APSC MCQs / APSC Prelims Practice Questions based on Assam Tribune (Daily) –06/10/2026
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 (06-10-2026). 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: 06/10/2026)
Topic 1: Methanol Shipment from Bogibeel to Bangladesh via NW-2
Q1. With reference to National Waterway-2 (NW-2), consider the following statements:
- It encompasses the stretch of the Brahmaputra River extending from Sadiya to the Bangladesh border near Dhubri.
- It was declared a National Waterway under the National Waterways Act of 2016.
- The navigable depth maintained along NW-2 increases progressively upstream from the Bangladesh border toward Sadiya.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: NW-2 covers 891 km on the Brahmaputra from Sadiya to the Bangladesh border near Dhubri.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: NW-2 was declared a National Waterway on 1 September 1988 (not originally under the 2016 Act, though later subsumed by it).
- Statement 3 is incorrect: The navigable depth decreases upstream—it is 2.5 m near the Bangladesh border–Neamati, 2.0 m between Neamati–Bogibeel, and drops to 1.5 m in the Bogibeel–Sadiya stretch.
Q2. With reference to the ‘Jalvahak Scheme’ recently launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, consider the following statements:
- It is designed to subsidize passenger ferry transport across major river basins in India.
- It provides financial incentives of up to 35% of actual operating expenditure for eligible cargo movement.
- The incentive structure applies to journeys undertaken on NW-1, NW-2, and NW-16 via the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is incorrect: Jalvahak is strictly a freight/cargo promotion initiative designed to encourage modal shift from roads/rail to waterways; it is not a passenger ferry scheme.
- Statements 2 and 3 are correct: Launched in December 2024, it offers up to 35% operational expenditure incentives for eligible cargo moving along NW-1 (Ganga), NW-2 (Brahmaputra), and NW-16 (Barak) utilizing the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR).
Q3. Regarding India–Bangladesh connectivity through inland waterways, consider the following statements:
- Statement-I: The Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) allows Indian vessels to transit through Bangladesh waterways to access the North Eastern states.
- Statement-II: The PIWTT was newly established in 2024 following the operationalization of Chittagong and Mongla ports for Indian transit cargo.
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, but 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: The PIWTT permits transit trade connecting mainland India with the North East through Bangladesh’s inland waterways, easing pressure on the Siliguri Corridor.
- Statement-II is incorrect: The PIWTT is not new; it has been operational since 1972. The operationalization of Chittagong and Mongla ports is an additional, recent coastal transit enhancement.
Q4. Consider the following river ports and terminals along National Waterway-2 (NW-2):
- Pandu
- Dhubri
- Neamati
- Jogighopa
- Bogibeel
What is the correct sequential order of these locations when travelling downstream from east to west?
- (a) 5 — 3 — 1 — 4 — 2
- (b) 3 — 5 — 1 — 2 — 4
- (c) 5 — 3 — 4 — 1 — 2
- (d) 3 — 5 — 4 — 1 — 2
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Moving downstream along the Brahmaputra (from east/Upper Assam to west/Lower Assam near Bangladesh): Bogibeel (Dibrugarh) → Neamati (Jorhat) → Pandu (Guwahati) → Jogighopa (Bongaigaon) → Dhubri (border terminal).
Topic 2: India–Switzerland Relations & India–EFTA TEPA
Q5. With reference to the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), consider the following statements:
- EFTA is an intergovernmental trade bloc comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
- All members of EFTA are also member states of the European Union (EU).
- The India-EFTA TEPA includes an investment commitment of USD 100 billion to India over a 15-year period.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 1 and 3 only
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
- Statements 1 and 3 are correct: EFTA members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland (mnemonic: ILNS). The landmark TEPA commits to attracting USD 100 billion in investments and generating 1 million direct jobs in India over 15 years.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: None of the four EFTA member states are members of the European Union; EFTA was set up as an alternative economic grouping.
Q6. Consider the following pairs regarding recent bilateral mechanisms signed between India and Switzerland:
| Mechanism / Agreement | Primary Objective / Provision |
| 1. Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) | Annual exchange quota of 300 to 500 professionals for temporary employment |
| 2. Migration & Mobility Partnership | Issuance of up to 5-year multiple-entry visas and 1-year student permits |
| 3. Investment Protection Agreement | Enforced multilaterally under the EFTA charter to govern tariff reductions |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
- (a) Only one pair
- (b) Only two pairs
- (c) All three pairs
- (d) None of the pairs
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
- Pair 1 is correctly matched: The YPS enables 300 skilled professionals (expandable to 500) aged 18–35 to gain temporary employment experience annually.
- Pair 2 is correctly matched: The MMP facilitates legal, skilled movement with multi-entry 5-year visas and 1-year renewable student permits while combating illegal migration.
- Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: The Investment Protection Agreement is a distinct bilateral agreement under negotiation specifically between India and Switzerland, not a multilateral tariff-reduction tool under EFTA (which is handled by TEPA).
Q7. Consider the following statements regarding Indo-Swiss technical and infrastructure cooperation:
- Switzerland is providing engineering and technical expertise for India’s first urban public ropeway project in Varanasi.
- Cooperation between India’s Department of Science & Technology (DST) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) centers on scientific research partnerships.
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: (c)
Explanation:
Both statements are correct. Swiss firms bring global expertise in mountain mobility, ropeway engineering (featured in the Varanasi ropeway and tunneling projects in the Himalayas), and sustainable transport. In science and technology, a Letter of Intent was signed between India’s DST and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).
Q8. Which among the following best describes the core structural difference between the India–EFTA TEPA and a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT)?
- (a) TEPA covers free movement of agricultural labor, while a BIT regulates corporate taxation.
- (b) TEPA deals broadly with trade tariffs, services, and economic partnership, whereas a BIT focuses specifically on legal protections and dispute resolution for foreign investors.
- (c) TEPA applies exclusively to public sector enterprises, while a BIT applies only to private start-ups.
- (d) TEPA is legally non-binding, whereas a BIT carries compulsory sanctions under the World Bank.
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
TEPA is a comprehensive free trade agreement covering tariff concessions on goods, trade in services, intellectual property, and broad investment promotion. A Bilateral Investment Treaty/Agreement specifically establishes legal safeguards, non-discriminatory treatment, and dispute mechanisms for private capital investments between two sovereign states.
Topic 3: 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (Optogenetics)
Q9. With reference to ‘Optogenetics’, which was recognized by the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, consider the following statements:
- It involves the genetic insertion of light-sensitive proteins into target cells to control their electrical activity with light pulses.
- It was developed directly from the discovery of channelrhodopsin proteins found in the green alga Chlamydomonas.
- Unlike electrical brain stimulation, optogenetics can manipulate specific types of neurons with millisecond-scale temporal precision.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
All three statements are correct. Optogenetics combines genetic modification (inserting algal opsin genes into neurons) and light delivery. Foundational work originated from studying light-sensing opsins in Chlamydomonas. Its main advantage over conventional electrical stimulation is high spatiotemporal precision—activating or inhibiting only target neurons without triggering adjacent cells.
Q10. Consider the following scientists:
- Karl Deisseroth
- Peter Hegemann
- Georg Nagel
- Katalin Karikó
Who among the above were jointly awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 1, 2, and 3 only
- (c) 2, 3, and 4 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3, and 4
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded jointly to Karl Deisseroth (USA), Peter Hegemann (Germany), and Georg Nagel (Germany). Katalin Karikó was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2023 for nucleoside base modifications enabling mRNA vaccine development.
Q11. In the context of cell biology, how does a ‘light-gated ion channel’ function when used in optogenetic experiments?
- (a) It absorbs light to permanently destroy cell wall carbohydrates in bacterial infections.
- (b) It changes shape when illuminated, allowing specific ions to cross the membrane and alter the cell’s electrical potential.
- (c) It replaces mitochondria to convert incident photonic energy into adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
- (d) It binds to nuclear DNA under ultraviolet light to induce therapeutic chromosomal mutations.
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Channelrhodopsins and other opsins act as pore-forming membrane proteins. Upon absorbing specific wavelengths of light, they open or close, permitting ions (such as , , , or ) to pass across the membrane, causing depolarization (activation) or hyperpolarization (inhibition).
Q12. Consider the following statements:
- Statement-I: Optogenetics is currently employed as an over-the-counter clinical routine treatment for major neurological disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
- Statement-II: Optogenetics relies on introducing foreign genetic material via vectors into human brain cells, which presents significant long-term safety, delivery, and ethical hurdles.
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, but 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: (d)
Explanation:
- Statement-I is incorrect: Optogenetics is currently a fundamental and preclinical experimental research tool. It is not yet a routine clinical therapy for human neurodegenerative diseases.
- Statement-II is correct: Clinical translation is limited by the safety risks of genetic modification in brain tissue, immune responses, and the difficulty of delivering light deep into the human brain without damaging tissue.
Topic 4: Bhaona Mukut & Sattriya Cultural Traditions
Q13. With reference to the traditional performing art of ‘Bhaona’ in Assam, consider the following statements:
- It was conceived and introduced by Srimanta Sankardeva as a vehicle for the Neo-Vaishnavite movement.
- The plays performed in Bhaona are known as Ankiya Nats and traditionally employ the artificial literary language Brajavali.
- It integrates theatrical dialogue, classical dance, music, and specialized craft accessories like crowns and masks.
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. Bhaona is a traditional Vaishnavite theatre medium developed by Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankardeva in the 16th century. Its one-act plays are termed Ankiya Nats, written in Brajavali, and performed using music (Borgeet/Khol), classical Sattriya dance movements, and distinctive headgear (mukut) and masks (mukha).
Q14. In the context of traditional Assamese handicrafts associated with performing arts, what is the primary distinction between a ‘Mukut’ and a ‘Mukha’?
- (a) A Mukut is made exclusively of bell metal, while a Mukha is carved only from ivory.
- (b) A Mukut refers to the ceremonial crown or headgear, whereas a Mukha refers to the character face mask.
- (c) A Mukut is worn only by demonic characters like Ravana, while a Mukha is worn only by divine incarnations.
- (d) A Mukut is used in Tiwa folk dance, while a Mukha is restricted to Sattriya Bhaona.
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
In Assamese performing arts, Mukut refers to the ornamental headgear/crown used to depict kings, gods (like Rama), and demons (like Ravana). Mukha refers to the handcrafted mask (traditionally made of bamboo splits, clay, cloth, and cow dung, famously preserved at Samaguri Satra, Majuli) that covers the actor’s face or entire upper body.
Q15. Consider the following pairs:
| Cultural Institution / Site | Prominent Association |
| 1. Samaguri Satra (Majuli) | Traditional mask-making (Mukha-silpa) |
| 2. Batadrava Satra (Nagaon) | Birthplace and primary seat of Srimanta Sankardeva |
| 3. Barpeta Satra | Founded by Madhavdeva; major center of Vaishnavite arts |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
- (a) Only one pair
- (b) Only two pairs
- (c) All three pairs
- (d) None of the pairs
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
All three pairs are correctly matched.
- Samaguri Satra in Majuli is globally renowned for preserving the 500-year-old art of Sattriya mask-making.
- Batadrava (Bordowa) in Nagaon is the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardeva and where he established the first Satra structure.
- Barpeta Satra was established by his prime disciple, Madhavdeva, and serves as a premier Vaishnavite religious and cultural seat.
Q16. With reference to the ‘Satra’ institution of Assam, consider the following statements:
- Satras originated purely as military garrisons during the Ahom-Mughal conflicts and were later converted into monasteries.
- Satras have functioned as socio-religious and cultural institutions preserving literature, crafts, and performing arts like Sattriya dance.
- Every Satra is headed by an administrative and spiritual leader designated as the Adhikar.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Statements 2 and 3 are correct: Satras serve as the custodians of Assam’s living cultural heritage (Sattriya dance, Bhaona, craftwork, manuscript preservation) and are traditionally headed by a religious and administrative chief known as the Sattradhikar (or Adhikar).
Statement 1 is incorrect: Satras were founded by Srimanta Sankardeva and his disciples as monastic, egalitarian socio-religious centers under the Ekasarana Dharma movement, not as military outposts.
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