APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (24/02/2026)
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 24 February 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 Prelims Crash Course, 2026
📱 Krishi Sarathi & Rural One Apps: Digital Governance in Assam’s Agriculture & Rural Development
📘 GS Paper II: Governance | E-Governance | Government Policies
📘 GS Paper III: Agriculture | Rural Development | Technology in Farming
(Based strictly on The Assam Tribune, 24-02-2026)
🔹 Introduction
On 23 February 2026, Union Agriculture & Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched two key digital initiatives in Assam — the ‘Krishi Sarathi’ mobile app for the Agriculture Department and the ‘Rural One’ app for the Panchayat & Rural Development Department.
These initiatives represent a decisive push towards digital governance, farmer-centric service delivery, and rural transparency, aligning with India’s broader Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) framework.
🔑 Key Points
| Feature | Krishi Sarathi App | Rural One App |
| Department | Agriculture | Panchayat & Rural Development |
| Objective | Provide farmer-centric services | Improve rural scheme monitoring & service access |
| Governance Model | Digital agriculture extension | Panchayat-level digital service delivery |
| Linked Context | PMGSY-IV approval, FPO support, rural investments | Rural housing, livelihood schemes, local governance |
Other related developments (same event):
₹1,819 crore sanctioned under PMGSY-IV for Assam.
1 lakh PMAY-Gramin beneficiaries performed house-warming.
Funds released under Samaveshi Ajeevika Yojana & Community Investment Funds.
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Digital Agriculture Mission (India) – Focuses on AgriStack, precision farming, and digitization of land & crop data.
PMGSY (Phase IV) – Targets rural connectivity enhancement.
PMAY-Gramin – Housing for rural poor with DBT mechanism.
Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) – Aggregation of small farmers for scale efficiency.
Digital governance improves Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) efficiency and reduces leakages.
📝 Mains Perspective
A. Significance
1️⃣ Strengthening Digital Agriculture
Real-time advisories, scheme updates, subsidy tracking.
Enhances extension services beyond physical Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
2️⃣ Transparent Rural Governance
Rural One may enable tracking of panchayat-level scheme implementation.
Improves accountability and reduces bureaucratic delays.
3️⃣ Financial Inclusion & DBT Efficiency
Seamless integration with bank-linked welfare schemes.
Supports FPOs and community investment funds.
4️⃣ Empowerment of Small & Marginal Farmers
Assam’s agriculture dominated by smallholders.
Digital advisory bridges knowledge gap.
B. Challenges
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Digital Divide | Many rural farmers lack smartphone access or digital literacy |
| Connectivity Gaps | Poor internet in remote Assam districts |
| Data Privacy | Protection of farmer data under Digital Personal Data Protection Act |
| Capacity Building | Need for training Panchayat officials |
| Language Accessibility | Apps must function in Assamese & local dialects |
C. Government Initiatives Supporting Digital Agriculture
Digital India Programme
National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGP-A)
AgriStack Framework
Common Service Centres (CSCs)
PMGSY-IV Rural Connectivity Expansion
D. Way Forward
Offline + Assisted Access Model
Integrate CSCs & Krishi Sahayaks for assisted digital use.
Multilingual & Voice-Based Interface
Ensure Assamese language integration and voice commands.
Integration with Weather & Market Data
Link to IMD forecasts and e-NAM price updates.
Data Security Protocols
Align with DPDP Act and cybersecurity standards.
Impact Assessment & Feedback Loop
Periodic evaluation to refine services.
📊 Assam-Specific Relevance
Agriculture contributes significantly to Assam’s rural employment.
Tea sector modernization & shift toward orthodox tea production.
Flood-prone geography demands tech-enabled advisories.
Digital governance can be transformative if combined with infrastructure (roads, irrigation, markets).
🧩 Conclusion
The launch of Krishi Sarathi and Rural One reflects Assam’s transition from welfare delivery to smart governance architecture. If supported by connectivity, literacy, and institutional capacity, these apps can improve agricultural productivity, rural transparency, and participatory governance.
However, technology alone is not transformative — it must be inclusive, secure, and locally contextualised to truly empower Assam’s rural population.
🐆 Cheetah Reintroduction Project: Botswana Batch to Kuno National Park
📘 GS Paper III: Environment | Biodiversity | Conservation
📘 GS Paper II: India–Africa Relations | Wildlife Diplomacy
(Based strictly on The Assam Tribune, 24-02-2026)
🔹 Introduction
India’s ambitious Cheetah Reintroduction Project continues with the arrival of eight cheetahs from Botswana to Kuno National Park (Madhya Pradesh) on 28 February 2026.
This marks the third international translocation batch after earlier introductions from Namibia (2022) and South Africa (2023), reinforcing India’s attempt to restore the extinct Asiatic cheetah lineage and re-establish ecological balance.
🔑 Key Facts (From Newspaper)
8 cheetahs (6 females, 2 males) to arrive from Botswana.
To be airlifted by Indian Air Force aircraft and transported via helicopter to Kuno.
Enclosures prepared; 1-month quarantine planned.
Total cheetahs in India to rise to 46.
39 cubs born since 2023; 27 survived.
Some cheetahs relocated to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) – World’s fastest land mammal.
Declared extinct in India in 1952.
Protected under Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable (African cheetah); Asiatic subspecies critically endangered (in Iran).
Kuno National Park – Originally prepared for Asiatic lion relocation.
Part of India’s Species Reintroduction Programme.
International wildlife cooperation with Namibia, South Africa, Botswana.
📝 Mains Perspective
A. Significance
1️⃣ Ecological Restoration
Reintroduction restores a top predator in grassland ecosystems.
Helps regulate prey populations (chital, blackbuck, etc.).
2️⃣ Grassland Conservation
Brings policy attention to neglected savanna & dryland ecosystems.
Promotes habitat restoration.
3️⃣ Scientific Conservation Model
First intercontinental translocation of a large carnivore.
Based on IUCN reintroduction guidelines.
4️⃣ Wildlife Diplomacy
Strengthens India–Africa cooperation.
Demonstrates India’s global conservation leadership.
B. Challenges
| Challenge | Explanation |
| High Mortality | Earlier deaths due to infections, stress, adaptation issues |
| Habitat Suitability | Kuno size & prey base adequacy questioned |
| Genetic Diversity | Limited founder population risks inbreeding |
| Human-Wildlife Conflict | Buffer zone villages & livestock concerns |
| Climate Adaptation | African cheetahs adapting to Indian ecology |
C. Institutional & Legal Framework
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
National Wildlife Action Plan (2017–2031)
Supreme Court approval (2020) for African cheetah introduction.
Managed by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) & MP Forest Dept.
D. Way Forward
Scientific Monitoring
Satellite collars, health tracking, habitat assessment.
Habitat Expansion
Develop second free-ranging population (Gandhi Sagar).
Community Participation
Eco-tourism incentives & compensation schemes.
Genetic Management
Periodic infusion of new individuals from Africa.
Long-Term Grassland Policy
Recognize grasslands as distinct ecosystems (not wastelands).
📊 Broader Environmental Context
Aligns with India’s commitments under Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Supports SDG 15 (Life on Land).
Reflects shift from protection-only model to active ecological restoration.
🧩 Conclusion
The Botswana batch strengthens India’s cheetah revival programme, symbolizing ecological ambition and international collaboration. However, long-term success will depend not merely on numbers, but on sustainable habitat management, scientific rigor, and community integration.
If effectively implemented, the Cheetah Project could become a global template for species reintroduction in the 21st century.
🇮🇳 India’s First Counter-Terrorism Policy – “Prahaar”
📘 GS Paper III: Internal Security | Terrorism | Security Architecture
📘 GS Paper II: Governance | Rule of Law | Human Rights
(Based strictly on The Assam Tribune, 24-02-2026)
🔹 Introduction
On 23 February 2026, the Union Government unveiled India’s first comprehensive Counter-Terrorism Policy titled “Prahaar”, marking a strategic shift from reactive security responses to a structured, multi-layered national doctrine.
The policy is grounded in a “zero tolerance” approach and integrates prevention, disruption, capacity-building, human rights safeguards, and international alignment.
🔑 Key Features of “Prahaar”
The policy rests on seven core pillars:
1️⃣ Prevention – Intelligence-led disruption of terror plots.
2️⃣ Response – Coordinated counter-terror action.
3️⃣ Aggregating Internal Capacities – Strengthening inter-agency coordination.
4️⃣ Human Rights & Rule of Law – Legal compliance in operations.
5️⃣ Addressing Radicalisation – Tackling enabling conditions.
6️⃣ International Alignment – Global cooperation against terrorism.
7️⃣ Recovery & Resilience – Whole-of-society approach post-attacks.
Emerging Threat Recognition:
Cross-border sponsored terrorism.
Use of drones in Punjab & J&K.
Sleeper cells and radical networks.
Terror-financing via organized crime.
Social media & encrypted platforms for propaganda.
🧠 Prelims Pointers
UAPA (1967) – Primary anti-terror legislation.
NIA (National Investigation Agency) – Established 2008.
NATGRID – Intelligence data integration platform.
Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) – Intelligence sharing.
FATF – Global terror financing watchdog.
India’s “Zero Tolerance” doctrine reiterated in multiple UN forums.
📝 Mains Perspective
A. Significance
1️⃣ Institutional Clarity
First codified national counter-terror framework.
Moves beyond episodic legislation toward doctrine-based security.
2️⃣ Intelligence-Centric Approach
Prioritises pre-emption over post-incident response.
Integrates technology & surveillance tools.
3️⃣ Addressing New-Age Threats
Recognises drone warfare and cyber radicalisation.
Focus on digital ecosystem monitoring.
4️⃣ International Signalling
Strengthens India’s position at UN & FATF platforms.
Reinforces demand for global action against state-sponsored terror.
B. Challenges
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Federal Coordination | Policing is State subject; Centre–State synergy essential |
| Human Rights Concerns | Balancing security with civil liberties |
| Technological Gaps | Encryption & dark web monitoring limitations |
| Cross-Border Dynamics | Persistent safe havens in neighbourhood |
| Radicalisation | Online & prison radical networks |
C. Legal & Constitutional Context
Article 355 – Duty of Union to protect States from external aggression & internal disturbance.
Seventh Schedule – Police (State List), National Security (Union List).
Supreme Court jurisprudence emphasises proportionality in security laws.
D. Way Forward
1️⃣ Integrated Counter-Terror Grid
Enhance MAC, NATGRID, and State ATS coordination.
2️⃣ Community-Based De-radicalisation
Engagement with civil society & religious leaders.
3️⃣ Drone & Cyber Regulation Framework
Strengthen UAV monitoring systems.
4️⃣ Judicial Oversight Mechanisms
Prevent misuse while ensuring swift prosecution.
5️⃣ Capacity Building in Border States
Especially Punjab, J&K, and Northeast.
📊 Assam & Northeast Relevance
Region historically affected by insurgency.
Cross-border infiltration vulnerabilities.
Importance of intelligence coordination in border management.
🧩 Conclusion
“Prahaar” represents a strategic evolution in India’s counter-terror posture—from reactive responses to an integrated, doctrine-driven security architecture. Its success will depend on cooperative federalism, technological modernization, and adherence to constitutional values.
A security policy that is firm yet rights-sensitive can reinforce both national integrity and democratic legitimacy.
🌊 Flood Management in Assam – 1,000 km Embankments & Hydro-Informatics Unit
📘 GS Paper III: Disaster Management | Water Resources | Climate Change
📘 GS Paper II: Governance | Institutional Capacity | Cooperative Federalism
(Based strictly on The Assam Tribune, 24-02-2026)
🔹 Introduction
Assam’s recurring flood crisis remains one of India’s most persistent disaster management challenges. As reported in The Assam Tribune (24-02-2026), the State government highlighted construction and strengthening of over 1,000 km of embankments and establishment of a Hydro-Informatics Unit to modernise flood forecasting and response.
Given the Brahmaputra’s high sediment load, dynamic river morphology, and intense monsoon rainfall, Assam requires a shift from reactive relief to scientific river basin management.
🔑 Key Developments
| Component | Details |
| Embankments | Over 1,000 km constructed/strengthened |
| Objective | Flood control & erosion mitigation |
| Hydro-Informatics Unit | Data-driven flood forecasting & modelling |
| River System | Brahmaputra & Barak basins |
| Nature of Floods | Annual, high silt load, riverbank erosion |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Brahmaputra River – Origin: Tibet (Yarlung Tsangpo), enters India via Arunachal.
One of the highest sediment-carrying rivers globally.
Assam accounts for nearly 10% of India’s flood-prone area.
Flood management in India governed by:
National Disaster Management Act, 2005
NDMA Guidelines on Flood Management
Central Water Commission (CWC) flood forecasting
Structural measures: Embankments, dams, spurs.
Non-structural measures: Early warning systems, floodplain zoning.
📝 Mains Perspective
A. Significance
1️⃣ Infrastructure-Based Flood Control
Embankments protect agricultural land and settlements.
Reduce immediate displacement and crop loss.
2️⃣ Technology-Driven Governance
Hydro-Informatics Unit integrates hydrological data, satellite imagery, GIS modelling.
Enables predictive flood mapping.
3️⃣ Climate Change Adaptation
Increased extreme rainfall events demand data-centric planning.
Supports disaster resilience under Sendai Framework.
4️⃣ Protection of Rural Economy
Floods impact agriculture, tea gardens, livestock.
Essential for safeguarding livelihoods.
B. Challenges
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Embankment Breaches | Frequent failure due to silt pressure |
| River Morphology | Brahmaputra changes course unpredictably |
| Erosion | Severe land loss annually |
| Maintenance Gaps | Weak post-construction monitoring |
| Encroachment | Floodplains occupied by settlements |
C. Limitations of Embankment-Centric Model
Creates “levee effect” – false sense of security.
Raises riverbed over time due to sedimentation.
Long-term ecological disruption.
Hence, purely structural approach insufficient.
D. Way Forward
1️⃣ Integrated River Basin Management
Treat Brahmaputra basin holistically.
Inter-state and India–Bhutan cooperation for upstream data.
2️⃣ Floodplain Zoning Law
Restrict construction in vulnerable zones.
3️⃣ Nature-Based Solutions
Wetland restoration (e.g., beels).
Afforestation along riverbanks.
4️⃣ Real-Time Data Integration
Expand Hydro-Informatics Unit with AI-based modelling.
5️⃣ Community Preparedness
Village-level disaster response teams.
Climate-resilient cropping patterns.
📊 Assam-Specific Context
Over 30 lakh people affected annually.
Kaziranga National Park often inundated.
Riverbank erosion displaces thousands (char dwellers).
Strategic importance of flood management for Northeast connectivity.
🧩 Conclusion
The strengthening of 1,000 km embankments and creation of a Hydro-Informatics Unit signal a transition towards technologically informed flood governance in Assam. However, durable resilience demands integrated basin management, ecological restoration, and climate adaptation strategies beyond structural embankments.
Flood control in Assam must evolve from containment to coexistence with the Brahmaputra’s dynamic ecology.
APSC Prelims MCQs
Q1. The counter-terrorism policy “Prahaar” announced by the Government of India is primarily based on which approach?
A. Cooperative regional military alliance
B. Intelligence-led prevention and zero tolerance
C. Judicial oversight mechanism
D. Parliamentary counter-radicalisation framework
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The policy emphasizes intelligence-driven disruption, prevention, and a zero-tolerance stance against terrorism.
Q2. Under the Constitution of India, the duty of the Union to protect States against internal disturbance is mentioned in:
A. Article 249
B. Article 355
C. Article 356
D. Article 368
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Article 355 mandates the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance.
Q3. The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), recently translocated to India from Botswana, is listed under which Schedule of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972?
A. Schedule I
B. Schedule II
C. Schedule IV
D. Schedule VI
✅ Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Cheetahs are accorded highest protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act.
Q4. Kuno National Park, associated with the Cheetah Reintroduction Project, is located in:
A. Gujarat
B. Madhya Pradesh
C. Rajasthan
D. Uttar Pradesh
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Kuno National Park is located in Madhya Pradesh and was earlier prepared for Asiatic lion relocation.
Q5. The Brahmaputra River enters India through:
A. Assam directly from Myanmar
B. Arunachal Pradesh from Tibet
C. Bhutan through Sikkim
D. Meghalaya through Bangladesh
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Originating as Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, the river enters India through Arunachal Pradesh.
Q6. The Hydro-Informatics Unit established in Assam is primarily aimed at:
A. Industrial water taxation
B. Irrigation canal privatization
C. Real-time flood forecasting and modelling
D. River interlinking projects
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The unit integrates hydrological data and modelling for improved flood prediction.
Q7. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) primarily aims to:
A. Construct national highways
B. Improve rural road connectivity
C. Promote inland waterways
D. Urban metro development
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
PMGSY focuses on providing all-weather road connectivity to unconnected rural habitations.
Q8. The Krishi Sarathi mobile application launched in Assam is related to:
A. Crop insurance litigation
B. Digital agriculture service delivery
C. Fertilizer export monitoring
D. Land acquisition tribunals
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Krishi Sarathi aims at digital governance and farmer-centric agricultural services.
Q9. The Supreme Court’s concern regarding unpredictable airfare fluctuations relates primarily to:
A. Consumer protection and regulatory oversight
B. Defence aviation policy
C. International airspace treaties
D. Privatization of airports
✅ Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
The issue concerns regulation of private airlines and protection of consumer interests.
Q10. Which of the following is a structural measure for flood control?
A. Early warning system
B. Embankment construction
C. Floodplain zoning
D. Insurance coverage
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Embankments are structural flood control measures, while early warning and zoning are non-structural measures.
APSC Mains Practice Question
GS Mains Model Question
Paper: General Studies – III (Disaster Management | Environment | Infrastructure)
Q. Despite decades of embankment construction, floods continue to devastate Assam annually.
Critically examine the limitations of embankment-centric flood management and discuss how technology-driven and ecological approaches can enhance long-term resilience in Assam.
(15 marks)
Model Answer
Introduction
Assam faces one of the highest flood vulnerabilities in India due to the dynamic Brahmaputra river system, high sediment load, and intense monsoon rainfall. As reported in The Assam Tribune (24 February 2026), the State has constructed or strengthened over 1,000 km of embankments and established a Hydro-Informatics Unit to modernise flood forecasting. While these measures reflect proactive governance, recurrent floods highlight structural limitations.
Body
A. Embankment-Centric Approach: Achievements
1️⃣ Immediate Flood Protection
- Shields settlements and agricultural land from seasonal inundation.
- Reduces short-term displacement and crop loss.
2️⃣ Infrastructure Development
- Protects highways, bridges, and urban centres.
- Supports economic stability in flood-prone districts.
3️⃣ Political & Administrative Visibility
- Tangible and measurable flood-control measure.
B. Limitations of Embankment Model
1️⃣ River Morphology & Sedimentation
- Brahmaputra carries one of the world’s highest sediment loads.
- Embankments trap silt, raising riverbeds and increasing breach risk.
2️⃣ “Levee Effect”
- Creates false security, encouraging settlement in vulnerable zones.
- When breaches occur, damage becomes catastrophic.
3️⃣ Maintenance Deficits
- Weak monitoring and erosion undermine structural integrity.
4️⃣ Ecological Disruption
- Alters natural floodplain ecology.
- Damages wetlands (beels) and biodiversity (e.g., Kaziranga).
C. Role of Technology-Driven Solutions
1️⃣ Hydro-Informatics Unit
- Real-time hydrological data integration.
- Flood modelling and predictive mapping.
2️⃣ Satellite & GIS Monitoring
- River course tracking.
- Erosion hotspot identification.
3️⃣ Early Warning Systems
- Community-level preparedness.
- Minimizes casualties.
D. Ecological & Integrated Approaches
1️⃣ Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM)
- Holistic management of Brahmaputra basin.
- India–Bhutan data sharing.
2️⃣ Floodplain Zoning Legislation
- Restrict habitation in high-risk zones.
3️⃣ Nature-Based Solutions
- Wetland restoration.
- Afforestation along riverbanks.
4️⃣ Climate-Resilient Agriculture
- Diversified cropping patterns.
- Elevated storage structures.
E. Way Forward
- Combine structural and non-structural measures.
- Institutionalise community-based disaster preparedness.
- Strengthen inter-state and international hydrological cooperation.
- Periodic independent audit of embankment performance.
Conclusion
While embankments remain an important protective measure, Assam’s flood management must evolve toward an integrated, science-driven, and ecology-sensitive model. The establishment of a Hydro-Informatics Unit marks a progressive step, but sustainable resilience will require balancing infrastructure with natural river dynamics and climate adaptation strategies.
Flood governance in Assam must transition from containment to coexistence with the Brahmaputra’s ecological reality.
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