APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (11/07/2025)
For APSC CCE and other Assam Competitive examinations aspirants, staying updated with current affairs is vital. This blog covers most important topics from the Assam Tribune today (11-07-2025). These issues are key for both APSC Prelims and Mains preparation, offering insights into the APSC CCE Syllabus.
✨ APSC CCE Online Coaching, 2026
🌧️ Scientific Urban Solutions for Guwahati’s Flash Flood Crisis
📘 GS Paper 1 (APSC): Geography – Urbanization | Disasters
📘 GS Paper 2: Governance | Municipal Administration | Participatory Planning
📘 GS Paper 3: Disaster Management | Environment | Infrastructure
📘 GS Paper 5 (APSC): Assam Urban Issues | Climate Change Adaptation
🔹 Introduction
Guwahati’s flash flood crisis has emerged as a recurrent urban hazard, disrupting life and infrastructure. Amid increasing rainfall variability due to climate change, experts now call for scientific, eco-sensitive, and long-term solutions, including stormwater reservoirs and restoration of drainage basins.
🔑 Key Highlights from the Report
| Aspect | Details |
| Trigger | Rainfall > 44 mm triggers flash floods (NESAC study) |
| Drainage Failure | Due to solid waste, encroachment, erosion, and deforestation |
| Proposal | Underground stormwater tanks (e.g., under Khanapara field) |
| Natural Basins at Risk | Bondajan, Silsako, Solabeel, Bahini, Bharalu, Deepor Beel |
| Key Experts | Former engineers of WRD, Brahmaputra Board, NHPC, GMDA |
| Affected Areas | Guwahati Club, Ambari, Bharalumukh, Basistha, Maligaon |
| NESAC Data | 8% of Guwahati faces high flooding; 1% faces severe floods |
⚙️ Proposed Technical Solutions
Stormwater Reservoirs: Beneath large public spaces
Drainage Basin Revival: Implementation of 1971 plan (6 basins)
Real-Time Flood Monitoring: Through NESAC + IoT
Inter-Basin Transfer: WRD’s plan to divert stormwater to Kulsi River
Single Agency Control: To streamline WRD, GMDA, GMC coordination
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Flash Flood: Sudden flooding within 6 hours of rainfall
NESAC: North Eastern Space Applications Centre – satellite-based data
Deepor Beel: Ramsar wetland at risk of encroachment and siltation
Guwahati’s Flood Basins: Mora Bharalu, Bahini, Bharalu, Silsako, etc.
Slab Culverts & Obstructions: Major cause of water backflow in Ambari-Guwahati Club zone
Inter-Basin Water Transfer: Used for managing excess urban runoff
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Reasons for Flash Flooding in Guwahati
| Cause | Explanation |
| Urban Sprawl | Shrinking of 300+ wetlands into real estate |
| Drain Encroachments | Illegal buildings on stormwater channels |
| Solid Waste Dumping | Plastics, silt block natural water paths |
| Slope Disruption | Hill cutting and erosion upstream |
| Absence of Basin Plan | 1971 drainage master plan remains unimplemented |
B. Impact of Flooding
Disruption to transport and economy
Health crises due to waterlogging and waste exposure
Damaged infrastructure, rising municipal costs
Ecological degradation (especially Deepor Beel)
Climate vulnerability (displacement, disease)
C. Expert Recommendations
| Expert | Suggestion |
| Dhruba J. Borgohain | Reclaim wetlands; define stormwater zones |
| Prasanta Dutta | Drain capacity must handle ≥ 48 cumecs |
| Abu N. Mohammad | Install storm tanks at Khanapara, AIDC |
| Dalim Gogoi | Implement 1971 plan + flood diversion via Dora Beel |
D. Challenges
Encroachment–political resistance to relocation
Lack of inter-departmental coordination
Poor funding for urban flood infrastructure
Ineffective solid waste segregation and management
Absence of a dedicated flood resilience authority
E. Government & Civic Response
| Strategy | Implementation |
| Guwahati Smart City Plan | Includes minor drainage upgrades |
| GMC Drives | Drain desilting and wetland boundary fencing |
| NESAC + WRD Collaboration | Geo-spatial tracking of flood zones |
| Public Mobilisation | Local consultations by senior citizen groups |
📊 Relevant Reports/Policies
Assam State Action Plan on Climate Change
Guwahati Master Drainage Plan (1971, revised 2015 draft)
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)
UN-Habitat Urban Resilience Guidelines
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Deepor Beel)
🧭 Way Forward
| Focus Area | Action |
| Scientific Planning | Complete revival of 6-basin model with rainfall-runoff simulation |
| Institutional Reform | Urban Flood Authority with integrated command |
| Green Infrastructure | Bio-swales, rain gardens, porous pavements |
| Civic Engagement | School-level education on wetland conservation |
| Fund Mobilization | Tap funds from 15th Finance Commission, NDRF |
🧩 Conclusion
Guwahati’s flash flood crisis is a man-made ecological emergency. Addressing it requires a shift from reactive patchworks to integrated, science-based urban water governance. Protecting the city’s natural flood buffers is crucial to make it resilient in a climate-uncertain future.
🛰️ India’s Space Economy Reaches ₹31,000 Crore in FY 2023–24: Opportunities for Assam & the Northeast
📘 GS Paper 3 (Mains): Science & Technology | Economy | Innovation
📘 GS Paper 2 (Mains): Governance | Digital Infrastructure | International Collaboration
📘 GS Paper 5 (APSC): Assam’s Tech & Innovation Ecosystem | NE Development via Satellite Technology
📘 Prelims: IN-SPACe | NSIL | ISRO | Space Economy | Startups | Remote Sensing in NE
🔹 Introduction
India’s space economy grew to ₹31,000 crore in FY 2023–24, driven by increased satellite launches, private sector participation, and space-based services such as navigation, earth observation, and disaster management. With Assam and the Northeast vulnerable to floods, erosion, and topographic challenges, space-based solutions have strategic importance for the region.
🔑 Key Highlights from the News
| Feature | Details |
| Economic Size | ₹31,000 crore (approx. $3.7 billion) in 2023–24 |
| Growth Drivers | Startups, commercial launches, global partnerships, IN-SPACe reforms |
| NE-Specific Uses | Flood forecasting, soil mapping, weather prediction, land use classification |
| Relevant Bodies | ISRO, NSIL, IN-SPACe, NESAC (North Eastern Space Applications Centre) |
| Satellite Support | GIS-based mapping for roads, disaster zones, crop yield estimates |
| Assam’s Role | NESAC (Umiam, Meghalaya) supports flood warning, resource management, and border monitoring |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
IN-SPACe: Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center – fosters private space sector
NSIL: NewSpace India Ltd – commercial arm of ISRO
NESAC: Joint initiative of ISRO and DoNER based in Meghalaya
Cartosat & RISAT: Earth observation satellites used in Assam for floodplain monitoring
Bhuvan Portal: ISRO’s geo-platform for public access to satellite imagery and thematic maps
SpaceTech Startups: Over 190 startups emerged post-2020 liberalisation
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance of Space Economy for India
| Sector | Benefit |
| Agriculture | Precision farming, soil health mapping, crop forecasting |
| Disaster Management | Early warning systems for floods, cyclones, landslides |
| Urban Planning | Smart city mapping, drainage monitoring (e.g., Guwahati) |
| Telecommunication | Internet access via satellites in remote areas |
| Climate Adaptation | Tracking glacier melt, rainfall anomalies, land-use change |
B. Assam and NE Region Use-Cases
| Application | Description |
| Flood Forecasting | NESAC alerts using satellite-based rainfall & river level data |
| Border Surveillance | Geo-tagging of border villages under Vibrant Villages Programme |
| Agricultural Support | Paddy crop classification using NDVI & SAR data |
| Disaster Mapping | Real-time flood maps, landslide zones, erosion tracking |
| Infrastructure Planning | Remote sensing for road alignment in hill districts |
C. Challenges in Regional Integration
| Challenge | Details |
| Low Awareness | Panchayats and local departments unaware of spatial tools |
| Limited Bandwidth | NE remote zones lack data transmission capacity |
| Institutional Gap | Weak coordination between NESAC and district-level agencies |
| Training Deficit | Few trained GIS and remote sensing personnel in state departments |
| Funding Uncertainty | Space-linked R&D not part of most state development budgets |
D. Recent Government Initiatives
| Initiative | Purpose |
| IN-SPACe Reforms | Ease of entry for private players in satellite tech |
| Indian Space Policy 2023 | Clearly delineates roles of ISRO, NSIL, and IN-SPACe |
| DigiSky | Geo-tagging drones and mapping infrastructure |
| Assam State Space Application Centre (proposed) | To collaborate with NESAC for state-specific solutions |
| Space Start-up Incubation | Plans to connect IIT-Guwahati with private launchers and agritech firms |
📊 Key Reports & Frameworks
Indian Space Policy, 2023
Draft NE Space Development Plan (DoNER–NESAC)
Global Space Economy Outlook – 2024 (OECD)
Assam State Disaster Risk Management Plan (ASDMA)
G20 Startup20 Recommendations on SpaceTech
🧭 Way Forward
| Strategy | Suggestion |
| Assam-NESAC Collaboration | Create integrated disaster dashboards for all 35 districts |
| Capacity Building | Train forest, agri, and disaster officials in GIS interpretation |
| Satellite-aided Governance | Use CartoDEM & Bhuvan data for flood zoning and paddy procurement |
| Startup Incentives | Host SpaceTech events and hackathons in NE universities |
| PPP Model | Encourage ISRO-private partnerships for state-level applications (e.g., flood insurance) |
🧩 Conclusion
India’s rapidly growing space economy presents transformational opportunities for Assam and the Northeast. From tackling climate risks to improving agricultural productivity, space-based technologies must be made accessible to planners, farmers, and communities to realize their full potential.
🧑⚖️ National Lok Adalat to Address 8.5 Lakh Pending Cases in Assam: Towards Judicial Efficiency
📘 GS Paper 2 (Mains): Judiciary | Governance | Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
📘 GS Paper 5 (APSC): Legal Institutions in Assam | Public Service Delivery | Access to Justice
📘 Prelims: Lok Adalat | Legal Services Authority Act, 1987 | NALSA | Assam State Legal Services Authority (ASLSA)
🔹 Introduction
The National Lok Adalat to be held across Assam on 13 July 2025 aims to dispose of over 8.5 lakh pending cases, as reported by the Assam State Legal Services Authority (ASLSA). This initiative reflects India’s growing reliance on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to ease the burden on overburdened courts and ensure speedy justice for citizens.
🔑 Key Highlights from the Report
| Parameter | Details |
| Organiser | Assam State Legal Services Authority (ASLSA), under NALSA |
| Cases Targeted | 8.5 lakh pending cases including civil, petty criminal, bank recovery, traffic, and compoundable offences |
| Date | 13 July 2025 (National Lok Adalat) |
| Courts Involved | District Courts, Family Courts, MACTs, Labour Courts, Revenue Courts |
| Method | Conciliation and mutual settlement |
| Past Disposal Rates | Over ₹700 crore worth of cases settled in Assam Lok Adalats (2023–24) |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Lok Adalat: People’s court under Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987
Types: National, State, Mega, Mobile Lok Adalats
Legal Status: Decisions are binding and enforceable, equivalent to a civil court decree
NALSA: National Legal Services Authority; headed by Chief Justice of India
ASLSA: Assam wing of NALSA; chaired by Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court
Article 39A: Directive Principle – Free Legal Aid to ensure justice for all
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Significance of Lok Adalats in Assam
| Domain | Benefit |
| Judicial Decongestion | Helps reduce pendency in trial courts |
| Speedy Justice | Encourages out-of-court resolution in less time |
| Cost Effective | No court fees; friendly procedure |
| Public Satisfaction | Improves access for poor, illiterate, or rural litigants |
| Community Reconciliation | Focus on win-win outcomes instead of adversarial battles |
B. Challenges in Implementation
| Challenge | Description |
| Limited Jurisdiction | Cannot handle non-compoundable or serious criminal cases |
| Voluntary Consent Required | If either party disagrees, case returns to regular court |
| Quality of Settlement | Sometimes one-sided settlements to clear targets |
| Awareness Deficit | Citizens unaware of Lok Adalat schedule or eligibility |
| Follow-up Weakness | Enforcement of settlements can be weak without legal literacy |
C. Types of Cases Handled
Motor accident claims
Civil disputes (property, partition, rent)
Labour disputes and wages
Cheque bounce cases (Section 138 of NI Act)
Matrimonial settlements
Compoundable criminal cases (e.g., simple hurt, defamation, theft)
D. Government & Judicial Interventions
| Initiative | Details |
| E-Lok Adalat | Introduced post-COVID for online settlements |
| Legal Literacy Camps | Conducted by ASLSA in rural districts (e.g., Barpeta, Darrang, Karbi Anglong) |
| Mobile Lok Adalat Vans | Launched in Upper Assam and BTAD |
| Bank Dispute Benches | Pre-settlement camps held for loan recovery and NPA settlements |
| Student Legal Clinics | Law colleges (e.g., NLUJA Assam) assist in Lok Adalat sessions |
📊 Relevant Laws and Reports
Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987
NALSA Annual Report 2023–24
Assam Judiciary Backlog Report (2024)
Law Commission Report on ADR
UN SDG Goal 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
🧭 Way Forward
| Strategy | Suggestion |
| Regular Lok Adalats | Conduct district-wise sessions every quarter |
| Integration with e-Courts | Use digital tools to flag eligible cases for ADR |
| Awareness Drives | Gram Sabha announcements, school awareness campaigns |
| Incentives for Lawyers | Legal aid lawyers to be compensated better |
| Performance Audits | Track quality and post-settlement satisfaction of resolved cases |
🧩 Conclusion
The National Lok Adalat is a powerful tool of participatory justice, especially in Assam where court pendency is high and litigation costs unaffordable for many. For it to succeed sustainably, Lok Adalats must be supported with legal literacy, digital outreach, and strong post-settlement mechanisms.
🇮🇳 India’s Growing Influence in Global South and BRICS: Implications for India and Northeast
📘 GS Paper 2 (Mains): International Relations | Regional Groupings | Foreign Policy
📘 GS Paper 3 (Mains): Economic Diplomacy | Global Governance
📘 GS Paper 5 (APSC): India’s Role in Global South | NE India and ASEAN Integration
📘 Prelims: BRICS | Global South | India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) | Voice of Global South Summit
🔹 Introduction
India’s proactive diplomatic outreach to the Global South, especially through forums like BRICS, G20, and the Voice of Global South Summit, has elevated its stature as a leader among emerging economies. The recent discussions on Global South reforms, south-south cooperation, and economic multipolarity reflect India’s push to reshape global institutions in favor of equitable development.
🔑 Key Updates from the News
| Aspect | Details |
| Global South Outreach | India hosted Voice of Global South Summit (2023, 2024) |
| Role in BRICS | Advocated BRICS expansion (now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, UAE, Iran) |
| Reform Agenda | Push for UN Security Council reform, WTO reform, global debt relief |
| Development Focus | Climate justice, tech transfer, digital public infrastructure (DPI) |
| Regional Angle | Promoting NE India as a “gateway to ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific” |
| Partnerships | Collaboration with African Union, Latin America, ASEAN, BIMSTEC |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Global South: Collective term for developing nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America
BRICS Members (Post 2024 Expansion): Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa + Egypt, Ethiopia, UAE, Iran
Voice of Global South Summit: India-led forum to amplify concerns of developing world
IBSA: India-Brazil-South Africa trilateral promoting south-south cooperation
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): India’s Aadhaar-UPI model promoted globally
South-South Cooperation: UN-endorsed mechanism for development without conditional aid
📝 Mains Pointers
A. India’s Strategic Priorities in the Global South
| Priority | Initiative |
| Development Financing | Restructuring multilateral banks to favor southern economies |
| Tech & Digital Diplomacy | Offer of UPI, CoWIN, Aadhaar stack to Global South |
| Trade & Energy | Promoting south-south trade and access to green technologies |
| Security & Governance | Advocacy for democratic multilateralism, food & health security |
| Climate Equity | Push for fair carbon space and just energy transition for developing countries |
B. BRICS and India’s Aspirations
| Domain | Impact |
| Multipolarity | Reduces over-dependence on West-led economic architecture |
| Currency Dialogue | BRICS exploring alternatives to dollar-based trade |
| Voice Amplification | Better negotiating power for Global South in WTO, UNFCCC |
| Strategic Balance | Counters unilateralism and enhances India’s global leverage |
C. Role of Northeast in India’s Global South Strategy
| Strategy | Action |
| Act East Policy | Promotes NE as economic corridor to ASEAN |
| Agro-exports | Assam’s organic tea, ginger, and bamboo have South Asian markets |
| Connectivity | Kaladan, IMT Highway, and trilateral projects to link NE to SE Asia |
| Cultural Diplomacy | Shared tribal and Buddhist heritage with Southeast Asian nations |
| Border Trade Zones | Potential for cross-border SEZs in Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal |
D. Challenges
| Challenge | Description |
| Internal Security | Insurgency and border tensions hinder NE’s global connectivity |
| Infrastructure Gaps | Roads, trade terminals, customs zones underdeveloped |
| Regional Competition | China’s BRI and soft power in Africa, SE Asia challenge India |
| Diplomatic Bandwidth | Managing both Global South leadership and Western alliances |
| Trade Barriers | NTBs and underdeveloped logistics restrict export potential |
📊 Reports and Policies
Indian Foreign Policy Review (MEA)
BRICS Joint Declaration 2024 (Johannesburg + Brasília rounds)
Voice of Global South Outcome Document (2023)
UNDP South-South Cooperation Framework
Assam Global Investors’ Summit Reports
India–ASEAN Connectivity Master Plan
🧭 Way Forward
| Focus Area | Suggestion |
| Institutional Deepening | Create permanent Global South secretariat in India |
| Trade Corridors | Develop Moreh, Zorinpui, and Dawki as digital-trade hubs |
| Public Diplomacy | Expand ICCR and MEA exchange programs in Africa, SE Asia |
| NE-Specific FTZs | Introduce trade clusters for bamboo, tea, and medicinal herbs |
| Global South Index | Develop composite metric to track development equity |
🧩 Conclusion
India’s emergence as a Global South voice is timely and strategic. Aligning it with subnational strengths—especially the Northeast’s location, culture, and connectivity potential—can make India a true leader of an equitable multipolar world.
🛡️ IAF Deployment in Arunachal Pradesh Amid Border Vigil: Strategic Importance for India’s Northeast
📘 GS Paper 3 (Mains): Internal Security | Defence | Border Management
📘 GS Paper 2 (Mains): India and Neighbours | Centre-State Coordination | Federal Security Mechanisms
📘 GS Paper 5 (APSC): Strategic Location of NE India | Assam-Arunachal Border | Military Infrastructure
📘 Prelims: Indian Air Force Commands | LAC | IAF in Northeast | ALGs | Sukhoi-30MKI
🔹 Introduction
In response to heightened tensions along the India–China border in Arunachal Pradesh, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has intensified its aerial deployment and surveillance missions across forward locations, including Tawang, Mechuka, and Along. The move reflects India’s shift from reactive posture to proactive border defence, especially via air power in the Eastern Sector.
🔑 Key Highlights from the News
| Aspect | Details |
| Trigger | Increased PLA troop movement and infrastructure activity across the LAC |
| Region Focus | Arunachal Pradesh (Tawang, Anini, Mechuka, Walong) |
| Air Assets Used | Sukhoi-30MKI, C-130J Super Hercules, UAVs, Mi-17 choppers |
| Bases Active | Tezpur AFS, Jorhat AFS, Chabua, and Pasighat ALG |
| LAC Alertness | Part of broader “Operation Eastern Shield” preparedness drills |
| Joint Ops | Coordination with Indian Army’s IV Corps and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) |
| Assam’s Role | Forward logistics from Tezpur, Missamari, and Doom Dooma |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
IAF Eastern Air Command HQ: Shillong (Meghalaya)
Advance Landing Grounds (ALGs): Tactical mini-airstrips in border zones (e.g., Mechuka, Tuting, Pasighat)
LAC (Line of Actual Control): Undemarcated border with China; frequent transgressions in Arunachal
Operation Eastern Shield: Regular tri-service exercise in Eastern Sector
BRO: Building high-altitude roads & airstrips in Tawang and Subansiri sectors
India’s Mountain Strike Corps (XVII Corps): Raised specifically for China-facing border threats
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Strategic Significance of IAF Presence in Northeast
| Domain | Significance |
| Border Security | Rapid mobilisation of troops, surveillance, and deterrence |
| Force Projection | Tactical airlift enables deep strikes or fast response |
| Support to Army | Provides logistics and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) support |
| Civil-Military Infrastructure | Dual-use airfields benefit remote tribal areas during peace |
| Psychological Deterrent | Counters PLA infrastructure push in disputed regions |
B. Why Arunachal is Sensitive
| Reason | Explanation |
| Territorial Claims | China claims Tawang and parts of Upper Subansiri |
| Cultural Significance | Tawang is home to important Buddhist monasteries; linked to Tibetan politics |
| Difficult Terrain | Hinders fast ground movement; airpower critical for dominance |
| Border Infrastructure Race | India speeding up ALGs and tunnels; China’s road, airbase buildup continues |
| History | 1962 war began with PLA incursions into Arunachal (then NEFA) |
C. Assam’s Strategic Role
Tezpur AFS: Hosting Sukhoi-30MKIs; launchpad for air superiority
Doom Dooma & Chabua: Serve as staging grounds for transport aircraft
Missamari Cantonment: Key logistics base for IV Corps operations
Rail–Road–Air Network: Assam acts as the backbone of India’s defence logistics for the Eastern Sector
D. Challenges and Considerations
| Issue | Description |
| Weather Constraints | High-altitude bases often affected by snow, cloud, wind |
| Infrastructure Bottlenecks | Slow completion of roads, tunnels, and radar stations |
| Civilian Settlement Near LAC | Thin population poses challenges to asserting sovereignty |
| Budget and Manpower | Sustaining 24/7 operations in remote terrains is costly |
| Risk of Escalation | Aggressive posturing may raise diplomatic tension with China |
📊 Reports, Institutions, and Policies
India–China Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (2013)
India’s Defence Budget 2024–25: ₹6.2 lakh crore with emphasis on Eastern border
IAF’s Eastern Air Command Doctrine (internal)
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence (2024–25)
China’s Dual Use Infrastructure Report – Ministry of Defence
🧭 Way Forward
| Strategy | Suggestion |
| Dual-Use Infrastructure | Civil-military airstrips for both defence and disaster relief |
| Permanent Habitation | Develop Vibrant Villages to secure unpopulated LAC stretches |
| Satellite & Drone Integration | Real-time ISR using space-based tech + tactical UAVs |
| Broaden Assam’s Role | Tezpur to host joint training & simulation centres |
| Diplomacy with Deterrence | Continue military preparedness while maintaining hotline and CBMs |
🧩 Conclusion
The IAF’s heightened deployment in Arunachal and reliance on Assam’s strategic logistics reflect a deliberate shift in India’s LAC policy—from reactive defence to proactive deterrence. In the emerging Indo-Pacific geopolitics, air power and infrastructure in the Northeast will define India’s border strength and regional credibility.
APSC Prelims Practice Questions
🔹 TOPIC 1: Guwahati Flash Flood Crisis and Urban Drainage
Q1. Which of the following are causes of recurring flash floods in Guwahati as per recent expert analysis?
- Encroachment on natural drainage basins
- Shrinkage of wetlands like Deepor Beel
- High rainfall concentration over short durations
- Construction of underground stormwater tanks
Select the correct answer using the code below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
✅ Answer: (a)
📘 Explanation: Construction of stormwater tanks is a proposed solution, not a cause. The first three are major causes identified by NESAC and urban planners.
Q2. The Ramsar-designated wetland that plays a critical role in flood moderation in Guwahati is:
(a) Solabeel
(b) Bondajan
(c) Deepor Beel
(d) Silsako Beel
✅ Answer: (c)
📘 Explanation: Deepor Beel is Assam’s only Ramsar site, and it acts as a natural stormwater sink for western Guwahati.
🔹 TOPIC 2: India’s Space Economy
Q3. Consider the following statements about India’s space economy and institutions:
- IN-SPACe regulates private sector participation in space activities.
- NSIL is the commercial arm of ISRO.
- NESAC is headquartered in Guwahati and manages all of India’s remote sensing data.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: (a)
📘 Explanation: Statement 3 is incorrect. NESAC is headquartered in Umiam, Meghalaya, and works primarily for the Northeast, not the whole of India.
Q4. Which of the following are applications of satellite-based services in Assam?
- Real-time flood monitoring
- Paddy crop mapping
- Border village surveillance
- Forest fire early warning
Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
✅ Answer: (d)
📘 Explanation: All four are direct applications of NESAC and ISRO-supported programs in Assam.
🔹 TOPIC 3: National Lok Adalat in Assam
Q5. Lok Adalats in India function under which law?
(a) Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996
(b) Civil Procedure Code, 1908
(c) Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987
(d) Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008
✅ Answer: (c)
📘 Explanation: Lok Adalats are statutorily empowered under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
Q6. Which of the following features correctly describe Lok Adalats?
- Their awards are binding and final.
- They can take up non-compoundable criminal cases.
- They promote conciliation and compromise between parties.
- There is no appeal allowed once a settlement is reached.
Choose the correct answer:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1 and 2 only
✅ Answer: (b)
📘 Explanation:
- Statement 2 is incorrect: Lok Adalats cannot handle non-compoundable offences.
- The rest are correct as per LSA Act.
🔹 TOPIC 4: Global South and BRICS
Q7. Which of the following countries joined BRICS during its recent expansion?
- Iran
- Egypt
- Nigeria
- Ethiopia
- United Arab Emirates
Select the correct answer:
(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
✅ Answer: (a)
📘 Explanation: Nigeria was not included in the recent BRICS expansion. The new members include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, UAE, and others.
Q8. The term “Global South” refers to:
(a) Countries below the Equator
(b) Nations in Southern Hemisphere with G-20 status
(c) Developing countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America
(d) Nations aligned with NATO and EU
✅ Answer: (c)
📘 Explanation: The “Global South” represents developing nations with shared concerns in poverty, development, and global justice—not a strict geographical term.
🔹 TOPIC 5: IAF Deployment in Arunachal
Q9. Which of the following is NOT an Advance Landing Ground (ALG) in Arunachal Pradesh?
(a) Mechuka
(b) Pasighat
(c) Walong
(d) Tezpur
✅ Answer: (d)
📘 Explanation: Tezpur is a major Air Force Station (AFS) in Assam, not an ALG. The others are tactical ALGs in Arunachal.
Q10. Consider the following statements:
- Eastern Air Command of the IAF is headquartered in Tezpur, Assam.
- The LAC between India and China is a formally agreed international boundary.
- Operation Eastern Shield is a tri-service defence preparedness drill in Northeast India.
Which of the statements are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: (c)
📘 Explanation:
Statement 3 is correct.
Statement 1 is incorrect: Eastern Air Command is headquartered in Shillong, Meghalaya.
Statement 2 is incorrect: LAC is not a formally demarcated boundary.
APSC Mains Practice Question
❓ Question:
“Recurring flash floods in Guwahati reflect deeper issues of unplanned urbanization and ecological neglect.”
Examine the causes and impacts of urban flooding in Guwahati. Suggest a sustainable strategy to make the city climate-resilient.
(Word Limit: 250)
✅ Model Answer:
🔸 Introduction
Guwahati, Assam’s largest urban centre, has become increasingly vulnerable to flash floods, with even 40–50 mm of rainfall leading to severe waterlogging. The North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) recently identified that nearly 8% of the city falls under high flood risk. These frequent floods highlight systemic issues in urban planning, drainage, and wetland protection.
🔹 Causes of Urban Flooding in Guwahati
- Encroachment on Natural Drainage: Wetlands like Deepor Beel, Silsako, and Bondajan have been encroached for housing and roads.
- Poor Drainage Infrastructure: Outdated culverts, silted drains, and lack of stormwater reservoirs.
- Solid Waste Blockage: Plastics and garbage clog stormwater outlets, causing backflow.
- Unregulated Urban Expansion: Rapid real estate development without hydrological planning.
- Deforestation in Hills: Leads to erosion and rapid runoff into plains.
🔹 Impacts
- Disruption of transportation and economic activity
- Waterborne diseases and vector outbreaks
- Damage to homes, shops, and civic infrastructure
- Ecological degradation of Deepor Beel (Ramsar site)
🔹 Sustainable Solutions
| Strategy | Measures |
| Scientific Drainage Planning | Implement the 6-basin model with storm tanks beneath open grounds (e.g., Khanapara). |
| Wetland Restoration | Reclaim, desilt, and legally protect water bodies. |
| Green Infrastructure | Introduce bio-swales, rain gardens, and permeable pavements. |
| Community Involvement | Awareness drives for waste segregation and encroachment prevention. |
| Institutional Reform | Create a unified Urban Flood Management Authority for Guwahati. |
🔸 Conclusion
Flash floods in Guwahati are not just a climate issue—they signify the breakdown of ecological balance and urban foresight. A shift from ad-hoc measures to science-backed, inclusive, and ecologically sensitive urban governance is critical for making Assam’s capital resilient to future climate shocks.
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