APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (22/09/2025)
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 (22-09-2025). These issues are key for both APSC Prelims and Mains preparation, offering insights into the APSC CCE Syllabus.
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⚡ Assam State EV Policy 2025–2030 – Green Mobility for the Future
📘 GS Paper II – Government Policies & Interventions
📘 GS Paper III – Economy, Infrastructure, Environment
📘 GS Paper V – Assam-specific Development Policies
🔹 Introduction
On 22 Sept 2025, the Assam Cabinet approved the State Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2025–2030, marking a major step toward sustainable mobility and climate action. The policy aims to reduce fossil fuel dependence, cut vehicular emissions, and promote EV adoption through fiscal incentives, charging infrastructure, and manufacturing support. Assam becomes one of the leading NE states aligning with India’s National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) & FAME-II scheme.
🔑 Key Points of the Policy
| Focus Area | Policy Measure |
| Targets | At least 20% of new vehicle registrations to be EVs by 2030. |
| Incentives | Road tax & registration fee exemption; subsidies for EV purchase; scrappage benefits for old vehicles. |
| Charging Infra | Public charging stations in Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Silchar; PPP model for investment. |
| Manufacturing Push | EV & battery manufacturing hubs proposed in Assam Industrial Corridor. |
| Public Transport | Electrification of ASTC bus fleet and e-rickshaw promotion. |
| Environment Goals | Cut CO₂ emissions, improve urban air quality, align with Assam’s Climate Action Plan. |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
FAME-II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles): Central subsidy scheme for EVs.
Battery Types: Lithium-ion (dominant), Sodium-ion (emerging tech).
EV-friendly States: Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Assam (2025–30 policy).
National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (2013): India’s roadmap for EV adoption.
Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd. (APDCL): Nodal agency for EV charging infra.
Global Context: Norway – over 80% of new cars are EVs (2024).
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance of Assam’s EV Policy
Environmental Gains – Reduces air pollution in urban Assam (esp. Guwahati).
Economic Diversification – Attracts EV manufacturing & allied industries.
Employment – Jobs in charging infra, battery recycling, EV servicing.
Energy Security – Cuts fuel import dependence.
Urban Mobility – Promotes e-buses, e-rickshaws, last-mile connectivity.
B. Challenges
High Initial Cost – EVs remain expensive despite subsidies.
Battery Dependency – Reliance on imports (China, South Korea).
Charging Infrastructure Gap – Limited penetration beyond cities.
Grid Pressure – Electricity demand may strain Assam’s power supply.
Battery Waste Management – Lack of recycling systems for lithium-ion batteries.
C. Government Initiatives in Context
Assam Industrial Policy 2025–30 – EV included as priority sector.
APDCL & ASTC – Pilot EV bus fleet already introduced in Guwahati.
National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023) – Future synergy with EV sector.
State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC-Assam) – EV push aligns with green mobility goals.
D. Way Forward
Expand Charging Network – Use highways, petrol pumps, bus depots.
Battery Recycling Units – Public-private partnerships for safe disposal.
Local R&D – Encourage IIT Guwahati and start-ups in EV battery innovation.
Financial Incentives – Expand credit, EMI-friendly loans for EV buyers.
Integration with Renewable Energy – Solar-powered charging stations.
Awareness Campaigns – Promote EV adoption among public and transport operators.
🧩 Conclusion
The Assam EV Policy 2025–2030 signals a transformative shift toward green, clean, and future-ready mobility. If backed by strong implementation, local manufacturing, and sustainable energy integration, Assam can emerge as the electric mobility hub of the Northeast, contributing to India’s broader net-zero targets.
🛍️ India–Bangladesh Border Haat at Sutarkandi (Karimganj)
📘 GS Paper II – India & Neighbourhood Relations
📘 GS Paper III – Economy (Trade, Inclusive Growth)
📘 GS Paper V – Assam-specific: Border Trade & Connectivity
🔹 Introduction
On 22 Sept 2025, India and Bangladesh jointly inaugurated a new Border Haat at Sutarkandi, Karimganj district (Assam), strengthening cross-border trade and people-to-people ties. Border Haats are traditional markets along the Indo–Bangladesh boundary, designed to promote local trade, cultural exchanges, and reduce smuggling, particularly benefiting border communities.
🔑 Key Points
| Aspect | Details |
| Location | Sutarkandi, Karimganj district (Assam–Sylhet sector). |
| Concept | Weekly marketplace for residents of 5 km radius on both sides of the border. |
| Items Allowed | Local agricultural produce, handicrafts, handloom, food products, household items. |
| Currency | Indian Rupee & Bangladeshi Taka accepted; barter also common. |
| Participants | Small farmers, artisans, women entrepreneurs, SHGs. |
| Significance | Reduces illegal trade, builds trust, improves rural livelihoods. |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Border Haat Policy – Initiated in 2010; first haats at Kalaichar (Meghalaya) & Kurigram (Bangladesh).
Assam Border Haats – Already exist at Karimganj, South Salmara; new haat at Sutarkandi adds to network.
India–Bangladesh Border Length – ~4,096 km (longest India shares with any country), of which ~262 km with Assam.
Protocols – Governed by bilateral agreement (2010 & revised 2017) between India & Bangladesh.
Indo–Bangladesh Relations – Framework includes Land Boundary Agreement (2015), Protocol on Inland Waterways (PIWTT), BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement (2015).
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance of Sutarkandi Border Haat
Local Livelihoods – Farmers, weavers, women SHGs earn steady income.
Cultural Ties – Strengthens Assam–Sylhet socio-cultural exchanges.
Reduced Smuggling – Legalised trade discourages informal channels.
Food Security – Access to fresh, affordable local produce.
Regional Integration – Reinforces Act East Policy and sub-regional groupings like BBIN, BIMSTEC.
B. Challenges
Limited Scope – Restricted to notified items, low trade volumes.
Infrastructure Gaps – Poor roads, storage, sanitation facilities.
Currency Issues – Exchange rate fluctuations affect small traders.
Border Security Concerns – Risk of illegal goods mixing with legal trade.
Sustainability – Weekly haats may not substitute formal border trade.
C. Government Initiatives & Context
India–Bangladesh Joint Border Haat Committee – Supervises operations.
Act East Policy – Enhances cross-border economic connectivity.
PM-DevINE Scheme (DoNER) – Can support haat infrastructure in NE.
Digital India Integration – Pilot digital payment systems being considered.
Border Infrastructure Push – Sutarkandi is also an Integrated Check Post (ICP) under LPAI (Land Ports Authority of India).
D. Way Forward
Expand Trade Basket – Add more agricultural and handicraft products.
Permanent Haat Structures – Warehousing, cold storage, sanitation.
Women-Centric Approach – Special incentives for SHGs and women-led enterprises.
Financial Linkages – Digital payments and micro-credit for border traders.
Formal Trade Integration – Gradually expand haats into feeder hubs for ICPs and regional trade corridors.
Joint Border Security – Ensure BSF–BGB coordination to prevent misuse.
🧩 Conclusion
The Sutarkandi Border Haat is more than a trading post—it is a confidence-building measure that integrates border communities into India–Bangladesh friendship. By expanding scope and infrastructure, such haats can evolve into engines of inclusive growth for Assam, while complementing larger regional connectivity projects under the Act East Policy.
🦏 Kaziranga High Court Directive on Stricter Anti-Poaching Measures
📘 GS Paper II – Judiciary & Governance
📘 GS Paper III – Environment, Biodiversity Conservation
📘 GS Paper V – Assam-specific: Kaziranga & Rhino Conservation
🔹 Introduction
On 22 Sept 2025, the Gauhati High Court issued strong directives to the Assam Government and forest authorities to intensify anti-poaching efforts in Kaziranga National Park (KNP). Despite significant progress in reducing rhino poaching in recent years, the court highlighted loopholes in surveillance, prosecution delays, and syndicate networks that continue to pose threats to Assam’s UNESCO World Heritage Site and its flagship species, the one-horned rhinoceros.
🔑 Key Points
| Aspect | Details |
| Court Directive | Stricter enforcement, use of technology, fast-track trials for poachers. |
| Kaziranga Significance | UNESCO site (1985), home to >2,600 one-horned rhinos (~70% global population). |
| Recent Trends | Poaching reduced significantly (zero poaching years recorded in 2022 & 2023), but sporadic incidents persist. |
| Concerns Raised | Rhino horn syndicates, cross-border smuggling, weak conviction rates. |
| Technology Push | Court suggested drones, night-vision devices, cyber-tracking of smuggling networks. |
| Stakeholders | Assam Forest Dept, Assam Police, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), NGOs. |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Kaziranga National Park (Assam) – Est. 1905 as reserve forest; National Park status in 1974; UNESCO site (1985).
One-Horned Rhino – Rhinoceros unicornis; IUCN Status: Vulnerable.
National Rhino Conservation Strategy (2019) – Launched by MoEFCC in Assam.
Biosphere Reserves in Assam – Manas, Dibru-Saikhowa, Kaziranga–Karbi Anglong Corridor (ecologically sensitive).
WCCB – Wildlife Crime Control Bureau under MoEFCC (2007) combats illegal trade in wildlife.
Project Rhino – Assam Govt initiative for community-based rhino protection.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance of Rhino & Kaziranga Protection
Ecological Role – Mega-herbivore, maintains grassland ecosystem balance.
Global Responsibility – Assam holds majority of world’s rhino population.
Tourism Revenue – Wildlife tourism major contributor to Assam’s economy.
Cultural Identity – Rhino is Assam’s state animal, symbol of pride.
Conservation Success Story – From <200 rhinos (early 20th century) to >2,600 today.
B. Challenges in Anti-Poaching
Organised Syndicates – International networks smuggling rhino horn to SE Asia.
Weak Prosecution – Low conviction rates despite arrests.
Technology Gap – Limited use of drones, camera traps in large floodplains.
Human-Wildlife Conflict – Poaching often linked with encroachment and fringe poverty.
Floods in Kaziranga – Annual Brahmaputra floods force animals to move to highlands, making them vulnerable.
C. Government Initiatives in Context
Special Rhino Protection Force (2018) – Dedicated unit for rhino security.
Highlands Creation in Kaziranga – Artificial elevated platforms to protect wildlife during floods.
National Rhino Conservation Strategy (2019) – Focus on translocation, corridor protection.
Smart Fencing & E-surveillance – Pilots installed in some ranges.
Community Engagement – Eco-tourism & alternative livelihoods to reduce poaching incentive.
D. Way Forward
Judicial Monitoring – Fast-track wildlife crime courts for speedy justice.
Technology Upgrade – AI-enabled surveillance, GIS mapping of rhino movement.
Regional Cooperation – Joint anti-smuggling task force with Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh.
Community Involvement – Incentives for locals to act as wildlife protectors.
Climate Adaptation – Strengthen flood-resilient infrastructure for Kaziranga.
Public Awareness – National campaigns to reduce demand for rhino horn.
🧩 Conclusion
The High Court’s directive underscores that Kaziranga’s conservation success cannot breed complacency. Sustaining gains requires zero-tolerance against poaching, integration of technology, stronger legal deterrence, and community-based conservation. Protecting the rhino and its habitat is not only an ecological duty but also vital for Assam’s cultural identity and sustainable economy.
🌱 Digital Agriculture Mission in Assam’s Tea Gardens
📘 GS Paper II – Government Policies (Digital Governance, Agriculture Modernisation)
📘 GS Paper III – Agriculture, Technology, Economy
📘 GS Paper V – Assam-specific: Tea Industry & Rural Development
🔹 Introduction
On 22 Sept 2025, the Assam Government launched the Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM) in selected tea garden areas of Assam, integrating AI-based tools, drones, IoT devices, and data analytics into tea cultivation. The initiative aims to increase productivity, improve quality, optimise resource use, and ensure welfare of tea garden workers, while aligning Assam’s tea sector with global standards of precision agriculture.
🔑 Key Points
| Aspect | Details |
| Sector Focus | Assam’s tea industry – produces ~50% of India’s tea, employs ~10 lakh workers. |
| Digital Tools Introduced | Drones for pesticide/fertiliser spraying; AI-based pest detection; soil health sensors; satellite mapping. |
| Objectives | Boost yields, reduce costs, improve export competitiveness, ensure worker health & safety. |
| Implementation | Assam Agriculture Dept + Tea Board + private tech firms + IIT Guwahati collaboration. |
| Pilot Areas | Tea estates in Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Tinsukia, Cachar. |
| Worker Welfare Link | Digital health cards & welfare schemes integrated with plantations. |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Digital Agriculture Mission (2021–25) – National scheme promoting emerging technologies (AI, ML, blockchain, drones).
Tea Board of India – Statutory body under Tea Act, 1953. HQ: Kolkata.
GI Tags in Assam – Assam Orthodox Tea, Muga Silk, Joha Rice, Boka Chaul.
Assam Tea – Largest tea-growing state; ~50% of India’s production; exports to >80 countries.
Tea Act, 1953 – Governs tea cultivation, processing, and export.
Drone Rules, 2021 – Allow agri-drone use with DGCA certification.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance of Digital Agriculture in Tea Sector
Economic Backbone – Assam tea contributes ~₹7,000 crore annually; crucial forex earner.
Productivity Gains – AI-driven data helps optimise fertiliser use, improve leaf quality.
Export Competitiveness – Aligns Assam tea with global standards in EU & US markets.
Environmental Benefits – Reduced pesticide overuse; precision irrigation.
Worker Safety – Drones reduce direct exposure of workers to chemicals.
Climate Resilience – Helps adapt to erratic monsoons and rising temperatures.
B. Challenges
High Costs – Drones, IoT devices remain expensive for small estates.
Digital Divide – Limited capacity among small tea growers to use technology.
Infrastructure Gaps – Internet connectivity poor in remote plantations.
Labour Issues – Worker welfare remains weak despite digitisation.
Global Competition – Kenya, Sri Lanka, Vietnam also upgrading tea production.
C. Government & Policy Framework
National Digital Agriculture Mission (NDAM) – Launched in 2021, extended to Assam tea estates.
FAME-II + Drone Incentives – Support agri-drone manufacturing & adoption.
Assam Start-Up Policy 2025 – Encourages agri-tech start-ups in tea sector.
Skill Development Initiatives – Training tea workers in digital tools.
WTO Compliance – Digital monitoring helps ensure pesticide-residue compliance for exports.
D. Way Forward
Public-Private Partnerships – Encourage tea boards, estate owners, and tech start-ups to collaborate.
Small Grower Inclusion – Subsidised drones, community-owned tech hubs.
R&D Boost – IIT Guwahati-led research on climate-resilient tea varieties.
Digital Worker Welfare – Expand health cards, biometric attendance, social security tracking.
Export Branding – Market Assam as a digitally certified sustainable tea hub.
Policy Alignment – Integrate with Assam’s EV Policy, renewable energy for carbon-neutral plantations.
🧩 Conclusion
The Digital Agriculture Mission in Assam’s tea gardens represents a tech-driven leap forward for India’s iconic tea sector. If implemented inclusively, it can balance productivity with worker welfare and sustainability, positioning Assam tea as a global benchmark for digital, ethical, and eco-friendly agriculture.will be the true test of success.
APSC Prelims Practice Questions
Topic 1 – Assam EV Policy 2025–2030
Q1. With reference to Assam’s EV Policy 2025–30, consider the following statements:
- It aims for at least 20% of all new vehicle registrations in Assam to be EVs by 2030.
- Road tax and registration fee exemptions are included as incentives.
- The Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd. (APDCL) is the nodal agency for charging infrastructure.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: D
🔎 Explanation: All three statements are correct; the policy combines adoption targets, financial incentives, and institutional responsibility.
Q2. FAME-II Scheme is often in news in the context of Assam’s EV policy. Which of the following best describes it?
A. Central sector scheme for renewable energy research.
B. Centrally sponsored scheme to promote EV adoption and manufacturing.
C. State-level subsidy scheme for biofuel promotion.
D. World Bank project on hydrogen economy.
✅ Answer: B
Topic 2 – India–Bangladesh Border Haat at Sutarkandi
Q3. Consider the following about India–Bangladesh Border Haats:
- They are allowed only for residents living within a 5 km radius of the border.
- Both barter and currency-based transactions are permitted.
- They were first launched in 2010 along the India–Myanmar border.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: A
🔎 Explanation: Statements 1 & 2 correct; but 3 is wrong—first haats were on India–Bangladesh border (Meghalaya–Bangladesh), not Myanmar.
Q4. Which of the following agreements govern India–Bangladesh cross-border connectivity and trade?
- Land Boundary Agreement (2015)
- Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT)
- BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: D
Topic 3 – Kaziranga Anti-Poaching Directive
Q5. Which of the following statements about Kaziranga National Park are correct?
- It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- It was first declared a reserved forest in 1905.
- It is home to about 70% of the world’s one-horned rhinoceros population.
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: D
Q6. The one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), found in Assam, is listed as:
A. Critically Endangered (IUCN)
B. Vulnerable (IUCN)
C. Endangered (IUCN)
D. Near Threatened (IUCN)
✅ Answer: B
Topic 4 – Digital Agriculture Mission in Tea Gardens
Q7. The Digital Agriculture Mission (2021–25) launched by the Government of India promotes which of the following technologies?
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Drones and IoT devices
- Blockchain-based supply chain solutions
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: D
Q8. Consider the following statements regarding Assam’s tea sector:
- Assam produces nearly 50% of India’s total tea output.
- “Assam Orthodox Tea” has been granted a GI tag.
- The Tea Board of India, which regulates tea production and export, is a constitutional body.
Which of the above 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: Statements 1 & 2 are correct; but 3 is wrong — Tea Board is a statutory body under the Tea Act, 1953, not a constitutional body.
🔎 Explanation: Instability in Myanmar is indeed a direct cause for delay in India’s AEP projects.
APSC Mains Practice Question
📝 Model Answer
Q. “Despite conservation successes, the threat of poaching continues to endanger Kaziranga’s rhinos. Discuss the ecological, socio-economic, and governance dimensions of this challenge. Suggest measures for long-term sustainability.”
(GS Paper II – Judiciary & Governance | GS Paper III – Environment, Biodiversity Conservation | GS Paper V – Assam Ecology & Wildlife)
🔹 Introduction
Kaziranga National Park (KNP), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, hosts ~70% of the world’s one-horned rhinoceros population. While Assam has achieved historic milestones such as zero poaching years (2022–23), the recent High Court directive (2025) for stricter anti-poaching measures underscores the persistence of syndicate-driven wildlife crime, ecological vulnerabilities, and governance gaps.
🔹 Body
1️⃣ Ecological Significance
- Flagship Species – Rhino is Assam’s state animal, central to grassland ecosystem.
- Biodiversity Hotspot – Kaziranga shelters tigers, elephants, swamp deer, migratory birds.
- Floodplain Ecosystem – Brahmaputra-driven wetlands critical for species survival.
2️⃣ Socio-Economic Dimensions
- Tourism Revenue – Wildlife tourism sustains Assam’s economy, employment in hospitality.
- Community Livelihoods – Locals depend on eco-tourism, yet vulnerable to poaching pressures.
- Illegal Trade – Rhino horn fetches high prices in SE Asia (mythical medicinal value).
- Human-Wildlife Conflict – Encroachment and floods increase friction with fringe populations.
3️⃣ Governance & Poaching Challenges
- Organised Crime Networks – Transnational smuggling syndicates beyond local control.
- Weak Convictions – Prosecution delays, poor evidence gathering.
- Surveillance Gaps – Limited drones, night-vision, cyber tracking capacity.
- Annual Floods – Displace animals onto highways, increasing vulnerability.
- Corruption & Local Collusion – Insider support sometimes aids poachers.
4️⃣ Government & Judicial Efforts
- Special Rhino Protection Force (2018) – Dedicated anti-poaching unit.
- Highlands & Corridors – Artificial highlands, wildlife corridors for flood safety.
- National Rhino Conservation Strategy (2019) – Relocation, population management.
- Smart Surveillance – Drone pilots, thermal imaging, e-fencing.
- Judicial Oversight (2025) – HC directives for fast-track courts, tech deployment.
5️⃣ Way Forward
- Judicial Monitoring – Wildlife crime courts for speedy convictions.
- Tech Integration – AI-enabled camera traps, GIS mapping, cyber intelligence on smuggling.
- Regional Cooperation – India–Nepal–Bhutan–Bangladesh coordination under SAWEN (South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network).
- Community Stewardship – Eco-tourism benefits to local youth as “rhino guardians.”
- Climate Adaptation – Strengthen flood-resilient wildlife shelters, restore Kaziranga–Karbi Anglong corridor.
- Demand Reduction – Awareness campaigns in SE Asia against rhino horn myths.
🔹 Conclusion
Kaziranga’s conservation is both a global responsibility and a local necessity. While poaching has declined, complacency is dangerous. The High Court’s directive is timely in pushing for technology, governance reforms, and community participation. Only through a zero-tolerance, multi-dimensional approach can Assam secure its rhino legacy as a symbol of resilience, ecology, and cultural pride.
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