APSC MCQs / APSC Prelims Practice Questions based on Assam Tribune (Daily) – 16/06/2025

1. Which of the following statements about Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) is/are correct?

1. ESZs are declared around national parks and sanctuaries under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
2. All activities, including agriculture and tourism, are strictly prohibited in ESZs.
3. ESZs aim to act as transition zones between high-protection areas and human settlements.

Select the correct code:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only ✅
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3

🧠 Explanation:

• Statement 1: Correct — ESZs are declared under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
• Statement 2: Incorrect — ESZs allow regulated and sustainable activities, not a total ban.
• Statement 3: Correct — They serve as buffer/transition zones.

2. The Kaziranga–Nameri corridor, recently in news, is crucial for:

A. Connectivity between Assam and Myanmar
B. Migration of elephants and tigers between protected areas ✅
C. Development of river-based tourism in Brahmaputra
D. Oil pipeline construction from Upper Assam

🧠 Explanation:
The corridor enables seasonal movement of elephants, tigers, and other wildlife between Kaziranga and Nameri National Parks.

3. Under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967:

A. Only organisations can be declared unlawful, not individuals
B. The Central Government can seize properties and freeze bank accounts of banned organisations ✅
C. State Governments can unilaterally ban NGOs under UAPA
D. The Act is applicable only in terrorism-related cases

🧠 Explanation:

• UAPA allows the Central Government to ban organisations and individuals, and seize assets.
• Statement A and D are incorrect.

4. The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) primarily regulates:

A. Intra-state political donations
B. International trade licenses
C. Acceptance and utilisation of foreign funds by individuals and organisations ✅
D. Cross-border migration of skilled workers

🧠 Explanation:
FCRA ensures that foreign donations to NGOs and individuals do not harm national security or sovereignty.

5. Consider the following waterways in Northeast India:

1. National Waterway-1 – Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River
2. National Waterway-2 – Brahmaputra River
3. National Waterway-16 – Barak River

Which of the above are correctly matched?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only ✅
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3

🧠 Explanation:

• NW-2: Brahmaputra (Dhubri–Sadiya)
• NW-16: Barak River (Lakhipur–Bhanga)
• NW-1 is not in NE India — it lies in the Ganga basin.

6. The Indo-Bangladesh Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) allows:

A. Visa-free movement of people across river borders
B. Movement of cargo through designated river routes ✅
C. Transfer of naval ships for security cooperation
D. Joint environmental missions in the Sundarbans

🧠 Explanation:
PIWTT enables mutual navigation of cargo vessels through designated river routes between India and Bangladesh..