APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (13/07/2026)
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 13 July 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 Foundation Course, 2026
Tea Board launches “Tea Mark” Certification
- Prelims: Agriculture, Tea Board of India, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Certification Marks, Tea Industry.
- GS Paper III: Agriculture | Food Processing | Economy | Exports | Quality Standards.
- GS Paper V (Assam): Economy of Assam | Tea Industry | Sustainable Agriculture | Industrial Development.
🔴 Introduction
- The Tea Board of India has launched the ‘Tea Mark’ Certification and a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to transparently certify Indian tea.
- Objective: Improve quality assurance, traceability, digital authentication, and sustainability, primarily for the domestic market.
- Initial Coverage: Mini Tea Units (MTUs) and Bought Leaf Factories (BLFs).
- Future Expansion: Tea estates, corporate factories, exporters, and independent packers.
🔴 Key Pointers
- Implementing Agency: Tea Board of India under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoCI).
- Nature: Voluntary National Certification Mark.
- Verification Process: Involves unit inspection, laboratory testing, and digital authentication.
- Quality Standard: Strict compliance with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) norms.
- Consumer Benefit: Assured product traceability via a digital platform.
🔴 Objectives of Tea Mark
- Improve consumer confidence and build a premium identity for Indian tea.
- Ensure pre-sale quality certification and strict food safety compliance.
- Enhance farm-to-consumer traceability to reduce adulteration and counterfeiting.
- Strengthen India’s export competitiveness and encourage sustainable production.
🔴 How Tea Mark Works (Process)
- Manufacturer applies ➔ Tea Board inspects unit ➔ Samples collected ➔ Lab testing (FSSAI norms) ➔ Batch-wise approval granted ➔ Tea Mark logo awarded ➔ Consumers digitally verify origin and processing.
🔴 Importance for Assam
- Assam is India’s largest tea-producing state, making this certification crucial for its economy.
- Benefits: Increases global credibility and premium pricing for Assam Tea; protects quality reputation by reducing fake branding; supports small growers; improves export competitiveness; and drives sustainable value addition.
🔴 About Tea Board of India
- Establishment: 1954 (Constituted under the Tea Act, 1953).
- Ministry: MoCI (Headquarters: Kolkata).
- Key Functions: Export promotion, quality improvement, Research & Development (R&D), financial assistance, worker welfare, and global registration/promotion.
🔴 Tea Sector in India
- Global Status: Second-largest producer globally (after China) and among the largest consumers.
- Varieties: Black, Green, Orthodox, Specialty.
- Major Producing States: Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand.
🔴 Assam Tea at a Glance
- World’s largest contiguous tea-growing region.
- Primarily produces Crush-Tear-Curl (CTC) tea, known for its strong flavour and bright liquor.
- Holds the largest share in India’s tea production and is a major source of employment (especially for women).
🔴 Prelims Specific Pointers
- Tea Board of India: A Statutory body established under the Tea Act, 1953, functioning under the MoCI.
- Tea Mark: A Voluntary (not mandatory) certification focusing on Quality, Traceability, Sustainability, and Digital Authentication.
- Bought Leaf Factory (BLF): Factories that purchase green leaves from small tea growers for processing.
- Mini Tea Unit (MTU): Small-scale tea processing units established by tea growers.
- FSSAI: Established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (Ministry of Health & Family Welfare).
- GI Tag: Assam Orthodox Tea currently holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
🔴 Mains Pointers
A. Importance
- Economic: Enhances export competitiveness, increases farmers’ income, promotes premium branding, and supports Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
- Social: Ensures consumer protection, supports small tea growers, and secures better livelihoods for tea workers.
- Technological: Introduces digital traceability, QR-based authentication, and transparent supply chains.
- Environmental: Promotes responsible agricultural practices and environmental standard compliance.
B. Challenges
- Financial & Awareness: Low awareness and added certification costs for small growers.
- Structural: Digital divide for small factories and a highly fragmented supply chain hindering complete traceability.
- Market & Environment: Persistent fake branding, stiff export competition (from Kenya, Sri Lanka, China, Vietnam), and climate change (irregular rainfall/rising temperatures).
C. Government Initiatives
- Tea Board: Tea Development & Promotion Scheme, Small Tea Growers Development Programme, Tea Waste Utilisation, Quality Certification.
- Government of India (GoI): Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, Prime Minister Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM-FME), Districts as Export Hubs, National Agriculture Market (e-NAM).
- Assam Government: Assam Tea Industries Special Incentive Scheme, worker welfare schemes, global promotion, and specific support for MTUs/BLFs.
D. Relevant Reports & Policies
- Tea Act (1953), Food Safety and Standards Act (2006), National Agriculture Policy, Foreign Trade Policy.
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry & Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption), SDG 15 (Life on Land).
🔴 Way Forward
- Scale & Technology: Expand Tea Mark to all producers and integrate blockchain/QR-code traceability.
- Support for Small Growers: Provide financial assistance to reduce certification costs and improve digital literacy.
- Infrastructure & R&D: Strengthen laboratory infrastructure across tea-producing states and increase research on climate-resilient cultivation.
- Marketing: Aggressively promote Assam Tea through global branding campaigns.
🔴 Conclusion
The Tea Mark Certification is a vital structural reform that integrates quality, digital traceability, and sustainability. For Assam and India, wider adoption will enhance consumer trust, secure grower incomes, and establish a premium “Brand India Tea” in global and domestic markets.
Guwahati’s Urban Flooding and Drainage Crisis: Heavy Rain Brings Guwahati to a Halt
- Prelims: Disaster Management | Urban Flooding | Wetlands | Climate Change | India Meteorological Department (IMD)
- GS Paper II: Government Policies & Urban Governance | Urban Planning
- GS Paper III: Disaster Management | Environment | Climate Change | Infrastructure
- GS Paper V (Assam): Geography, Environment, Urban Development & Disaster Management of Assam
🔴 Introduction
- On 12 July 2026, heavy rainfall exposed Guwahati’s chronic urban flooding, inundating roads, residential areas, and National Highway-27 (NH-27), while triggering a landslide near Jorabat.
- Root Causes: Driven primarily by poor urban planning, wetland encroachment, unscientific hill cutting, and inadequate drainage rather than rainfall alone.
- Rainfall Anomaly: The city recorded its highest daily rainfall of the season (79.4 mm) despite an overall 60% seasonal rainfall deficit.
🔴 Key Pointers of the Event
- Affected Areas: Hengrabari, Panjabari, Hatigaon, Khanapara, Jorabat, and NH-27 (8th to 10th Mile).
- Major Impacts: Severe waterlogging, traffic/public transport disruption, and a landslide near CRPF Gate No.1.
- Response: Traffic diversion by Guwahati Police and deployment of earthmovers for debris clearance.
🔴 What is Urban Flooding?
- Temporary inundation of urban land caused by intense rainfall exceeding drainage capacity, blocked storm-water drains, wetland encroachment, and excessive concretisation (which reduces groundwater infiltration).
- Unlike river floods, urban floods develop rapidly, often within hours.
🔴 Why is Guwahati Highly Vulnerable?
- Bowl-shaped Topography: Nestled between the Brahmaputra River and hills, causing rapid rainwater runoff into the city.
- Encroachment of Wetlands: Critical water-holding bodies like Deepor Beel, Silsako Beel, Borsola Beel, and Sarusola Beel have shrunk due to encroachment.
- Hill Cutting: Unscientific practices increase surface runoff, soil erosion, landslides, and deposit silt into drains.
- Poor Drainage Infrastructure: Narrow, blocked, and poorly maintained storm-water channels lacking integrated planning.
- Rapid Urbanisation: Massive concretisation reduces groundwater recharge.
- Climate Change: Rising frequency of short-duration, high-intensity extreme weather events.
🔴 Impacts of Urban Flooding
- Social: Waterlogged residential colonies, health risks (contaminated water), and disrupted schools/offices.
- Economic: Vehicle/infrastructure damage, business disruptions, and increased municipal maintenance costs.
- Environmental: Water pollution, degraded wetlands, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss.
- Transport: Flooding of arterial routes like NH-27 and severe traffic congestion.
🔴 Urban Flooding in India
- Affected Cities: Guwahati, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Gurugram, Delhi.
- Common Drivers: Poor drainage, wetland loss, encroachments, climate change, and rapid urban expansion.
🔴 Prelims Specific Pointers
- Deepor Beel: The only Ramsar Site in Assam; a freshwater lake southwest of Guwahati serving as an important bird habitat and connected to the Brahmaputra floodplain.
- NH-27: Part of the East-West Corridor, connecting Porbandar (Gujarat) to Silchar (Assam).
- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Guidelines on Urban Flooding (2010): Recommends city-specific warning systems, wetland preservation, storm-water master plans, Geographic Information System (GIS)-based mapping, sponge city approaches, and rainwater harvesting.
- IMD: Established in 1875 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences; handles weather forecasting, cyclone warnings, and climate services.
- Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA): State-level agency coordinating disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response.
- River Flood vs. Urban Flood: River floods develop slowly over large areas and are managed by embankments. Urban floods develop rapidly in cities due to drainage failure and require urban planning interventions.
🔴 Mains Pointers
A. Importance of Mitigating Urban Floods
- Disaster Management: Builds urban resilience and minimizes life/property losses.
- Urban Governance: Reflects the efficiency of municipal administration and sustainable city planning.
- Economic & Environmental: Protects transport infrastructure, improves investment climate, conserves wetlands, and promotes ecosystem-based adaptation.
B. Key Challenges
- Shrinking natural water storage (wetland encroachment) and increased runoff (hill cutting).
- Existing drainage failing against intense rainfall and high concretisation (rapid urbanization).
- Institutional Coordination: Overlapping responsibilities among multiple municipal agencies.
- Solid Waste: Plastic waste heavily blocking drainage networks.
C. Government Initiatives
- National Level: Disaster Management Act (2005), NDMA, Smart Cities Mission, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Jal Shakti Abhiyan, National Water Mission, National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change.
- State Level (Assam): ASDMA, Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), drain desiltation drives, wetland restoration, landslide mitigation, and early warning systems.
D. Relevant Reports & Policies
- National: NDMA Guidelines (2010), DM Act (2005), National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
- International: Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030), Paris Agreement.
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land).
🔴 Value Addition (For GS Mains)
- Chennai Floods (2015): Case study showing how wetland encroachment amplifies flood impacts despite infrastructure.
- Rotterdam (Netherlands): Adopted the “Room for the River” approach (water plazas, restoring floodplains).
- China: Adopted the “Sponge City Mission” (rainwater harvesting, permeable pavements, green infrastructure).
🔴 Way Forward
- Sponge City Approach: Increase permeable surfaces, restore urban lakes, build green roofs and rain gardens.
- Wetland Protection: Strictly enforce anti-encroachment laws and restore water bodies like Deepor Beel.
- Scientific Urban Planning: Implement GIS-based drainage mapping, flood-risk zoning, and climate-resilient master plans.
- Drainage Modernisation: Redesign/widen storm-water drains, install smart flood sensors, and ensure routine pre-monsoon desiltation.
- Community Participation: Launch awareness campaigns to stop waste dumping in drains and establish citizen-based flood reporting.
🔴 Conclusion
Guwahati’s recurring floods highlight a profound governance and planning deficit compounded by climate change. Transforming the city into a resilient urban center requires strict wetland protection, scientific drainage modernization, and the proactive adoption of nature-based “Sponge City” solutions.
Sick Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in Assam: Challenges and the Way Forward
- Prelims: Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Public Enterprises
- GS Paper II: Governance | Public Administration | Accountability
- GS Paper III: Indian Economy | Industrial Development | Public Sector Reforms
- GS Paper V (Assam): Economy of Assam | Industrial Development | Public Enterprises
🔴 Introduction
- Assam is witnessing a continued decline in the performance of its Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), with four State-owned enterprises shutting down in the last decade. Out of approximately 50 PSUs, only a few remain profitable.
- Core Issues: Chronic financial losses, long-standing governance challenges, political interference, and inefficient management.
- Alternative Strategy: The State is pivoting towards private-sector-led growth by promoting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through District Export Promotion Committees (DEPCs).
🔴 What are Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)?
- Definition: An enterprise where the Central or State Government holds a majority stake (51% or more) and exercises management control.
- Objectives: Promote industrialisation, generate employment, develop strategic sectors, build infrastructure, provide essential public services, and reduce regional disparities.
🔴 Types of PSUs
- Based on Ownership: Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and State Public Sector Enterprises (SPSEs).
- Based on Organisation: Departmental Undertakings, Statutory Corporations, and Government Companies.
🔴 Major State PSUs in Assam
- Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC)
- Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC)
- Assam Tea Corporation Limited (ATCL)
- Assam Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC)
- Assam State Warehousing Corporation
- Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL)
- Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited (APGCL)
🔴 Why are Many Assam PSUs Becoming Sick?
- Political Interference: Non-professional appointments and decisions driven by politics over commercial viability.
- Weak Corporate Governance: Lack of accountability, inefficient decision-making, and delayed reforms.
- Financial Constraints: Continuous operational losses, high debt burden, and limited capital investment.
- Overstaffing: High salary expenditure paired with low labour productivity.
- Technological Obsolescence: Outdated machinery and poor digital adoption leading to low competitiveness.
- Private Sector Competition: Inability to match private firms in efficiency, innovation, and customer service.
- Corruption & Mismanagement: Procurement irregularities, poor financial discipline, and weak internal controls.
🔴 Consequences of Sick PSUs
- Economic: Heavy burden on the State exchequer, reduced industrial output, and lower investor confidence.
- Employment: Job losses and shrinking employment opportunities.
- Industrial & Fiscal: Slow industrialisation, weak manufacturing base, higher subsidy payouts, and reduced fiscal space for social sectors.
🔴 Role of MSMEs in Assam
- Assam is promoting MSMEs as new engines of economic growth.
- Benefits: Employment generation, rural industrialisation, local/women entrepreneurship, export promotion, and agricultural value addition.
🔴 District Export Promotion Committees (DEPCs)
- Objectives: Identify district-specific export products, promote the One District One Product (ODOP) approach, and strengthen local industries.
- Importance: Boosts MSMEs, builds value chains, supports Atmanirbhar Bharat, and improves district-level competitiveness.
🔴 Prelims Specific Pointers
- Public Enterprise Survey: Published annually by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE); details financial/operational performance of CPSEs.
- DPE: Nodal department for CPSEs, functioning under the Ministry of Finance.
- Revised MSME Classification (Union Budget 2025–26):
- Micro: Investment up to ₹2.5 crore | Annual Turnover up to ₹10 crore
- Small: Investment up to ₹25 crore | Annual Turnover up to ₹100 crore
- Medium: Investment up to ₹125 crore | Annual Turnover up to ₹500 crore
- ODOP: Enhances exports and encourages local manufacturing by promoting unique district products.
🔴 Mains Pointers
A. Importance of Efficient PSUs
- Economic & Social: Drives strategic investments, regional balance, employment, and affordable public services.
- Infrastructure & Strategic: Vital for transport, power, tourism, energy security, and public welfare.
B. Challenges
- Political interference, continuous financial losses, outdated technology, weak accountability, low innovation (Research & Development), and stiff private competition.
C. Government Initiatives
- National: New Public Sector Enterprise Policy (2021), National Monetisation Pipeline, Asset Monetisation Programme, Make in India, Startup India, Districts as Export Hubs, and PM Vishwakarma Scheme.
- Assam Government: DEPCs, Assam Industrial Policy, Assam Ease of Doing Business Reforms, Industrial and Investment Policy of Assam, and Assam Startup initiatives.
D. Relevant Reports & Committees
- New Public Sector Enterprise Policy (2021), Economic Survey, Public Enterprise Survey, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Industrial Development Report, and NITI Aayog recommendations on PSU reforms.
🔴 Way Forward
- Professional Management: Appoint domain experts and eliminate political interference in board appointments.
- Corporate Governance: Enforce transparency, regular audits, and performance-linked incentives.
- Strategic Disinvestment: Privatise chronically loss-making non-strategic PSUs while retaining control in strategic sectors.
- Digital Transformation: Modernise operations via Industry 4.0 technologies to improve service delivery.
- Financial Restructuring & PPPs: Reduce debt burdens, infuse selective capital, and encourage Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in tourism, transport, and manufacturing.
- MSME Ecosystem: Strengthen linkages between PSUs and MSMEs to promote export-oriented clusters.
🔴 Conclusion
Reviving Assam’s industrial growth requires shifting from perpetual financial bailouts to structural PSU reforms. Long-term sustainability demands professional management, transparent governance, and technological modernization. Integrating these reforms with a robust MSME and export-oriented ecosystem will accelerate the State’s overall economic transformation.
India’s Demographic Dividend: Harnessing the Potential of the Young Population
- Prelims: Census, Demographic Dividend, Dependency Ratio, Population Policy
- GS Paper I: Population & Associated Issues
- GS Paper II: Education | Health | Social Sector | Human Resource Development
- GS Paper III: Inclusive Growth | Employment | Skill Development | Economic Development
- GS Paper V (Assam): Human Development | Education | Employment | Skill Development
🔴 Introduction
- Per the United Nations (UN) World Population Prospects, India became the world’s most populous country in 2023 (over 1.46 billion).
- Demographic Profile: India has a median age of ~28 years. Nearly 65% of the population is below 35 years, and 68% is in the working-age group (15–64 years).
- Window of Opportunity: This favourable age structure offers a Demographic Dividend (lasting roughly until 2040–2050), but converting it into productive human capital requires sustained investments in education, health, skills, and governance.
🔴 What is Demographic Dividend?
- Definition: Accelerated economic growth occurring when the working-age population (15–64 years) exceeds the dependent population (children and elderly), driving higher productivity, savings, and investment.
🔴 Stages of Demographic Transition
- Stage I: High birth rate, high death rate.
- Stage II: Death rate declines.
- Stage III: Birth rate begins to decline.
- Stage IV: Low birth rate and low death rate.
- Stage V: Ageing population and shrinking workforce.
- Current Status: India is in late Stage III / early Stage IV (peak demographic dividend), while developed nations are mostly in Stage V.
🔴 Why is India’s Young Population an Opportunity?
- Economic Growth: Larger labour force, higher productivity, and increased domestic consumption.
- Social Development: Drives improved literacy, better health outcomes, and poverty reduction.
- Global Competitiveness: Provides a skilled workforce for global industries, manufacturing, and IT/digital services.
- Innovation: Fuels the startup ecosystem, digital economy, and research.
🔴 Challenges
- Unemployment: Job creation lags behind the growing labour force.
- Skill Gap: Graduates lack industry-relevant skills.
- Education Quality: Uneven learning outcomes and limited vocational training.
- Health: High rates of malnutrition, anaemia, and inadequate primary healthcare.
- Female Labour Force Participation: Low workforce participation among women restricts economic potential.
- Regional Disparities: Southern states are ageing faster, while Northern/Northeastern states remain younger.
- Informal Employment: Most workers are stuck in low-productivity informal jobs.
🔴 Government Initiatives
- Employment & Skills: Skill India Mission, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), National Career Service (NCS).
- Education: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Samagra Shiksha, PM SHRI Schools.
- Entrepreneurship: Startup India, Stand-Up India, MUDRA Yojana.
- Health: Ayushman Bharat, PM-ABHIM, Poshan Abhiyaan, Mission Indradhanush.
- Digital Economy: Digital India, IndiaAI Mission, BharatNet.
- Women Empowerment: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Mission Shakti, Lakhpati Didi Initiative.
🔴 Assam Perspective (GS-V)
- Opportunities: Young workforce, growing higher education, and investments in tea, tourism, renewables, and semiconductors.
- Challenges: Youth unemployment, outmigration of skilled workers, skill mismatch, limited industrialisation, and rural–urban disparities.
- State Initiatives: Assam Skill University, Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM), Advantage Assam, Industrial & Investment Policy of Assam.
🔴 Prelims Specific Pointers
- National Youth Policy (2014): Officially defines youth as 15–29 years (revision under consideration).
- Demographic Dividend Key Traits: Largest working-age population, lower dependency ratio, and a strict time-bound opportunity.
- Dependency Ratio Formula: Dependency Ratio =
- Human Capital: The collective knowledge, skills, health, and productivity of individuals contributing to economic development.
🔴 Mains Pointers
A. Importance
- Economic & Social: Accelerates Gross Domestic Product (GDP), boosts savings/investment, reduces poverty, and strengthens social mobility.
- Strategic: Enhances global competitiveness and supplies workforce to ageing global economies.
B. Challenges
- Jobless growth, severe skill mismatch, productivity losses due to health deficits, low female workforce participation, uneven state demographics, and the threat of automation/Artificial Intelligence (AI) replacing labour-intensive jobs.
C. Relevant Reports & Indices
- UN World Population Prospects, Economic Survey of India, India Skills Report, National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report, Global Talent Competitiveness Index.
🔴 Way Forward
- Education & Skills: Improve foundational learning, expand vocational training, align curricula with industry needs, and impart emerging tech (AI, robotics) skills.
- Employment: Promote labour-intensive manufacturing, green jobs, and heavily support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)/startups.
- Women Empowerment: Ensure workplace safety, improve childcare, and promote flexible working models.
- Health & Governance: Strengthen preventive healthcare and Centre-State coordination for data-driven workforce planning.
🔴 Conclusion
India’s youth bulge is a strict time-bound asset. Prioritising quality education, healthcare, female empowerment, and job creation is imperative to transform this demographic advantage into a developed nation (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.
APSC Prelims MCQs
Q1. With reference to the ‘Tea Mark’ Certification recently introduced by the Tea Board of India, consider the following statements:
- It is a mandatory certification for all tea sold in India.
- It aims to ensure quality, traceability and sustainability of Indian tea.
- It includes laboratory testing and digital authentication of tea products.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 2 and 3 only
B. 1 only
C. 1 and 2 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation: Tea Mark is a voluntary certification. It promotes quality assurance, traceability, sustainability, laboratory testing and digital authentication.
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the Tea Board of India:
- It is a statutory body constituted under the Tea Act, 1953.
- It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- It is responsible for regulating the export of coffee from India.
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: The Tea Board is a statutory body under the Tea Act, 1953 and functions under the Ministry of Commerce. Coffee is regulated by the Coffee Board.
Q3. Which one of the following best explains the term ‘traceability’ in agricultural supply chains?
A. Tracking the movement of a product from production to the consumer through documented records.
B. Measuring the quantity of agricultural exports from a country.
C. Estimating future crop production using satellites.
D. Identifying genetically modified crops through DNA testing.
Answer: A
Explanation: Traceability enables tracking of products throughout the supply chain, enhancing transparency, food safety and consumer confidence.
Q4. With reference to urban flooding in India, consider the following statements:
- Urban flooding generally develops more rapidly than riverine flooding.
- Encroachment of wetlands aggravates urban flooding.
- High concretisation reduces groundwater infiltration and increases surface runoff.
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: D
Explanation: Urban flooding is intensified by rapid runoff, wetland loss and concretisation, making all three statements correct.
Q5. Which of the following are recommended under the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Guidelines on Urban Flooding?
- Preparation of storm-water drainage master plans.
- Preservation of urban wetlands.
- GIS-based flood mapping.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Explanation: NDMA recommends integrated drainage planning, wetland conservation and GIS-based flood mapping for urban flood management.
Q6. Which one of the following is the only Ramsar Site located within Guwahati Metropolitan Area?
A. Chandubi Lake
B. Deepor Beel
C. Son Beel
D. Tamranga Beel
Answer: B
Explanation: Deepor Beel is Assam’s only Ramsar Site within Guwahati and acts as a natural flood buffer.
Q7. Consider the following statements regarding Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs):
- A Government Company is one in which the Government holds at least 51% of the paid-up share capital.
- Both the Central and State Governments can establish PSUs.
- Every PSU is a statutory corporation.
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: PSUs may be government companies, statutory corporations or departmental undertakings. Hence Statement 3 is incorrect.
Q8. Consider the following objectives of promoting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs):
- Employment generation.
- Promotion of entrepreneurship.
- Balanced regional development.
Which of the above are recognised objectives of MSME promotion?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Explanation: MSMEs generate employment, promote entrepreneurship and reduce regional disparities.
Q9. Which one of the following best describes the purpose of District Export Promotion Committees (DEPCs)?
A. To regulate imports through district customs offices.
B. To identify district-specific products with export potential and promote exports.
C. To provide subsidies only to large exporters.
D. To certify all export-oriented industries.
Answer: B
Explanation: DEPCs identify export potential and promote district-specific products under the Districts as Export Hubs initiative.
Q10. With reference to the demographic dividend, consider the following statements:
- It arises when the proportion of the working-age population increases relative to dependents.
- It automatically guarantees high economic growth.
- It requires investments in education, health and skills to realise its benefits.
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: C
Explanation: Demographic dividend provides an opportunity, not a guarantee. Human capital investment is essential.
Q11. Which one of the following indicators is most directly associated with measuring the burden on the productive population?
A. Human Development Index
B. Dependency Ratio
C. Gender Development Index
D. Multidimensional Poverty Index
Answer: B
Explanation: Dependency Ratio measures the proportion of dependents relative to the working-age population.
Q12. Consider the following government initiatives:
- Skill India Mission
- National Education Policy (NEP), 2020
- PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
The above initiatives collectively aim primarily to:
A. Increase agricultural exports.
B. Improve human capital and employability.
C. Promote defence manufacturing.
D. Strengthen local self-government institutions.
Answer: B
Explanation: These initiatives focus on education, skill development and workforce readiness.
Q13. Which of the following factors are responsible for increasing the frequency and severity of urban flooding in Indian cities?
- Encroachment of wetlands.
- Increased impervious surfaces due to urbanisation.
- Blockage of storm-water drains by solid waste.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
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 major anthropogenic causes of urban flooding.
Q14. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?
| Institution | Function |
| A. Tea Board of India — Promotion and development of the tea industry | |
| B. FSSAI — Regulation of securities markets | |
| C. NDMA — Monetary policy formulation | |
| D. Department of Public Enterprises — Wildlife conservation |
A. A only
B. B only
C. C only
D. D only
Answer: A
Explanation: Tea Board promotes the tea sector. FSSAI regulates food safety, NDMA handles disaster management and DPE oversees Central Public Sector Enterprises.
Q15. Consider the following statements:
- A country can experience a demographic dividend only for a limited period.
- Ageing of the population eventually reduces the demographic dividend.
- Countries such as Japan face challenges associated with an ageing population.
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: D
Explanation: The demographic dividend is a temporary window of opportunity. As fertility declines and the population ages, the working-age share eventually falls, as seen in countries like Japan.
APSC Mains Practice Question
📘 GS Mains Model Question (APSC CCE)
📝 Question
Q. “Urban flooding is no longer merely a consequence of extreme rainfall but also a manifestation of unsustainable urbanisation and governance deficits.” Discuss with special reference to the recurring floods in Guwahati. Suggest a multi-dimensional strategy to build urban flood resilience. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
Model Answer
Introduction
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), urban flooding is distinct from riverine flooding and is primarily caused by inadequate drainage, rapid urbanisation and encroachment of natural drainage systems. The recurring floods in Guwahati exemplify how environmental degradation and governance failures amplify the impacts of intense rainfall.
Body
1. Factors Responsible for Urban Flooding in Guwahati
- Wetland encroachment: Shrinkage of wetlands such as Deepor Beel and Silsako Beel has reduced the city’s natural water retention capacity.
- Hill cutting and deforestation: Increased surface runoff, soil erosion and landslide risks.
- Inadequate drainage infrastructure: Storm-water drains are undersized, poorly maintained and frequently clogged by solid waste.
- Rapid urbanisation: Expansion of impervious surfaces limits groundwater infiltration and increases runoff.
- Climate change: Higher frequency of short-duration, high-intensity rainfall events.
- Weak urban planning: Construction in flood-prone zones and insufficient enforcement of land-use regulations.
2. Impacts
- Disruption of transport corridors, including NH-27, leading to economic losses.
- Damage to homes, public infrastructure and utilities.
- Increased incidence of water-borne diseases and public health risks.
- Traffic congestion and reduced productivity.
- Ecological degradation of wetlands and urban biodiversity.
3. Government Initiatives
- Disaster Management Act, 2005 and NDMA Guidelines on Urban Flooding (2010).
- AMRUT and Smart Cities Mission for urban infrastructure improvement.
- Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) initiatives on preparedness and response.
- Drain desiltation, early warning systems and wetland restoration undertaken by State agencies.
4. Way Forward
- Restore and legally protect wetlands and natural drainage channels.
- Adopt the Sponge City concept using permeable pavements, rain gardens and green roofs.
- Develop GIS-based urban flood-risk maps and integrate them into master plans.
- Modernise storm-water drainage with regular desiltation and smart monitoring systems.
- Strictly regulate hill cutting and prevent encroachments.
- Strengthen inter-agency coordination among GMC, GMDA, ASDMA and Water Resources Department.
- Promote citizen participation through waste segregation and community flood preparedness.
Conclusion
Urban flooding in Guwahati is fundamentally a challenge of climate resilience, environmental conservation and urban governance. A combination of nature-based solutions, scientific urban planning, resilient infrastructure and effective institutional coordination is essential to transform Guwahati into a flood-resilient and sustainable city, in line with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
✨ 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
