APSC MCQs / APSC Prelims Practice Questions based on Assam Tribune (Daily) –03/10/2026
For APSC CCE and other Assam Competitive examinations aspirants, practicing Daily MCQs is vital. This blog covers most important Prelims questions from the Assam Tribune today (03-10-2026). These issues are key for both APSC Prelims syllabus, offering insights into the important topics of current affairs.
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APSC MCQs / APSC Prelims Practice Questions (Date: 03/10/2026)
Topic 1: Rainfall Deficit in Northeast India
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Long Period Average (LPA) and monsoon rainfall classification by the India Meteorological Department (IMD):
- The current benchmark period used by the IMD for calculating the all-India southwest monsoon LPA is 1971–2020.
- A monsoon is classified as “Deficient” when the cumulative all-India rainfall falls below 90% of the LPA.
- The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is a large-scale global climate variability factor that can influence Northeast India’s rainfall regime.
How many of the above statements are correct?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Answer: (c) Explanation: All three statements are correct. The IMD’s current baseline for the LPA is 1971–2020 (around 87 cm). A deficit is declared when rainfall drops below 90% of this average. Global teleconnections like the NAO and ENSO heavily influence spatial and temporal monsoon distribution in India.
2. Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: In recent years, Northeast India is increasingly experiencing a paradox of water scarcity and flash floods within the exact same monsoon season.
Statement-II: The changing climate regime in the region is characterized by prolonged dry spells that harden the soil, followed by short, high-intensity rainfall events that lead to rapid surface runoff rather than effective soil infiltration.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
- (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
- (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
- (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Answer: (a) Explanation: Both statements are correct, and Statement-II perfectly explains the mechanics of Statement-I. Prolonged dry spells dry out the topsoil, causing subsequent intense downpours to simply run off the surface, triggering floods while failing to recharge groundwater or relieve water scarcity.
3. Consider the following statements regarding the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO):
- El Niño is characterized by the anomalous warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
- An El Niño year invariably results in a severe meteorological drought across every single geographical subdivision in India.
- ENSO influences not only the Indian southwest monsoon but also broader global atmospheric circulation patterns.
How many of the above statements are correct?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Answer: (b) Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect because while El Niño generally weakens the Indian monsoon, it does not guarantee an absolute drought across every subdivision; regional variations always exist due to local topography and other climatic factors.
4. Consider the following statements regarding the regional impacts of rainfall deficit in Northeast India:
- The tea industry in Assam is highly vulnerable to uneven rainfall timing, as dry spells directly reduce soil moisture and green-leaf production.
- During the highly deficient 2026 Southwest Monsoon, Nagaland was the only Northeastern State to record above-normal rainfall.
- A severe rainfall deficit in the Brahmaputra catchment increases the firm power generation capacity of run-of-the-river hydropower projects.
How many of the above statements are correct?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Answer: (b) Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because a rainfall deficit decreases river discharge and reservoir inflows, thereby reducing (not increasing) hydropower generation capacity.
Topic 2: Wildlife Week and Assam State Zoo Redevelopment
5. Consider the following biodiversity conservation strategies:
- Zoological Gardens
- Biosphere Reserves
- Captive-breeding centres
- National Parks
- Botanical Gene banks
How many of the above are considered “ex-situ” methods of biodiversity conservation?
- (a) Only two
- (b) Only three
- (c) Only four
- (d) All five
Answer: (b) Explanation: Options 1, 3, and 5 (Zoos, Captive-breeding centres, Gene banks) are ex-situ (off-site/outside natural habitat) conservation methods. Options 2 and 4 (Biosphere Reserves, National Parks) are in-situ (on-site) methods.
6. Consider the following statements regarding the Central Zoo Authority (CZA):
- It is a statutory body constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- It is responsible for laying down standards and norms for the upkeep and veterinary care of animals in recognized Indian zoos.
- It actively regulates and supports conservation-breeding programmes for endangered species.
How many of the above statements are correct?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Answer: (b) Explanation: Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Statement 1 is incorrect because the CZA is a statutory body established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (via an amendment in 1991), not the Environment (Protection) Act.
7. The conservation-breeding master plan of the Assam State Zoo targets several threatened species native to the region. Which of the following species are explicitly identified for these programs?
- Golden Langur
- Asian Golden Cat
- Grey Peacock Pheasant
- Himalayan Serow
How many of the above species are explicitly included in such regional conservation breeding programs under CZA guidelines?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) Only three
- (d) All four
Answer: (d) Explanation: All four species—Golden Langur, Asian Golden Cat, Grey Peacock Pheasant, and Serow—are specifically targeted under the CZA’s conservation-breeding master plan for the Assam State Zoo to maintain viable genetic populations.
8. Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: Modern zoological parks are increasingly shifting their primary focus from mere public exhibition of animals to functioning as critical ex-situ conservation and wildlife rescue centres.
Statement-II: According to Central Zoo Authority guidelines, every wild animal rescued from a human-wildlife conflict zone must be automatically released back into the wild without any behavioral or health assessments.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
- (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
- (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
- (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Answer: (c) Explanation: Statement-I is correct as modern zoos prioritize conservation and rescue. Statement-II is incorrect because release is never automatic; it requires strict scientific assessment of the animal’s health, behavior, disease risk, and habitat carrying capacity.
Topic 3: Weak Monsoon and Its Impact on Agriculture, Forestry & Rural Economy
9. Consider the following statements regarding the economic impacts of a deficient southwest monsoon:
- It strictly limits its negative economic impact to the Kharif season crops, leaving subsequent Rabi season sowing unaffected.
- Deficient rainfall frequently triggers a slowdown in the rural economy by lowering agricultural output and reducing rural purchasing power.
- It forces higher cultivation costs upon farmers due to increased reliance on groundwater pumping and alternative irrigation.
How many of the above statements are correct?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Answer: (b) Explanation: Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Statement 1 is incorrect because a weak monsoon reduces reservoir storage and groundwater recharge, which critically damages the subsequent winter (Rabi) crop sowing.
10. How does a prolonged rainfall deficit during the monsoon season ecologically impact the forestry sector?
- It severely depletes soil moisture, stressing the natural regeneration of saplings and tree species.
- It increases the vulnerability of forests to dry-season fires by desiccating underbrush and foliage.
- It instantly and permanently shrinks the officially demarcated geographical forest cover of a state.
How many of the above statements are correct?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Answer: (b) Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because a single weak monsoon does not instantly or permanently change the legally demarcated or satellite-mapped “forest cover,” which is dictated by longer-term land-use changes, afforestation, and extended climatic shifts.
11. With reference to agricultural resilience and government contingency plans during a weak monsoon, consider the following statements:
- District Agriculture Contingency Plans are prepared centrally by the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (ICAR-CRIDA).
- The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) serves as a vital financial risk protection mechanism for farmers during drought-like conditions.
- Promoting short-duration crops and millets (Shri Anna) is an officially advised strategy to mitigate soil moisture stress.
How many of the above statements are correct?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Answer: (c) Explanation: All three statements are correct. ICAR-CRIDA drafts the contingency plans, PMFBY offers crop insurance against weather shocks, and shifting to short-duration, low-water crops like millets is standard government advice during dry spells.
12. Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: A weak and deficient monsoon poses significant upside risks to consumer food inflation in the Indian economy.
Statement-II: Lower crop output directly reduces market supply, while low reservoir storage limits the sowing potential of irrigation-intensive winter crops like wheat. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
- (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
- (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
- (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Answer: (a) Explanation: Both statements are correct, and Statement-II provides the exact macroeconomic mechanism (reduced kharif supply + threatened rabi sowing) that explains why a weak monsoon leads to food inflation (Statement-I).
Topic 4: Chinese-run Networking Clubs and Espionage Concerns
13. Consider the following activities:
- Covert acquisition of critical semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology data.
- Utilizing elite, seemingly legitimate business networking clubs to build relationships with foreign policymakers.
- Strategic aggregation of open-source academic publications and corporate announcements.
How many of the above activities are currently recognized by intelligence agencies as vectors for modern foreign influence operations and economic espionage?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Answer: (c) Explanation: All three are correct. Modern espionage has expanded far beyond stealing military secrets; it now heavily targets critical tech ecosystems, utilizes elite networking fronts (like the United Front allegations), and weaponizes Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT).
14. Consider the following organizations/agencies in India’s internal security architecture:
- Multi Agency Centre (MAC)
- Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C)
- Cyber Multi Agency Centre (CyMAC)
How many of the above operate directly under the administrative framework of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to coordinate intelligence and cyber security?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Answer: (c) Explanation: All three operate under the MHA. MAC is the nodal body for sharing intelligence, CyMAC specifically handles cyber threats under the MAC framework, and I4C coordinates national cybercrime analytics and response.
15. Consider the following statements regarding the Official Secrets Act, 1923:
- It provides a statutory framework dealing with offences related to spying and the wrongful communication of classified national information.
- The Act exclusively covers conventional military espionage and legally exempts technological or economic intelligence gathering.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) Explanation: Statement 1 is correct (Section 3 deals specifically with spying penalties). Statement 2 is incorrect because the Act is broadly worded; “official secrets” can encompass sensitive economic, technological, or strategic government data, not just military plans.
16. In the context of modern intelligence gathering, consider the following pairs:
- OSINT : Intelligence collected from publicly available corporate profiles, news, and databases.
- HUMINT : Intelligence collected purely through satellite imagery and radar arrays.
- CYBINT : Intelligence collected by intercepting and analyzing digital network and cyber traffic.
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Answer: (b) Explanation: Pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched (Open-Source Intelligence and Cyber Intelligence). Pair 2 is incorrect because HUMINT stands for Human Intelligence (gathered from interpersonal contact or spies). Intelligence from satellites and radar is known as IMINT (Imagery Intelligence) or TECHINT/MASINT.
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