APSC MCQs / APSC Prelims Practice Questions based on Assam Tribune (Daily) –19/10/2026
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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 (19-10-2026). These issues are key for both APSC Prelims syllabus, offering insights into the important topics of current affairs.
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From The Assam Tribune, 19 October 2026
Topic 1: Politicisation and Neutrality of the Civil Service in India
1. Which of the following statements regarding the constitutional and legal framework of civil services in India is/are correct:
(1) Article 309 empowers Parliament and State Legislatures to regulate the recruitment of public services,
(2) The Supreme Court in T.S.R. Subramanian v. Union of India (2013) directed the constitution of statutory Civil Services Boards,
(3) The Civil Services Standards, Performance and Accountability Bill (2010) is the primary active law currently regulating bureaucratic tenures across states?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2, and 3
Show answer
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The Supreme Court in 2013 did intervene to direct the creation of statutory Civil Services Boards to regulate transfers. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Civil Services Standards, Performance and Accountability Bill (2010) was never enacted and continues to languish in legislative oblivion.
2. The descriptive term “Steel Frame” of India, referring to a corps of professionally trained civil servants capable of holding a diverse country together through impartial governance, was originally coined by:
- (a) Lord Cornwallis
- (b) Jawaharlal Nehru
- (c) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
- (d) B.R. Ambedkar
Show answer
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The administrative system of India was famously described as the “steel frame” of the nation by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, emphasizing the need for an impartial, professional civil service.
3. With reference to the concept of “Weberian Bureaucracy” frequently cited in administrative reforms, which of the following best describes its core principle in a modern democracy?
- (a) A civil service directly accountable to the ruling political party through discretionary transfers.
- (b) An administrative system protected from political whims, designed to serve the state impartially rather than a specific party.
- (c) A governance framework where bureaucrats are encouraged to pursue political careers post-retirement.
- (d) A decentralized system where grassroots elected leaders directly manage All-India Services.
Show answer
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The classical Weberian idea of a bureaucracy advocates for an administrative system that is protected from political whims and is strictly designed to serve the state rather than a partisan entity, maintaining absolute neutrality.
4. Consider the following statements regarding the administrative machinery in Assam: (1) Assam operates under the joint Assam-Meghalaya Cadre for All India Services, requiring specialized coordination,
(2) The Assam Civil Service (Conduct) Rules explicitly mandate absolute political neutrality from state civil servants,
(3) Frequent bureaucratic transfers are encouraged in Sixth Schedule areas to prevent corruption.
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2, and 3
Show answer
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because frequent transfers actually severely disrupt administrative continuity and institutional trust, which are vital for governance and security management in vulnerable Sixth Schedule tribal areas.
Topic 2: Festive Economy, Cultural Industry, and Inclusive Growth in Assam
5. The ‘Swanirbhar Naari’ scheme, highly relevant to Assam’s localized festive economy, is a state government initiative primarily aimed at:
- (a) Providing low-interest loans exclusively to temporary migrant laborers during festivals.
- (b) Direct procurement of traditional hand-woven items from indigenous weavers through dedicated web portals.
- (c) Distributing free raw clay to all registered idol makers in the state.
- (d) Establishing large-scale, automated textile factories across Northeast India.
Show answer
Answer: (b)
Explanation: ‘Swanirbhar Naari’ is a flagship scheme of the Assam Government designed to empower indigenous weavers by directly procuring their traditional hand-woven products, eliminating middlemen and boosting their income during peak cultural seasons.
6. The festive economy in Assam generates massive localized employment and relies heavily on traditional crafts. In this context, which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched:
(1) Kumars : Traditional bamboo-craft workers,
(2) Japi : Traditional Assamese bamboo headgear,
(3) Gamosa : Traditional Assamese handloom?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2, and 3
Show answer
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Pairs 2 and 3 are correct, as the festival increases sales of local crafts like japi and gamosa. Pair 1 is incorrect because Kumars are traditional clay-idol makers, not bamboo workers.
7. Promoting a resilient “creative economy” through cultural festivals, which ensures the continuation of traditional crafts and provides localized seasonal employment, directly aligns with which of the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
- (a) SDG 4 (Quality Education)
- (b) SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
- (c) SDG 13 (Climate Action)
- (d) SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)
Show answer
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Fostering the creative economy by supporting artisans, MSMEs, and traditional crafts directly addresses SDG 8, which focuses on promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
8. Which of the following statements regarding the economic and historical context of Durga Puja in Assam is/are correct:
(1) The historical patronage of the Puja in Assam traces back to the days of the Koch and Ahom rulers,
(2) The modern festive boom creates a multiplier effect that benefits peripheral sectors like auto-rickshaw operators, FMCG companies, and street food vendors?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Both statements are correct. The festival enjoys historical patronage from the Koch and Ahom rulers, and its modern iteration drives a massive multiplier effect benefiting local businesses, transportation, and hospitality.
Topic 3: Strengthening Social Audit Architecture and Grassroots Accountability in Assam
9. Which of the following statements regarding the institutional framework for Social Audits in India is/are correct:
(1) Under Section 17 of the MGNREGA (2005), the Block Development Officer is statutorily mandated to conduct social audits,
(2) The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act empowers the Gram Sabha to examine rural development expenditures?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Statement 2 is correct as the 73rd Amendment empowers the Gram Sabha. Statement 1 is incorrect because Section 17 of the MGNREGA legally mandates the Gram Sabha itself, not the Block Development Officer, to conduct regular social audits.
10. With reference to the digital tracking tools recently integrated into Assam’s social audit mechanisms, which of the following pairs is correctly matched?
- (a) Kobo Toolbox : Open-source software used for primary field data collection during audits
- (b) Awas App : Portal to track direct benefit transfers for the state’s Orunodoi scheme
- (c) Panchayat NIRNAY App : Tool used specifically to track the movement of inter-state migrant labourers
- (d) e-Gram Swaraj : Application to monitor daily mid-day meals in Samagra Shiksha schools
Show answer
Answer: (a)
Explanation: The Kobo tool is used for inclusive documentation and primary data collection during audits. The Awas App is for tracking rural housing (PMAY-G), and the NIRNAY App is for managing Gram Sabha meetings.
11. The Assam Society for Social Audit (ASSA), which acts as the state-level nodal agency to organize capacity-building workshops and facilitate social audits, operates in collaboration with which of the following state departments?
- (a) Department of Home and Political Affairs
- (b) Department of Panchayat and Rural Development
- (c) Department of Finance
- (d) Department of Social Justice and Empowerment
Show answer
Answer: (b)
Explanation: ASSA collaborates with the Golap Borbora State Institute of Panchayat and Rural Development (GB-SIPRD) and operates under the broader framework of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department.
12. In the context of grassroots accountability and social audits, an “Action Taken Report” (ATR) primarily refers to:
- (a) A predictive budget document detailing future financial allocations for the upcoming fiscal year.
- (b) A formal compliance document detailing the corrective administrative actions taken in response to irregularities found during an audit.
- (c) A petition filed by the Gram Sabha to the High Court against corrupt elected representatives.
- (d) A monthly newsletter published by the State Election Commission detailing Panchayat election schedules.
Show answer
Answer: (b)
Explanation: An Action Taken Report (ATR) is a formal administrative document used to systematically monitor whether corrective measures have been implemented in response to the financial or operational irregularities discovered during the social audit process.
Topic 4: India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA)
13. The European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which recently implemented the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with India, consists of which of the following member states?
- (a) Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein
- (b) Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Sweden
- (c) Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland
- (d) Switzerland, Norway, Netherlands, and Belgium
Show answer
Answer: (a)
Explanation: EFTA is an intergovernmental organization completely distinct from the European Union, consisting of four non-EU member states: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
14. What makes the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) historically unique compared to India’s previous Free Trade Agreements?
- (a) It grants India permanent tariff-free access to all European Union (EU) markets.
- (b) It includes a legally binding commitment from the partner states to invest $100 billion over 15 years in India.
- (c) It completely eliminates Indian import duties on highly sensitive agricultural goods like dairy and soya.
- (d) It restricts the flow of foreign direct investment into India’s digital economy to protect domestic startups.
Show answer
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The TEPA is unprecedented because it moves beyond traditional tariff reductions to include a direct, legally binding commitment of $100 billion in investments and the creation of one million direct jobs in India over 15 years.
15. Which of the following statements regarding the constitutional power to enact and implement international trade agreements in India is/are correct:
(1) Under Article 253, Parliament has the exclusive power to make any law for implementing international treaties,
(2) The executive power of the Union to negotiate and sign treaties is vested under Article 73?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Both statements are correct. Article 253 grants Parliament the exclusive legislative power to enact laws implementing international treaties, while Article 73 provides the Union Government the executive mandate to negotiate and enter into such agreements.
16. With reference to the India-EFTA TEPA and its sectoral impacts, which of the following statements is/are correct:
(1) The agreement is expected to create opportunities for Norwegian investors in renewable energy and maritime services,
(2) EFTA member states will eliminate tariffs on over 99% of India’s export value,
(3) India’s GDP growth is projected to remain around 6.5 per cent annually through 2030, fueling this partnership?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2, and 3
Show answer
Answer: (d)
Explanation: All three statements are correct. The agreement targets renewable energy, maritime services, and infrastructure for Norwegian investment. It eliminates tariffs on over 99% of India’s exports to the bloc, and the EY India report cited in the context projects India’s GDP growth to remain at roughly 6.5% annually through 2030.
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