their delineation can be site-specific. The often-mentioned 10-km figure should not be interpreted as a universal, mandatory 10-km ESZ for every protected area.
Q4. Consider the following pairs:
| Conservation concept | Significance for Kaziranga |
| 1. Landscape-level conservation | Protecting ecological linkages beyond park boundaries |
| 2. Wildlife corridors | Facilitating movement between habitats |
| 3. Floodplain ecology | Supporting ecological processes associated with the Brahmaputra system |
| 4. ESZ | Converting all surrounding private land into protected forest |
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: A
Explanation: Landscape conservation, wildlife corridors and floodplain ecology are integral to Kaziranga’s conservation. ESZ does not automatically convert surrounding private land into protected forest; it is primarily a regulatory mechanism.
TOPIC 2: Laokhowa — Waterbirds, Wetlands & Biodiversity
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the 7th Kaziranga Waterbird Count, 2026:
- It recorded more than one lakh waterbirds.
- The survey covered multiple wetlands across more than one wildlife division.
- The Smew was recorded for the first time in the Kaziranga landscape during this count.
- The survey was restricted exclusively to the core area of Kaziranga National Park.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: A
Explanation: The count recorded 105,540 birds of 107 species across 166 wetlands and 10 ranges, covering the Eastern Assam, Biswanath and Nagaon Wildlife Divisions. The Smew was recorded for the first time in Kaziranga. It was not confined to the core area.
Q6. Consider the following statements about wetlands:
- Wetlands can function as feeding and wintering grounds for migratory birds.
- Wetlands can contribute to flood regulation and nutrient cycling.
- Wetland conservation is relevant only to aquatic organisms and has little significance for terrestrial biodiversity.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation: Wetlands provide habitat to birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and other organisms. They also perform ecosystem functions such as water storage, nutrient cycling and flood moderation. Therefore, their importance extends well beyond aquatic organisms.
Q7. The Smew, recently recorded in Kaziranga, is best described as:
A. A migratory diving duck
B. A grassland bustard
C. A large migratory stork
D. A wetland-dependent crane
Answer: A
Explanation: The Smew (Mergellus albellus) is a small diving duck and a rare winter migrant to India. Its first recorded sighting in Kaziranga during the 7th Waterbird Count makes it a useful current-affairs species for Prelims.
Q8. With reference to migratory waterbirds in India, consider the following statements:
- The Central Asian Flyway connects breeding and non-breeding areas across Eurasia and South Asia.
- Wetlands in India can serve as stopover and wintering sites for birds using this flyway.
- Protection of an individual wetland can have implications beyond national boundaries because migratory species move across countries.
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: D
Explanation: All three are correct. Migratory birds cross international boundaries, making wetland conservation a component of international biodiversity conservation. The Kaziranga–Laokhowa wetlands are important within this broader migratory framework.
TOPIC 3: Census 2027 — Language Enumeration & Assam’s Linguistic Diversity
Q9. With reference to language data in the Census of India, consider the following statements:
- Census language tables include information on mother tongue.
- Census data also provides information relating to bilingualism and trilingualism.
- Only the 22 languages in the Eighth Schedule are recorded in Census language data.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation: Census language data is broader than the 22 Scheduled Languages. It includes information on mother tongues and bilingualism/trilingualism. Therefore, statement 3 is incorrect.
Q10. Consider the following pairs:
| Constitutional Provision | Subject |
| 1. Article 29 | Conservation of language, script and culture |
| 2. Article 30 | Rights of religious and linguistic minorities to establish and administer educational institutions |
| 3. Article 350A | Facilities for instruction in mother tongue at the primary stage for linguistic minorities |
| 4. Article 350B | Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities |
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: D
Explanation: All four are correctly matched. This is an important static-polity linkage to the current Census language debate.
Q11. Which one of the following best distinguishes a “mother tongue” from a “link language”?
A. Mother tongue is constitutionally recognised, whereas a link language is not.
B. Mother tongue necessarily has to be the official language of a State.
C. Mother tongue is associated with an individual’s home/early linguistic environment, whereas a link language facilitates communication between people with different mother tongues.
D. A person can have only one mother tongue but can never know more than one link language.
Answer: C
Explanation: These are different linguistic concepts. A multilingual person may have one mother tongue and use another language for wider communication. This distinction is particularly relevant to Assam’s current Census debate.
Q12. Consider the following statements regarding India’s linguistic diversity:
- Assamese and Bodo are included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
- Inclusion in the Eighth Schedule means that a language is the only language that can be recorded as the mother tongue of its speakers in the Census.
- Census language data can help understand patterns of linguistic change and multilingualism.
Which of the statements given above 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: Assamese and Bodo are both in the Eighth Schedule. But Scheduled Language status does not prevent Census respondents from reporting other mother tongues. Census language data also helps analyse multilingualism and linguistic change.
TOPIC 4: India–Bhutan — Boundary Management & Strategic Partnership
Q13. With reference to India–Bhutan relations, consider the following statements:
- India and Bhutan established diplomatic relations in 1968.
- The Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between India and Bhutan was originally signed in 1949 and revised in 2007.
- The revised 2007 treaty abolished the principle of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation: Diplomatic relations were established in 1968. The Friendship Treaty dates to 1949 and was revised in 2007. The revised framework respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries; statement 3 is therefore incorrect.
Q14. Consider the following statements regarding the recent India–Bhutan Joint Technical Meeting:
- The Survey of India participated in the meeting.
- Bhutan’s National Land Commission’s International Boundaries unit participated in it.
- The meeting discussed maintenance and coordination of the bilateral boundary.
- The meeting was primarily concerned with resolving the India–China boundary dispute.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: A
Explanation: The meeting was a bilateral India–Bhutan technical engagement concerning boundary maintenance, coordination, emerging technology and a joint work programme. It was not a forum for resolving the India–China boundary dispute.
Q15. Which of the following Indian States share an international boundary with Bhutan?
- Assam
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Sikkim
- West Bengal
- Meghalaya
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A. 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
B. 1, 2 and 5 only
C. 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: A
Explanation: Bhutan shares borders with Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and West Bengal. It does not share an international boundary with Meghalaya.
Q16. Consider the following statements about India’s strategic partnership with Bhutan:
- Hydropower has traditionally been an important pillar of bilateral economic cooperation.
- Connectivity projects involving Assam can strengthen Bhutan’s access to wider Indian transport networks.
- India–Bhutan relations are confined primarily to defence and border security.
- Cooperation has expanded into areas such as space and emerging technologies.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1, 2 and 4 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: A
Explanation: India–Bhutan relations are multidimensional. Hydropower, development assistance, trade, connectivity, people-to-people relations, space and technology are all important. The recent boundary meeting itself demonstrates growing technological cooperation.
Daily APSC Mains Answer Writing
“Kaziranga National Park’s ecological security cannot be ensured merely by protecting its notified boundaries.” Discuss the major threats to Kaziranga’s landscape and suggest measures for strengthening landscape-level conservation.
Aligned with Article 48A (protection of environment and wildlife), the ecological survival of the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape demands a holistic approach, as wildlife movement relies on the broader Brahmaputra Valley ecosystem rather than rigid administrative boundaries.
1. Major Threats to the Extended Kaziranga Landscape
- Habitat Fragmentation & Linear Intrusions: The heavily trafficked National Highway-37 (NH-37) acts as a fatal barrier when animals migrate to the higher grounds of the Karbi Anglong hills during the annual monsoonal floods.
- Deforestation & Mining in Catchment Areas: Unregulated stone quarrying and deforestation in the adjoining Karbi Anglong district increase surface run-off, leading to siltation of Kaziranga’s vital wetlands (beels) and unpredictable flash floods.
- Encroachment on Animal Corridors: Commercial expansion, tea estates, and human settlements have severely choked the nine identified animal corridors (e.g., Haldibari, Kanchanjuri) connecting the park to southern highlands.
- Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC): As rhinos and elephants disperse outside the core zone for fodder, conflicts spike in peripheral villages (Bokakhat, Numaligarh), leading to retaliatory killings and socio-economic distress.
- Spread of Invasive Species: Altered hydrological patterns have accelerated the spread of invasive weeds like Mimosa invisa and Water Hyacinth, destroying the native short-grass beds critical for the Greater One-Horned Rhino.
2. Measures for Strengthening Landscape-Level Conservation
- Securing and Restoring Corridors: Strict implementation of Supreme Court directives to clear encroachments in Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) and notify the extended Kaziranga-Nameri-Orang riverine landscape.
- Green Infrastructure & Mitigation: Expediting the proposed elevated wildlife corridors over NH-37 (a joint initiative of the Assam Government and MoRTH) and installing AI-based sensor barricades to prevent road kills.
- Integrated Catchment Management: Promoting a unified governance model encompassing the Brahmaputra floodplains and Karbi Anglong hills to arrest soil erosion, guided by NDMA framework for flood-resilience.
- Community-Led Eco-Development: Strengthening Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) by integrating indigenous communities (Mishing, Karbi) into eco-tourism and providing alternative livelihoods to reduce forest dependency.
- Extended Tech Surveillance: Expanding anti-poaching operations, drone mapping, and the Rhino DNA Index System (RhODIS) beyond the core notified boundaries into buffer and fringe areas.
Shifting from a boundary-centric to a landscape-level conservation paradigm is imperative to achieve SDG 15 (Life on Land), ensuring that Kaziranga remains the ecological crown jewel of Northeast India in our pursuit of a sustainable Viksit Bharat by 2047.
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