APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (25/08/2026)
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 25 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
Assam–Meghalaya Violence: Inter-State Relations, Federalism and Regional Connectivity
Syllabus Mapping
- Core GS Paper: APSC GS-V (Assam’s Relations with Neighbouring States, Security, Economy & Tourism) | GS-II (Inter-State Relations, Cooperative Federalism, Law & Order) | GS-III (Internal Security, Regional Infrastructure & Economy).
- Why in News: Violent unrest during a Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) rally in Shillong on 19 August 2026 led to attacks on Assam-registered vehicles, triggering retaliatory blockades along the critical Guwahati–Shillong corridor before normal vehicular movement was restored on 24 August.
Introduction
- Inter-state unrest along the Guwahati–Shillong corridor underscores how unresolved boundary disputes and identity-based mobilisations directly disrupt cooperative federalism, regional connectivity, and the Northeast tourism economy.
Prelims Perspective
- Total Disputed Sectors: Assam and Meghalaya have 12 identified areas of difference along their inter-state boundary.
- Historic 2022 Accord: An MoU resolving the first 6 areas of difference was signed on 29 March 2022 in the presence of the Union Home Minister; the remaining 6 areas are under negotiation.
- Demarcation Body: Survey of India is the designated agency carrying out boundary demarcation in the resolved sectors.
- Key Flashpoints & Blockades: Violence originated in Shillong; retaliatory blockades and disruptions were concentrated at Jorabat and Khanapara along the arterial Guwahati–Shillong route.
- Key Institutional Mechanisms:
- Assam Border Protection and Development Department: Dedicated nodal agency for inter-state border development, records, and dispute coordination.
- Special Investigation Team (SIT): Constituted by Meghalaya Police under an Inspector General of Police (Law & Order) to probe the violence.
- Joint Administrative Committee: Proposed coordination mechanism between Ri-Bhoi (Meghalaya) and Kamrup (Assam) district administrations.
- Constitutional Articles for Inter-State Dynamics:
- Article 131: Original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in inter-state and Union-State disputes.
- Article 263: Establishment and role of the Inter-State Council for administrative coordination.
- Article 262: Adjudication of inter-state river water disputes.
- Seventh Schedule: Constitutional division of powers (Law & Order under the State List).
- Other Historical Inter-State Border Disputes of Assam: Bilateral boundary issues exist with Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram.
Mains Perspective
1. Importance & Significance
- Lynchpin of Regional Connectivity: The Guwahati–Shillong corridor serves as the vital lifeline connecting Assam’s economic gateway to Meghalaya, underpinning trade, tourism, and wider Act East integration.
- Test of Cooperative Federalism: Requires swift multi-tiered administrative synergy—from Chief Minister-level summits down to district-level coordination (Ri-Bhoi–Kamrup).
- Economic Multiplier Impact: Stability along the border directly shields hospitality, commercial transport, local MSMEs, and livelihoods from sharp revenue contractions (e.g., 60–70% drop in highway sales).
2. Challenges
- Identity Mobilisation & Collective Punishment: Localized grievances rapidly transform into ethnic hostility and retaliatory blockades against innocent vehicular traffic.
- Economic Vulnerability & Perceptions: Road blockades trigger widespread itinerary cancellations, diverting tourist footfall away from Meghalaya to alternate regional circuits.
- Administrative Fragmentation: Absence of real-time early-warning systems and police coordination allows border skirmishes to escalate into regional disruptions.
3. Government & Institutional Initiatives
- Phased Border Delimitation: Institutionalization of Regional Committees and reliance on the 2022 Assam–Meghalaya MoU for data-backed, phased boundary settlements.
- Joint District & Transport Frameworks: Formation of a bilateral Ri-Bhoi–Kamrup joint mechanism and a joint transport committee to safeguard tourist taxis.
- Accountability & Rule of Law: Institutionalization of an SIT probe to ensure individual criminal accountability rather than collective community blame.
4. Way Forward
- Time-Bound Demarcation: Accelerate joint surveys, ground verification, and local consultations to finalize boundary accords for the remaining 6 disputed sectors.
- Northeast Inter-State Conflict Early Warning System: Institutionalize real-time intelligence sharing, cyber-monitoring of social media rumours, and standard operating protocols for critical highways.
- Shared Tourism & Civil Diplomacy: Formulate joint tourism circuits, common helpline protocols, and sustained civil-society/student exchange forums to bridge the trust deficit.
Conclusion
- Sustainable regional integration in the Northeast hinges on replacing reactive border management with institutionalized inter-state dialogue, scientific boundary demarcation, and community-level trust-building to safeguard citizen mobility and economic growth.
Earthquake Preparedness in Assam & Northeast India: From Prediction to Resilience
Syllabus Mapping
- Core GS Papers: APSC GS-V (Assam — Disaster Vulnerability & Preparedness) | GS-III (Disaster Management, Infrastructure & Science) | GS-I (Geophysical Phenomena).
- Why in News: An Assam Tribune editorial highlighted Northeast India’s extreme Seismic Zone V vulnerability, urging an urgent policy shift from predicting exact earthquake dates to building structural and administrative resilience.
Introduction
- Assam’s high earthquake vulnerability mandates an urgent policy shift from impossible exact-date predictions to proactive structural resilience, microzonation, and community preparedness.
Prelims Perspective
- Seismic Zone V: Assam and the Northeast fall under the highest seismic hazard category according to the widely used BIS framework.
- Historical Quakes: The 1897 Shillong Earthquake (~8.7 magnitude) and the 1950 Assam–Tibet Earthquake are monumental historical seismic events used as NDMA preparedness baselines.
- Assam Seismic Gap: A tectonically strained, high-risk zone around Guwahati situated between the Himalayan Arc and the Indo-Burmese Range.
- Key Terminology: Magnitude (energy released) vs. Intensity (observed effects); Liquefaction (saturated loose alluvial soil temporarily acting like fluid); Soft Storey (buildings with weak/open ground floors).
- BIS Construction Codes: IS 1893 (earthquake-resistant design criteria), IS 4326 (construction guidelines), and IS 13920 (ductile detailing of reinforced concrete).
- Key Institutions: NDMA (apex national body under the Disaster Management Act, 2005) and ASDMA (Assam State Disaster Management Authority).
- Blue Corridors: Proposed designated, unobstructed emergency traffic routes for ambulances and rescue teams.
- Retrofitting Techniques: Jacketing (adding reinforced material to existing components) and Steel Bracing (improving lateral resistance).
Mains Perspective
1. Importance / Significance
- Mitigating Urban Exposure: Rapid, unplanned urbanisation in Guwahati drastically increases population density, requiring urban planning to be treated as a core disaster management tool.
- Preventing Cascading Failures: Protecting lifeline infrastructure (hospitals, bridges, telecoms) ensures a single geological event does not trigger secondary disasters like transport isolation or supply chain collapse.
2. Challenges
- Structural & Enforcement Deficits: Proliferation of un-retrofitted older buildings, high-risk soft-storey structures, and weak code enforcement in dense urban clusters.
- Geological Vulnerabilities: Unregulated construction on unstable, deforested hill slopes (landslide risk) and deep alluvial plains (high liquefaction risk).
3. Government / Institutional Initiatives
- NDMA Frameworks & Scenarios: Upgrading hazard maps and running multi-state simulations based on a repeat of the 1897 Shillong earthquake.
- Decentralized Innovations (Proposed): Establishing Blue Corridors, utilizing the Brahmaputra for amphibious emergency transport, and pre-positioning field hospitals and heavy rescue equipment.
- Institutional Planning: ASDMA’s comprehensive multi-hazard planning and reliance on standardized BIS codes for earthquake-resistant infrastructure.
4. Way Forward
- Mandatory Safety Audits & Retrofitting: Launch a targeted “Seismic Safety Audit + Retrofit Mission” prioritizing critical assets like hospitals, schools, and bridges.
- Scientific Land-Use: Enforce seismic microzonation for area-specific building regulations, strict code compliance, and decentralized ward-level emergency response systems.
- Value Addition (Disaster Risk Equation): Acknowledge that while tectonic hazard is constant, Disaster Risk = Hazard × Exposure × Vulnerability; policy must aggressively minimize human exposure and structural vulnerability.
Conclusion
- Building earthquake resilience in Assam requires continuous governance prioritizing risk-sensitive urban planning, mandatory structural retrofits, and decentralized emergency response over reactive post-disaster relief.
India–China Boundary Talks: Strategic Stability, Border Management & India’s Neighbourhood
Syllabus Mapping
- Core GS Paper: APSC GS-V (Assam & Northeast | Strategic Location) | GS-II (International Relations | India & Its Neighbours) | GS-III (Internal Security | Border Management).
- Core Topic: India–China Boundary Dispute, Border Management, and Regional Strategic Stability.
- Why in News: National Security Adviser Ajit Doval arrived in Beijing for the 25th round of Special Representatives (SR) talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on 25 August 2026, ahead of the expected BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Introduction
- The ongoing Special Representatives dialogue seeks to manage the complex India–China boundary dispute politically, emphasizing that peace along the Line of Actual Control is a fundamental prerequisite for broader bilateral engagement and regional stability.
Prelims Perspective
- SR Mechanism: Established in 2003 exclusively for political-level negotiations on the boundary question.
- Key Representatives: India’s SR is NSA Ajit Doval; China’s SR is Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
- Latest Talks: The 25th round of SR talks was scheduled for 25 August 2026 in Beijing.
- The LAC: The Line of Actual Control is the de facto boundary, not a mutually accepted final international boundary.
- Boundary Sectors: Divided into Western Sector (Ladakh/Aksai Chin), Middle Sector (Himachal Pradesh/Uttarakhand), and Eastern Sector (Arunachal Pradesh/Sikkim).
- Major Disputed Territories: Aksai Chin (administered by China, claimed by India) and Arunachal Pradesh (administered by India, claimed by China).
- Turning Point: The 2020 Galwan Valley clash fundamentally altered relations, leading to massive military mobilization and economic scrutiny.
- Key Foundational Agreements:
- 1993: Agreement on Peace and Tranquillity along the LAC.
- 1996: Agreement on Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) in the military field.
- 2005: Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for Boundary Settlement.
- WMCC: The Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs, established in 2012 for diplomatic coordination.
- BRICS Connection: Talks occurred just before the BRICS Summit scheduled for 12–13 September 2026 in New Delhi.
Mains Perspective
1. Importance / Significance
- Escalation Prevention: Institutionalized political dialogue minimizes the risk of localized patrol face-offs spiraling into broader military crises.
- Prerequisite for Normalcy: A stable and peaceful border acts as the foundational condition for economic, diplomatic, and multilateral cooperation.
- Northeast Strategic Depth: Securing the Eastern Sector (Arunachal Pradesh) is vital for the success of India’s Act East policy and the overall security architecture of Northeast India.
2. Challenges
- Perceptual Differences: Divergent understandings of the LAC alignment routinely trigger military friction and prolong the boundary dispute.
- Deep Trust Deficit: The post-Galwan military stand-off has fueled a competitive infrastructure race and entrenched strategic mistrust.
- Asymmetric Interdependence: India faces a complex dual challenge of managing an aggressive territorial competitor while handling significant economic trade imbalances and supply chain dependencies.
3. Government / Institutional Initiatives
- Multi-tiered Dialogue: Consistent utilization of the SR mechanism (2003) for political frameworks and the WMCC (2012) for real-time diplomatic coordination.
- Military De-escalation: Sustained Commander-level negotiations focused on disengagement, verified patrolling arrangements, and confidence-building.
- Border Infrastructure Push: Accelerated construction of strategic roads, tunnels, and bridges in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh to ensure rapid troop mobility and deterrence.
4. Way Forward
- Institutionalized Stability: Shift from reactive crisis management to proactive stability by fully implementing existing agreements (1993, 1996, 2005) rather than constantly drafting new ones.
- Calibrated Deterrence: Maintain a strong defense posture and continuous border infrastructure development while keeping communication channels open.
- Strategic Autonomy & Resilience: Diversify critical supply chains (electronics, critical minerals) to reduce economic vulnerability, and leverage multilateral platforms (BRICS, SCO, Quad) to secure national interests without rigid bloc alignments.
Conclusion
- Managing the India–China boundary requires a calibrated strategy that firmly balances military deterrence and rapid infrastructure development in border regions with sustained, institutionalized diplomatic dialogue.
Parliamentary Scrutiny, Legislative Efficiency & Disruptions
Syllabus Mapping
- Core GS Paper: APSC GS-II (Indian Constitution & Polity | Parliament | Governance | Accountability) | APSC GS-V (Assam Governance & Political System).
- Core Topic: Parliamentary Procedures, Legislative Scrutiny, and Democratic Accountability.
- Why in News: An Assam Tribune editorial flagged the decline in legislative scrutiny, noting that during the Monsoon Session, the Lok Sabha functioned for only 15% of its scheduled time, with Bills like the MSME Development Amendment Bill passed in just three minutes.
Introduction
- Parliamentary efficiency must be measured by the rigor of constitutional scrutiny, detailed deliberation, and executive accountability, not merely the quantitative speed of passing legislation.
Prelims Perspective
- Question Hour: The first hour of a Lok Sabha sitting; a primary tool for real-time executive accountability.
- Types of Questions: Starred (requires oral answer; supplementary questions allowed), Unstarred (requires written answer), and Short Notice (oral answer for urgent public matters).
- Zero Hour: An Indian parliamentary innovation for raising urgent matters; it is not formally recognized in the Rules of Procedure.
- Rule 193: A Lok Sabha procedural rule allowing members to raise matters of urgent public importance without a formal motion or vote (Short Duration Discussion).
- Parliamentary Committees: Broadly classified into Standing Committees (permanent) and Ad Hoc Committees (temporary, like a Select Committee for one House or a Joint Parliamentary Committee for both).
- Financial Committees: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) examines CAG reports (it does not conduct the audit itself), alongside the Estimates Committee and Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU).
- Committee Referrals: A Bill is not automatically referred to a committee; it depends on the decision of the competent authority or House.
- Recommendations & Tracking: Committee reports are recommendatory; the government’s compliance is tracked via Action Taken Reports (ATRs).
Mains Perspective
1. Importance of Parliamentary Scrutiny
- Evidence-Based Law-Making: Committee examination allows for expert consultation, clause-by-clause review, and the identification of constitutional or technical flaws.
- Executive Accountability & Representation: Scrutiny tools ensure the executive remains answerable to the legislature, providing vital institutional space for minority and opposition voices beyond majoritarian floor votes.
2. Challenges
- Hasty Legislation: Passing complex Bills with compressed debate (e.g., 3 to 45 minutes) bypasses stakeholder consultation and risks severe unintended consequences.
- Disruptions Paralyzing Oversight: Frequent adjournments as a default political protest destroy irreplaceable accountability tools, evidenced by the Question Hour functioning for only 1% in the Lok Sabha.
- Bypassing Committees: A systemic decline in referring critical, multi-dimensional Bills to Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) limits specialized scrutiny.
3. Government / Institutional Mechanisms
- Committee System: DRSCs and Select/Joint Committees exist specifically to handle complex technical scrutiny that cannot be accommodated on the busy floor of the House.
- Procedural Floor Tools: Mechanisms like Question Hour, Half-an-Hour Discussions, and Zero Hour remain the daily foundation for raising urgent issues and demanding ministerial transparency.
4. Way Forward
- Mandatory Scrutiny & Minimum Debate Time: Establish strong parliamentary conventions to refer major Bills to DRSCs and fix a minimum indicative time for floor debates to prevent rushed passage.
- Disruption Management: Formulate a strict inter-party code of parliamentary conduct to shield Question Hour and prioritize deliberation over confrontation.
- Enhanced Institutional Capacity: Strengthen independent legislative research for MPs, mandate pre-legislative public consultations, and introduce robust post-legislative impact assessments.
Conclusion
Safeguarding the democratic integrity of Parliament requires striking a meticulous balance between the government’s need for legislative speed and the institution’s mandate for comprehensive constitutional scrutiny.
APSC MCQs
Topic 1: Assam–Meghalaya Violence, Inter-State Relations & Cooperative Federalism
Q1. With reference to the Assam–Meghalaya boundary issue, consider the following statements:
- Assam and Meghalaya have identified 12 areas of difference along their boundary.
- The 2022 Assam–Meghalaya agreement sought to resolve all 12 areas of difference in a single settlement.
- The Survey of India has a role in the demarcation process in areas where the two States have reached an agreement.
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: B. 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Assam and Meghalaya identified 12 areas of difference. Their 2022 agreement addressed six areas, not all 12. Survey of India is involved in the demarcation process.
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding mechanisms for managing inter-State relations in India:
- Article 263 provides for the establishment of an Inter-State Council.
- Article 131 confers original jurisdiction on the Supreme Court in certain disputes between States.
- The Inter-State Council is a judicial body empowered to adjudicate inter-State boundary disputes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B. 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Article 263 provides for an Inter-State Council, primarily for coordination, discussion and recommendations. It is not a judicial adjudicatory body. Article 131 gives the Supreme Court original jurisdiction in specified inter-governmental disputes.
Q3. The recent Assam–Meghalaya disturbances highlighted the importance of which of the following for the functioning of India’s federal system?
- District-level administrative coordination
- Police-to-police coordination
- Protection of inter-State transport corridors
- Resolution of boundary disputes exclusively through military intervention
Select the correct answer using the code below.
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 4 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: A. 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation: The recent episode demonstrated the importance of cooperative administrative and security mechanisms, particularly around border districts and transport corridors. Military intervention is not the normal mechanism for resolving an inter-State boundary dispute.
Q4. With reference to inter-State boundary disputes in India, consider the following statements:
- An inter-State boundary dispute is constitutionally distinct from an international boundary dispute.
- A dispute between two States may fall within the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under Article 131.
- The final settlement of an inter-State boundary dispute necessarily requires an amendment to the Constitution.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A. 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Inter-State disputes are distinct from international boundary disputes. Article 131 provides Supreme Court original jurisdiction in specified disputes between States. A constitutional amendment is not necessarily required for every inter-State boundary settlement.
Topic 2: Earthquake Preparedness in Assam & Northeast India
Q5. With reference to earthquakes and seismic risk in Assam, consider the following statements:
- Assam is located in one of India’s highest seismic hazard regions.
- The 1897 Shillong earthquake and the 1950 Assam–Tibet earthquake demonstrate the region’s potential for major earthquakes.
- A seismic gap enables scientists to predict the exact date and magnitude of the next earthquake.
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. 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Assam has very high seismic vulnerability, and the 1897 and 1950 earthquakes are important historical examples. A seismic gap indicates an area requiring enhanced monitoring and preparedness; it does not permit precise earthquake prediction.
Q6. Consider the following pairs:
| Earthquake-related concept | Description |
| 1. Magnitude | Energy released by an earthquake |
| 2. Intensity | Effects of an earthquake at a particular location |
| 3. Liquefaction | Temporary loss of strength of saturated loose soil |
| 4. Retrofitting | Strengthening an existing structure |
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation: All four are correctly matched. Liquefaction is particularly important in areas containing loose, water-saturated sediments, while retrofitting reduces vulnerability of existing structures.
Q7. Consider the following statements regarding earthquake risk in Guwahati:
- Strong ground shaking can trigger liquefaction in susceptible alluvial areas.
- Earthquake-induced landslides can disrupt road connectivity in hilly areas.
- Soft-storey buildings can be particularly vulnerable during earthquakes.
- Earthquake risk is determined exclusively by the magnitude of the earthquake.
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. 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation: Earthquake disaster risk depends on the interaction of hazard, exposure and vulnerability, not merely magnitude. Guwahati’s alluvial soils, hilly terrain and vulnerable building stock can amplify consequences.
Q8. Which of the following measures is/are most appropriate for reducing earthquake disaster risk in Assam?
- Seismic auditing of critical infrastructure
- Retrofitting vulnerable buildings
- Seismic microzonation for urban planning
- Waiting for precise earthquake prediction before undertaking preparedness measures
Select the correct answer using the code below.
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 4 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: A. 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation: Exact earthquake prediction is not presently possible. Therefore, mitigation, preparedness, resilient construction, retrofitting and microzonation are essential. The newspaper specifically recommends seismic audits, retrofitting and decentralised preparedness.
Topic 3: India–China Boundary Talks & Strategic Relations
Q9. With reference to the India–China Special Representatives mechanism, consider the following statements:
- It was established to address the India–China boundary question at the political level.
- India’s Special Representative is the National Security Adviser.
- It is identical in purpose and composition to the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India–China Border Affairs.
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. 1 and 2 only
Explanation: The Special Representatives mechanism deals with the boundary question at the political level. Ajit Doval is India’s Special Representative. The WMCC is a separate mechanism dealing primarily with consultation and coordination on border affairs.
Q10. Consider the following statements regarding the Line of Actual Control (LAC):
- The LAC is the same as the finally demarcated international boundary between India and China.
- Different perceptions of the LAC have historically contributed to military face-offs.
- The India–China boundary is conventionally discussed in western, middle and eastern sectors.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B. 2 and 3 only
Explanation: The LAC is not the finally settled international boundary. Differences in its perception have contributed to patrol confrontations. The boundary is conventionally divided into western, middle and eastern sectors.
Q11. Consider the following pairs relating to India–China border management:
| Agreement/Mechanism | Main significance |
| 1. 1993 Agreement | Maintenance of peace and tranquillity along the LAC |
| 2. 1996 Agreement | Confidence-building measures in the military field |
| 3. 2005 Agreement | Political parameters and guiding principles for boundary settlement |
| 4. WMCC | Political-level final settlement of the boundary |
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: B. 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation: The 1993, 1996 and 2005 agreements have the respective significance stated. The WMCC is a consultation and coordination mechanism, whereas the Special Representatives mechanism is the political-level channel for the boundary question.
Q12. The recent India–China Special Representatives talks were particularly significant because they coincided with which of the following developments?
- Continuing efforts to stabilise relations after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
- Persistent differences concerning the boundary and Arunachal Pradesh.
- The proposed Chinese President’s visit to India for the BRICS Summit.
Select the correct answer using the code below.
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: The newspaper explicitly connects the talks with the post-2020 relationship, continuing boundary/Arunachal Pradesh differences and the expected Chinese President’s visit for the BRICS Summit on 12–13 September 2026.
Topic 4: Parliamentary Scrutiny, Legislative Efficiency & Disruptions
Q13. With reference to Parliamentary Committees in India, consider the following statements:
- Parliamentary Committees enable detailed examination of matters that may not receive adequate time on the floor of the House.
- Recommendations of Parliamentary Committees are generally binding on the government.
- A Select Committee of a House and a Joint Parliamentary Committee necessarily have the same composition.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A. 1 only
Explanation: Committees facilitate detailed scrutiny. Their recommendations are generally recommendatory, not automatically binding. A Select Committee is constituted by one House, whereas a Joint Parliamentary Committee comprises members from both Houses.
Q14. Consider the following statements regarding Question Hour and Zero Hour:
- Starred questions require oral answers and permit supplementary questions.
- Unstarred questions receive written answers.
- Zero Hour is formally provided for in the Rules of Procedure of the Lok Sabha.
- Question Hour is an important instrument of Executive accountability.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1, 2 and 4 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: A. 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation: Starred questions receive oral answers and permit supplementary questions; unstarred questions receive written answers. Zero Hour evolved through parliamentary practice and is not formally recognised in the Rules of Procedure. Question Hour is a major accountability mechanism.
Q15. With reference to parliamentary disruptions, consider the following statements:
- Disruption can reduce the time available for legislative debate.
- Disruption of Question Hour can weaken direct Executive accountability.
- Every Bill passed without being referred to a Parliamentary Committee is unconstitutional.
- Legislative efficiency can be assessed solely by the number of Bills passed.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: A. 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Disruptions can reduce both legislative debate and executive scrutiny. Committee referral is not constitutionally mandatory for every Bill, and legislative efficiency cannot be measured merely by the number of Bills passed. The newspaper’s concern is precisely the distinction between speed and quality of law-making.
Q16. Consider the following statements regarding the financial committees of Parliament:
- The Public Accounts Committee examines expenditure of the government, including matters arising from CAG reports.
- The Estimates Committee examines estimates and may suggest economies and improvements in organisation and efficiency.
- The Committee on Public Undertakings examines the functioning of public sector undertakings.
- The Comptroller and Auditor General is a member of the Public Accounts Committee.
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. 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation: PAC examines CAG reports and government expenditure; the Estimates Committee examines estimates and suggests improvements; and the Committee on Public Undertakings examines PSUs. CAG is not a member of PAC; the CAG’s reports are examined by the committee.
Daily APSC Mains Answer Writing
Q.“Peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is a prerequisite for the normalisation of India–China relations.” In this context, examine the significance of the Special Representatives mechanism, the major challenges in resolving the boundary question, and suggest a way forward.
India–China relations combine strategic competition with economic and diplomatic engagement. The unresolved boundary question, particularly differing perceptions of the LAC, remains the principal source of bilateral tension. The recent Special Representatives talks in Beijing, involving NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, highlight the continuing importance of dialogue.
Significance of the Special Representatives Mechanism
The Special Representatives (SR) mechanism provides a political-level channel for negotiations on the boundary question and also facilitates communication on wider bilateral, regional and international issues.
Its significance lies in:
- Managing strategic tensions: Provides a high-level channel to prevent localised border incidents from escalating.
- Maintaining border peace: Dialogue complements military-level mechanisms for managing the LAC.
- Building strategic communication: Sustained engagement can gradually address the trust deficit created by the 2020 Galwan Valley clash and prolonged eastern Ladakh stand-off.
- Creating conditions for broader engagement: Stable borders facilitate cooperation in trade, multilateral forums and global issues.
- Regional stability: As two major Asian powers, India and China have a wider responsibility for maintaining peace in the region.
Major Challenges
- Unresolved territorial claims — particularly in Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh.
- Different perceptions of the LAC — increasing the possibility of patrol confrontations and face-offs.
- Post-2020 trust deficit — military tensions have considerably reduced mutual confidence.
- Strategic competition — India and China increasingly compete across the Indo-Pacific and wider Asian security environment.
- Military infrastructure build-up — enhanced border infrastructure on both sides can intensify strategic competition.
- Economic vulnerabilities — trade imbalance and dependence in certain strategic sectors complicate the relationship.
Way Forward
- Strengthen existing mechanisms such as SR talks, WMCC, military-level communication and hotlines.
- Ensure implementation of existing border agreements rather than relying solely on new mechanisms.
- Work towards greater clarity in differing perceptions of the LAC, without equating it with final boundary delimitation.
- Maintain credible defence preparedness and resilient border infrastructure alongside diplomacy.
- Reduce strategic economic vulnerabilities through supply-chain diversification and domestic capacity-building.
- Use platforms such as BRICS and SCO to sustain broader communication despite bilateral differences.
- Give particular attention to the Northeast, including Arunachal Pradesh, through secure connectivity and infrastructure development.
India’s approach should neither be one of confrontation nor excessive accommodation. A sustainable relationship requires deterrence and dialogue to operate simultaneously. The objective should be to preserve peace along the LAC in the short term while pursuing a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable boundary settlement in the long term. Thus, the Special Representatives mechanism remains important as a bridge between border management, strategic stability and eventual boundary resolution.
✨ APSC CCE Courses, 2025-26 offered by SuchitraACS
🔔 Join Our WhatsApp Study Group!
For exclusive access to premium quality content, including study materials, current affairs, MCQs, and model answers for APSC CCE and other Assam competitive exams.
Click here to join: SuchitraACS Study WhatsApp Group
📚 Want to know more about SuchitraACS’s most affordable courses?
Click here to know more: SuchitraACS Courses for APSC CCE and Assam Competitive Examinations
