Assam Year Book 2021

CURRENT AFFAIRS FROM JANUARY 2020
ASSAM
TO JUNE 2021
YEAR
BOOK
E-BOOK
2021
SUITABLE FOR APSC, ASSAM
POLICE, PNRD, AGRICULTURE 5 PREMIUM
AND ALL GOVERNMENT APSC online
COMPETITIVE EXAMS
MOCK TESTS
INDEX
1) Assam state profile
2) Current issues 2020-21 001 - 144
3) Assam History 145 - 213
4) Assam Geography 214 - 237
5) Assam polity 238 - 244
6) Assam Budget 2020-21 255 - 273
7) Important schemes 0f 2020-21 274 - 277
8) Notable death of 2020-21 278 - 282
STATIC
STATIC GK GK
9) Notable people of Assam 283 - 288
10) Assamese Books and author 289 - 291
11) First in Assam 292 - 293
12) Dams and Reservoirs if assam 294 - 295
13) Famous monuments in Assam 296 - 300
14) Various festivals Of Assam 301 - 304
Question papers of Assam's recent

Competitive exams 305 - 314
5 Premium APSC GS Mock test 315 - 317

SPECIAL TOPIC
1) Union Budget 2021 116 - 123
2) India's rank in different indices

124 - 130
2020 - 2021
3) India's oxygen crisis 131 - 133
4) Cryptocurrency bill 2021 134 - 137
5) Padma Awards 2021 138 - 144
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Write us at - Contact@assamedu.in
ASSAM YEAR BOOK 2021
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ASSAM >
ASSAM
STATE PROFILE
Assam, the gateway to the North East India is the largest State in the
North East is bordering seven states viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Monipur,
Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and West Bengal and two
countries viz. Bangladesh & Bhutan. The State is endowed with abundant
fertile land and water resources with total geographical area of 78,438
sq.km. of which 98.4 % area is rural. Assam shares about 2.4 % of the
country’s total geographical area and provides shelter to 2.6 % population
of the country. Most of the state population lives in the lush valleys of its
two major river system in the 30 districts of the Brahmaputra valley & 3
districts of the Barak valley. Less densely populated three hill districts viz.
Karbi-Along, West Karbi-Along & Dima Hasao, set in the low-laying hills
that separate the two valleys. For administrative and revenue purposes,
the state has 33 districts including four districts Under the Bodoland
Territorial Council (BTC) area viz. Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baska & Udalguri and
6 newly created districts viz., Biswanath, Charaideo, Hojai, South Salmara-
Macachar , West Karbi-Anglong and Majuli.
ASSAMEDU.IN
ASSAM >
ASSAM
STATE PROFILE
The State has been blessed bountiful by nature. The mighty
Brahmaputra truncating the state, the Barak river in the south and their
tributaries provide abundant water resource; the dense forest cover is
home to a wide range of valuable timber, bamboo & medical plants; the
state reserve of oil and natural gas; the fertile valleys & hills lopes
nourish tea gardens and horticultural crops while the rich and fertile
soil lend itself to raising vital food-grains.
Assam is administratively divided into 33 district with 80 sub-division,

219 Development Blocks and 2202 Gaon Panchayats, out of which 3
districts with 4 sub-divisions & 16 Development Blocks are under three
hill districts of Karbi-Along, East Karbi-Along & Dima Hasao. Further,
four district with eight sub-divisions are under Bodoland Territorial
Council (BTC) area viz Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baska & Udalguri. The
Brahmaputra valley consists of North Bank Plains Zone (NBPZ), Upper
Brahmaputra valley Zone (UBVZ), Central Brahmaputra valley Zone
(CBVZ) and Lower Brahmaputra Valley Zone (LBVZ), whereas the Barak
Valley Zone mainly consists of plain area of three districts, viz. Cachar,
Karimganj & Hailakandi.
ASSAMEDU.IN
ASSAM>
ASSAM STATE
PROFILE
The State is severely affected by floods during rainy seasons causing
enormous damage to crops, livestock, land, property & bringing untold
miseries to the people at large. Both the Brahmaputra and Barak Valley
witness devastating floods every year, which not only washes away
valuable life & crops, but also lead to bank erosion and drainage
congestion, virtually destroy the economy, more particularly, the rural
economy of the State.
Assam has heterogeneous population with socio-cultural & ethnic diversity.

According to the Census of India, 2011 the population of Assam stands at
312.05 lakh of which 159.39 lakh are male and 152.66 lakh are female. The
decadal growth of the State’s population works out at 17.07 percent during
the decade 2001-2011 as against 17.68 percent for the country as a whole. Out
of the total 312.05 lakh population, 86 percent population live in rural areas &
14 percent population live in urban areas of the State. The density of the
population of Assam has increased to 398 persons in 2011 from 340 persons in
DETAIL >
2001 Census or on an average, 58 more people inhabit every square kilometer
in the State as compared to a decade ago.
ASSAMEDU.IN
ASSAM >
ASSAM AT A GLANCE
Geographical Location - 24 N° - 28 N° 90 E° - 96 E°
Geographical Area (Sq. Km.) : 78438
District : 33
Blocks : 78438
Total Population [Census 2011] : 31205576
Literacy Rate (%) [Census 2011] : 72.19
Number of National Parks :

7
Number of Wildlife Sanctuaries : 18
Population Density (per Sq. Km.) [Census 2011]: 398

DETAIL >
Total Forest Area : 1852676
Total High and Higher Secondary institution : 8241
Total College for General Education Institution : 344

ASSAM CURRENT AFFAIRS
2020 - 2021
Index
ASSAM CURRENT
Assam current affairs
AFFAIRS 2020 - 2020
2021 JANUARY 1-9
FEBRUARY 10 - 14
MARCH 15 - 21
ASSAMEDU.IN
APRIL 22 – 23
MAY 24 - 29
JUNE 30 – 34
JULY 35 - 39
Contact Us AUGUST 40 - 54
Website – Assamedu.in SEPTEMBER 55 - 68
Email – Contact@assamedu.in OCTOBER 69 - 79
NOVEMBER 80 - 84
Copyright
ASSAMEDU.IN DECEMBER 85 - 87
© All Rights Reserve

Assam current affairs
2021
No part of this publication may be
JANUARY 91 – 93
reproduced in any form without prior
permission of the publisher. The FEBRUARY 94 – 96
author and the publisher do not take MARCH 97 – 100
any legal responsibility for any errors
APRIL 101 – 103
or misrepresentations that might
have crept in. MAY 104 – 106
JUNE 107 – 114
Page 1 of 114
2020 - 2021
Assam Current Affairs - January 2020
• Magh Bihu festival celebrated in Assam
On January 15,2020 Magh Bihu, an auspicious harvest festival is being celebrated

in Assam. Magh Bihu falls in the local month of 'Magh' during mid-january. It is
also called 'Bhogali Bihu' or 'Maghor Bihu' as it is celebrated with community
feasts after the annual harvest takes place.
Key Points:
• People began the day by gathering at the temple and offered prayers, beat up
the drums and walk around the bonfire.
• The highlight of this festival is the food, which is made from the abundance of grains after the
harvest.
• The night before ‘Magh Bihu' is called 'Uruka' meaning the night of feasts.
• The villagers make bamboo huts called 'Bhelghor' or community kitchen where they begin with
the preparations for the festival.
About Assam:
Capital- Dispur
Chief Minister (CM)- Sarbananda Sanowal
Governor-Jagdish Mukhi
• Eight States finalized Agriculture Export Policy by the Government of

India
On January 5, 2020, As per Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority
(APEDA), eight states namely Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Nagaland, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Punjab,
and Karnataka finalized an action plan for Agriculture Export Policy (AEP) to enhance exports.
Key Points:
Page 2 of 114
2020 - 2021
• Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) ensures the
involvementfor states in AEP.
• A MOU was signed with the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) to include
co-operatives foractive role in AEP. Over 800 farmers producer organizations were signed the
agreement.
• The product clusters selected are Jalandhar, Punjab (Potato), Sangli, Maharashtra (Grapes),
Salem, Tamil Nadu(Poultry products), Theni, Tamil Nadu (Banana), Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh
(Mango), Indore, Madhya Pradesh(Onion), Jodhpur, Rajasthan (Isabgol) and Chikkaballapur,
Karnataka (Rose Onion).
• Under the guidance of APEDA, states are operating a market intelligence cell.
• APEDA launched the Farmer connect portal on its website to interact with exporters.
About Agriculture Export Policy:

• Agriculture Export Policy was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2018.
• It aims to increase the potential of Indian agriculture to make India a global power in agriculture.
• This policy also helps the government in achieving the target of doubling the farmer's income
from 30 billion USD to 60 billion USD by 2022.
• Centre & Assam govt signed tripartite agreement with the banned
NDFB
On January 27, 2020 Govt. of India has signed a tripartite agreement with the representatives of the
banned National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) organisation and Government of Assam at the
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The pact was signed to boost peace in the Northeastern state of Assam.
The agreement would fulfill political and economic demands besides safeguarding the language and
culture of the Bodo community people.
Agreement signing: The agreement was signed by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, four
factions of the NDFB, All Bodo Students' Union(ABSU), Joint Secretary of Home Ministry Satyendra Garg
and Assam Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna in presence of Union Minister of Home Affairs(MOHA)
Shri Amit Shah.
Tripartite agreement with NDFB:
• Assistance: Over 1500 armed cadres will abjure violence and join the mainstream. A Special
Development Package Rs. 1500 crores for over 3 years will be given by the Govt. to undertake
specific projects for the development of Bodo areas.
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2020 - 2021
• A commission under Section 14 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India will be set up.
The commission will work in recommending inclusion or exclusion of tribal population residing
in villages adjoining the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) areas.
• Commission representatives: In this commission, apart from State government representatives
will also be from ABSU and BTC. The recommendation will be submitted within 6 months from
the date of notification.
• The All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU), which has been spearheading a movement for a separate
Bodoland state alsosigned the accord.
• Welfare council: The Assam govt will establish a Bodo-Kachari Welfare Council and will also
notify Bodo language as an official language in the state. A separate directorate for Bodo
medium schools will also be established.
• similar agreement: Similar to the tripartite agreement, a pact named Bru-Reang agreement was
signed on January 16, 2020 to end the humanitarian crisis in the states of Meghalaya and
Tripura by bringing the armed cadres in Assam and 88 armed National Liberation Front of
Tripura (NLFT) cadres in Tripura to bring them to the mainstream.
• NDFB is an armed separatist outfit which seeks to obtain a sovereign Bodoland for the Bodo
people. This is the 3rd bodo accord signed in the last 27 years.
1st accord: The 1st was signed in 1993 leading to creation of Bodoland Autonomous Council with limited
political powers.
2nd accord: The second accord was signed in 2003 with the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) militant group
leading to formation of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). this pact lead to formation of 4 districts(
Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa & Udalguri) in Assam to the BTC.
About National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB)

Fact 1 - NDFB is an armed separatist outfit which seeks to obtain a sovereign Boroland for the Bodo
people. NDFB is headquartered in Myanmar (Burma).
Fact 2 - It was designated as a terrorist organisation by the Government of India.
• Assam Rifles builds war memorial “Veer Samriti” in Nagaland for

357 martyrs
Page 4 of 114
2020 - 2021
On January 30,2020 Assam Rifles (military unit) has constructed a war memorial “Veer
Samriti” in Nagaland, Kohima for 357 Army & Assam Rifles personnel, who died while
fighting insurgency in north-eastern state. It is first of its kind in Nagaland.
About “Veer Samriti" war memorial:
• The memorial has been built at Mokokchung, Nagaland (one of the cultural & intellectual
center), which was planned & executed by Inspector General Assam Rifles (North), will be
inaugurated soon.
• The names of the 357 martyrs have been carved on a single granite stone. The memorial is
spread over 13,500 sq feet & was built by 44 Assam Rifles.
• The 19 feet high war memorial is having 3 converging posts signifying the Army, Air Force and
Assam Rifles.
About Assam Rifles:
Founded - 1835.
Headquarters- Shillong, Meghalaya.
Motto-Sentinels of the North East.
Director General- Lt Gen Sukhdeep Sangwan.
• Natyasurya Awardee dramatist Ratna Ojha passed away at 88 in

Assam
On December 31, 2019, renowned Assamese dramatist, writer and social activist Ratna Ojha passed
away in Guwahati, Assam. He was 88. He took part in an ongoing protest against the Citizenship
(Amendment) Act, 2019.
Key Points:
• He was born on December 5, 1931, in Barpeta district of Assam.

• In 1971 he introduced street plays in Assam.
• He also introduced Cartoon Theater in Northeast and produced and directed the documentary
film ‘Naam-ghar'.
• For his contribution in the field of theater, he received the prestigious Natyasurya Award in
2005.
Page 5 of 114
2020 - 2021
• Assamtops in best budgetary practices followed by Odisha,AP &
Manipur at bottom: TII survey
On January 29, 2020, According to the survey 3rd edition “Transparency In Budgetary Process Report”
conducted by Transparency International's India (TII), Assam tops in the ranking of best practices
followed by states in budget formulation with a score of 70.
Key Points:
• Assam was followed by Odisha (2nd with the score of 6) & Andhra Pradesh (AP) (3rd with the
score of 64). While Manipur ranked bottom with the score of 25.
• This survey is based on four parameters which includes public disclosure, budgetary process,
post budget fiscal management and efforts to make budget more transparent and citizen
friendly.
• The survey classified the states in various categories incl opaque (0-45 sco low level of
transparency (46-60), medium level of transparency (61-75), transparent (76-90) and highly
transparent (91-100).
• The survey also recommends to enhance the budget transparency and accountability in state-
wise. They include better use of information, communication & technology for transparent
financial management, strengthening institutions involved in the budgetary process, formulate
plans for citizen's engagement in budgetary process among others.
• Assam, Jal Shakti Mission & NDRF wins the best tableaux awards for
71st Republic Day Parade 2020
On January 28, 2020, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh distributed the awards for best tableaux which
was conducted on January 26, 2020, during the 71st Republic Day event. There were a total of 22
tableaux including 16 from various states and union territories and the remaining 6 from various
ministries and departments.
Best Tableaux Awards (States and Union territories):

• Assam's tableaux displayed the theme 'Land of Unique Craftsmanship and Culture', had
showcased the Xattriya tradition in the form of Bhortal Nritya was chosen as the best tableaux.
• The second position was tied between Odisha which depicted Lord Lingaraja's Rukuna Rath
Yatra, and Uttar Pradesh which showcased the culture of Sarva Dharma Samabhav.
Best Tableaux Awards Ministry/Departments :

Among the six tableaux from different ministries departments, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
won joint best Tableaux award for showcasing the cutting-edge technology and instruments used by the
Page 6 of 114
2020 - 2021
force to carry out daring rescue operations in flood-hit and disaster-hit areas line with its motto 'Aapda
Sewa Sadaiv' along with Jal Shakti Mission who won best tableaux for government's new initiative, 'Jal
Jeevan Mission', which aims at providing functional tap connection to every rural household by 2024.
Special Prize: Central Public Works Department (CPWD) won a special prize for the theme "Kashmir se
Kanyakumari".
• Forthe first time Lawn bowls & Cycling to be included in 3rd Khelo
India Games 2020 to be held in Guwahati,Assam
On 2nd January 2019, Chief Executive Officer of “Khelo India Games" has announced the inclusion of
“Lawn bowls” and"Cycling" in the 3rd edition of Khelo India Games. These two games will be included in
the event for the first time.
Key Points:
• Around 6500 athletes from 37 teams will take part in the 3rd edition of Khelo India youth games
in Guwahati, Assam which is scheduled to be held from 10th of January to 22nd of February at
Indira Gandhi Stadium.
• The cultural events from Assam, North East and other states will be added in the event which
starts from 13th to 15th of January at Sarusajai. The exhibition of indigenous games will also be
held and there will be no entry fee for the inaugural ceremony people can enjoy it free of cost.
About Khelo India Games:
Khelo India Youth Games, formerly Khelo India School Games are the national level multidisciplinary
games in India held for two categories, namely under-17 years' school students and under-21 college
students annually in January or February.
Headquarters-New Delhi
Chief Executive Officer- Avinash Joshi
•Overview of 3rd Khelo India youth games 2020 held in

Guwahati,Assam
The 3rd edition of Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2020 was held at Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi
Indoor Stadium in Guwahati, Assam with the participation of over 10,000 students. Vijay the Tiger and
Page 7 of 114
2020 - 2021
Jaya the Black buck were the mascots of the tournament. Maharashtra clinched Khelo India Youth
Games 2020 champions trophy with a collection of 256 medals (78 gold, 77 silver and 101 bronze).
Organized by Ministry for Youth Affairs and Sports & conducted in partnership with the School Games
Federation of India (SGFI), Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and Assam State government, it was held
from January 9-22, 22020.
Top 3
Rank State Goldmedal Silvermedal Bronzemedal Medaltally

1 Maharashtra 78 77 101 256
2 Haryana 68 60 72 200
3 Delhi 39 36 47 112
Sprinter Hima Das was the torchbearer of opening ceremony of KIYG 2020
Indian sprinter Hima Das (nicknamed the Dhing Express) of Assam was the torchbearer in the opening
ceremony of the Khelo India Youth Games 2020.
Pugilist Harsh Bhagwan wins Daman and Diu's first medal at KIYG 2020
Pugilist Harsh Bhagwan (17) has clinched a silver medal in the boys Under-17, 50-52kg category,
becoming the Union Territory- Daman and Diu's first medal-winner in this 3rd edition of the Games.
Tamil Nadu girls won the under-17 basketball title

Tamil Nadu girls won the U-17 (under-17) basketball title by defeating Rajsthan with 59-57 points at
KIYG 2020 held in Assam.
Maharashtra wins U-17 & U-21 gold in Kho Kho

Maharashtra displayed their best performance at the Kho Kho events by winning all the 4 Gold medals in
under-17& under-21 boys and girls categories.
Boys team from Maharashtra defeated Gujarat with 19-11 points while the girls defeated Delhi with 14-
8 scores in their respective encounters in the finals.
UP secures gold in mix team event U-21 category in 10-m air pistol
Uttar Pradesh (UP) has clinched the gold medal in mix team event under 21 category in 10-meter air
pistol.Shooters Devanshi Dhama & Shravan Kumar represented UP team.
Assam wins 7 gold in new lawn bowls at Khelo India Youth Games
KIYG 2020 host Assam has won the 7 gold medals in newly introduced lawn bowlstea
MP govt announces incentives for medal winners in Khelo India Youth Games
Page 8 of 114
2020 - 2021
The Madhya Pradesh govt has announced an incentive of Rs 1 lakh to the gold medal winner, 75
thousand to the silver medalist and Rs 50 thousand to the bronze medalist of the Khelo India Youth
Games. A total of 46 medals including 15 gold and 11 silver medals were clinched by Madhya Pradesh.
About Khelo India:
It is the biggest sporting event in India. It is a national level multidisciplinary grassroot games in India
held for 2 categories, namely under-17 years school students and under-21 college students. It was first
launched in 2018 in New Delhi under the name Khelo India School Games (KISG).
Haryana emerged as top performers in the 1st edition & the 2nd edition was launched in Pune,
Maharashtra, where Maharashtra emerged as the top performers.
•India won the T20 series during '2020 Sri Lanka tour of India' held in
Indore, Guwahati and Pune
The Indian Men's cricket team played T201 (twenty twenty International) bilateral series against Srilanka
during the 2020 Sri Lanka tour of India. India defeated Sri Lanka in final T201 to win three match T20I
series for 2-0. The three T201 matches were held in Guwahati(Assam), Indore (Madhya Pradesh) and
Pune(Maharashtra). The first match was in Guwahati but was abandoned due to rain. The highlights of
the match are as follows:
Virat Kohli overtook Rohit Sharma to become highest scorer in T201:

Indian cricketer Virat Kohli surpassed India's Rohit Sharma to become the highest run-scorer in the T201.
Virat now has 2,663 runs in the shortest format of the game.
Bumrah becomes India's highest wicket-taker in T20:

India's Jasprit Bumrah became the highest wicket-taker in the T20 match against Srilanka. He has now
53 T20 wickets under his name from 45 T201 matches overall. He achieved this feat after he dismissed
Srilanka's opener Danushka Gunathilaka.
Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin were joint second highest wicket-takers by
making 52 wickets from 37 matches and 52 wickets from 46 matches respectively.
Kohli becomes quickest to reach 11,000 international runs as captain:

Virat Kohli made another achievement by becoming the quickest to reach 11,000 international runs a
captain in his 169th international match. He achieved the feat during the final T201 match against
Srilanka. With this, Kohli became the second Indian after Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Page 9 of 114
2020 - 2021
Overall, he is the sixth captain to achieve the feat after Ricky Ponting (Australia), Graeme Smith (South
Africa),Stephen Fleming (New Zealand), MS Dhoni, and Allan Border (Australia).
ICC T20I rankings: Rahul ranked top among Indian batsmen, Kohli moves up
India opener Kannur Lokesh Rahul retained 6th position in the first ICC Men's T201 Player Rankings of
the season while Indian captain Virat Kohli moved up a place to 9th place. Apart from Kohli and KL
Rahul, no other Indians were placed in the top 10 places in all the batting, bowling and all-rounder
rankings.
About Match venues:
Barsapara Cricket Stadium- Guwahati, Assam.
Holkar Cricket Stadium-Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium- Pune, Maharashtra.
• Assamese linguist Golok Chandra Goswami passed away at 96

On January 24,2020 Eminent linguist Golok Chandra Goswami passed away at the age of 96, in
Guwahati, Assam due to old age ailments. Golok Chandra Goswami was born in Morigaon, Assam in
1923. Goswami pursued his master's degree in Assamese language Gauhati University, Assam. In 1985
he retired from Gauhati University as head of the Assamese department. In 2018, he was awarded with
Hemchandra Barua Bhasha Sahitya Sadhana award by Sadin-
Pratidin group.
Key Points:
Golok Chandra Goswami well-known books are:
1. 'An Introduction to Assamese Phonology'.

2. 'Structure of Assamese'.
3. 'Assamese-Its Formation & Development.
4. 'Dhvani Bigyanor Bhumika'.
5. 'AsomiyaBornoprakash'.
6. 'AsomiyaAkhorJotoni'.
Awards & Honours:
1. Goswami was honoured with Sahityacharya title by Assam Sahitya Sabha.

2. Bhashacharya title by Asom Bhasha Bikash Samiti.
3. Anundoram Borooah Award by Anundoram Borooah Institute of Language, Art and Culture.
•Assamese litterateur Sashi Sarma passed away at 89
Page 10 of 114
2020 - 2021
On January 29, 2020 Famous Assamese litterateur Sashi Sarma, 89 years old passed away at his home
Nalbari, Assam due to age-related ailments.
Awards: Sarma had received Soviet Nehru Award in 1968 & the Sitanath Brahma Chowdhury Award
from Assam Sahitya Sabha.
Key Points:
• Sarma was an academic, intellectual and an example of Hindu-Muslim unity in Assam and
authored nearly 100 books. He was a retired professor of Nalbari college, Assam and his last
book ‘Antim Jatra' was released in 2019
Assam Current Affairs - February 2020
• President
gives nod for delimitation exercise in NE States of Assam,
Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland
On February 28, 2020, President Ram Nath Kovind gave his nod for resuming delimitation exercise in the
northeastern States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland by rescinding cancelling the
February 8, 2008 order. The decision has been taken following the improvement in the security situation
in these states and a reduction in insurgency incidents.
Background:
A Delimitation Commission was set up under the Delimitation Act, 2002 to readjust the division of each
state and union territory into territorial constituencies for the purpose of Lok Sabha and state assembly
elections on the basis of census figures of 2001. The Delimitation Commission completed the
delimitation exercise on November 26,2008 in respect of all the states, except in these four
northeastern states due to threat to the peace and public order.
What is Delimitation?
According to the Election Commission website, it means the act or process of fixing limits or boundaries
of territorial constituencies in a country or a province having a legislative body.
-Delimitation Commissions in India have been constituted four times in the past in 1952 under the
Delimitation Commission Act, 1952, in 1963 under Delimitation Commission Act, 1962, in 1973 under
Delimitation Act, 1972 and in 2002 under Delimitation Act, 2002.
Page 11 of 114
2020 - 2021
-This process is assigned to a high power body namely Delimitation Commission or a Boundary
Commission, whose orders have the force of law and cannot be called in question before any court.
-The Copies of the orders passed by Delimitation Commission has to be laid before Lok Sabha and the
State Legislative Assembly. But no modifications are permissible there in by them.
• APEDA-CFTRI Sign MoU for Liason Office in Guwahati to Promote

Food Processing & Organic Agri
Exports in North-East States On February 4,2020 A Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) was signed
between CSIR-CFTRI(Council of Scientific & Industrial Research- Central Food Technological Research
Institute) and APEDA (Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority ) to set up
a Liaison Office, Guwahati, Assam to provide technical support to the food industries in the NorthEast
region.It will benefit the farmers, products and entrepreneurs.
Key Points:
• CSIR-CFTRI had brought many innovative efforts to the market.

• Apeda has undertaken many promotional activities in the North-east states of India.
• Apeda has organized 5 international buyer-seller meets in Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Arunachal
Pradesh & Sikkim.
• To create awareness on agriculture and exports in the North-East states, converting the large
areas of land into organic certification training is provided based on requirements based on
National Programme on Organic Production (NPOP).
About CSIR-CFTRI:
Founded- 21 October 1950.
Headquarters- Mysore, Karnataka.
Director-Dr KarumanchiSrisailaMallikarjuna S Raghavarao.
About APEDA:
Founded - 1986.
Headquarters- New Delhi.
Chairman-Pawan Kumar Borthakur.
Page 12 of 114
2020 - 2021
• High-level committee headed by retired Justice Biplab sharma

submits report on clause 6 of Assam accord
On February 25, 2020, A high-powered committee headed by retired former Gauhati High Court (HC)
Justice Biplab Kumar Sarma has formally submitted its report on implementation of Clause 6 of the
Assam Accord 1985 to Assam Chief Minister (CM) Sarbananda Sonowal in the presence of state's finance
minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and other officials. The report will then submitted to the Union Home
Minister (HM) Amit Shah.
Key Points:
• The Clause 6 of the Assam Accord of 1985 was signed between the All Assam Students Union
(AASU), Union government and Assam government on August 15, 1985, in the presence of then
prime minister (PM) Rajiv Gandhi.Under this, the centre agreed to accept all the migrants that
entered before 1966 & also affirms provide constitutional, legislative and administrative
measures to protect and preserve the cultural, social, linguistic identity of the Assamese people.
• The Central Government on July 16, 2019 setup a high-level committee for recommending
measures to implement the Clause 6 of the Assam Accord.
•1 in 3 payments for maternity benefit scheme ‘PMMVY' credited to

wrong account: NITI Aayog report
On February 23, 2020, According to "Transforming Nutrition in India: Poshan Abhiyan", a 2nd progress
report on Prime Minister's Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment (POSHAN) Abhiyaan (Nutrition
Mission) until September 2019, released by the NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog,
worryingly 1 in 3 of Aadhaar-based payments for Centre's maternity benefit scheme/ Pradhan Mantri
Matru Vandana Yojana(PMMVY) was credited to a wrong bank account. As per the report, 28% of 31.29
lakh of all Aadhaar-based payments are going to different bank accounts than what had been provided
by the beneficiaries.
Key Points:
• As per the data gathered until March 31, 2019, the report notes that 66% of the direct benefit
transfers for the PMMVY were based on Aadhaar.
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• According to a telephone survey of 5,525 beneficiaries, undertaken by the Ministry of Women
and Child Development (WCD), showed that just 60% of beneficiaries under the scheme were
aware of the receipt of the benefits and the bank accounts to which the money was remitted.
Background: There have been records of long term delays with some beneficiaries having to wait for 2
years period to get the benefit. They also facing problems in filling up the 32-page application form and
providing nine identity documents.
Ranking of the states:

The report also ranked states & Union Territories to measure their readiness to execute the programme
across 4 themes: governance and institutional mechanism; strategy and planning, service delivery and
capacities; and programme activities and intervention coverage. The States were classified into large
and small categories for a better comparison.Among the 19 large States, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh
and Madhya Pradesh scored the top 3 ranks with the scheme implementation score of over 70%. While,
Among the 8 small States, Mizoram and Sikkim scored above 75%. Similarly, Dadra and Nagar Haveli,
Chandigarh, and Daman and Diu scored above 75% & got top 3 spot among 7 Union Territories list.
Top 3 states in the ranking

Rank Large states Small States Union Territories
1 Andhra Pradesh Mizoram Dadra & nagar haveli
2 Chhattisgarh Sikkim Chandigarh
3 Madhya Pradesh Nagaland Daman &diu
Bottom 3 states in the ranking

Karnataka – 17th Tripura – 6th Andaman &nicobar island – 5th
Assam – 18th Manipur – 7th Delhi – 6th
Kerala – 19th Goa – 8th Lakshadweep – 7th
y Way forward : The reknit stressed to simplify the documentation and onerational rules to avoid delays
in money transfer & also proposed to rationalize the mandatory waiting period of 180 days before the
second installment is released as well as the compulsory birth certificate for the release of the 3rd
installment.
About PMMVY:
It is a maternity benefit programme being implemented in all districts of the country with effect from
1st January, 2017.Under this, pregnant women and lactating mothers get *5,000 for their 1st child in 3
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instalments (of Rs1,000, Rs2,000 and Rs2,000) on fulfilling some conditions including early registration
of pregnancy, Ante-natal check-up, and Registration of the birth of the child and completion of first cycle
of vaccination for the first living child of the family.The amount is meant to compensate women for the
loss of wages and is aimed at ensuring a healthy nutritional development of the newborn baby.
•India to host the FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup 2020; 'Kick Off
the Dream' is official slogan
On February 18, 2020 Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju announced the 5 host cities of India for the FIFA
(Federation Internat ionale de Football Association) Under-17 Women's Football World Cup which
begins on 2nd November 2020. The official slogan of the tournament is: Kick Off the Dream.
Key Points:
I. Host cities: Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Bhubaneshwar (Odisha), Guwahati (Assam), Kolkata (West Bengal)
and Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra) were confirmed as the 5 host cities for the FIFA Under-17 Women's
World Cup.
ii.Finals: The final match will be held at Dr D Y Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra on 21st
November 2020.
iii.Participants: 16 teams will compete across 32 matches to lift the title.
About FIFA:
Motto- For the Game, For the World.
Headquarters- Zurich, Switzerland.
FIFA Chief Women's Football Officer- Sarai Bareman.
President- Giovanni Vincenzo Infantino.
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• FormerAssam Speaker and sitting MLA Pranab Kumar Gogoi passed
away at 84
On February 3,2020 Former Assam Legislative Assembly
Speaker and sitting Congress MLA (Member of the
Legislative Assembly) Pranab kumar Gogoi, 84 years old
passed away in Guwahati, Assam due to age-related illness.
He was born on 19th August 1936 in Dibrugarh, Assam.
Key Points:
• Pranab Kumar belongs to Indian National Congress (INC)

party and was first elected as Legislator from the Assam
Legislative Assembly from Sivasagar, Assam for 4
consecutive terms.
• He also served as minister in Tarun Gogoi-led cabinet from 2006-2011 and speaker of the Assam
legislative assembly in 2011.
• In 2015, Pranab Kumar took the definition of the term 'Assamese'.
Assam Current Affairs - March 2020
• Rs 33 cr for Kaziranga under Project Tiger scheme; Rs 1.51 crore

under CAMPA for FY2018-19 & FY19-20
On March 2, 2020, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified that
under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), a financial
assistance of Rs 1.51 crore has been sanctioned to Kaziranga National Park in Kanchanjuri, Assam during
the financial years 2018-19 and 2019-2020. For the financial years 2018-19 Rs 94,46,585 was sanctioned
while Rs 51,24,670 was allocated for 2019-2020.
Apart from this, under the Project Tiger scheme, Rs 33 crore was sanctioned. A financial assistance of Rs
10.30 crore was sanctioned for 2018-19 and Rs 22.81 crore was allocated for 2019-20 to Kaziranga Tiger
Reserve, which includes Kaziranga National Park.
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Utilization of allocation:
• Highlands and platforms have been constructed in national parks to give shelter to animals
during high flood.
• Anti-poaching camps in strategic locations have also been constructed with sufficient armed
guards, besides deployment of boats during flood and use of modern technologies like
'electronic eye' for smart patrolling.
About Project Tiger scheme:

Initiated in April 1, 1973, Project Tiger was started to save tigers from getting extinct by taking
preventive measures.It was launched in Jim Corbett National Park, Uttrakhand under the leadership of
Indira Gandhi to save Royal Bengal Tigers. After the project, the number has increased from 1200 to
around 5000.
About Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC):

Union Minister-Prakash Javadekar
Minister of State (Mos)- Babul Supriyo
• Andhra Pradesh ranked 1st in the country for overall

implementation of POSHAN Abhiyaan
On March 9, 2020 Andhra Pradesh (AP) ranked 1st in the country for overall implementation of
POSHAN( Prime Minister's Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment) Abhiyaan as per September
2019 progress report of NITI Aayog, “Transforming Nutrition in India: POSHAN Abhiyaan”.The 2nd
anniversary of POSHAN Abhiyaan is recognized by celebrating Poshan Pakhwada from 8th-22nd March
2020.
Overall Implementation Status of POSHAN Abhiyaan

It is classified under 3 categories & the following is named according to the position.
• Large State (19)-AP, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat,
Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Rajasthan ,Bihar ,Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana,
Telangana, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Assam, Kerala.
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• Small State (8)- Mizoram, Sikkim, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Manipur,
Goa.
• Union Territory(7)- Dadra & Nagar Haveli,Chandigarh, Daman &Diu,Puducherry, Andaman &
Nicobar, Delhi, Lakshadweep.
Highlights of AP
As part of the programme it also trained all AnganWadi Workers on modules created based on lifecycle
approach where 1st 1000 days of life, with the support of incremental learning Approach (ILA)& has
given 55,607smartphones to them, to improve delivery service & to report day to day actions, as well as
to council the target.
Poshan Pakhwada 2020

The focus area of Poshan Pakhwada 2020 is ‘Men for Nutrition - Increasing Male Engagement in
POSHAN Abhiyaan to Improve Nutritional Indicators'.It aims to reduce malnutrition from the country in
a phased manner through the life cycle concept, by adopting a synergized & result-oriented approach.
Tamil Nadu tops in Poshan Abhiyaan's participants list

Tamil Nadu tops the list of the states in terms of the number of participants in the programme.
POSHAN Abhiyaan
It was launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of the
International Women's Day on 8 March,2018 Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan. It is India's
flagship programme to direct the attention of the country towards the problem of
malnutrition & address it in a mission-mode. It is earlier called as National
Nutrition Mission (NNM), since 18th December, 2017.
NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog has played a critical role in shaping the POSHAN
Abhiyaan &it is required to submit implementation status reports of POSHAN Abhiyaan every 6 months
to the Prime Minister'sOffice (PMO).
The goals of POSHAN Abhiyaan :

To achieve improvement in the nutritional status of Children from 0-6 years, Adolescent Girls, Pregnant
Women & Lactating Mothers in a time bound manner with fixed targets & aims to bring down stunting
of children in the age group of 0-6 years from 38.4% to 25% by the year 2022.
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Strategy/Pillars for implementation of the mission are:
Inter-sectoral convergence for better service delivery Use of Information & Communication Technology
(ICT) for real time growth monitoring & to track women & children Intensified health & nutrition
services for first 1000 days Jan Andolan.
About Andhra Pradesh

Capital- Amaravati
Chief Minister- YS Jagan Mohan Reddy
•Centre
constitutes Delimitation commission for J&K, Assam,
Manipur, Arunachal, chaired by former SC judge Ranjana Prakash
Desai
On March 06, 2020, In exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Delimitation Act, 2002, the
Central government has set up a Delimitation Commission, headed by former Supreme Court judge
Ranjana Prakash Desai, for the delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies of the Union
Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and the northeastern states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh(AP),
Manipur and Nagaland.
Key Points:
• The Commission will also comprise of members,viz an Election Commissioner (presently Mr.
Sushil Chandra) andthe State Election Commissioners of the respective States and UT,who will
be made ex-officio members of the commission. Ranjana Prakash has been appointed for a
period of one year.
• The Commission is mandated to delimit the Lok Sabha and Assembly Constituencies in J&K
under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act,2019 while the provisions of
the Delimitation Act 2002 will delimit Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland.
Delimitation was done based on the 2001 census. The Section 60 of the J&K Reorganisation
Act,2019 stipulates that the number of seats in its Legislative Assembly will be increased to 114,
from the present 107. Of these, 24 seats have been reserved for Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
• Such Delimitation Commissions have been formed 4 times in India - in 1952 under the
Delimitation Commission Act, 1952, in 1963 under Delimitation Commission Act, 1962, in 1973
under Delimitation Act, 1972 and in 2002 under Delimitation Act, 2002.
Delimitation Commission:
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It is appointed by the President of India (presently Ram Nath Kovind) and works in collaboration with the
Election Commission of India.
What is Delimitation?
It refers to the act or process of fixing limits or boundaries of territorial constituencies in a country to
represent changes in population.
Why it is needed?
The primary aim of delimitation is to provide equal representation to similar segments of the
population. It also aimsat proper division of geographical areas so that one political party does not get
an inappropriate advantage over others in elections.It also aimed to follow the principle of One vote
One value.
Issues with Delimitation:

The States that take less interest in population control could end up with a greater number of seats in
Parliament.
About Ministry of Law and Justice:
Headquarters- New Delhi
Union Minister-Ravi Shankar Prasad
• Assam Government to construct 33 stadiums under Uttaran scheme
The Assam Government plans to construct 33 stadiums across the state under the Uttaran Scheme, 300
crores will be provided to construct these stadiums announced by Principal Secretary of Sports Avinash
Joshi and Joint Director Kamaljit and 500 playgrounds are being built to encourage rural talents.
Key Points:
• The Government has decided to provide an amount of Rs.50,000 to 1000 players and Rs.75,000
will be given to 2500 clubs.
• The Uttaran Scheme is adopted by the Assam Government to give a new dimension to the
visions of the MLAs and to implement innovative projects which will be suitable to local needs.
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• Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal honoured with Dr.
Syama Prasad Mukherjee award for politics : Swarajya Awards 2020
On February 28, 2020 Assam's Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was honoured with Swarajya Awards
2020 under the category, Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee Award for Politics at the 6th India Ideas Conclave
at Tent City Narmada in Gujarat. The award is instituted by India Foundation & Indic Academy,
&presented by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Speaker of People's Majlis of Maldives
Mohamed Nasheed.
He received the award for his work in integrating the nation, & to take Mukherjee's vision & philosophy
forward. He dedicated the award to the people of Assam, who have been the source of inspiration and
guidance during his public life.
About Swarajya Awards

The award aims to Honor the stellar work by individuals in the field of culture, social work, politics &
economics .Eachaward will carry a citation, a specially designed trophy & a cheque worth Rs. 1 lakh.
Winners List
Awardee Category Field
Sarbananda Sonowal Dr S.P Mukharjee Award Politics
K parasan Shree narayana guru award Social work
Bharatbala Ustad Bismillah Khan award Culture
About Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee

• He was born on 6th July 1901& served as the youngest Vice Chancellor of Calcutta University
(1934-1938).He became the First Minister of Commerce and Industry of India (1947 - 1950) & is
the founder of BJP.
• In 2015, the Government of India launched the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission
(SPMRM) to drive economic, social and infrastructure development in rural areas and create 300
urban areas to stem increasing migration to urban areas.
• In his memory Shyama Prasad Mukharjee College of University of Delhi was established in 1969.
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• Jadav Payeng environmental activist of Assam named as 128th

Commonwealth Points of Light Award winner
On March 3 2020, Jadav Payeng, an environmental

activist of Assam also known as the “Forest man of
India" named as 128th winner of Commonwealth
Points of Light Award. He had spent 30 years of his
life for planting trees. He was honored by the Head
of Common Wealth the Queen Elizabeth II for his
exceptional volunteer service in environmental
conservation.
JadavPayeng,57 years old had created a sandbar as

forest reserve and home to animals, birds and various species on the bank of river Brahmaputra. The
sandbar is a part of Majuli, the world's largest river island. Molai forest also created by Jadav Payeng.
Padma Shri Jadav Payeng also received the Karmayogi Award for 2020 at New Delhi.
Commonwealth Points of Light Award:

The Award was first established by former the U.S. President George H. W. Bush in 1990 and it is
given to thank inspirational volunteers across the 53 Commonwealth nations.
•Former Indian Footballer Abdul Latif passed away at 73

On March 23, 2020, Abdul Latif, former India football player and 1970 Asian games bronze medallist
passed away at the age of 73 in Guwahati, Assam. He also represented India in Asia Cup Qualifier in
1968 in Myanmar and Merdeka Cup in 1969 in Kuala Lumpur.
Key Points:
• About Latif: He was born on June 20 of 1947 in Mysore, Karnataka. He played as a midfielder
and also played for the two famous Kolkata clubs Mohammedan Sporting Club and Mohan
Bagan.
• He was the coach of the Assam team which won the junior & sub-junior national titles under his
guidance.
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Assam Current Affairs - April 2020
• PM-KISAN: Aadhaar seeding process for beneficiaries of Assam, Meghalaya, J-

K, Ladakh extended till March, 2021
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The relaxation given to Assam,

Meghalaya, Jammu and Kashmir, and
Ladakh regarding the mandatory
requirement of Aadhaar seeding for
beneficiaries under the Pradhan
Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-
KISAN) scheme has been extended for
one more year till 31st March 2021
from 31st March, 2020. Aadhaar
seeding is a process of linking Aadhaar
number with primary bank account
number or with Government Official documents like Pan Card etc. As we all know that under the PM-
KISAN scheme the release of benefits is done only through Aadhaar seeded data of beneficiaries
uploaded by the State / UT Governments on the PM-KISAN portal. But Assam, Meghalaya and the UTs of
J&K and Ladakh have been exempted from this till 31st March, 2020, due to less penetration of Aadhar
in these places.
Reason behind extension:

It has been assessed that the above mentioned places are taking more time to complete the work of
Aadhaar seeding for beneficiaries and if the extension is not approved then the beneficiaries of these
States / UTs may not be able to avail the benefits of the Scheme w.e.f. 1st April, 2020.
• Assam govt launches new medicine delivery scheme called

'Dhanwantari'
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On April 24, 2020, The Coronavirus (COVID-19) is now rampant across the
country & many people are now in direstraits without getting the required
medicine in their area during the lockdown.
In view of this, the Assam state government's health department has

launched a special scheme called 'Dhanwantari', under which locally
unavailable medicines will be delivered to patients at home. This medicine is
free up to 200 rupees.
Key Points:
1.Dhanwantari: How it works?
If the required medicine is not available at a distance of 10 km from the house, the government will
provide the medicine at home. This facility can be availed by calling 104. If this medicine is available
within the district, the health department will supply the medicine within 24 hours. Similarly, 48 hours
will be required for delivery from other places i.e. from the Regional Center and one week will be
required for delivery from outside the State.
2.A total of 4,000 MPWs (Multipurpose Health Workers), ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist)
workers and aspirants from across the state will be directly involved in this service.
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Assam Current Affairs - May 2020
• NBWL permits coal mining in part of Assam's Dehing Patkai elephant

reserve
On April 24, 2020, National Board for Wild Life (NBWL),the apex body
to review all wildlife-related matters, has permitted the use of 98.59
hectares of land at Saleki, a part of the Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve
in Assam for opencast coal mining project done by North-Easter Coal
Field (NECF), a unit of Coal India Limited. While, the rest of the area
may be used for underground coal mining.
Key Points:
• Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve that includes the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary (also known
as Jeypore Rainforest) consists of an 111.19 sq km area of rain forests and several reserve
forests in Sivasagar, Dibrugby the minutes of the 57th Meeting of the Standing Committee of
National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) chaired by Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change (MoEFCC), Prakash Javadekar on April 17, 2020 through video-conferencing.
• Panel setup: The NBWL formed a committee in July 2019 to assess the mining sector. It consist
of member R. Sukumar, a representative of the wildlife division and the state chief wildlife
warden of Assam. As per the committee, 57.02 hectares of forest land has already been used for
mining by Coal India Limited and that in the remaining 41.39 hectares of unbroken area should
be adopted cautiously due to the rich biodiversity.
• Centre
gives environmental clearance for drilling & testing of
hydrocarbons in Assam's DibruSaikhowa Park
On May 20, 2020 Public Sector Undertaking(PSU) major Oil India Ltd(OIL) informed that the Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change(MoEF&CC) gave environmental clearance for extension drilling
and testing of hydrocarbons at 7 locations inside the Assam's Dibru-Saikhowa National Park(NP) from
about 1.5 km distance outside the boundary of the forest with the he lp of the Extended Reach
Drilling(ERD) technology by which can reach the target depth of around 3.5 km beneath the surface of
the NP without carrying out any drilling activity inside theNP.
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The clearance was given as part of the Centre's target to reduce 10% imports and the Northeast Vision
2030, & the commercial production from this area shall also enable Oil to meet the same centre's target
Key Point : OIL affirmed that use of ERD technology will not disturb the environment and the NP
situated in Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts
Background :
• To establish the fact that OIL will not enter the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park area, OIL went
through an elaborate process to obtain the necessary approvals from statutory bodies like
MoEF&CC after fulfilling the stringent guidelines and adhering to various compliances
• In order to tap the hydrocarbon resources underneath the Park, the company had approached
statutory bodies for obtaining necessary permissions in 2016 on the basis of the ERD
technology.
About ERD :
The ERD techniques are widely used to cut hydrocarbon targets far from the surface or areas of the
reservoir which otherwise are difficult to access. By using this technology, wells can be drilled up to a
depth of about four kilometers from the existing well foundation without entering the protected area.
Other approvals :
Union Environment and Forest Minister & Chairman of National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) Prakash
Javadekar has approved a coal-mining project in the Saleki reserve forest which is a part of the Dihing
Patkai Elephant Reserve(a part of Dihing Patkai wildlife sanctuary) spread over Tinsukia and Dibrugarh
districts through video conference in April. Dihing Patkai is known as the 'Amazon of the Easť.
About MoEF&CC:
Union Minister-Prakash Javadekar(Constituency- Maharashtra)
Minister of State-Babul Supriyo(Constituency- Asansol, West Bengal)
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• HimantaBiswa Sarma presented Rs 1,03,762 cr Assam Budget for FY
2020-2021
On March 6, 2020, Assam finance minister Himanta Biswa

Sarma presented Budget for Assam for the financial year 2020-
21. He presented his fifth and final budget as the finance
minister of Sarbananda Sonowal-led government.
• Gross State Domestic Product of Assam: At current prices) is

projected to be Rs 4,08,627 crore.
• Total expenditure: For 2020-21 it is estimated to be Rs

1,03,762 crore.
• Total receipts (excluding borrowings): These are estimated to

be Rs 92,231 crore.
• Revenue surplus: It is targeted at Rs 9,154 crore, or 2.24% of the Gross State Domestic Product
(GSDP).
• Fiscal deficit It: is targeted at Rs 9,383 crore (2.3% of GSDP). In 2019-20, the fiscal deficit is estimated
to be Rs21,531 crore (5.92% of GSDP).
• Revenue expenditure: For 2020-21 is proposed to be Rs 82,777 crore
• Growth rate: From 2016-17 to 2019-20 is 12.38%.
Highlights from Budget:

• Assam to acquire 1.65% additional stake worth Rs 1,500 Crore in Numilagarh Refinery Ltd (NRL).
• Taxes: State sales tax on petrol and diesel cut by 50 paise. Agriculture tax has been withdrawn.
No new tax proposals in the budget speech. No hike in excise, forest tax and GST.
• Subsidy: Income support of Rs 830 per month will be provided to 27 lakh families through direct
benefit transfer mode. Rs 2,800 crore has been allocated for this purpose.
• Free rice: It will be provided to all beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act, as part of
the Anna Yojanainitiative. Rs 472 crore has been allocated for this initiative for the year 2020-
21.
• Entrepreneurship: Two lakh youth of the state will be covered under the revised Swami
Vivekananda Youth Empowerment Yojana to encourage youth to form entrepreneurial groups.
Seed capital of Rs 50,000 will be provided to each member of such groups to initiate
entrepreneurial activities. Rs 1,000 crore has been allocated for this purpose.
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• Study assistance: Admission fee waiver, free textbooks & uniforms in Government Schools. Rs
1000 will be provided to 1 lakh students for textbooks. Textbook assistance of Rs 1500 and Rs
2000 for students at graduate and postgraduate levels.
• Electric vehicle registration fee to be cut by half for women owners.
Click here to find complete report:https://finassam.in/budget

documents/
• India,
Bangladesh sign pact to operationalise 5 more ports of call & 2
new routes
On May 20, 2020 India & Bangladesh signed the 2nd Addendum to the Protocol on Inland Water Transit
and Trade in Dhaka. Under this pact- Increased 5 more ports of call from earlier 6(Total- 11) & extended
2 ports of call in each country; 2 new Indo Bangladesh Protocol(IBP) routes(from 8 to 10) & new
locations are also added to the existing routes to facilitate the trade between two countriesIt was signed
by the High Commissioner of India in Bangladesh, Riva Ganguly Das, and Bangladesh Shipping Secretary
Mohammad Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury.
Parts :
•New Ports-
The new ports of call in India are Dhulian, Moya, Kolaghat, Sonamura and Jogigopha& in Bangladesh will
be Rajshahi, Sultanganj, Chilmari, Daudkandi and BahadurabadInclusion of Jogigopha and Bahadurabad
will provide connectivity to Meghalaya, Assam and Bhutan. Jogigopha also becomes important, since a
Multimodal Logistics Park is proposed to be established there.
• Significance of new ports :
The new Ports of Call will enable the loading and unloading of cargo transported on the Indo
Bangladesh Protocol Route and provide a stimulus to the economic development of the new locations
and their hinterland.
Extended Ports are: In India- Tribeni (Bandel) will be under Kolkata Port of Call and Badarpur will be
under Karimganj Port of Call. In Bangladesh-Ghorashal under Narsingdi district will be under
Narayanganj Port of Call and Moktarpur under Munshigaj district will be under Pangaon Port of Call
Existing ports of call: In India- Kolkata, Haldia, Karimganj, Pandu, Shilghat and Dhubri. In Bangladesh-
Narayanganj,Khulna, Mongla, Sirajganj, Ashuganj and Pangaon
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• Routes :
The inclusion of Sonamura (India). Daudkandi (Bangladesh) stretch of Gumti river (93 km) as IBP route
No. 9 & 10 in the protocol will improve the connectivity of Tripura and adjoining States with Indian and
Bangladesh's economic centres and will help the hinterland of both the countries. This route shall be
connecting all existing IBP routes from 1 to 8.
• Key Points:
• Under this Protocol, Inland vessels of both the countries can ply on the desi gnated protocol
route and dock at Ports of Call in each country, notified for loading/unloading of cargo.
• There is significant improvement in the movement of cargo vessels in an organized manner on
the protocol route carrying both the transit cargo to the North East (NE) region of India and vice-
versa and export-cargo to Bangladesh.
• The Indian transit cargo is mainly coal, fly-ash, POL and ODC for power projects in NE region.
Fertilizers, cement, food grains & agricultural products are among other potential cargo for
movement
• The export cargo from India to Bangladesh is mainly fly-ash which is to the tune of 30 lakhs MT
per annum. Around 638 inland vessels (including 600 Bangladeshi flag vessels) completed
annually with about 4000 loaded voyages.
• The modifications will facilitate trade between two countries with improved reliability and cost
effectiveness. Use of shallow draft mechanized vessels Both countries have agreed o introduce
trade between Chilmari (Bangladesh) and Dhubri (India) through the use of shallow draft
mechanized vessels, provided these are registered under Inland Shipping Ordinane 976 of
Bangladesh or Inland Vessels Act, 1917 of India as per provisions of Article 1.3 of the Protocol
and conform to safety requirements.
Significance-
Will allow export of stone chips and other Bhutanese and North East cargo to Bangladesh and easy
access for the traders to the hinterland of Bangladesh, enhancing the local economy Bangladesh and the
lower Assam region of India.
• Background :
• Protocol, which was first signed in 1972 (immediately after independence of Bangladesh) and
since then the two countries have renewed the agreement through PIWTT (Protocol on Inland
Water Transit and Trade).
• It was last renewed in 2015 for 5 years with a provision for its automatic renewal for a further
period of five years giving long term assurance to various stakeholders.
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• During the discussions between India and Bangladesh at these meetings held in October, 2018
in New Delhi and in December 2019 in Dhaka, key decisions were taken on the extension of
protocol routes, inclusion of new routes and declaration of new Ports of Call. These decisions
have been made effective with the signing of the 2nd Addendum to the Protocol.
• What is "Port of call"?
As per the shipping Monitoring, Reporting and Verification(MRV) regulation, a "port of call" can be
defined as the port of a country where cargo or a passenger (cruise) ship halts to discharge or load the
cargo or to embark or disembark passengers.
• Freedom fighter Padma Shri Gandhian Hema Bharali passed away at

101
On 29th April 2020, Freedom fighter and Padma Shri Gandhian Hema Bharali well known as Freedom
Activist, social worker, Sarvodaya leader passed away due to prolonged illness at her home in Guwahati
at the age of 101 and a spinster. She was born in Assam on 19th February 1919.
Key Points:
• Hema Bharali participated in the relief operations during the earthquake in North Lakhimpur in
1950 and helped the people in the Assam- Arunachal Pradesh border in the Chinese aggression
in 1962.
• Hema Bharali was a front ranking Leader of VinobaBhave'sBhoodan Movement and she engaged
herself in rural development, strengthening of national integration, spread of basic education
and removal of social discrimination.
• She contributed to women empowerment and made efforts to uplift the socially and financially
challenged section of the society.
• Awards: In 2005 She received the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award in the Republic
of India from of Dr.A.P.J Abdul Kalam.
• In 2006, The National Foundation for Communal Harmony under the Ministry of Home Affairs
awarded her the National Communal Harmony Award and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Memorial
Award for National Integration from the Assam government.
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Assam Current Affairs - June 2020
• Centreapproved funds for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in

Odisha, Meghalaya, Assam & Bihar
On the lines of the announcement made by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 regarding Jal
Jeevan Mission(JM) which aims to provide “Functional Household Tap Connection" (FHTC) to 18 Crore
rural households of the country by the year 2024, the Centre has approved funds for the
implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in the following states during FY2020-2021:
Centre approves Rs 812 crore for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in

Odisha
Centre has approved a higher allocation of Rs 812 crore for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in
Odisha during2020-21 in comparison to the Rs 297 crore in FY19-20. The government of Odisha is
planning to provide over 16 lakh household connections in 2020-21 with a target of 100% household tap
connections by the year 2024.PriorityPriority is being given for 100% coverage of villages under water-
scarce areas, quality-affected areas, Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna villages, villages in Aspirational Districts
and SC/ST dominated habitations.
Odisha was allocated Rs 2,258 crore under the 15th Finance Commission Grants to Panchayati Raj
Institutions(PRIs) during 2020-21. 50% of the amount has to be mandatorily spent on water and
sanitation.
Centre approves Rs 175 crore for implementation of JJM in Meghalaya

Centre has approved 175 crore rupees for implementation of JJM in Meghalaya during 2020-21. The
allocation has been made on the basis of the Annual Action Plan presented by Meghalaya to National
JM, Ministry of Jal Shakti under which the state has proposed 100% tap connections to all the
households by December, 2022.
In FY20-21, out of 5.89 lakh total rural households, the State will provide 1.80 lakh tap connections.
The State has been allocated Rs. 182 Crore under 15th Finance Commission Grants to PRIs during 2020-
21; 50% of this amount has to be mandatorily to be spent on water and sanitation. Notably, Meghalaya
is blessed with more than average rainfall and has abundant natural water resources. However, due to
detrimental human interference, the water levels are depleted.
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Centre approves Rs 1,407 crore for implementation of Jal jeevan mission in
Assam during 2020-21
Centre has approved Rs 1,407 crore for implementation of JJM in Assam during the year 2020-21. Assam
has plannedto provide functional tap connections to 13 lakh rural households in 2020-21, out of total 63
lakh households. The state also planned to immediately provide household tap connections to all
remaining households belonging to weaker and marginalised sections on a priority basis.
Centre allocates over Rs 1,832.66 cr for implementation of JJM in Bihar

Centre has allocated Rs. 1832.66 crore for implementation of JJM in Bihar during 2020-21. Bihar is
planning to provide tap connections to the remaining 1 crore 50 lakh households in 2020-21 therefore
the state will have 100% coverage of all households with functional tap water connections by 2020-21.
Jal Jeevan Mission (UJM) has been launched in partnership with States, to enable every household in
villages to have aFHTC within the premises by 2024.
Arunachal Pradesh plans to provide tap connection to all rural households by

March 2023 :
Govt of India approved Rs 255 Crore for the State under Jal Jeevan Mission (JIM) in 2020-21. The State
proposed to provide 100% tap connections to all the households by March, 2023. Out of 2.18 lakh total
rural households, the State is planning to provide 77,000 tap connections in 2020-21.
The State has been allocated Rs. 231 Crore under 15th Finance Commission Grants to PRIs during 2020-
21.Being implemented inmented in partnership with States, the Mission aims to enable every rural
household has assured availability of potable water at a service level of 55 litres per capita per day
(Iped) on regular and long-term basis soas to bring improvements in lives of rural folks.
Puducherry plans to provide tap connections to all rural households in 2020-21

National Jal Jeevan Mission has approved the Annual Action Plan of Puducherry for FY2020-2021 under
which household tap connections will be provided to remaining households.
The UT has been advised to focus on 24*7 service delivery in rural areas, so that the villages can act as
'utilities with focus on 'service delivery. It’s also planned to conduct Internet of Things (IoT) based sensor
monitoring for water supply in villages.
It should be noted that all the above states are giving emphasis on the "low-hanging fruits" i.e. in the
villages/ habitations where piped water supply schemes already exist, so that remaining households
could be provided with tap connections easily in very less time.
About IIM
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It aims to enable every rural household has assured availability of potable water at a service level of 55
litres per capita per day (Ipcd) on regular and long-term basis. As a mission target, all states are
presenting their implementation plans to the National level Committee headed by Secretary,
Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Govt. of India for approval.
The estimated outlay of the mission is Rs 3.60 Lakh Crore with Central and State share of Rs. 2.08 Lakh
Crore and Rs.1.52 Lakh Crore respectively.
FPI Minister Harsimrat Kaur Launches Food Processing Edition of

Exclusive Investment Forum Hosted by Invest India
On June 22, 2020, The Union Minister of Food Processing Industries (FPI) Harsimrat Kaur Badal has
launched the Food Processing Edition of the Exclusive Investment Forum (Webinar) hosted by Invest
India.
The Forum, aims to conduct detailed interaction between leading global companies in the food
processing sector and policy makers of the central and 6 State Governments (Andhra Pradesh, Assam,
Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh).
Discussion at the Forum:

A total of 180 companies from 18 countries participated in the forum, which saw the discussion over the
critical aspects for investment decisions ranging from policy incentives, industrial zones, infrastructure
capabilities and special investor facilitation services were discussed at the forum so as to make India the
next Global Investments hub.
Badal at the Forum:

• As per Badal, there is a need to make the western world aware of the superfoods of India. In
addition, there is a lot of opportunity in the ready to eat segment, in which global retailers may
consider having Indian food in their stores.
• Government also decided to form Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGOS)' and 'Project
Development Cell' (PDC) in Ministries / Departments to boost the domestic as well as foreign
investments in food processing sector.
• As companies are moving away from countries they were importing food products from
different countries, we should promote 'go vocal for local thought of PM Modi and use our
domestic food products.
About Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI):

Headquarters - New Delhi
Minister of State (Mos) – Rameswar Teli
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SCL Das to head the committee constituted by Petroleum Ministry to

inquire the Assam oil well disaster
On June 12 2020, A 3-member high-level committee was formed by the Petroleum Ministry to inquire
the disaster at Oil India Ltd well in Assam. The panel will be headed by Director General of Directorate
General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), SCL Das, other members of the panel include BC Bora former ONGC(Oil
and Natural Gas Corporation) chairman and T K Sengupta former ONGC director. The objective of the
Panel: To identify the lapses in following laid down protocols and procedures which led to the incident
and submit a report in a months time.
Note: The committee will also recommend short and long term measures to prevent recurrence of such
incidents.
How did the disaster happen?

on May 27, 2020, a blowout occurred when natural gas mixed with condensate started flowing
uncontrollably from one of the wells of Oil India Ltd (OIL) in Baghjan fields in Tinsukia district of Assam
subsequently the well caught fire on June 8, 2020, spreading to about 200 m around the well and
claiming two lives of OIL India firefighters.
What is being done to control the fire?

Engineers and an expert team from Singapore based M/s Alert with Crisis Management Team and V.P.
Mahawar, Ex-Director (Onshore) of ONGC with the efforts of the National Disaster Response Force
(NDRF) have been trying to tame the 4-day fire to the mouth of well, which needs capping to completely
extinguish the fire.Evacuation of the people around the region is being done to ensure the safety of the
people. OIL India has provided financial aid of Rs.30,000 to each the affected families.
About the Petroleum Ministry:

The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas is concerned with the exploration and production of Oil &
Natural Gas, refining, distribution and marketing, import, export and conservation of petroleum
products
Minister of Petroleum and Natural gas- Dharmendra Pradhan
Padma Shri Pritam Singh, a pioneer in management education passed

away at 78
On 3rd June 2020, The Management guru, Padma Shri Pritam Singh, who contributed more than 50
research papers and 7 books on management education in India and abroad passed away at the age of
78 at a hospital in Gurugram due to cardiac arrest.
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About Pritam Singh:
Career:
• He served as the Director of Management Development Institute(MDI), Gurgaon (1994-1998 &
2003-2006) and Indian Institute of Management(IIM), Luck now (1998-2003) and Director
General of RP-Sanjiv Group which promoted the International Management Institute (IMI), New
Delhi (2011-2014).
• He chaired the sub committee on Institutional Management and Leadership Development in
Higher Education by the Planning Commission for the 12th 5 year plan(2012-2017).
• He was a member of the Ministry of Home Affairs Committee for capacity building of IPS
officers.
• He was a board member of 10 private and public sector organisations supporting them in
chartering a corporate strategy.
Awards:
• He received the Padma Shri in 2003 in the field of Management Education.
• He was the first Asian to receive the “Global Thought Leader 2006-2007" from the Moscow
International Business School MIRBIS.
• He was the recipient of Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan Memorial Award: Teacher of Teachers in 2009
and the Vivekananda Foundation honoured him with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
• The first Award for Academic Leadership in Management Education' at the Inaugural session of
All India Management Association's (AIMA's) Knowledge 2009 was conferred to him.
Authored Books:
The Leadership Odyssey, published in 2015, Millennials and the Workplace published in 2012, In Search
of Change Maestros published in 2011 and Organizing and Managing in the Era of Globalization
published in 2010are some of the books authored and edited by Pritam Singh.
About AIMA:
President- Sanjay Kirloskar
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Assam Current Affairs - July 2020
Assam Government to Upgrade Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary to

National Park amid Coal Mining Row
On July 6, 2020, the government of Assam has decided to upgrade the 111.942 sq km Dehing Patkai
Wildlife Sanctuary into a national park which is located within the larger Dehing Patkai Elephant
Reserve, spreading across the coal- and oil-rich districts of Upper Assam (Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and
Sivasagar).
• This decision followed the National Board of Wildlife's (NBWL), under the Union Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC), conditional clearance to a coal mining project by
Coal India Limited (CIL) in the 98.59 hectares of Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve which resulted in virtual
protests in the state.
Key Points:
-Background: Notably, Dehing Patkai, also known as Amazon of East, forms the largest stretch of
tropical low-land rainforests in India and is believed to be the last remaining contiguous patch of low
land rainforest area in Assam. Besides Asiatic elephants, leopards, hoolock gibbons, pangolins and bears,
Dehing Patkai is also home to over 200 species of birds, various reptiles and many species of butterflies
and orchids. It is also the place with the highest concentration of the rare endangered White Winged
Wood Duck. Therefore, concerns were raised that the habitats of these species would be affected due to
wanton coal mining.
-In order to expedite the process of upgrading Dehing Patkai into a national park, the state's forest
department will prepare a draft notification for public hearing and will also take necessary actions for
up-grading Dehing Patkai into a national park in consultation with the MoEFCC.
Static Points:
• The wildlife sanctuaries are protected areas which permit some activities such as grazing but
national parks require complete protection status under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• The Dehing Patkai was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 2004.
• Post upgradation, Dehing Patkai will be the 6th national park in Assam. The other five are
Kaziranga, Nameri, Manas, Orang and Dibru-Saikhowa.
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Poba Reserve Forest in Assam's Dhemaji to be upgraded to wildlife
sanctuary
The Chief Minister (CM) of Assam, Sarbananda Sonowal has announced the upgradation of Poba
Reserve Forest, a vital biodiversity hotspot in Dhemaji district of Assam, as a wildlife sanctuary. The
announcement was made during a meeting with senior officials of Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Majuli
districts at Jonai.
• Declared in 1924 as Poba Reserve Forest, it has an area of 10,522 hectares and is home to a
large number of flora and fauna.
• CM also visited the Outer Jonai and BeraSapori areas in the district and took stock of the
devastation caused by the flood.
Capitals of NE states to be connected through rail network by 2023

On July 17, 2020, during a virtual interaction with the media, Railway Board Chairman Vinod Kumar
Yadav has announced the connectivity of all capitals of North-Eastern (NE) states through rail network
by 2023. Railways is already implementing a project in this regard.
• The capitals of Assam, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh are already connected. The work to
connect capitals of Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya is in progress.
• In Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya, the capital connectivity work is in progress.
Manipur will be connected in March 2022, Mizoram in March 2023, Nagaland in March 2023,
Meghalaya in March 2022 and Sikkim in December 2022.
Apart from above, attempts to connect every part of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) to the railway are also
underway, and the 111 km Katra-Banihal rail link project is likely to be completed by December 2022.
About Railway Board:

Headquarter-New Delhi
Parent organization- Ministry of Railways
COM of Assam passes MSME Ordinance

On June 29, 2020, In a big boost to Aatma Nirbhar Assam, Council of Ministers (COM) of Assam has
passed the MSME(micro, small and medium enterprises) Ordinance during the meeting held in presence
of Chief Minister (CM) Sarbananda Sonowal in Guwahati.
• The Ordinance gives provision to put an end to the process of taking multiple permissions for setting
up MSME in the state for next 3 years.
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Assam govt changes academic year of schools from January-December to April-
March
The state government also decided to change the academic year to April-March from existing January-
December in order to make-up for academic loss due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak.
Following the changes the current academic session will end on March 31, 2021 and the new academic
session will start by April, 2021.
Other key decisions of the meeting:

• TheCoM allocated 200 bigha of Ashok Paper Mill at Jogighopa for India's first International
Multi-Modal Logistic Hubthat will help new investments, employment and trade.
• A loan of Rs 338.28 crore from NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
for development works in various sectors, 15th Finance Commission Grant in the ratio of (70 %
for gaon panchayat, 15 % for anchalik panchayat and 15 % for zilaparishads), amendment of the
Bengal-Agra-Assam Civil Court Act, 1887, for increasing the financial limit of cases in lower
courts from Rs 50,000 to Rs 10 lakh & Assam College Employees Provincialisation Act, 2005 are
also approved.
• An ordinance for extension of dates of GST return has been passed & reduction in Earnest
Money Deposits (EMDs) for mines auction to 0.5 % for general category and 0.25 % for SC/STs
have taken during the meeting.
Assam: Guwahati gets "BANDICOOT" the first manhole cleaning robot

in Northeast
On 28th July 2020, Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Minister of Guwahati Development Department
inaugurated Guwahati's first manhole cleaning robot named "BANDICOOT", an automatic sewer
cleaning device. Guwahati became the first city in the Northeast region to get a manhole cleaning robot.
BANDICOOT:
• BANDICOOT was developed by Genrobotics, an Indian startup company under the Make in India
initiative.
• The funding for the development of BANDICOOT was provided by the Indian Oil Corporation
Limited(IOCL) under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
• The robot supports easy removal of sludge from the underground drain and will help the
elimination of manual scavenging
Key Points:
• The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) procured the BANDICOOT along with 6 Skid Steer
Loaders (Mini loaders) from JCB.
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• After Gurugram and Coimbatore, Guwahati is the third city to acquire the technology to clean
manhole.
Recent Related News:

• Railway Protection Force of Central Railway (CR), Pune division, Maharashtra launched a Robotic
'Captain Arjun' (Always be Responsible and Just Use to be Nice) to intensify the screening and
surveillance of passengers.
• CSIR- Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), Durgapur developed the
robotic device HCARD (Hospital Care Assistive Robotic Device) to help the frontline healthcare
workers in maintaining physical distance from those infected by COVID-19.
India's maternal mortality ratio declined to 113 in 2016-18: Registrar

General's Sample Registration System (SRS)
In accordance with the "Special Bulletin on Maternal Mortality in India 2016-18", released by the Office
of the Registrar General's Sample Registration System (SRS), the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in
India has declined to 113 in 2016-18 from 122 in 2015-17 and 130 in 2014-2016 and almost 100 deaths
lesser than in the period of 2007-2009.
• States have been categorized into three groups namely, Empowered Action Group (EAG) States,
Southern States and Other States during the survey.
• The southern States registered a lower MMR — Andhra Pradesh (65), Telangana (63), Karnataka
(92), Kerala(43) and Tamil Nadu (60) as compared to states of Assam & EAG viz. Assam (215),
Bihar (149), Madhya Pradesh (173), Chhattisgarh (159), Odisha (150), Rajasthan (164), Uttar
Pradesh (197), Uttarakhand (99) and Jharkhand (71).
• In the category of other states Punjab has a maximum MMR of 129.
Points to be Noted:
• The target of United Nation's (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of 3.1 is to reduce the
global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 1,00,000 live births.
• The maximum proportion of maternal deaths during 2016-18 is 33% in the age group of 20-24.
Important Terms:
Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): It is defined as the proportion of maternal deaths per 1,00,000 live
births, reported under the SRS.
Maternal Mortality Rate: This is calculated as maternal deaths to women in the ages 15-49 per lakh of
women in that age group, reported under SRS.
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Maternal Death: As per World Health Organization (WHO), maternal death is the death of a woman
while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated
by the pregnancy or its management.
Sample Registration System (SRS): It is India's largest demographic sample surveys that among other
indicators provide direct estimates of maternal mortality through a nationally representative sample.
About Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India (ORGI):
The Office of the Registrar General, India works under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Registrar General & Census Commissioner- Dr. Vivek Joshi

On May 10, 2020, ORGI released its SRS bulletin based which has presented the estimates of Birth Rate,
Death Rate, and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) for the year 2018 for India and its States/UTs.
• As per that, India's infant mortality rate (IMR) has improved very marginally from 33 per 1,000
live births in 2017 to 32 in 2018.
• The death rate of India has witnessed a significant decline over the last four decades from 14.9
in 1971 to 6.2 in 2018.
• There has been about an 11% decline in birth rate in the last decade, from 22.5 in 2009 to 20.0
in 2018.
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Assam Current Affairs - August 2020
• Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ Launches India Report – Digital

Education June 2020 prepared by Digital Education Division of MHRD
On 28th July 2020, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ Union Minister for Human Resource Development(HRD)
launched the compilation India Report – Digital Education June 2020 prepared by the Digital Education
Division of Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) in consultation with Education
Departments of States and UTs.
The report highlights the methods adopted by the MHRD and the Education Department of States and
Union Territories(UT) to ensure the accessibility to education for the children at home.
Note:
The Ministry of Human Resource Development(MHRD) was renamed as the Ministry of Education(MoE)
on 29th July 2020.
India Report – Digital Education:

• The report discusses on the projects to assist the students, teachers and scholars on digital
education like DIKSHA, SwayamPrabha TV Channel, Online MOOC courses, On Air Shiksha Vani,
DAISY by NIOS(differently-abled), e-PathShala, National Repository of Open Educational
Resources (NROER) to develop e-content and energized books and other digital initiatives of
State and UT Governments.
• The social media tools like WhatsApp Group, YouTube channel, Google meet, Skype were used
as a medium to connect the students.
• The E-learning portals, Television, Radio and DIKSHA were majorly used by the stakeholders.
• States and UTs have also distributed textbooks for children to ensure inclusive learning.
Remote learning Initiatives of State Governments:

• Chhattisgarh – PadhaiTunharduvaar (Education at your doorstep)
• Goa partnered with Embibe, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered online platform to support
the entrance exam preparation of the students.
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• Jammu – Project Home Classes
• Kerala – educational TV channel (Hi-Tech school programme)
• Lakshadweep – distributed tablets with e-content for students.
• Meghalaya – E-scholar portal as well as free online courses for teachers
• NCT of Delhi – Mission Buniyaad
• Rajasthan – SMILE (Social Media Interface for Learning Engagement)
• Telangana – online certificate programs for teachers on ‘Management of mental well-being
during COVID’.
• Uttarakhand – uses SamparkBaithak App to provide videos, puzzles, worksheet for primary level
students.
Low tech forms of teaching:

• Radio talks in mother tongue and Regional Doordarshan are used for teaching in Arunachal
Pradesh and districts of Jharkhand.
• Classes are telecasted from a virtual control room over the local TV channels in Puducherry.
• Comic books for students of classes 3 to 5 are published in Manipur.
• To provide online education for students in low network area’s Ladakh collaborated with Non-
governmental organisations like EMBIBE Bangalore and 17000 feet.
• Haryana conducts quiz competition to engage students amid lockdown due to global pandemic.
• Toll Free Call Centre and Toll Free Video call centre were started in Andhra Pradesh to support
the students with limited access to TV and Radio and no access to internet.
• Motoriskool and a toll free number as VFS (Virtual Field Support) were started by Chhattisgarh.
• Gujarat initiated Vanchan Abhiyan,a reading campaign and Parivar no maalo-
salamatanehumfaalo (family’s nest-safe and warm) to provide socio psychological support for
children.
• West Bengal also started a toll-free helpline number to clarify the students’ doubts.
• Karnataka launched Pariksha Vani, an exam preparation program through Doordarshan
• Tamil Nadu provides an online practice test for students of government and government aided
for NEET exam.
About Ministry of Education(MoE):

The Ministry of Human Resource Development(MHRD) was renamed as the
Ministry of Education(MoE) on 29th July 2020.
Union Minister– Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’
Minister of State– Sanjay Dhotre.
• Union HRD Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank launched an Artificial Intelligence(AI) -powered
mobile app called the ‘National Test Abhyas’ developed by National Testing Agency(NTA) to
enable candidates to take mock tests for JEE Main and NEET.
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• Union HRD Minister releases three handbooks prepared by CBSE on Cyber security for students,
21st Century Skills and Principals’ handbook.
• India’s Longest River Ropeway Inaugurated in Guwahati, Assam
On August 24, 2020 The Guwahati Passenger Ropeway Project

connecting the Northern and Southern banks of the
Brahmaputra River was inaugurated by the Assam State
Minister of Finance, Himanta Biswa Sarma and Guwahati
Development Department(GDD) Minister, Siddhartha

Bhattacharya. The ropeway service is 1.8 Kilometres long,
making it the longest ropeway distance over a river in the
entire country. The project is set to become operational by
August 24, 2021 and has been built at an estimated cost of Rs
56 Crore.
Key Points:
• The ropeway service will cover the distance in seven-
eight minutes reducing the travel time between Guwahati & North Guwahati by almost one
hour.
• The lower terminal of the ropeway is at Kachari Ghat in Guwahati’s Panbazar, while the upper
terminal is at Rajadwar village behind Dol Govinda Temple in North Guwahati.
• Even Though the capacity of the cabin is 32 passengers, in order to maintain social distancing
protocols due to the Pandemic only 15 passengers will be allowed in the initial phases.
• The ropeway gives the passengers a glimpse of the Umananda Temple on Peacock Island and
the Kamakhya shrine in the Neelachal hills.
• The rope car service will give a major boost to tourism in Guwahati and will also greatly reduce
the traffic congestion.

• On July 7, 2020 The Chief Minister (CM) of Assam, Sarbananda Sonowal announced the
upgradation of Poba Reserve Forest, a vital biodiversity hotspot in Dhemaji district of Assam, as
a wildlife sanctuary.
• On 25th June 2020, The National Green Tribunal (NGT) formed a high level committee headed
by Justice BP Katakey, former High Court judge of Gauhati, to investigate the blowout at Assam’s
Baghjan oil well of Oil India Limited(OIL).
• National Commission on Population: Projects India’s Population to be More

Feminine by 2036
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The National Commission on Population under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW)
submitted the Report of the Technical group on population projections July 2020, titled “Population
projections for India and States 2011- 2036”. The report projected that the India’s sex ratio of the total
population (females per 1000 males) is expected to be more feminine in 2036 compared to the
population as of 2011.
Population projections for India and States 2011- 2036:

Sex ratio:
• The report estimates the sex ratio to increase from 943 in 2011 to 957 in 2036.
• Compared to 2011, the sex ratio in 18 states except Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat
are expected to increase by 2036.
• In 2036, the lowest sex ratio of 899 is expected to be in NCT of Delhi, followed by 900 in Gujarat
and 908 in Haryana.
Infant Mortality Rate:

• India’s Infant Mortality Rate(IMR) is reported to be 46 in 2010 which is expected to reduce to 30
by the end of 2031-2035.
• The report projects the IMR to reduce in all the state of India in 2011 to 2035.Madhya Pradesh
has the highest IMR at 58 followed by Uttar Pradesh with 57 in 2011-2015 which is expected to
come down to 37 and 38 in MP and UP respectively in 2031-35.
• During 2031-35, the IMR is expected to be in between 30-40 in Rajasthan, Assam, Odisha,
Chhattisgarh, MP and UP.
• Kerala is expected to have the lowest IMR at 9 in 2031-35 followed by Tamil Nadu from 22 in
2011-15 to 16 during 2031-35.
Fertility Rate:
• Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is expected to decline from 2.34 during 2011-2015 to 1.73 during 2031-
35.
• The declining fertility rate will change the age demographics of India’s population and increase
the medium age from 24.9 in 2011 to 34.5 in 2036.
• Bihar and UP have the higher TFR with 3.5 and 3.7 respectively which is higher than the TFR of
India (2.5).
Population of India:
• The report projects India’s population to increase by 25.7% in 25 years at a rate of 1% annually
i.e., from 121.1 crore to 151.8 crore during 2011-36.
• The population density will increase from 368 to 463 persons per square kilometer.
• As per the 2011 Census India’s population was 1.21 billion which is estimated to grow by 311
million by 2036.
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Youth Population:
• Youth population (15-24 years) is expected to increase from 23.3 crores in 2011 to 25.2 crores in
2021 and then continue to decrease to 22.7 crores in 2036.
• The youth population proportion to the total population is expected to become 14.9%in 2036.
Decline in rate of population growth:

The population growth rate will decline by 8.4% during 2021-2031.
Note:
The report projects that India will overtake China and become the most populated county around 2031.
Urban Population:
• The urban population of India was 31.8% in 2011 which is projected to increase to 38.2% by
2036 which contributes 73% of the total population growth by 2036.
• Delhi with 98% urban population in 2011 is expected to become 100% urban by 2036.
• Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Telangana and Gujarat are expected to have more than 50%
urban population by 2036.
Life Expectancy:
• For men the life expectancy is expected to increase from 66 to 69 and for women it is expected
to increase from 71 to 74.
• Kerala could become the only Indian state to have life expectancy above 80 for women and 74
for men by 2036.
• The Northeastern states are estimated to have a life expectancy of 77 for women and 73 for
men by 2036.

• UN’s Global Multidimensional Poverty Index: India Record Largest Reduction in Number of
People Living in Poverty
• Climate-friendly Cooling can cut 460 Giga Tonnes of Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Cooling
Emissions and Policy Synthesis Report
About Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW):

Union Minister– Harsh Vardhan
• Assam CoM approves “Assam Non-Government Education

Institutions (Regulation of Fees) Rules 2020”
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On August 10, 2020 Assam Council of Ministers approved “Assam Non-Government Education
Institutions (Regulation of Fees) Rules 2020”. It seeks to regulate the fees structure of the private
educational institutes in the State of Assam.
Highlights:
The state Government will constitute a Fee Regulatory Committee for determination of fees for any
standard or course of study in Private educational institutions.
Persons in the Committee:
The committee shall consist of five persons – a retired district judge/senior civil servant/senior police
officer, chartered accountant, civil engineer, a representative from a non-government educational
institution and an academician for a period of three years.
Key Points:
• The fee to be payable by the students of private schools will be determined by the committee
after a proper examination of the fees structure and scrutiny of relevant documents and books
of accounts.
• The committee shall hear complaints or initiate suo moto hearing with regard to collection of
excess fee by private educational institutions.
• Before setting the maximum fee the committee shall take into account the location of the
school, investment incurred to set up the school, infrastructure, expenditure on administration
and maintenance, strength of students, qualification of teaching staff and expenditure incurred
on students.
Penalty:
• The Bill has a provision to impose penalty on erring institutions upto five lakh rupees and also
cancellation/withdrawal of the registration of the institution.
Other Launches:
• The meeting further approved the Assam Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and
Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme 2020.
• The meeting also approved State Cattle and Buffalo Breeding Policy 2020.
• The meeting also took decision for implementation of ‘Uberization’ scheme of Assam State
Transport Corporation. Under this scheme, 668 new buses would operate for 5 years.
• A decision was also taken to create 2 new companies of State Disaster Response Force.
• ‘Bajali’ becomes 34th District of Assam

The Assam Cabinet also approved the proposal to make Bajali the 34th district of Assam.
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• The Assam Government had sought ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) from the Registrar General of
India, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for the creation of the new district.
• Currently, Bajali is a Civil Subdivision under Barpeta district.

• On June 29, 2020 Assam’s Council of Ministers approved an MSME (Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises) Ordinance to end the process of taking multiple permissions to set up MSME in
Assam for the next three years.
• On March 24, 2020 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister(CM) EdappadiPalaniswamy announced at the
Legislative Assembly that Nagapattinam district will be bifurcated and a new district (38th) will
be formed with its headquarters at Mayiladuthurai.
• Assam Government to Launch ‘Orunodoi’ Scheme to provide

Financial Assistance
On August 12, 2020, Finance Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sharma announced that the
Government of Assam will roll out the ‘Orunodoi’ Scheme, which will provide Financial Assistance of Rs.
830 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme to around 17 Lakh Families in the state. It
is expected to be the largest direct benefit Transfer scheme in Assam.
• The ‘Orunodoi’ scheme will be implemented from October 2, 2020 and will act as an umbrella scheme
for all other government schemes for the next 5 years.
Objective:
The amount provided under the ‘Orunodoi’ Scheme will help the impoverished families in the state to
meet their nutritional and medical needs.
Key Points:
• The scheme is applicable to eligible families to buy essential food items. Rs.400 has been
allotted for the purchase of medicine, Rs.150 for vegetables, 50% off on 4 kgs of ration and 4kgs
of sugar.
• Around 15 to 17 thousand families in each assembly constituency are expected to be benefited
by this scheme.
• The Assam government will bear 210 crore rupees per month for the ‘Orunodoi’ scheme.
• The amount will be transferred to the bank account of the nominated women member of the
family.
• Additional amounts will be added during occasions like admissions to educational institutions,
puja, bihu etc.
Eligibility:
The selection of the eligible families will start from August 17, 2020.
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• The applicant should be a Permanent resident of the state or should be residing in the state at
present.
• The household income of the applicant must be less than Rs 2 Lakh per annum.
• Women being the primary caretaker of the family are kept as beneficiaries of the scheme.
• Priority will be given to the household with specially abled nominated female,
widowed/divorced/unmarried female/separated female, specially-abled household member.

• On July 6, 2020, the government of Assam decided to upgrade the 111.942 sq km Dehing Patkai
Wildlife Sanctuary into a national park located within the larger Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve,
spreading across the coal-and oil-rich districts of Upper Assam (Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and
Sivasagar).
• Rajya Sabha Launches Employees Welfare Scheme in ArunJaitley’s Name: “ArunJaitley Financial
Assistance for Group C Employees”.
• TERI launches Early Warning System for Guwahati, Assam

Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) , fully automated web-based tool was launched by The Energy and
Resources Institute’s (TERI) in association with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in
Guwahati, Assam.
Objective – FEWS tool will alert the local authorities to predict flash floods and heavy rainfall in
Guwahati, Assam. It will help the authorities to take timely and appropriate measures during natural
disaster. The Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) project was developed under The Energy and
Resources Institute’s (TERI) project supported by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
in collaboration with India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Assam State Disaster Management
Authority (ASDMA).
Associated Agencies:
Assam Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), Guwahati Municipal Corporation and North-Eastern
Space Application Centre (NESAC), TERI School of Advanced Studies (TERI SAS) were also involved in
developing the system for Guwahati.
Key Points:
• FEWS will use IMD’s weather research forecast (WRF) model to predict the flash floods and
heavy rainfalls.
• The FEWS system has been built with 10 metre spatial resolution.(spatial resolution describes
how much detail in a photographic image is visible to the human eye, Spatial resolution of
images acquired by satellite sensor systems is usually expressed in meters)
• It is also inbuilt with a drainage system to predict flood at street level accuracy and is capable of
predicting flood at three days in advance.
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• FEWS is also capable of visualizing flood levels and flood hotspots over google maps, which will
be critical in
• Identifying the flooded areas
• Preparedness and management of issues such as Traffic disruption
• Providing relief and recovery
• In Stormwater management.
• The tool uses weather forecasting data from IMD, it simulates the expected rainfall over the city
and sends alert to officials, if rainfall or flood level crosses its threshold.
Note:
Guwahati will be the third city after Chennai and Mumbai to have a Flood Warning system. The Early
Warning Systems at Chennai and Mumbai with three to six hours’ immediate weather updates were
developed jointly by institutions of the Union Ministry of Earth Science (MoES), which has plans to set
up similar systems in Kolkata and Bengaluru by 2021.

• On March6, 2020 the government reconstructs the National Platform for Disaster Risk
Reduction (NPDRR) a multi-stakeholder &multispectral decision making body on disaster
management & appoints Union Home Minister Amit Shah as chairman.
• On March 30, 2020 the government set up 11 different empowered groups under Disaster
Management Act, 2005 to suggest measures to improve health, restore the economy, after a 21-
day lockdown which was imposed for the control of the COVID-19.
About National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

Parent Department – Ministry of Home Affairs
Chairman – Narendra Damodardas Modi, Prime Minister
About India Meteorological Department (IMD)

Parent Department – Ministry of Earth Sciences
Director General – Dr. MrutyunjayMohapatra
Headquarters – New Delhi
• Assam Cabinet Approves ‘Assam Skill Development University Bill’

On 27th August, 2020 the Government of Assam approved the ‘Assam Skill Development University Bill’,
which provides for setting up of World Class Skill University at Mangaldoi, Darrang District at a cost of
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900 crore rupees. The University will be the first of its kind in the North-East Region and will be financed
by Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Assam Industry and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary made the announcement about the
setting up of the university, after a cabinet meeting.
Key Points:
• The State Government of Assam has tied up with Singapore based ITE Education Service, for
setting up of the Skill Development University.
• Around 100 bigha land (16 hectares) is to be allotted at Mangaldoi in North Assam for the
University.
• The university would also be set up as a Centre of Excellence (CoE).
Other Approvals:
• The State Government also decided to increase the upper age limit for State Government jobs
for the category of Group III & Group IV for two years. Now unemployed youths can apply for
Government jobs until the age of 40.
• The Government also approved insurance to the tune of 50 Lakh Rupees to journalists, home
guards and casual employees who succumbed to COVID-19 infection.
• Approval was given to the long-pending Dhansiri Irrigation project in Udalguri district, which
was launched in 1975. The government proposed to take a credit of Rs 116 crore from National
Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for completion of the project.
• Approval was also given to Orunodoi Scheme for providing financial assistance of Rs. 830 rupees
to families with less than Rs two lakh annual income.

• A 3-member high-level committee headed by SCL Das was formed by the Petroleum Ministry to
inquire about the disaster at Oil India Ltd well in Assam.
• The 65th edition of Amazon Filmfare Awards 2020 was held at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in
Guwahati, Assam from 15 Feb 2020 – 16 Feb 2020. Gully Boy’ bagged the best film award.
• 5th SwachhSurvekshan 2020 Announced by Hardeep Singh Puri;

Indore is India’s Cleanest City 4th Time in a Row
On August 20, 2020, during a virtual event of SwachhMahotsav organized by, Ministry of Housing and
Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State (MoS)-Independent Charge (I/C) MoHUA
announced the 5th edition of the annual cleanliness urban survey of India i.e.”Swachh Survekshan 2020
(SS2020)” conducted by MoHUA. A total of 129 awards were given by the minister in which Madhya
Pradesh’s Indore Creates record as India’s cleanest city for the 4th consecutive time while Gujarat’s
Surat and Maharashtra’s Navi Mumbai grabbed 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.
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• SS2020, the 28 days long completely digitized and paperless nationwide survey is the world’s largest
cleanliness survey covering 1.87 crore citizens of 4,242 cities, 62 cantonment boards and 92 towns along
the Ganga river.
• The SS2020 was focused on 9 key areas including 3R Principles of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
• The event also saw the felicitation of MoHUA’s partner organisations in the Swachh Bharat Mission-
Urban (SBM-U) viz. United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation (BMGF) and Google.
Category-wise Awards at National Level (SS2020 Awards):

Above 40 Lakh Population:
• India’s Cleanest Mega City– Amdavad, Gujarat
• Best Mega City in Citizen Feedback- Hyderabad, Telangana
• Best Mega City in Innovation and Best Practices- Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• Best Self Sustainable Mega City- Bengaluru, Karnataka
10-40 Lakh Population:

• India’s Cleanest Big City– Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh (AP)
• Best Big City in Citizen Feedback- Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh (MP)
• Best Big City in Innovation and Best Practices- Ludhiana, Punjab
• Best Self Sustainable Big City- Rajkot, Gujarat
• Fastest Mover Big City- Jodhpur, Rajasthan
3- 10 Lakh Population:
• India’s Cleanest Medium City– Mysuru, Karnataka
• Best Medium City in Citizen Feedback- East Singhbhum, Jharkhand
• Best Medium City in Innovation and Best Practices- Berhampur, Odisha
• Best Self Sustainable Medium City- Bhilainagar, Chhattisgarh
• Fastest Mover Medium City- Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh (UP)
1-3 Lakh Population:

• India’s Cleanest Small City– Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh
• Best Small City in Citizen Feedback- Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh
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• Best Small City in Innovation and Best Practices- Alappuzha, Kerala
• Best Self Sustainable Small City- Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh (AP)
• Fastest Mover Small City- Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh (MP)
State Capital/Union Territories (UTs):

• India’s Cleanest Capital– New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), Delhi
• Best UT in Citizen Feedback- Chandigarh
• Best State Capital in Innovation and Best Practices- Gandhinagar, Gujarat
• Best Self Sustainable State Capital- Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh (MP)
• Fastest Mover State Capital- Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (UP)
Other Awards:
• India’s cleanest city (< 1 Lakh Population)– Karad, Maharashtra
• Best City in Maximum Citizen Participation (< 1 Lakh Population)- Nandprayag, Uttarakhand
• Best City in Maximum City Participation (> 1 Lakh population)- Nagar Nigam Shahjahanpur, Uttar
Pradesh (UP)
• Best City overall in National Citizen Led Innovation- Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh (MP)
Key Points:
• The cleanliness survey report, along with reports on SwachhSurvekshan Innovations and best
practices, Swachh Survekshan Social Media Report and Report on Assessment of Ganga Towns
were also released at the ‘Swachh Mahotsav’ event.
• Dignitaries from all over the country, DurgaShanker Mishra, Secretary, MOHUA, Chief
Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Municipal Commissioners and swachhta warriors also
attended the online event.

In July 2020, MoHUA launched the 6th edition of the survey, SwachhSurvekshan 2021 which saw the
introduction of a new performance category, the Prerak DAUUR Samman which has a total of five
additional sub- categories -Divya(Platinum), Anupam (Gold), Ujjwal (Silver), Udit (Bronze), Aarohi
(Aspiring).
About Swachh Survekshan:
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Launched in 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi its objective was to monitor the performance of
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, which was launched on October 2, 2014, the 150th birth anniversary of
Mahatma Gandhi.
• Mysuru was chosen as the cleanest city in India in that edition of the survey.
• The extensive sanitation survey is commissioned by the MoHUA and carried out annually by Quality
Council of India (QCI).
• IIT Guwahati, in collaboration with Imperial College London,

develops nanoparticle ‘meta-grid’
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, India, and Imperial College London, United Kingdom,
have developed nanoparticles called the ‘meta-grid’ or ‘metamaterial grid’ that makes the light-emitting
diodes (LED) brighter, energy-efficient and durable.
It was jointly developed by Dr. DebabrataSikdar, assistant professor at IIT Guwahati along with Prof. Sir
John B. Pendry and Prof. Alexei A. Kornyshev from Imperial College London.
NOTE: The findings have been recently published in Light: Science and Application journal of the Nature
Publishing Group. The theoretical models, developed by Dr. Sikdar, find out the optimal conditions for
the design of the nanoparticle ‘meta-grid’ layer.
What is Meta – grid?

Meta-grid is a specifically patterned array of nanoparticles acting as metamaterials and it is capable of
exhibiting extraordinary optical properties.
Features of the Meta grid:

• The nanoparticle ‘meta-grid’ enhances the light extraction and provides a wider range of optical
gadgets.
• The ‘meta-grid’ can be used as drying-mediated self-assembly of nanoparticles made of silver or

alternative less-lossyplasmonic materials capped with appropriate ligands, to form free-standing the
Sikdar–Premaratne–Cheng ‘plasmene’ sheets.
• These monolayer sheets can be stretched for precise tuning of the plasmene’s substrate.
About LED:
• LEDs are deployed in traffic lights to backlighting for electronic displays, smartphones, large
billboards, decorative lightings, water purification, and decontamination of infected surfaces.
• An increase in LED light output would reduce energy needs on a large scale, this might help us to
put up with the increasing global warming and climate change.
Components LED-chip encapsulation -
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• The LED-chip encapsulation may include: higher refractive index glasses or epoxy materials
incorporated with filler powders or nanoparticle-loaded-epoxy or engineered epoxy resins.
• These materials make LED chips bulkier or their fabrication becomes more challenging and less
economically viable for mass production.
• Material and composition of nanoparticles and parameters are: sizes, average interparticle spacing,
distance from the surface of the LED chip
• These are optimised to achieve the maximum enhancement in light extraction from the LED chip into
its encapsulating casing, over any emission spectral range of a typical LED.
Technology involved:
• The boosting transmission of light generated inside an LED chip or the encapsulate interface has
been recently achieved.
• This is achieved by reducing the Fresnel reflection loss at the chip or the interface, within a fixed
photon escape cone, based on tuning the destructive interference phenomena with help of the
‘meta-grid’.
• The technique has revealed optimal design parameters for meta-grids to produce greater light
output over any narrow or broadband emission spectrum.
Prototype of the embedded meta-grid LED:

• The prototype device can be modeled within one year which can corroborate theoretical
predictions with experiments.
• The metallic nanoparticles can be fabricated which are mostly monodisperse and have narrow
spread.
• The prototype may vary in size, position, flatness of grid, and variation in refractive index due to
fabrication error or material defects and these cannot be avoided.
• The effects of the ‘meta-grid’ on the standard commercial LEDs, based on group III–V materials
are demonstrated in the developed prototype.

On June 07,2020, A team of Scientists from the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder
Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous R&D Centre of Department of Science and
Technology (DST) has developed a magnetocaloric material (a rare-earth-based material that can be
heated or cooled by applying or removing a magnetic field) that can be used in the treatment of cancer.
About Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati

Headquarters – Guwahati, Assam, India
Director – T.G Sitharam
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• Veteran Assamese Folk Singer Archana Mahanta Passed Away
Veteran Assamese folk singer Archana Mahanta passed away at the age of 72 in Health City hospital,
Guwahati, Assam following a brain stroke. She was also a reputed artist of All India Radio(Guwahati).
She is the wife of late Khagen Mahanta( known as ‘Bihu King’) and mother of Angaraag ‘Papon’
Mahanta, popular Indian singer and founder of the folk-fusion band Papon and The East India Company
Key Info :
• She and her late husband had performed together on many occasions, popularising Assamese
folk music.
• The pair is known for their performance of Bihu and traditional folk songs of Assam.
• Their family represents one of the most influential families in Assamese music.
• Apart from Angaraag ‘Papon’ Mahanta she has a daughter, KingkiniMahanta.
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Assam Current Affairs - September 2020
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah Inaugurates “Destination North

East-2020” Festival
On Occasion of World Tourism Day (i.e 27th September, 2020) Union Home Minister Amit Shah (Home
Minister is also the Chairman of North-East Council) inaugurated the “Destination North East-2020”
through video conference.
• The theme for Destination North East 2020 is “The Emerging Delightful Destinations”.
• The four-day festival (27th September – 30th September, 2020) will promote and showcase the
North East’s (NE) tourism, culture, heritage and business.
• Minister of State (MoS) for Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) (Independent
Charge), Jitendra Singh and Chief Ministers of Eight North East states (Arunachal Pradesh,
Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura) were present during the
inauguration.
Destination North East:

• The Programme will feature Audio Visual presentation of tourist spots of the NE easterns and a
virtual exhibition of handicraft, traditional fashion, and local products.
• Destination North East is a calendar event of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern
Region, it is conceptualized with the objective of taking North East Region to other parts of India
and bringing them closer to strengthen the national integration.
• On September 22, 2020 MDoNER, Jitendra Singh unveiled the Logo and song for “Destination
North East-2020”.
Key points from the Speech:

• Highlighted the 14th Finance Commission,about the allocation for Northeast was Rs 3, 13, 375
Crore, which is 251 percent increase compared to the Rs 89, 168 Crores allocated in the 13th
Finance Commission.
• To improve the connectivity of North Eastern States with themselves and rest of India, 6 railway
projects worth Rs. 15, 088 crores have been completed by the Government of India.
• Government of India will spend Rs 553 Crore on the development of the airport and Rs 10, 000
crores on 19 road projects of 869 km length.
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• On June 22, 2020 MoS of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Dr Jitendra Singh
sanctioned Rs.190 crores for augmentation of healthcare facilities in the eight North Eastern
(NE) States for developing infrastructure for management of infectious diseases.
• On February 28, 2020, President Ram Nath Kovind gave his nod for resuming delimitation
exercise in the northeastern States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland by
rescinding/cancelling the February 8, 2008 order.
About Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER):
Minister of State (MoS) for Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) (Independent Charge) –
Jitendra Singh
Headquarters – New Delhi
• Assam Relaunched SVAYEM Scheme Worth Rs.1000 Crore to Provide

Self Employment to Youths of the State
On 4th September 2020, The Government of Assam relaunched its old scheme Swami Vivekananda
Assam Youth Empowerment (SVAYEM) worth Rs.1000 crore. The scheme is aimed to provide self-
employment opportunities to more than 2 lakh youths of the state.
SVAYEM:
The Scheme was launched as a part of the budget in 2017-2018 to benefit around 1 lakh youths.Due to
lack of support from the banks, the scheme benefited only around 7000 beneficiaries.
• Features of Relaunch of SVAYEM:
i. The redesigned SVAYEM with Rs. 10000 crore budget, which is generated by the revenue of
the state without banking linkage is planned to be spent in the following three months.
ii. A new portal will be launched on 16th September 2020 to enable self-registration of the
groups who seek to utilise the benefits of the scheme.
• Benefits: Redesigned SVAYEM will provide around Rs.50000 as a seed money to start a business
venture to the qualified beneficiaries
• Eligibility:
Age: below 40years.
Qualification: should have passed matriculation and be a part of existing self-help groups, joint liability
group etc. before 1st September 2020.
Other Relaunched Schemes:

• The government relaunched a Abhinandan Education Loan Subsidy Scheme, that provides
Rs.50000 subsidies to the people who have taken education loan will also be relaunched.
• Around 1545 people benefited through this scheme in 2019.
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• The government has approved around 5547 applications and the amount will be released in
october 2020 this will cost around Rs.25 crore for the exchequer.
• The government also relaunched ChahBagichar Dhan Purashkar Mela Scheme (Cash Award
Scheme Tea Garden Worker) of worth Rs. 250 crore which will transfer Rs.3000 to more than 8
lakh bank accounts of the tea garden labourers of assam.
• This was launched in 2017-2018 to provide Rs.2500 to each beneficiary.
• This scheme benefited around 6.33 Lakh bank accounts in 2018 and will benefit 7.15 accounts in
2021.
• the Assam state government’s health department has launched a special scheme called
‘Dhanwantari’, under which locally unavailable medicines will be delivered to patients at home.
• The government of Assam has decided to upgrade the 111.942 sq km Dehing Patkai Wildlife
Sanctuary into a national park which is located within the larger Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve,
spreading across the coal- and oil-rich districts of Upper Assam (Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and
Sivasagar).
• Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal Launched

“MukhyamantriGrammyaParibahanAchoni” & Distributed Vehicles to
its Beneficiaries
On 23rd September 2020, Sarbananda Sonowal, Chief Minister (CM) of Assam launched the
“MukhyamantriGrammyaParibahanAchoni” – Chief Minister’s Rural Transport Scheme and distributed
light motor vehicles to the beneficiaries under this scheme.
Sonowal announced this scheme during his 2019 Independence Day speech and following the
announcement the Transport department of Assam launched the scheme.
Key People:
K.K Dwivedi, Commissioner and Secretary of Transport Department along with Adil Khan, Transport
Commissioner were present during the launch event.
Aim:
• To improve the rural connectivity and to bridge the connectivity gap in the villages of Assam.
• To generate employment in the villages
Features:
• Under this scheme a light motor vehicle will be provided to one beneficiary per village.
• The government will provide the 25% cost of the vehicle or Rs.1 lakh (whichever is less) to the
entrepreneurs who are eligible for this scheme.
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• The vehicles provided under this scheme will improve the connectivity and support the
situations of medical emergencies.
• The first phase of the scheme with a financial outlay of Rs.100 crore would cover around 10000
villages across the state
• With the subsequent phases, it is expected to cover all the 26000 villages under the scheme.

i. On August 10, 2020 Assam Council of Ministers approved “Assam Non-Government
Education Institutions (Regulation of Fees) Rules 2020”. It seeks to regulate the fees
structure of the private educational institutes in the State of Assam.
ii. The Chief Minister (CM) of Assam, Sarbananda Sonowal has announced the upgradation of
Poba Reserve Forest, avital biodiversity hotspot in Dhemaji district of Assam, as a wildlife
sanctuary. The announcement was made during a meeting with senior officials of
Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Majuli districts at Jonai.
• Assam Govt Developed “Visitassam” New Mobile App for Air

Passengers from Other State
On 25th September 2020, Minister for Health and Family Welfare of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma
announced that the Government of Assam developed a mobile app named “Visitassam” for air
passengers from other states. Visitassam enables the air passengers to download forms and fill it which
can be used at the airports to reduce the time spent on the formalities for COVID-19 tests and ensures
the proper social distancing among the passengers.
Tatkal RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction):

• The government also introduced a change of protocol for the air passengers to take the Tatkal
RT-PCR test with a payment of Rs.2200 whose result will be given within 24 hours.
• The home quarantine period will be only 24 hours for the passengers whose Tatkal RT-PCR
result is negative.
• TheTatkal RT-PCR facility is available only in Guwahati.
Note: The free RT-PCR facility is still available whose result will be available in 3 to 5 days and the
passengers tested negative will be under home quarantine for 10 days.
Key Points:
• The Government has also relaxed their quarantine rules for both rail and air travelers from other
states after their recovery from infection.
• The passengers should be asymptomatic, they should have the required Indian Council of
Medical Research (ICMR) certificate and discharge certificate.
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• More than 3000 Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers are working on awareness
programmes on the needs of wearing masks and social distancing.

• On August 12, 2020, Finance Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sharma announced that the
Government of Assam will roll out the ‘Orunodoi’ Scheme, which will provide Financial
Assistance of Rs. 830 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme to around 17
Lakh Families in the state. It is expected to be the largest direct benefit Transfer scheme in
Assam.
• Flood Early Warning System (FEWS), fully automated web-based tool was launched by The
Energy and Resources Institute’s (TERI) in association with National Disaster Management
Authority (NDMA) in Guwahati, Assam.
• Assam govt to Provide Loan to Entrepreneurs under

‘ParyatanSanjeevani Scheme
On the occasion of World Tourism Day (WTD) 2020 i.e. on September 27, 2020, the Chief Minister (CM)
of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal during a Tourism Conclave organised by government of Assam in
association with Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) Limited, launched
“ParyatanSanjeevani Scheme” under which loan between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 20 lakh with interest subsidy
would be provided to entrepreneurs to revive the tourism industry amid the coronavirus crisis.
• As a part of the scheme loan would be given for a period of five years and a moratorium period of one
year would be given to the loanee.
• Apart from above he also launched another scheme ‘ParyatanSarathi’, which will provide information
about Assam tourism, facilities for bookings, tour packages, hotels along with online payment gateway
options.
• SBI Started Women Self-Reliance Programme in Assam
On September 19, 2020, State Bank of India (SBI) initiated

“MahilaAtmanirbharshilAachani (Women Self-Reliance programme)” in
Assam on the lines of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyanto accelerate Self
Help Group (SHG) finance in a mission mode,. In this regard, SBI branches
of Assam sanctioned 856 SHGs sponsored by NRLM with financial outlay
of Rs. 38 crore.
• Notably, women SHGs of Assam are very active and rely on social
collateral rather than on financial collateral.
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• The basic objective of the programme is to create a strong bonding with the SHG members besides
extending credit linkages to the women SHGs nurtured and sponsored by National Rural Livelihoods
Mission (NRLM), Assam for self-reliance and economic upliftment.

• SBI has launched “KCC (Kisan Credit Card) Review option” on its digital agricultural solution
platform, YONO (“You Only Need One”) Krishi. With this application the farmers can access their
KCC limit in the virtual platform.
• SBI has partnered with India’s First Real-Time Group Negotiation E-Platform, AddaCorner to
launch ‘Online Home Carnival’, which will help in boosting the Real Estate market in Bangalore.
Along with the launch of ‘Online Home Carnival’, AddaCorner was also launched.
About State Bank of India (SBI):
Chairperson– Rajnish Kumar
Headquarter– Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ASRLM) signs MoU with

Northeast Small Finance Bank (NESFB)
On September 05, 2020, Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission (ASRLM) signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Northeast Small Finance Bank (NEFSB) to bring the Self-Help Groups (SHGs),
producer groups and enterprises under banking network. This is the first among all State Livelihood
Missions to initiate signing of MoU with new generation small finance banks.
The MoU was signed by UtpalaSaikia, State Mission Director, ASRLM and RupaliKalita, Managing
Director cum Chief Executive Officer (CEO), NESFB.
Key Points:
• The MoU will empower women at the grassroot level to link them with banks for loans to
become entrepreneurs and engage in livelihood generation activities.
• It is also expected to cater to the financial needs of SHG group members, and other high level
federations like Producer Groups, Producer Collective Groups.
• NESFB will enable SHG members to open Individual and Group Accounts with minimum
documents in a short time span.
• NESFB will provide loans to SHGs with a range of Rs. 1 Lakh to Rs. 5 Lakhs depending on
proposals.
North East Small Finance Bank (NESFB):

• NESFB is the first Private Bank from Assam and Northeast India.
• It has presence in 164 locations across Assam.
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• National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development(NABARD) provided Rs 270 crore Special
Liquidity Facility(SLF) to Assam Gramin Vikash Bank in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic to
support the agricultural activities of the farmers.
• Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Minister of Guwahati Development Department inaugurated
Guwahati’s first manhole cleaning robot named “BANDICOOT”, an automatic sewer cleaning
device. Guwahati became the first city in the Northeast region to get a manhole cleaning robot.
About NESFB:
Managing Director, CEO – Rupali Kalita
Headquarters – Guwahati, Assam
• Andhra Pradesh Retains Top Spot in EODB 2019 During BRAP 2018-
19 Ranking
On September 5, 2020, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs NirmalaSitharaman has virtually
announced the 4th edition of State Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) Ranking for 2018-19 which was
released by Department of Industrial Promotion and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of commerce and
industry. In accordance with that, Andhra Pradesh (AP) topped the Ease of Doing Business (EODB)
ranking 2019, followed by Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Telangana at 2nd & 3rd place respectively. Among
Union Territories (UTs), Delhi bagged the top spot.
• The state of UP improved to reach the 2nd spot from 12th spot in the 2018 ranking while Telangana
slipped from 2nd to 3rd position.
• It should be noted that EODB is a joint initiative by the DPIIT and the World Bank (WB) to improve the
overall business environment in the States.
• Parameters: The BRAP 2018-19 included 180 reform points covering 12 business regulatory areas such
as Access to Information, Single Window System, Labour regulation, Environment, land availability,
construction permit.
• Reason: The reason behind this ranking is to create an element of healthy competition in states in
order to achieve a larger objective of attracting investments and increasing EODB in each State.
Following table shows the top 5 states and lower ranked states under State Reform Action
Plan 2019:
Rank State
1. Andhra Pradesh (AP)

2. Uttar Pradesh (UP)
3. Telangana
4. Madhya Pradesh (MP)
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5. Jharkhand
States/UT with least ranking (29th) are: Arunachal Pradesh (AR), Chandigarh, Manipur, Meghalaya,
Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim and Tripura.
About BRAP Ranking:

Initiated in 2015, BRAP ranking represent the EODB in the State with increased transparency, efficiency
and effectiveness of the government regulatory functions vis-a-vis the business enterprises.During the
assessment full weightage was given to the feedback from over 30,000 respondents at the ground level,
who gave their opinion about the effectiveness of the reforms.

In accordance with the data of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the United States (US) remained
India’s top trading partner for the second consecutive fiscal year in 2019-20 as bilateral trade between
the US and India stood at USD 88.75 billion as against USD 87.96 billion in 2018-19.
About Minister of Commerce and Industry:
Union Minister– PiyushVedprakashGoyal
Minister of State– Hardeep Singh Puri, Som Prakash
Kerala tops literacy rate chart with 96.2%; Andhra Pradesh worst performer at 66.4%: NSO. In
accordance with the report on “Household Social Consumption: Education in India as part of 75th round
of National Sample Survey(NSS) – from July 2017 to June 2018″ conducted by National Statistical Office
(NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Kerala again emerged as the most
literate state in the country with 96.2% literacy followed by Delhi (88.7%), Uttarakhand ( 87.6%),
Himachal Pradesh (86.6%) and Assam (85.9%).
• On the other hand, Andhra Pradesh (AP) is the worst performer at 66.4% followed by Rajasthan at
69.7%, Bihar (70.9%), Telangana (72.8%), Uttar Pradesh (73%) and Madhya Pradesh (73.7%).
• The survey provided state-wise detail of literacy rate among the persons aged seven years and above.
• The overall literacy rate in India is pegged at 77.7% where rural areas have 73.5% literacy rate and
urban areas has 87.7%.
• Literacy rate: Literacy rate is defined as the percentage of literate persons among persons of age 7
years and above.
Objective :- to create the participation of persons aged 3 to 35 years in the education system, creating
indicators of the expenditure incurred on the education of household members and various indicators of
those who are not currently attending education.This survey enclosed with both qualitative and
quantitative aspects related to educational fulfilment of the household members.
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• Qualitative aspects included literacy, educational level attained, type of institution, nature of
institution, current attendance/enrolment, free education, reason for never enrolled/ever enrolled but
currently not attending, etc.
• Quantitative aspects, information was collected on expenditure incurred on education of the

household members by the household itself, by other households or by any institutions/organizations
other than Government.
Key Points:
-At national level, the male literacy rate is higher at 84.7% compared to 70.3% among women.
-Also, the male literacy rate is higher than the female literacy rate among all states.
• In Kerala, the male literacy rate is 97.4% compared to 95.2% among females and in Delhi stood 93.7%
higher than 82.4% among females.
• In the worst performing states, there was a considerable gap in male and female literacy rate like in AP
the male literacy rate is 73.4%, and female literacy rate is 59.5%.
• In Rajasthan, the gap is even wider as male literacy rate stood at 80.8% compared to 57.6% of females
and in Bihar the male literacy rate was 79.7% compared to 60.5% of females.
-The report also revealed that nearly 4% of rural households and 23% of urban households possessed
computers.
-Among persons aged 15-29 years, nearly 24% in rural areas and 56% in urban areas were able to
operate a computer.
About NSO 75th round (July 2017-June 2018) Survey:

NSO 75th round was conducted during 1st July 2017- 30th June 2018 under which 9 items were covered
for broad coverage of information. The survey covers whole of the Indian Union except the villages in
Andaman and Nicobar Islands which are difficult to access.
• This survey covered 1,13,757 households (64,519 in rural areas and 49,238 in urban areas) and
enumerated 5,13,366 persons (3,05,904 in rural areas and 2,07,462 in urban areas). A total number of
persons of age 3 to 35 years surveyed was 2,86,456 (1,73,397 in rural areas and 1,13,059 in urban
areas).
• The Survey Design and Research Division (SDRD) of NSO undertook the development of the survey
methodology and the field work is carried out by Field Operations Divisions (FOD) and the data
processing and tabulation work was done by Data Quality and Assurance Division (DQAD).

In accordance with the annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for [July 2018 – June 2019] of NSO,
India’s unemployment rate fell between July 2018 and June 2019 to 5.8% from 6.1% during the same
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period of 2017-18 while the Indian economy grew 6.1% in 2018-19, slower than the 7% expansion
recorded the year before.
About Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)

Minister of State (Independent Charge)– Rao Inderjit Singh
Secretary– Pravin Srivastava
Director General (NSS)– Vijay Kumar
Gujarat, Andaman & Nicobar Emerge as Best State/UT in providing

Strong Ecosystem for Startups: DPIIT ranking
On September 11, 2020 Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) released the
2nd Edition of ‘States on Support to Startup Ecosystems 2019’ . The Rankings are based on providing a
Strong Ecosystem for promoting Startups.
• Gujarat emerged as the best performer among Category X.Gujarat topped the rankings in the 2018
edition of Ranking also.
(In Category x – All States and New Delhi, barring North Eastern (N. E) States & other Union Territories
(U. T))
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands emerged as best performer among Category Y
(Category y – All N.E states except Assam and all UTs except Delhi).
• The Rankings were released by Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, PiyushGoyal and a total of
22 states and 3 UTs participated in the exercise.
Rankings:
For the purposes of ranking, states/UTs are classified into five categories: Best Performers (100
Percentile), Top Performers (More than 75 to Less than 100), Leaders (More than or equal to 30 to less
than or equal to 75), Aspiring Leaders (More than 10 and less than 30) and Emerging Startup Ecosystems
(Less than or equal to 10).
Category – X
All States and New Delhi, barring North Eastern (N.E) States & other Union Territories.
State Category
Gujarat Best Performer
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Karnataka Top Performer
Kerala Top Performer
Category – Y
All N.E states except Assam and all UTs except Delhi
State/Union Territory (U.T.) Category
Andaman & Nicobar Islands Best Performer
—– Top Performer
Chandigarh Leader
Other Performers:
Category X:
i. Bihar, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Chandigarh were placed in Leaders Category.
ii. Haryana, Jharkhand, Punjab, Telangana, Uttarakhand and Nagaland were placed in Aspiring
Leaders Category.
iii. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil
Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Mizoram and Sikkim were placed in Emerging Startup Ecosystems.
Category Y:
i. Nagaland was placed in Aspiring Leader Category.
ii. Mizoram& Sikkim were placed in Emerging Startup Ecosystems.
Basis for Dividing into Categories:

The States and UTs have been divided into two groups to establish uniformity and standardisation in the
ranking Process
Ranking Framework:
i. The ranking framework 2019 has seven broad reform areas consisting of 30 action points
ranging from institutional support, easing compliances, relaxation in public procurement
norms, incubation centres, seed funding, venture funding, and awareness and outreach.
ii. The parameters also involved getting feedback from beneficiaries gathered through 60, 000
calls to connect with beneficiaries to ascertain real situations at the implementation level.
Other Info:-
The National Report and Specific Reports for all participating States and Union Territories had also been
launched and it is available in Startup India Portal.
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National Report – highlights the vision, trajectory, methodology and the future roadmap of the States
Ranking Exercise.
State Specific Report – containing a comprehensive analysis of respective ecosystem, which highlights
strengths and priority areas for future A ‘Compendium of Good Practices’ adopted by various States in
supporting start-ups has also been released. It identifies 166 good practices.
Initiatives for Startups:

i. Government launched Startup India Action Plan in January 2016 to promote Startups in the
country.
ii. The aim of Startup India Action Plan is to give incentives like tax holiday and remodel
Inspection regimes and capital gains tax exemption.
Note – The DPIIT has created an India Investment Grid (IIG), an interactive investment portal providing
details of sectors, states and projects to ease the domestic and foreign investors.
Recent Related News: online portal called the

i. On May 8, 2020 Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Giriraj Singh
(chief guest) presented the award to the winners of “Startup India-Animal Husbandry Grand
Challenge”.
iii. On June 25, 2020, According to the report, ‘Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) 2020;
the New Normal for the Global Startup Economy and the Impact of COVID-19’ released by
Startup Genome, Bangalore,Bengaluru Becomes India’s Only City in Top 30 with 26th
position.
About DPIIT:-
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is a central government department
under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Secretary – Guruprasad Mohapatra.
• IIT Guwahati Collaborates with University of Pardubice, Czech

Republic for Data Protection Project
A Team of Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati have collaborated with University
of Pardubice, Czech Republic to work towards developing indigenous algorithms to protect the
Country’s digital data from cyber- attacks by advanced computers.
Team of Researchers:
The Indian team is led by Dr. Gaurav Trivedi, Associate Professor, Department of Electronics and
Electrical Engineering, IIT Guwahati, Professor Srinivasan Krishnaswamy, Assistant Professor,
Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, IIT Guwahati. Professor ZdenekNemec and
Professor Jan Pidanic from the University of Pardubice.
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The team also consists of Research Scholars Bikram Paul, UddipanaDowerah, Tarun Kumar Yadav, Balbir
Singh, Abhishek Agarwal, MeenaliJanveja and Souradip Pal from IIT Guwahati.
Recognitions:
The work has been published in the IEEE International Conference Radioelektronika
(RADIOELEKTRONIKA). It received 3rd best paper award by IEEE Czechoslovakia Section based on its
research contributions.
Work of the Research Team:

i. It has developed Post-Quantum Cryptography(PQC)-based encryption algorithms, and
designed indigenous soft Internet Protocols (IPs), which will be integrated into System-On-
Chip (SoC) to protect the computers from cyber-attacks.
iv. These algorithms and IPs will protect critical data such as national security data and citizen
information through an unbreakable lock-and-key.
v. The Team has developed Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) architecture for Internet-of-
Things (IoT) applications in the healthcare sector, which will encrypt and decrypt data for
transmission across the Internet. It will be suitable for low power IoT applications too.
Background:
• The recent advances in Computer Science, such as development of Quantum
Computer has opened up many possibilities as well as enormous threats.
• Once Quantum Computers become the workhorses in the future, they can be used
to easily break the sensitive data protected by encryption, which will make all the
data obsolete and vulnerable.
• These threats have given rise to a new field of research called “Post-Quantum
Cryptography (PQC)” and research teams all over the globe, which are working on
developing algorithms to secure data from attacks by advanced computers.
i. IITRoorkee Develops “Unisaviour” – Disinfection Box to Sterilise Personal Belongings to

minimise the COVID-19 transmission.
ii. The IIT, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) to develop a biotechnology based water treatment
system for the purification of sewage water flowing into the rivers Ganga and Godavari
through the SPRING Project.
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• Syeda Anwara Taimur, Assam’s 1st and only Woman CM Passed
Away
On September 28, 2020 Syeda

Anwara Taimur, Assam’s first
and only woman Chief
Minister(CM) passed away in
Australia due to cardiac arrest.
She was around the age of 83.
She is the 1st Muslim woman
CM of any state in India. She
was born on November 24, 1936
in Assam, British India.
• She is a 4 time(1972, 1978,

1983 and 1991) Member of the
Legislative Assembly (MLA) and
a 2 times Rajya Sabha MP-
Member of Parliament (nominated in 1988 and elected in 2004).
• She had an illustrious political career spanning over 4 decades.
Key Info About Syeda Anwara Taimur

i. Syeda Anwara Taimur prior to entering into politics served as the Economics lecturer in Devi
Haran Barua Girls College at Jorhat in 1956.
ii. She was the CM of the state from December 1980 to June 1981 as a member of the
Congress during the height of the anti-foreigners’ agitation in the State. Her tenure ended as
the state was put under president’s rule.
iii. She was a leader of the Indian National Congress party in Assam and a member of the All
India Congress Committee (AICC).
iv. She served as the Public Works Department(PWD) and agriculture minister of the state from
1983 to 1985. She joined the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) in 2011.
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Assam Current Affairs - October 2020
Kati Bihu” Festival Celebrated in Assam “

On17th October 2020, Kati Bihu is one of the set of three Bihu festivals (agricultural festivals) was
celebrated in the state of Assam.They Kati Bihu is also known as Kangali Bihu, the festival of the poor
(the word “Kongal” means “poor”) is celebrated in mid-October when the crops are at growing stage
and the granaries of the farmers are depleting.
Celebration of Kati Bihu:

• The Kati Bihu is celebrated with the lamp called ‘Saki’ which is lit on the tips of bamboo poles in
the fields which represents a guide to spirits and earthen lamps are lit in the garden, under the
tulsi plants and in the granaries.
• The farmers chant spells to ward off the negativity and pests in the field and pray for a
prosperous harvest.
• The locals of Assam celebrate the festival by lighting diya in their fields and homes and perform
cultural dance and organise feasts.
Other Bihu Festivals:

• Bohag or Rongali Bihu is celebrated during the mid-April as the Assamese new year. During the
Bohag Bihu the fields are prepared for the paddy cultivation.
• Magh or Bhogali Bihu is celebrated during the mid-January as a spring festival to mark a
successful harvest and full granaries.
• Nitin Gadkari Laid Foundation Stone for India’s first Multi-modal

Logistic Park in Assam Virtually
On October 20, 2020 Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and MSMEs(Micro,
Small & Medium Enterprises) virtually laid the foundation stone for India’s first Multi-modal Logistic
Park(MMLP) at Jogighopa in Assam. Rs 693.97 crore park will provide direct air, road, rail and waterways
connectivity to the people.
• The park will be developed under the BharatmalaPariyojana of the Government of India.
• It is being created by National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL),
owned by the
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Ministry of Road Transport & Highways(MoRTH).
MoU between NHIDCL and Ashoka Paper MillsOn the occasion for sharing land and logistics in
Jogighopa, a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) was signed Between NHIDCL and Ashoka paper
mills, Government of Assam.
About the 1st MMLP:

• It is being developed in 317-acre land along the Brahmaputra.
• The 1st phase of construction is scheduled to be completed by 2023.
• Already, Rs 280 crore worth work have been awarded including Rs 171 crore for road
construction, Rs 87 crore for erecting the structure, and Rs 23 crore for rail lines. iv.Construction
work will start in November 2020.
• The project is expected to create direct or indirect employment to about 20 lakh youth in the
State.
Forthcoming Roads and Rail Line constructions:

A 4-lane road will be constructed to cover the distance of 154 km between Jogighopa and Guwahati.
A 3-km rail line will be constructed to connect Jogighopa station to the MMLP.
Another 3-Km rail will be constructed to connect MMLP to IWT(Inland Water Terminal).
For easier connectivity, the road to newly developed Rupsi airport will be upgraded to 4-lanes.
Key Info -
• NitinGadkari stated that MoRTH envisages to develop 35 MMLPs in India, of which the Detailed
Project Report(DPR) and feasibility report preparation is ongoing.
• MMLP will have all the facilities like, warehouse, railway siding, cold storage, custom clearance
house, etc.,
Statements made by Nitin Gadkari in Regard to National Highway

• MoRTH has plans for National Highway(NH) works worth Rs 80,000 crore in Assam.
• Within this financial year, NH works for 575 km worth Rs. 3,545 crore will be completed.
• By next year, NH works of about Rs 15,000 crore will be awarded, while DPRs for works of Rs 21,000
crore will be completed for the State.
• A 203 km NH length of Rs 610 crore has been approved for 2020-21, under the Central Road
Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) scheme.
• On the NH in Assam, a total of 12 accident black spots have been identified. Of them, 3 have been
temporarily improved. By 2023, all the black spots will be eradicated.
Key People
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Sarbananda Sonowal, Chief Minister of Assam, Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State(MoS)
(Independent Charge), Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public
Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space among others participated in the event.

i. On 30th August, 2020 Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin JairamGadkari
inaugurated three important bridges, two road improvement projects. He laid the
foundation stone for four other major bridge projects across the rivers Wainganga, Bandiya,
Perikota and Perimili in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra with an outlay of Rs. 777
Crores.
ii. On 17th August, 2020 Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways, Nitin JairamGadkari laid
the foundation stone for 13 highway projects and inaugurated a Road Safety Project in
Manipur through video conference.
• 5 States to get Conservation Centres to protect vultures: Action Plan

for Vulture Conservation 2020-2025
In accordance with the Action Plan for Vulture Conservation 2020-2025 which was approved on October
5, 2020 by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), the five states viz. Uttar Pradesh (UP), Tripura,
Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu will get vulture conservation and breeding centre each.
• Also, as a part of this plan there will be establishment of four rescue centres, in Pinjore (Haryana),
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Guwahati (Assam) and Hyderabad (Telangana). Currently there is no
dedicated rescue centre for treating vultures.
• The focus of this plan is to prevent the declining vulture population especially of the three Gyps
species (a genus of Old World vultures native to India) viz. Oriental white-backed vulture (Gyps
Bengalese’s), Slender-billed vulture (Gyps tenuirostris), and Long-billed vulture (Gyps indicus).
• It should be noted that the previous action plan was formulated in 2006 for three years.
Key Points from Action Plan:

–A new veterinary non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) will be tested on vultures before
their commercial release.
• NSAIDS often poisons cattle whose carcasses the birds prey on.
• Notably, vultures are also known as nature’s cleanup crew as they do the work of cleaning up after
death by acting as natural carcass recyclers, helping to keep ecosystems healthy.
–This plan mooted a system of automatically removal of drug from veterinary use if it is found to be
toxic to vultures, with the help of the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
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–There will be Conservation breeding of red-Headed vultures and Egyptian vultures and the
establishment of at least one vulture-safe zone in each state.
–In order to get a more accurate estimate of vulture population, there will be Coordinated nation-wide
vulture counting, involving forest departments, the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), research
institutes, non-profits and members of the public.
Vulture Multi-Species Action Plan:

Vulture Multi-species Action Plan (Vulture MsAP) was adopted at the Twelfth Meeting of the Conference
of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP12)
held in Manila, the Philippines in 2017.
• In 2020, the first strategy of Vulture MsAP plan was launched at CMS COP13 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat
held on February 15-22, 2020.

i. On August 15, 2020, PM Narendra Modi announced the “Project Dolphin” for the
conservation and protection of the Dolphins in the country. The Project Dolphin will involve
conservation of Dolphins and the aquatic habitat through use of modern technology
specially in enumeration and anti-poaching activities.
ii. On August 15, 2020, PM Narendra Modi announced “Project Lion” for the conservation of
endangered Asiatic Lion involving habitat development by engaging modern technologies in
management and addressing the issue of diseases in lion and its associated species through
advanced world-class research and veterinary care. The project would also address the
Human-Wildlife conflict.
About National Board for Wildlife (NBWL):

The NBWL is constituted by the Central Government under Section 5 A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act,
1972 (WLPA).
It serves as an apex body to review all wildlife-related matters and approve projects in and around
national parks and sanctuaries.
• It is chaired by India’s Prime Minister.
• Sarbananda Sonowal Launched ‘Kritagyata’, 1st of its kind

webportal to Expedite Pension Claims in Assam along with
“CyberSafety” campaign.
On October 1, 2020, the Chief Minister (CM) of Assam, Sarbananda Sonowal launched an on-line
pension submission and tracking system “Kritagyata” during a function held at Assam Administrative
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Staff College in Guwahati. Created on the lines of “Bhabhisya” portal of Government of India, Kritagyata
is first portal of its kind among all the states in the country for the convenience of pensioners by
expediting their pension-related claims.
• Through this portal, the retired state government employees can submit pension-related papers
online and have the facility to check the status of pension.
• The portal has been launched as a pilot project for the teachers and employees under Inspector of
Schools of Kamrup Metropolitan district, and will further be extended for state govt employees.
Cyber safety awareness campaign launched in Assam:

Assam Police celebrated its 70th foundation day, i.e. Assam Police Day on October 1, 2020. On this
occasion Sarbananda Sonowal launched a month-long “CyberSafety” campaign to raise awareness on
cyber crimes and safety. It will be jointly conducted by the Assam Police and cyber-security think tank
Cyber Peace Foundation (CPF).
• The campaign will focus on major aspects of cyber safety through programmes on digital platforms,
webinars, radio campaigns and activities targeted at people of various age groups, particularly school-
going children.
• The programmes will be hosted on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

i. On August 24, 2020 The Guwahati Passenger Ropeway Project connecting the Northern and
Southern banks of the Brahmaputra River was inaugurated by the Assam State Minister of
Finance, Himanta Biswa Sarma and Guwahati Development Department(GDD) Minister,
Siddhartha Bhattacharya. The ropeway service is 1.8 Kilometres long, making it the longest
ropeway distance over a river in the entire country.
ii. On June 29, 2020 Assam’s Council of Ministers approved an MSME (Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises) Ordinance to end the process of taking multiple permissions to set up
• Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal Launches “Swa-nirbharNaari :

Atmanirbhar Asom”
On October 8, 2020, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched “Swa-nirbharNaari:
Atmanirbhar Asom” for empowering the economically disadvantaged women in the State.
Key Points:
i. The scheme is expected to create more than 3.72 Lakh Sustainable Individual Assets and 822
Community Assets.It will benefit around 4 Lakh Families.
ii. It will be implemented in convergence with several schemes of Assam state government
departments and missions such as Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission, Agriculture &
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Horticulture, Fishery, Environment & Forest, Handloom & Textiles, Sericulture, Veterinary &
Animal Husbandry.
Individual & Community Asset Creation:

i. Five activities will be implemented in all Development Blocks in the case of Individual Asset
Creation.
ii. Twenty activities to be implemented in selected Development Blocks for Community Asset
Creation.
Monitoring Committees:
To ensure effective implementation of the scheme, monitoring committees will be constituted from
Panchayat to State Level.
Importance of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI):

i. The Chief Minister highlighted the role of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) in the
implementation of the scheme.
ii. Prize awards of INR 3 Lakh, 2 Lakh and 1 Lakh will be given to the First Three Best
Performing Panchayats.

i. On 4th September 2020, The Government of Assam relaunched its old scheme Swami
Vivekananda Assam Youth Empowerment (SVAYEM) worth Rs.1000 crore. The scheme is
aimed to provide self-employment opportunities to more than 2 lakh youths of the state.
• Sarbananda Sonowal Laid foundation stone for India’s 1st Assam

Agar International Trade Centre at Dabidubi
On October 21, 2020, the Chief Minister (CM) of Assam laid the foundation stone of Assam Agar
International Trade Centre, a first-of-its-kind in India at Dabidubi in Golaghat district of Assam.
• This initiative is on the lines of doubling the farmer’s income in the state by 2022.
• This project will promote the business of the farmers as well as the entrepreneurs associated with
agarwood plantation and trade in Assam which results in boosting Assam’s economy.
Point to be noted:
This trade centre will be named after Indian-Assamese freedom fighter from Assam, Swahid Kushal
Konwar, in a bid to pay its tribute to the martyr. He was the only martyr in India who was hanged during
the last phase of the Quit India Movement of 1942-43.
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i. On 4th September 2020, The Government of Assam re-launched its old scheme Swami
Vivekananda Assam Youth Empowerment (SVAYEM) worth Rs.1000 crore. The scheme is
aimed to provide self-employment opportunities to more than 2 lakh youths of the state.
ii. On 23rd September 2020, Sarbananda Sonowal launched the “Mukhyamantri Grammya
Paribahan Achoni” – Chief Minister’s Rural Transport Scheme and distributed light motor
vehicles to the beneficiaries under this scheme.
• C-DAC & NSM Host Institutes signed a MoU to Establish

Supercomputing Infrastructure in Premier Institutions Across India
On 12th October 2020, The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) With the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) Host
Institutes to establish supercomputing infrastructure with assembly and manufacturing in India.
Dr. Mini Shaji Thomas, Director, NIT, Trichy and Dr. Hemant Darbari, Director General, C – DAC signed
the MoU.
Purpose of the MoU:

To manufacture Critical Components at Indian Institute of Science (IISC) Bangalore, Indian Institutes of
Technology (IIT) (Kanpur, Roorkee, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Mandi, Gandhinagar), National Institute of
Technology(NIT) Trichy, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) Mohali and NSM Nodal
Centres for training in High-Performance Computing & Artificial Intelligence (HPC & AI) at IIT (Madras,
Kharagpur, Goa and Palakkad).
Key People:
The MoU was signed in the presence of Sanjay Dhotre, Union Minister of State for electronics and
information technology(E&IT), Education and Communications, Ajay Prakash Sawhney, Secretary of
Ministry of Electronics &Information Technology (MeitY), Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary of
Department of Science & Technology(DST), Jyoti Arora, Special Secretary & Financial Adviser(FA), MeitY,
Dr Rajendra Kumar, Additional Secretary, MeitY and Host Institutes.
Mission:
To establish a Dependable and Secure ExaScale Ecosystem with innovative designs, technologies and
expert human resources.
Aim: To achieve complete self-reliance through developing India’s own Hardware enclosed with
Exascale chip design, design and Manufacture of Exascale Server Board, Exascale Interconnects and
Storage including Silicon-Photonics at C-DAC.
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Features of MoU:
i. With the state of the art supercomputing facilities this partnership will enhance the
capabilities of India, empower the scientists and researchers to reach global competition
and to ensure self-reliance.
ii. As a part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat, the pace of the research and innovation is being
enhanced using the computational science techniques by manufacturing critical
supercomputer components in India.
iii. The components manufactured in India include Server Board, Interconnect, Rack power
controllers and Hydraulic controllers, Direct Liquid Cooled Datacenter, HPC Software Stack.
Key Points:
The C-DAC has established a Supercomputing Eco-system at IIT-(BHU) Varanasi, IIT Kharagpur, Indian
Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced
Scientific Research (JNCASR) Bangalore.
About National Supercomputing Mission(NSM):

National Supercomputing Mission(NSM) was established to provide the required computational power
to the Institutes, Industry, Scientific and Research Community, Micro, Small & Medium
Enterprises(MSME) and Startups to provide solutions to the specific challenges of India and real life
problems in Science and Technology.
i. On July 9, 2020, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) inked an agreement with the New
Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA) to install public Electric Vehicle (EV)
charging stations & related infrastructure in order to promote the usage of electric vehicles.
iii. In order to strengthen the solar energy sector across the nation, Council of Scientific &
Industrial Research (CSIR)-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) and
National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), an autonomous institute under the Ministry of New
and Renewable Energy, Government of India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) virtually for ‘Strategic Association’.
About Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC):
Director General– Dr Hemant Darbari
Headquarters– Pune, Maharashtra
• Jitendra Singh Released a Coffee Table Book on “Discovering the

Heritage of Assam”; Authored by Kumar Padampani Bora
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On October 4, 2020 Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State(MoS) (Independent Charge-I/C)
Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO(Prime Minister’s Office), Personnel, Public
Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space released a Coffee Table Book on “Discovering the
Heritage of Assam”. It was authored by Kumar Padmapani Bora with foreword by Amitabh Bachchan. It
is published by Penguin Enterprise.
Essence of the Book
i. The book is a collection of heritage, faith, beliefs and traditions of various ethnic tribes and
subtribes living in the largest State- Assam of the North Eastern Region.
iv. It is divided into 5 chapters. It will serve as the cultural and heritage ambassador of the
North East for the rest of the world.
v. The magnificence and glory of the undiscovered attributes of Assam can be understood
through this book.
About Kumar Padmapani Bora

i. He is a 2009 batch Indian Revenue Service(IRS) officer.
ii. He is serving as the Deputy Secretary in the Union Ministry of Textiles.
iii. His 1st book was ‘North-East India in India-Asean Relations : A Strategic and Developmental
Perspective’.
• Assam-Mizoram Border Dispute
Why in News
Recently, Assam-Mizoram border witnessed firing over a territory dispute, which spotlights the long-
standing inter-state boundary issues in the Northeast, particularly between Assam and the states which
were carved out of it.
Mizoram borders Assam’s Barak Valley and the boundary between present-day Assam and Mizoram is
165 km long. Both states border Bangladesh.
Key Points -
Ongoing Tussle:
• Residents of Lailapur village in Assam’s Cachar district clashed with residents of localities near
Vairengte in Mizoram’s Kolasib district.
• Earlier in October 2020, a similar clash took place on the border of Karimganj (Assam) and
Mamit (Mizoram) districts.
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• Mizoram civil society groups blame “illegal Bangladeshis” (alleged migrants from Bangladesh) on
the Assam side.
Background:
• The boundary issue between present-day Assam and Mizoram dates back to the colonial era
when inner lines were demarcated according to the administrative needs of British Raj.
• The issue could not be settled once and for all when the state was created in independent India.
The result is both states continue to have a differing perception of the border.
• Mizoram was granted statehood in 1987 by the State of Mizoram Act, 1986.
• Assam became a constituent state of India in 1950 and lost much of its territory to new states
that emerged from within its borders between the early 1960s and the early 1970s.
• The Assam-Mizoram dispute stems from a notification of 1875 that differentiated Lushai Hills
from the plains of Cachar, and another of 1933 that demarcates a boundary between Lushai
Hills and Manipur.During colonial times, Mizoram was known as Lushai Hills, a district of Assam.
• Mizoram believes the boundary should be demarcated on the basis of the 1875 notification,
which is derived from the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) Act, 1873.
• Mizo leaders have argued in the past against the demarcation notified in 1933 because Mizo
society was not consulted.
• The Assam government follows the 1933 demarcation, and that is the point of conflict.
According to an agreement between the governments of Assam and Mizoram, the status quo should be
maintained in no man’s land in the border area.In the Northeast’s complex boundary equations, clashes
between Assam and Mizoram residents are less frequent than they are between other neighbouring
states of Assam, like with Nagaland.
Other Boundary Issues in Northeast:

• During British rule, Assam included present-day Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya
besides Mizoram, which became separate states one by one.
• Currently, Assam has boundary problems with each of them.
Assam-Nagaland:
• Nagaland shares a 500-km boundary with Assam.
• It achieved statehood in December 1963 and was formed out of the Naga Hills district of Assam
and Arunachal Pradesh (then North-East Frontier Agency).
• Violent clashes and armed conflicts, marked by killings, have occurred on the Assam-Nagaland
border since 1965.
• The boundary dispute is in the Supreme Court.
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Assam-Arunachal Pradesh:
• Both states have a boundary of over 800 km.
• Arunachal Pradesh was granted statehood by the State of Arunachal Pradesh Act, 1986 in 1987.
• Clashes were first reported in 1992 and since then, there have been several accusations of illegal
encroachment from both sides, and intermittent clashes.
• This boundary issue is also being heard by the Supreme Court.
Assam-Meghalaya:
• The 884-km boundary between the two states also witnesses flare-ups.
• Meghalaya came into existence as an autonomous state within the state of Assam in April 1970
comprising the United Khasi and Jaintia Hills and the Garo Hills districts. In 1972, it got
statehood.
• As per Meghalaya government statements, today there are 12 areas of dispute between the two
states.
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Assam current affairs – November 2020
• Indo-Israeli Centre of Excellence for Vegetables

Protected Cultivation
On November 2, 2020, the Chief Minister of Assam, Sabananda Sonowal laid the foundation stone of
Indo-Israeli Centre of Excellence for vegetables Protected Cultivation in Khetri in the outskirts of
Guwahati, Assam.
Key Highlights
The centre will provide exposure to the latest Israeli technologies to the farmers of the state. It will help
them in maximising their production. The centre is to provide a major boost to agricultural and
horticultural production in Assam. The aim is to double farmers’ income in the region through infusion
of technology in agribusiness, agriculture and food processing.
Background
The region of Assam has recently undergone substantial improvement in road, air and river connectivity.
It is also becoming a promising destination for trade, cultural exchange, travel, commerce and tourism.
This in turn is setting the state as a gateway to ASEAN and South East Asia under the Act East Policy.
Indo-Israel Centre of Excellence

The Centres of Excellence under India-Israel cooperation is spread across Haryana, Gujarat, Karnataka,
Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Mizoram, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
Indo-Israel Action Plan

The India-Israel Action Plan was signed in 2006. There are three phases in the plan.
Phase I
The action plan of phase I was implemented between 2008 and 2010. During this phase, a number of
technologies were transferred from Israel to India namely horticulture mechanization, orchard and
canopy management, protected cultivation, nursery management and micro irrigation. During this
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phase, India also imported planting machineries. The states of Haryana and Maharashtra were focused
during this phase. Experts from Israel trained number of officers in the states.
Phase II
A three-year Action Plan was framed for phase II between 2012 and 2015 under the Indo-Israel Action
Plan. During this phase, the states such as Karnataka, Gujarat and Rajasthan were added to the existing
states. During the second phase, the activities such as water use efficiency, post harvest management,
waste water use, dairying were taken up for training and improvisation. The phase was later extended.
During the extended phase, states such as Tamil Nadu and Punjab were included.
Phase III
This was implemented between 2015 and 2018. The same above activities were extended to other
states such as Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Tripura, Madhya
Pradesh, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand.
Three Year Work Programme

Currently India is implementing the Three-Year Work Programme 2018-20. It was under this programme
that the Centre of Excellence is being constructed in Assam. This is also a part of Indo-Israel Action Plan.
• Assam wins best state award in fisheries sector

On November 18, 2020, Assam won four awards in fisheries sector from the National Fisheries
Development Board operating under the Ministry of Fisheries.
What are the four awards won by Assam in Fisheries sector?

Assam received the best state award under the category of best hilly and North Eastern State in
Fisheries. Also, the Assam Apex Cooperative Fish Marketing and Processing Federation Limited (FISHED)
won the first place in the category of hilly and North Eastern Government Organization. The Nagaon
district of Assam was selected the best hilly and North Eastern district category. Amal Medhi, a farmer
from Nalbari district of Assam won first place under the category of hilly and North Eastern fish farmer
category.
What were the other fisheries awards received?

The following were the other awards received Odisha bagged the best state in marine state category
Uttar Pradesh won the best state award in Inland State category All the awards carry Rs 10 lakh prize
money, a shawl, a certificate and a momento.
Why are the Fisheries Awards important?
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The awards are a great boost to fisheries sector, especially during the COVID-19 times. In 2019, India
exported Rs 47,000 crores of fisheries. India is the second largest producer of fish in the world.
Therefore, fisheries has a high contribution to the Indian Economy. It is thus, important to focus on
fisheries to boost declining economic growth due to COVID-19 pandemic.
What are future goals of India in fisheries sector?

India has plans to increase its fisheries exports by 50% in next five years. In value, it aims to achieve Rs 1
lakh crore of exports in next five years.
What is the current status of fisheries in India?

India produces 13,7 million tonnes of fish annually (as of 2018-19). Of this, the inland fisheries
constitutes 65% of the total fish production.
What are the major fishing harbours in India?

There are 23 minor and five major fishing harbours in India. The major harbours are Mangalore,
Chennai, Kochi, Vishakhapatnam and Kolkata.
• Tarun Gogoi, Ex-Chief Minister of Assam passed away
On November 23, 2020, Tarun Gogoi, former Chief Minister of

Assam passed away due to post covid-19 complications. Mr Gogoi
was diagnosed with COVID-19 in August 2020. He was then
administered with the plasma therapy. The blood plasma therapy
is a covid-19 treatment where the plasma of recovered covid-19
patient is injected into an active covid-19 patient. The blood
plasma of recovered covid-19 patient consists of antibodies
against the virus. Thus, the immune system against the virus is
made stronger. This helps in speed recovery.
Tarun Gogoi: Political Journey

•Tarun Gogoi was a member of the Indian National Congress and
led the party to a record three consecutive electoral victories in Assam. He had served as the Chief
Minister of Assam for three terms from 2001 to 2016.
•He was longest-serving Chief Minister of Assam, completing record 15 consecutive years as Chief
Minister of Assam in May 2016.
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•Overall, he served six terms as a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Lok Sabha, first representing
Jorhat constituency from 1971–85 and later Kaliabor from 1991–96 and then 1998–2002. The Kaliabor
seat is now held by his son Gaurav Gogoi.
•He had risen to national prominence when he was elected as Joint Secretary of the All India Congress
Committee (AICC) in 1976 under the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
•He had later served as the General Secretary of the AICC between 1985–90 under Prime Minister Rajiv
Gandhi.
•He had served as Union Minister of State in the Food and Food Processing Industry departments from
1991-96 under the then PM P V Narasimha Rao's cabinet.
•He later served four terms as a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) in the legislature of Assam, first
representing Margherita constituency from 1996–98 and later Titabar constituency since 2001.
•In July 2014, Gogoi indicated that he might not lead the party in the 2016 Assembly elections.
• Lachit Divas observed on November 24
The Lachit Divas was celebrated in several parts of the country on November
24. The day was celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Lachit Borphuran.
About Lachit Divas
It is mainly celebrated in Assam to commemorate the heroism of Lachit

Borphukan. In 2017, the first country wide celebration of Lachit Divas was
held.
Lachit Borphukan
He was a commander in Ahom kingdom, making the most located in the present day Assam. He was
known for his leadership in the 1671 Battle of Saraighat. He is known for his heroic role in the battle to
drive away the Mughal forces under the command of Ram Singh to take over the kingdom.
Battle of Saraighat
The battle was fought between the Mughal forces let by Ram Singh and the Ahom forces led by Lachit
Borphukan on the banks of the Brahmaputra river at Saraighat, now in Guwahati. Though the Ahom
army was weaker than that of the Mughals, they defeated the Mughal by their brilliant use of the
terrain, psychological warfare, Guerrilla warfare and military intelligence. This battle was the last of the
attempts by the Mughals to conquer Assam.
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Mir Jumla was the subedar of Bengal when the battle was fought. However, it was due to Lachit
Borphukan, Ahom won the war. During Mughal invasion, the Ahom soldiers lost their hope of winning
the battle. It was Lachit’s call to the soldiers that made them fight till their last breath.
Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal

It is awarded by the National Defence Academy for the best passing out cadet. This is being awarded
every year since 1999.
Mahabir Lachit Award

It is awarded by the Tai Ahom Yuva Parishad to the notable personalities of Assam. The cash amount of
50,000 rupees and a traditional sword is presented under the award.
Ram Singh
Ram Singh was the elder son of Mirza Raja Jai Singh, the ruler of Amber. He was commissioned to invade
the Ahom kingdom by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1667.
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Assam current affairs : December 2020
• Orundoi Scheme is to be launched by the Assam government in 29

districts across the state
The scheme is to be launched by the Assam government in 29 districts across the state. Through this
scheme, the government seeks to empower women by transferring a minimum amount of Rs.830 each
month directly to the bank accounts of the nominated female head of the household. More than 18 lakh
beneficiaries have already been selected by the government under this scheme. This number is
expected to reach 22 lakh after the inclusion of districts in the Bodoland Territorial Area.
The scheme was announced during the state budget 2020-21. It is to be implemented at an annual
budget of 2400 crores of Rupees. The scheme is first of its kind in the country. According to the state
government of Assam the scheme will suffice the basic requirement of Health and nutrition of a
household. It will support the family to buy by 4 kg of pulses worth 200 rupees, medicines worth 400
rupees per month, sugar for 80 Rupees and fruits and vegetables for 150 Rupees.
The household owning tractor, four wheelers, fridge or TV are not eligible under the scheme. The
amount to the beneficiaries under the scheme are to be directly transferred from the eKuber system of
Reserve Bank of India.
What is eKuber system?

It is the core banking solution of the Reserve Bank of India. The core banking solutions enable the banks
to offer Customer centric services 24/7 from a single location. In simple words, the Core Banking
Solution application of RBI is e-Kuber. This means that it is a day to day operation. (It is basically a
software where RBI does all the transactions related to banking on daily basis). When money is
transferred through e-Kuber system for a scheme, it reaches the beneficiary as soon as it is sanctioned.
It provides the tools and approach to make sure the data is collected at the single point of action and
delivered to the point of decision.
• Voting underway in first phase of BTC election in Assam amid tight

security
Voting g is underway for the first phase of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) election in Assam amid
tight security arrangements. As many as 130 candidates are in fray in the first phase of BTC election and
voting is taking place at 1,739 polling booths and a total of 13,59,020 voters will decide the fates of 130
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candidates in ballot papers. Out of 21 council constituencies, 11 constituencies fall in Udalguri district
while 10 constituencies are in Baksa district.
About BTC :
• The Bodoland Territorial Council was constituted under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of
India in 2003 after the signing of Memorandum of Settlement on 10th February 2003 between
the Government of India, the Government of Assam and Bodo Liberation Tigers, to fulfill
economic, educational and linguistic aspiration and the preservation of land-rights, socio-
cultural and ethnic identity of the Bodos; and to speed up the infrastructure in BTC area.
• The Council aims at bringing about accelerated progress to one of the most backward region of
the state of Assam with special focus on the development of the Bodo people in the field of
education, preservation of land rights, linguistic aspiration, culture and its ethnic identity.
• Area: The BTC’s jurisdiction is over four districts of Assam — Kokrajhar, Baksa, Chirang and
Udalguri — and they are collectively known as Bodoland Territorial Administrative Districts.
• Communities: Major communities residing in BTC include Bodos, Assamese , Bengalis, Koch-
Rajbongshis, Raba’s, Garos , Adivasis, Muslims and Nepalies, etc.
• New Height for Mount Everest

Why in News
Nepal and China have announced the revised height of Mount Everest as 8,848.86
metres. The new height is 86 cm more than the previous measurement.
Key Points
▪ The new height of 8,848.86 meters replaced the long-associated 8,848 metre-
height, which was, as per a measurement carried out by the Survey of India in
1954.
▪ The common declaration meant that the two countries have shed their long-
standing difference in opinion about the mountain’s height — 8,844 m claimed
by China and 8,847 m by Nepal.
o Resolving the three-metre difference, attributed to China

calculating the “rock height” underneath the snow and Nepal using
the “snow height” which included the snow-cap, was the aim of a
joint project.
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▪ Everest is also known as Sagarmatha in Nepal and Mount
Qomolangma in China.
▪ The mountain lies on the border between Nepal and Tibet and the summit can
be accessed from both sides.
▪ Related Information:
o It gets its English name from Sir George Everest, a colonial-era

geographer who served as the Surveyor General of India in the
mid-19th century.
o It was first scaled in 1953 by the Indian-Nepalese Tenzing
Norgay and New Zealander Edmund Hillary.
o First Survey of Everest:
• The first effort was carried out in 1847 by a team led

by Andrew Waugh, Surveyor General of India.
• The survey was based on trigonometric

calculations and is known as the Great
Trigonometric Survey of India.
• The team discovered that ‘Peak 15’ (as Mount Everest
was referred to then) was the highest mountain,
contrary to the then-prevailing belief that Mount
Kanchenjunga (8,582 m and the 3rd highest peak in the
world now) was the highest peak in the world.
• Mount K2, at 8,611 metres above sea

level, is the second highest mountain in
the world.
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• Assam Ease of Doing Business (Amendment) Bill, 2020
The Assam assembly recently passed the Assam Ease of Doing Business (Amendment) Bill, 2020. The bill
makes amendments to the Assam ease of doing business act, 2016. The amendment will avail 0.25%
additional borrowing from the centre.
What are the key features of Assam Ease of Doing Business (Amendment) Bill, 2020?
The new bill will simplify procedures and bring transparency and efficiency in the system. Under the new
Amendment Bill, the government has committed to create an investor friendly atmosphere in the state
of Assam.
The Government of Assam is to do away with all types of renewal certificate, permissions and licences
under be Assam is of doing business Amendment Bill . This is being done because a large number of
renewable applications are pending at different levels in Assam. This causes unreasonable delay .
A computerized Central random inspection system is to be implemented. Under the system allocation of
inspectors will be done centrally at random. The allocation is to be done by the competent authorities.
The amendment makes sure that same Inspector is not assigned to the same unit in the subsequent
year.
What is Assam Ease of Doing Business Act?
The Act was enacted in 2016. The Act aimed to streamline the regulatory structures and processes and
simplify the procedures related to renew license, certificate, permissions in setting up of Enterprises and
industries in the state of Assam. Assam Bureau of Investment Promotion was established by the act. It
oversees the overall supervision and administration of speedy processing of applications.
How does Assam Ease of Doing Business Act facilitate doing business in the state?
After an application is received, the system will automatically forward it to the competent authority. The
system will then handover hard copies such as applications to the concerned officer of the competent
authority. The officer is responsible to get clearance within the stipulated time frame. Also, the system
will generate a report to the Bureau about the status of applications received, pending, disposal and the
reasons for pending on monthly basis.
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Assam Current affairs : January 2021
• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas recently announced that more than 14 crores of free of cost
cylinders have been provided under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana to the beneficiaries of the scheme
during covid-19 crisis.
What is the current scenario of prices of LPG in India?
The price of non-subsidised Liquefied Petroleum Gas cylinders of 14.2 kg is to remain at 694 rupees per
cylinder. The commercial customers will have to pay an additional amount of 17 rupees per cylinder.
Also, the new rate of 19-kilogram LPG cylinder in Delhi has increased to 1349 rupees as compared to the
previous price of 1332 rupees. In Kolkata the price has increased by 23 rupees and in Chennai the prices
have increased by 17 rupees.
What is the reason behind the recent LPG price rise?
The Oil marketing companies revise the prices of gas cylinders on the first day of every month. The price
revise is based on the international market rates. The recent price rise is due to changes in international
price changes.
How are LPG prices fixed in India?
The LPG pricing in India is done on the basis of Import Parity Price. The Import Parity price is determined
based on LPG prices in the international market. It is based on LPG prices of Aramco of Saudi Arabia. It
also includes free on-board prices, custom duty, Ocean freight charges, insurance, port dues, etc. The
retail selling price of the non-subsidised LPG cylinder include the cost of Inland right, GST, bottling
charges, marketing costs and margins charged by the Oil Companies, dealer Commission. Therefore, a
weak performing rupee will also lead to higher prices of LPG in India. The current price rise in the recent
past few months is due to this reason.
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• India approved two COVID-19 vaccines for Emergency Use
The Drug Controller General of India recently announced that it has authorised two COVID-19 vaccines
for restricted Emergency Use in India.
What are the two COVID-19 Vaccines approved by DGCI for emergency use?
COVAXIN and COVISHIELD
What is COVAXIN?
The COVAXIN is the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech and ICMR (Indian council of Medical
Research). It was the first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine to be developed in the country.
What is COVISHIELD?
The COVISHIELD vaccine was developed by Oxford University and Astra Zeneca, the pharmaceutical
company.
•Assam Rifles Public School launched as Khelo India Sports

School
The Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Kiren Rijiju recently launched the Assam Rifles Public
School as a Khelo India Sports School.
Where is Assam Rifles Public School located?
Shillong.
Is Assam Rifles Public School a Khelo India Sports School?
Yes.
What are Khelo India Sports School?
The main objective of Khelo India Sports school is to integrate sports with education. The Government
of India will bear the expenses of the students in Khelo India Sports School. It includes expenses of
education, boarding, lodging, competition exposure.The Khelo India Sports school will help in
identification and upliftment of talent from the North Eastern regions, tribal areas and rural areas.
Is Assam Rifles Public School the first Khelo India Sports School in the North East?
Yes.
How many Khelo India Sports Schools are there in India?
Currently, there are nine Khelo India Sports Schools in India. Out of these five are managed by
Paramilitary and Defence forces.
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Why was Assam Rifles Public School designated as the Khelo India Sports School?
The Assam Rifles Public School had a good track record in sports and academics, sufficient space to
develop sports facilities, adequate lodging and boarding. Also, it has good inclination to develop Olympic
sports under the inter-ministerial partnership between the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of
Youth Affairs and Sports. For these reasons, the Assam Rifles was designated as the Khelo India Sports
School of India.
What is Khelo India?
The Khelo India was launched in 2018. It aims to improve sports culture in the country. The Khelo India
was launched by consolidating the Rajiv Gndhi Khel Abhiyan, National Sports Talent Search System and
Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme. The programme promotes “sports for all” and also “sports for
excellence”.
• ADB to provide $231 mn loan to enhance power generation

capacity in Assam
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $231 million loan with the Government of India to
augment electricity generation capacity in the state of Assam. This is the third tranche loan for the
‘Assam Power Sector Investment Programme’ that was approved by the ADB Board in July 2014.
Under the project, 120 megawatts (MW) hydroelectric power plant would be constructed. The
programme focuses on enhancing the capacity and efficiency of the energy generation and distribution
systems in Assam to improve the availability of electricity service to end-users. The programme,
including its two previous tranches, focuses on enhancing capacity and efficiency of the energy
generation and distribution systems in Assam to improve electricity service to end-users.
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Assam Current affairs : February 2021
• PM Modi launches Asom Mala in Assam’s Sonitpur district

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the ‘Asom Mala’ programme in Dhekiajuli of Sonitpur
district, Assam. As per the PMO, this initiative will boost the state’s road infrastructure and contribute
to Assam’s economic progress and improve connectivity. The programme is unique for its emphasis on
effective maintenance through continuous field data collection and its linkage with the Road Asset
Management System.
PM Modi also laid the foundation stones of medical colleges and hospitals in Biswanath and Charaideo
with an aim to boost Assam’s health infrastructure. The two medical colleges and hospitals are being set
up at Biswanath and Charaideo at a total estimated project cost of over Rs 1,100 crores. Each hospital
will have a 500-bed capacity and 100 MBBS seat capacity.
Mandarin Duck spotted after 118 years in Assam

The Mandarin duck which is a colourful duck from eastern Asia was spotted in Assam recently after 118
years.
More in news
• Spotting of the Mandarin has raised hopes for the wetland which was affected by a blowout and
inferno at a natural gas well in the year 2020.
• The Mandarin duck was spotted by the team of avian specialists in the Maguri-Motapung Beel of
Tinsukia district in eastern Assam.
• Mandarin duck is the habitat of eastern China and southern Japan. It landed in Assam too by accident.
The duck does not come regularly to India. But some of the ducks may join other migratory birds and
follow their migration path.
• The spotted duck accompanied a flock of Indian spot-billed duck that was migrated either to China or
Japan.The last Mandarin duck was spotted in Assam in the year 1902.
Mandarin duck :
The scientific name of mandarin duck is Aix galericulata. It is a perching duck species which is native to
the East Palearctic. The duck is medium-sized with 41–49 cm in length and 65–75 cm of wingspan. The
duck is closely related to North American wood duck.
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Population of the duck
The ducks were once widespread in East Asia region. But they were exported on large-scale so the
population reduced in the eastern Russia and China. Further, the destruction of its forest habitat further
accelerated the reduction in population so much so that the population reduced below 1,000 pairs in
each of Russia and China. Japan has an estimated population of around 5,000 pairs.
• Assam government appoints Hima Das as DSP
Star sprinter Hima Das has been appointed as a Deputy Superintendent of Police
by the Assam government. The 21-year-old from Assam, known as ‘Dhing Express’
referring to the town near her native village, is currently training at the NIS-Patiala
and will be aiming to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics as the athletics calendar starts
in a few days.
The reigning world junior 400m champion, who won a silver in women’s 400m in
the 2018 Asian Games, was also part of the gold-winning women’s 400m relay and
mixed 400m relay quartets in the quadrennial event in Jakarta.
• Prime Minister launches ‘Mahabahu-Brahmaputra’ initiative

in Assam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has virtually launched ‘Mahabahu-Brahmaputra’ initiative in Assam. He
laid the foundation stone for the Dhubri Phulbari bridge. PM also perform the bhumi puja for the
construction of Majuli Bridge in Assam. PM has announced the details stated that the landmark day in
the development journey for Assam as Mahabahu-Brahmaputra initiative is going to be launched.
About Mahabahu-Brahmaputra initiative:
Mahabahu-Brahmaputra initiative is going to be marked with the inauguration of the Ro-Pax vessel
operations. The Ro-Pax vessel operations will be launched in between the Neamatighat & Majuli,
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Dhubri-Hatsingimari and North-South Guwahati. This initiative also includes the inauguration of the
Inland Water Transport Terminal at Jogighopa. The initiative will also be marked with the inauguration
of various tourist jetties at four locations in order to promote the river tourism and employment across
the state.
• PM Modi inaugurates Oil & Gas projects in Assam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dedicated to the nation INDMAX Unit at Indian Oil’s Bongaigaon
Refinery, Oil India Limited’s Secondary Tank Farm at Madhuban, Dibrugarh, and a Gas Compressor
Station at Hebeda Village, Makum, Tinsukia remotely from Dhemaji in Assam. He also inaugurated the
Dhemaji Engineering College and laid the foundation stone for Sualkuchi Engineering College in Assam.
During the visit, PM dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of the following projects:
NDMAX Unit at Indian Oil’s Bongaigaon Refinery
Oil India Limited’s Secondary Tank Farm at Madhuban, Dibrugarh – Rs 490 crore
Gas Compressor Station at Hebeda Village, Makum, Tinsukia – Rs 132 Crore
Dhemaji Engineering College – Rs 45 Crore
Laid the foundation stone for Sualkuchi Engineering College – Rs 55 crore.
• India, AIIB sign agreement to improve Assam power

transmission
The Government of India and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has signed a $304 million
loan agreement on February 23, 2021, for the Assam Intra-State Transmission System Enhancement
Project. The project aims to improve the reliability, capacity and security of the power transmission
network in the northeastern state of Assam.
About the project:
It includes constructing 10 transmission substations and laying transmission lines with the associated
infrastructure, upgrade 15 existing substations, and transmission lines and existing ground wire to
optical power ground wire and provide technical assistance to support project implementation.
The total estimated cost of the project is $365 million. AIIB will finance $304 million while the remaining
funding of $61 million will be done by the state government.
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Assam Current affairs : March 2021
• PM Takes First Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, takes first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on March 1, 2021 at
AIIMS, New Delhi. After vaccination, he appealed to those people who are eligible to get their
vaccination done.
Covid-19 Vaccination in India
The national vaccination programme to for the virus called “SARS-CoV-2” which has caused ongoing
Covid-19 Pandemic was started on January 16, 2021. In the first phase of the vaccination, prioritises
were given to the healthcare and frontline workers. Those aged above 60 years were also covered under
this vaccination drive. Then those aged above 45 and suffering from certain comorbidities were
administered vaccine. The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, recently in
January 2021 stated that, the vaccine-production capacity of India is the best asset world have got. As of
February 2021, 1,43,01,266 vaccine doses have been administered across India.
Who developed the vaccine?
The Serum Institute of India had started the Covid-19 vaccination trial on animals by February 2020. It
also tested the Zydus Cadila in March 2020. Later, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
associated with the Bharat Biotech in May 2020 in order to develop the vaccine completely in India.
India had 30 candidates of vaccine in development till May 2020. Following the clinical trials, ICMR
announced to launch BBV152 COVID vaccine or Covaxin which is the first COVID-19 vaccine on August
15, 2020 to cut red tape. Covaxin had positive results on animals with respect to building immunity
against COVID-19. The vaccine candidate ZyCoV-D by Zydus Cadila also underwent the human trials.
However, in August 2020, the COVAXIN got approval from DCGI for trial phases II & III. The Serum
Institute also joined GAVI along with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation so as to produce 100 million
doses of vaccine.
• Himalayan Serow Spotted in Assam
A Himalayan mammal is the newest creatures that has been spotted in the state of Assam.
About Himalayan Serow :
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The Himalayan serow looks like somewhere between a goat and an antelope. It was spotted in the
Manas Tiger Reserve which is having the area of 950-sq. km on December 3, 2020. This animal is a high-
altitude dweller which is usually found around 2000 to 4000 metres above the sea level. The Himalayan
serow is a subspecies of mainland serow. The species is native to the Himalayas. The Himalayan serow
was previously considered its own species as Capricornis thar. It is mostly blackish along with the flanks,
hindquarters. The upper legs of the species are rusty red in colour while the lower legs are whitish. The
specie has been listed in CITES Appendix I.
Mainland Serow :
The scientific name of the mainland serow is Capricornis sumatraensis. The serow is a native to the
China, Himalayas and Southeast Asia. The serow is having the guard hairs on its coat which are bristly or
coarse. The hairs cover the layer of fur which is closest to the skin of serow. The animal also has a mane
which runs from horns to middle of dorsal aspect serow in between the scapulae that covers the skin.
The males are characterised by the horns and are light-coloured. It is six inches in length and curve
slightly towards to the back of the animal. The mainland serow grow up to six feet long. The adult serow
weighs around 150 kg.
Manas National Park :
It is a national park which is UNESCO Natural World Heritage site. It is also a Project Tiger reserve, an
elephant reserve and the biosphere reserve. It is located in the state of Assam in the foothills of
Himalaya. The reserve is in contiguous with Royal Manas National Park of Bhutan. It is known for its rare
and endangered endemic wildlife including hispid hare, Assam roofed turtle, pygmy hog and golden
langur.
• Mary Kom becomes new Chairperson of AIBA’s Champions

& Veterans Committee
The Indian Boxer, Mary Kom, was appointed as the chairperson of the International Boxing Association
(AIBA) champions and veterans committee on March 3, 2021.
Highlights :
AIBA President Umar Kremlev stated that he is confident that Mary Kom will make significant
contribution towards the success of this committee with her vast knowledge and experience.
About AIBA champions and veterans committee :
This committee was established in December 2020. It comprises of the most respected boxing veterans
and champions from across the world who have achieved some significant goals and are ready to share
their experience.
About Mary Kom :
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Mary Kom is an Indian boxer. She is also a current Member of the Indian Parliament. The boxer was
nominated as the member of upper house of the Parliament that is Rajya Sabha on April 25, 2016 by
President Ram Nath Kovind. She has created many histories for India in field of Boxing. She is the only
female boxer who have become the “World Boxing Champion” for a record of six times. She is also
tagged as the only boxer who have won eight World Championship medals. Further, Mary is the only
female boxer who have won a medal in each of first seven World Championships. She is remembered as
the only Indian female boxer who qualified for 2012 summer Olympics, in which she won a bronze
medal in flyweight 51 kg category.
Awards and honours :
The Indian boxer has been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan in the year 2020 which is the second-
highest civilian award in India. In 2006, she was awarded with the Padma Shri which is fourth-highest
civilian award in India. She was also honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2013 which is the third-
highest civilian award.
• Assam’s Red rice export to U.S.
The first consignment of ‘red rice’ was flagged off on March 4, 2021 to the United States. This adds on to
the India’s rice exports potential. The rice was sourced by leading rice exporter called ‘LT Foods’.
Highlights :
The ceremony of the flagging-off of the export consignments was carried out by APEDA Chairman Dr. M.
Angamuthu in Haryana. The APEDA is involved in promoting rice exports with the help of several
stakeholders along the value chain. The government had also set up a “Rice Export Promotion Forum
(REPF)” under the parent head of APEDA.
About Red Rice :
The red rice is rich in Iron and is grown in the Brahmaputra valley of Assam. It is grown without using
any chemical fertilisers. This variety of rice is called as the ‘Bao-dhaan’, which is an integral part of foods
in Assam.
Rice Export from India :
The commerce ministry of India said that, the non-basmati rice exports of India have increased to Rs
26,058 crore for the months of April-January 2020-21 as compared to the exports of Rs 11,543 crore for
the same period in the fiscal year 2019-2020.
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Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) :
APEDA is the Apex-Export Trade Promotion Active government body. The body was set up by the
“Ministry of Commerce and Industry”. It was set up under the APEDA Act. The Act was passed in
December 1985. Following that, the apex body was established and came into effect from February
1986.
Rice Export Promotion Forum (REPF) :
The REPF was set up by the Government of India to boost the rice exports. The forum takes up the
collaborative steps so as to identify and document particulars. It also reaches out to the stakeholders
along the entire production or supply chain of export of rice. In this way, it enhances the exports at the
global market. REPF comprises of the representatives of the exporters, officials from APEDA, rice
industry, ministry of commerce, and directors of agriculture from the major rice-producing states like
Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, Telangana, Haryana, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and
Chhattisgarh.
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Assam Current affairs : April 2021
• What is Suez Canal Blockade?

A container ship called the “Ever Given” recently ran aground in the Suez Canal. This blocked more than
400 ships from transiting the canal. The blockage created huge impacts on global trade and is referred to
as Suez Canal Crisis 2021 or Suez Canal Blockade.
Impacts of the Blockade :
The Cargo ship was headed from China to Netherlands. It had run aground in the canal and got stuck for
a week. The global trade losses due to the blockage is estimated to be 9 billion USD.
India’s Four Point Plan to deal the Blockade :
• The Government of India had framed a 4-Point Plan to deal with the Suez Canal Blockade. The plan
included prioritization of cargo, advisory to ports, freight rates and re-routing of ships. The plan mainly
focuses on reducing Indian trade losses due to the blockage.
• Under prioritization of cargo, the APEDA, MPEDA and FIEO will work together and identify perishable
cargo for priority movement.
• APEDA-Agricultural and Processed food products Export Development Authority
• MPEDA-Marine Products Export Development Authority
• FIEO-Federation of Indian Export Organizations
About Suez Canal
The Suez Canal connects Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. The canal was officially opened in 1869.
Until 1956, the canal was primarily owned by the European shareholders (mostly British and French) and
partly by the Egyptian Government. In 1956, the then President of Egypt Gamal Abdel Nasser
nationalized the canal. This led to Suez Canal Crisis.
• Chief Justice of India: Justice Ramana to assume charge

Justice N V Ramana, who was recently appointed as the Chief Justice of India is to assume charge on
April 24, 2021. He is to take charge a day after the retirement of CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde. Justice
Ramana is to take over as the 48th Chief Justice of India.
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Justice Ramana
• Justice Ramana was born in 1957 in Ponnavaram village of Andhra Pradesh. He was enrolled as an
advocate in 1983. He became the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court in 2013. In 2014, he was appointed as
the judge of the Supreme Court. Justice Ramana had been a part of the following popular cases:
• Justice Ramana was a part of a five-judge constitution bench that declined to refer to a seven bench, a
batch of pleas that challenged the constitutional validity of GoI decision to abrogate Article 370.
• In November 2019, he was a part of a five judge Constitution bench that held that the office of Chief
Justice is a public authority under Right to Information Act.
• In January 2020, Justice Ramana led bench had pronounced that freedom of speech and conducting
business on internet are protected under the Constitution. The bench had directed the Jammu and
Kashmir administration to review the curb orders.
• In 2016, he was a part of the five-bench Constitution bench that ordered restoration of Congress
Government in Arunachal Pradesh.
• In November 2019, Justice Ramana led bench ordered floor test for the then Chief Minister Devendra
Fadnavis to prove his majority in the house.
Constitutional Provisions :
• According to Clause (2) of Article 124, the President appoints the Chief Justice of India.
• The Clause (3) of Article 124 provides the eligibility criteria for a person to become the Chief Justice of
India. They are as follows:
• He or she should be a citizen of India
• He should have acted as the Judge of High Court for at least five years. Or he should have acted as an
advocate in High Court for at least ten years.
• He should be a distinguished jurist in the opinion of the President
• The Clause (4) of Article 124 provides regulations for removal of Supreme Court Judge.
• Copyright (Amendment) Rules, 2021
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry recently notified Copyright (Amendment) rules, 2021. The
amendment has been made to bring the existing Copyright rules in the country with parity with the
other relevant legislations.
Current Scenario
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Currently, the Copyright regime of India is governed by Copyright Act, 1957 and the Copyright rules
2013.
Why were the amendments made?
The main objective of the amendment of Copyright Rules is to ensure smooth and flawless compliance
in the light of technological advancement in digital era. The new rules will help India adopt towards
electronic means as primary mode of communication. It is highly important to achieve the goals of
Digital India.
What are the amendments made?
• The Copyright societies will have to make an Annual Transparency Report for each financial year.
• The amendments have harmonised the Copyright rules with the provisions of Finance Act, 2017. This
has been achieved by merging Copyright Board with the Appellate Board.
• The compliance requirements of registration works have been largely reduced. The applicant now has
the liberty to file the first ten and last ten pages of source code with no blocked out or redacted
portions.
• The time limit of the Central Government to respond to an application has been extended. When an
applicant applies to get registered as a copyright society, the central government shall now respond in
one hundred and eighty days. This has been done to provide enough time so that the application can be
comprehensively examined.
What is Copyright?
• Copyright is a type is intellectual property.
• It gives the owner exclusive right to make copies of his or her creative work. It can be education,
artistic, literary or music.
• According to World Intellectual Property Organisation, Copyright protects two types of rights. They are
Economic rights and moral rights. Economic rights allow the owners to derive financial reward from the
use of their works. On the other hand, the moral rights allow authors to take certain actions to protect
their link with their work.
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Assam Current affairs : May 2021
• Assam’s first female IAS officer Parul Debi Das passes away
Parul Debi Das, the first female IAS officer from Assam, passed away. She was an Assam-Meghalaya
cadre IAS officer. She was the daughter of the former cabinet minister of undivided Assam – Ramnath
Das. She was the sister of former Assam Chief Secretary Naba Kumar Das.
• Himanta Biswa Sarma chosen Assam’s new chief minister
Himanta Biswa Sarma has been named as the 15th Chief Minister of
Assam on May 08, 2021. He will replace incumbent Sarbananda
Sonowal. He will take the charge of the office with effect from May
10, 2021.
The BJP party won a second straight term in the 2021 assembly
polls in the state. The party won 60 seats in the 126-member
Assam assembly. Mr Sarma joined the BJP six years ago in 2015,
after quitting the Congress.
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• Shiva Thapa secures 5th successive medal at Asian
Boxing Championships
• Assam boxer Shiva Thapa put up a scintillating performance to

outpunch Nader Odah in the men’s 64kg quarter-finals at the 2021
ASBC Asian Boxing Championships in Dubai on Tuesday.
• With a comprehensive 5-0 victory against Kuwait’s Odah, Guwahati
boxer Thapa progressed into the semi-finals and also confirmed his fifth
back-to-back medal at the Asian Championships.
• The on-going Championships has been witnessing the presence of 150
boxers from 17 countries including strong boxing nations such as India,
Uzbekistan, Philippines and Kazakhstan.
• ASSAM GOVT TO RAISE ITS STAKE IN NRL TO 26%
• The Assam government will raise its stake in Numaligrah Refinery

Limited (NRL) to 26% from the initial level of 12.35%
• Govt of Assam raised its stake in NRL to 18.59%; another 7.41% shall
be acquired in near future. Total investment of Rs 2,187 crore, will be
the highest ever investment by Govt of Assam in any PSU.
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• On 27 may 2021, The chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said The
Numaligarh Refinery (NRL) would increase its capacity from the existing
3 million metric tonnes (MMT) to 9 MMT, besides bringing 6 MMT
crude oil to Assam from Odisha.
• Flipkart enables its Assamese Language Services for its

Customers
• Online marketing giant Flipkart has enabled its Assamese language

services for its customers on Friday. Customers can search for products
in the Assamese language on the Flipkart app as the language has been
added in the app.
• This will enable the people of Assam to enjoy e-commerce in our own
language.
• Apart From English and assamese the consumers can avail the e-commerce
facility through Flipkart in 10 languages.
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Assam Current affairs : June 2021
• 4 Assam tiger reserves get CATS accreditation
• All four tiger reserves of Assam have received accreditation by the

National Committee of Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CATS) for
maintaining a high standard of conservation.
• The accreditation has been given to Kaziranga, Manas, Nameri and
Orang tiger reserves.
• Based on NTCA parameters, the NTCA has given a score of 81.25 per
cent to Kaziranga, 78.49 per cent to Manas, 71.21 per cent to Nameri
and 74.01 per cent to Orang tiger reserves.
• Besides the four tiger reserve of Assam, Kanha and Panna tiger
reserves in Madhya Pradesh and Sunderban in West Bengal also
received the accreditation.
• Raimona Becomes Assam’s Sixth National Park
• Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on the occasion of

World Environment Day announced that Raimona has been added to
the latest addition to Assam’s existing National Parks.
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• The Raimona National Park, which falls under Kokrajhar district, is a

part of a contiguous forest patch with an area of 422 square km,
covering the northern part of the notified Ripu Reserve Forest, which
forms the westernmost buffer to Manas Tiger Reserve in the southern
foothills of Eastern Himalaya Biodiversity Hotspot.
About Raimona National park :
The Raimona National Park is within the Bodoland Territorial Region.
The boundary of Raimona National Park, which forms with the Sonkosh
River on the west along the inter-state boundary of West Bengal and
Assam from Indo-Bhutan border up to fire line Ride-6 southwards
(BP30) and Saralbhanga River on the east, runs northwards till it
touches the Indo-Bhutan international boundary on the north and
remaining part of Ripu RF on the south.
• Forest Man of India Jadav Payeng Set to Make

Mexico Greener
• On a special invitation, India’s forest-man will go to Mexico in
September 2021.
• Maxico granted him 10 years Visa to help the north american country
Maxico to become more greener.
• He will be in Mexico for three months every year. September,
October and November are the ideal months in Mexico to plant a tree.
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• jadav Payeng recently struck a deal with a Mexican NGO, Fundación
Azteca, to collaborate on environmental projects in the North American
country.
• Assam to replicate Bharat Ratna, Padma awards

• The Assam government has instituted a series of annual awards
similar to the Bharat Ratna and Padma awards entailing a slew of
benefits for the awardees.
• The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting headed by Chief Minister
Himanta Biswas Sarma on Tuesday.
• While the Asom Ratna would be presented to one person who has
made a significant contribution to society, the Asom Bibhushan would
be presented to three, the Asom Bhushan to five and the Asom Shree
to 10 persons every year.
Benefits of this awards :
• The awards will carry ₹5 lakh, ₹3 lakh, ₹2 lakh and ₹1 lakh
respectively
• Free treatment for critical illness.
• Free stay at Assam bhawans across the country
• Free travel in State Transport Corporation buses.
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• Dehing patkai Becomes Assam’s Seventh National
Park
• The Forest and Environment Department of Assam has declared
Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary as a National Park on 9 th of june
2021.
• With this Assam has now seven national parks and became the
second state in the country to have the highest number of National
Parks.
About Dehing patkai :
Dehing Patkai National park is located within the larger Dehing Patkai
Elephant Reserve, which spreads across the coal- and oil-rich districts of
Upper Assam (Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts).
• Lovlina Borgohain Qualifies For Tokyo Olympics

• Assam’s Lovlina Borgohain becomes the first female pugilist from the
state to qualify for the Olympics.
• The young athlete Lovlina would be seen fighting it out in the
Women’s 69 kg Welterweight category at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Reputedly, she is the first lady from Assam to represent India at the
Olympics.
About Lovlina Borgohain :
Lovlina was born on 2 October 1997, and hails from the Golaghat
district of Assam. Her parents are Tiken and Mamoni Borgohain. Her
father Tiken is a small-scale businessman and has had financial
struggles to support his daughter’s ambition. Her elder twin sisters
Licha and Lima also competed at the national level at kickboxing, but
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did not pursue it beyond that. Lovlina too started her career as a
kickboxer, but switched to boxing later when she found the opportunity
to do so. The Sports Authority of India held trials at her high school
Barpathar Girls High School, where Lovlina participated. She was
noticed and selected by renowned Coach Padum Boro, who began
training her in 2012.
• Assam CM Sarma launches Sishu Seva Achoni for

COVID-19 Orphans
• Assam chief minister, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma has dedicated Chief

Minister Sishu Seva Scheme to the service of the beneficiaries and
handed over the cheques of financial assistance to few beneficiaries
who lost both their parents due to COVID.
• Under the scheme an amount to the tune of Rs. 7,81,200 would be
parked in the bank as fixed deposit in the name of each beneficiary.
• Monthly financial assistance of Rs. 3500 which will be realised from
the fixed deposit will be given to the beneficiaries till they attain 24
years of age.
• On completion of 24 years of age, the principal amount parked as a
fixed deposit against each beneficiary would be credited to their bank
accounts.
Under the scheme :
• The State government would give Rs. 3500 per month per child
including Central government support of Rs. 2000.
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• For children below 10 years and adolescent girls with no guardian, the
State government will take steps to house such children in one of the
child care institutions and provide adequate funding towards their
upkeep including educational expenditure.
• Orphaned adolescent girls will be given accommodation in suitable

and reputed institutions to ensure their sensitive care and proper
protection. One such institution is Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya
residential schools.
• Assam Govt Appoints IPS Diganta Borah as Home

Secretary
• The Assam government appointed an IPS officer, Diganta Borah, as
the Secretary of the Home Department.
• Earlier, Borah was posted at the Assam Police Headquarters as the
Deputy Inspector General (Administration).
• Posting police personnel, especially the Indian Police Services (IPS)
officers, in civil administration is not common in practice.
Appointment of chief secretary of state :
• Chief Secretaries are members of the Indian Administrative Service
(IAS) who are the administrative head of state governments.
• A Chief Secretary functions as the central point of interdepartmental
coordination at the departmental level and is classified as being in the
Apex Grade.
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• Chief Secretaries are chosen by the state’s Chief Minister. State Chief
Secretaries are IAS officers generally equivalent in rank to a Secretary
to Government of India and are placed 23rd on Indian Order of
Precedence.
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ASSAM YEAR BOOK 2021 ASSAMEDU.IN
SPECIAL TOPIC
Union Budget 2021 116 - 123
India's Rank in diffrent

124 - 130
indices
India's Oxygen crisis 131 - 133
Cryptocurrency bill 2021 134 - 137
Padma Award 2021 138 - 144
115
HIGHLIGHTS OF UNION
BUDGET 2021-22
The Union Budget of India for 2021 – 2022 was presented by the Finance Minister,
Nirmala Sitharaman on 1 February 2021, in a backdrop of a economic stress due to
COVID-19 pandemic. FM Sitharama chose to go completely paperless to present her
third budget. The budget did address several key expectations of individuals and
corporates. The FM reiterated the government’s vision towards developing an Atma
Nirbhar Bharat. The budget has categorically divided Part A of the budget into six
primary pillars – health and wellbeing, physical & financial capital, infrastructure,
inclusive development for aspirational India, reinvigorating human capital, innovation
and R&D, minimum government and maximum governance. During Budget
presentation, the FM briefed the parliament on the financial impact of the Atma
Nirbhar Bharat packages and continued to reiterate the need to establish an Atma
Nirbhar Bharat – a self-reliant India. Budget 2021 focused on 6 major pillars, with
healthcare and infrastructure sectors enjoying the maximum levels of attention.
Due to ongoing period of unprecedented economic stress, the Union Budget for
FY22 has been very liberal in terms of the targeted fiscal deficit. The Government
has taken liberty to spend enough to bring about economic revival. The focus on
healthcare, infrastructure and the financial sector indicates that the government is
steadily taking more robust measures to realize their vision of Atmanirbhar India.
The Union Budget is the annual financial report of India; an estimate of income and
expenditure of the government on a periodical basis. As per Article 112 of the Indian
Constitution, it is a compulsory task of the government. India’s first Budget was
presented on 18 February 1860. R K Shanmukham Chetty, the first finance minister
of independent India presented the Union Budget on 26 November 1947.
116
Highlights & Important Point of Union

Budget 2021-22
Healthcare and Other Allied Services
The Finance Minister placed huge focus on healthcare and allied services. The total
budgetary expenditure towards health and wellbeing for the upcoming financial
year 2021-2022 was increased multifold to Rs. 2,23,846 Crores from just Rs. 94,452
Crores, marking a massive increase of over 137%.
Rs. 35,000 Crores was earmarked towards COVID-19 vaccinations in 2021-2022.
Plan to roll out pneumococcal vaccine throughout the country.
PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana – Around Rs. 64,180 Crores was earmarked
to be spent over a period of 6 years towards a new scheme – PM Atmanirbhar
Swasth Bharat Yojana, wihich is centered around revamping and developing
primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare systems across India.
Three other schemes with regards to Nutrition, Water Supply, and Cleanliness
were also announced
1. Mission Poshan 2.0 for improving nutritional outcomes
2. Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban) with a total capital outlay of Rs. 2,87,000 Crores over
a period of 5 years to ensure universal water supply to over 2.86 crore household
tap connections and liquid waste management in 500 AMRUT cities, and
3. Urban Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 for promoting better cleanliness, at a total
capital outlay of Rs. 1,41,678 Crores over 5 years from 2021-2026.
Combating Air Pollution
To address the problem of rising air pollution, Rs. 2,217 Crores is provisioned for
combating the problem in 42 urban centres, which carry a population of more
than a million.
117

Budget 2021-22
Vehicle Scrapping Policy
A new voluntary vehicle scrapping policy was also proposed to phase out polluting
and old vehicles. Personal vehicles above 20 years age and commercial vehicles
above 15 years age to undergo fitness tests in automated fitness centres.
Infrastructure Sector
The Budget introduced several new schemes and measures that would bolster the
infrastructure in the country.
Roads & highways

Proposal to provide around Rs. 1,18,101 Crores to the Ministry of Road Transport and
Highways
An additional 8,500 kilometers of roads and highways will be awarded under the
Bharatmala Pariyojana project, and around 11,000 more kilometers of highways
would be completed by March, 2022.
Plan to develop Economic corridors in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West
Bengal, and Assam are also to undergo construction in the near future.
a. 3,500 km of National Highway works in Tamil Nadu at an investment of Rs. 1.03
Lakh Crores
b. 1,100 km of National Highway works in Kerala at an investment of Rs. 65,000
Crores
c. 675 km of highway works in West Bengal at a cost of Rs. 25,000 Crores
d. Works of more than Rs. 34,000 Crores covering more than 1,300 kms of National
Highways to be undertaken in Assam in the coming three years.
118

Budget 2021-22
Railways
Budget 2021 provides for Rs. 1,10,055 Crores towards the expenditure to be incurred by
Indian Railways.
Urban infrastructure
• Augmentation of public bus transport services at a cost of around Rs. 18,000 Crores
through the Public Private Partnership model
• Around 1,016 kilometers of metro and RRTS being constructed in 27 cities
• Central counterpart funding to be provided to:
a. Kochi Metro Railway Phase II
b. Chennai Metro Railway Phase II
c. Bengaluru Metro Railway Project Phase 2A and 2B
d. Nagpur Metro Rail Project Phase II
e. Nashik Metro
The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) and Eastern DFC would likely be
formally commissioned by June 2022. Several other DFC projects such as the
Kharagpur to Vijayawada corridor, Bhusaval to Kharagpur to Dankuni corridor, and
Itarsi to Vijayawada corridor are also under the pipeline.
Additionally, 100% electrification of Broad-Gauge routes is also expected to be
completed by December, 2023.
To promote further safety, an automatic train protection system is also to be
implemented, which would work to eliminate train collisions due to human error.
119

Budget 2021-22
Power Sector
To introduce a revamped power distribution sector scheme with a capital outlay

of Rs. 3,05,984 Crores over a period of 5 years
To launch a Hydrogen Energy Mission in 2021-22 for generating hydrogen from
green power sources.
Financial reforms
A single Securities Markets Code has been proposed, which would rationalize and
consolidate multiple securities laws including the SEBI Act, 1992, the Depositories
Act, 1996, the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956, and the Government
Securities Act, 2007.
Formation of an institutional framework for the corporate bond market, an
investor charter for all financial products, and setting up of regulated gold
exchanges.
Proposal to increase FDI limit of insurance companies from 49% to around 74%,
which would effectively enable foreign ownership in the sector.
Government of India has proposed to start up an Asset Reconstruction Company
(ARC) and an Asset Management Company (AMC) to take over stressed assets of
PSBs for value realization. Around Rs. 20,000 Crores has been earmarked for
recapitalization of PSBs in the year 2021-2022.
120

Budget 2021-22
Fiscal Position
Union Budget estimates for expenditure in 2021-2022 pegged at Rs. 34.83 Lakh
Crores – including Rs. 5.54 Lakh Crores as capital expenditure, an increase of 34.5%
over the BE figure of 2020-2021.
The Contingency Fund of India to be augmented from Rs. 500 Crores to Rs. 30,000
Crores through Finance Bill
Fiscal deficit for FY22: Budget estimate at 6.8% of GDP
Fiscal deficit for FY21: Revised estimate at 9.5% of GDP
Taxation proposals
The budget proposed that senior citizens aged 75 and above, who receive only
pension income and interest on deposits, need not file their annual income tax
returns. The paying bank would be responsible for deducting taxes from the
concerned senior citizen’s income and depositing it on their behalf.
The turnover threshold limit for tax audits would be raised to Rs. 10 Crore from Rs.
5 Crore for assessees who carry out 95% of their transactions through digital
means.
Additional deduction of Rs. 1.5 Lakhs under Section 80EEA of the Income Tax Act,
offered on the interest paid on home loans for affordable housing, was extended
till March 31, 2022. Affordable housing projects to be eligible to avail a tax holiday
for one more year – till 31st March, 2022.
ULIP proceeds will be taxable for salaried employees making a contribution to EPF
over and above Rs. 2.5 Lakhs during any year. In such cases, the interest on
contributions over Rs. 2.5 Lakhs will be taxable as a part of the employee’s total
income. In the case of ULIPs, if the premiums paid during any year exceed Rs. 2.5
Lakhs, the proceeds from the policy will be taxable as capital gains at the time of
maturity. Proceeds paid out on death, however, remain exempt from tax.
121

Budget 2021-22
Reduction in time limit for reopening of income tax assessment from 6 years to 3
years – only in cases of serious tax evasion, where there is evidence of concealment
of income of Rs. 50 Lakhs or more in a year, the time limit for reopening income
tax assessment to be 10 years.
Faceless Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Centre: All communication between the
Tribunal and the appellant to be electronic.
Dividend payment to REIT/ InvIT to be made exempt from TDS.
Rationalization of Customs Duty

The Finance Minister proposed to review over 400 old exemptions and sought to
bring out a revamped customs duty structure by October, 2021.
Union Budget 2021 aims to promote domestic manufacturing and self-reliance,
several key measures with regard to customs duty were proposed. This included
an increase in the customs duty on the import of certain electronic and mobile
phone parts, solar inverters, solar lanterns, capital equipment and auto parts,
cotton, raw silk and silk yarn, and denatured ethyl alcohol, among others.
In an attempt to reduce the burden on MSMEs and other small industries, the
customs duty on various key products was effectively reduced. Non-alloy stainless
steel products, iron and steel scrap, copper scrap, nylon chips and fibers, and
naphtha, among others were on the list. This move can help reduce the cost of
manufacturing.
To boost domestic MSME production and demand for their products, the customs
duty on a few other products were also raised. This included steel screws, plastic
builder wares, prawn feed, and synthetic gemstones among others. The exemption
given to imported leather goods also stands withdrawn.
122

Budget 2021-22
Education Sector
A Central University to be set up in Leh for accessible higher education in Ladakh.
More than 15,000 schools to be qualitatively strengthened to include all
components of the National Education Policy (NEP)
100 new Sainik Schools will be set up in partnership with NGOs/private
schools/states
Over Rs. 3,000 Crores to be provided for realigning the existing scheme of National
Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) for providing post-education
apprenticeship, training of graduates and diploma holders in Engineering.
Disinvestment
Proposal for strategic disinvestment of BPCL, Air India, Shipping Corporation of

India, Container Corporation of India, IDBI Bank, BEML, Pawan Hans, Neelachal
Ispat Nigam limited etc. to be completed in 2021-22.
Two more Public Sector Banks and one General Insurance company to be
privatized.
IPO of LIC set to be issued in 2021-22.
123
India's Rank in Different Indices 2020-21
OCTOBER 2020
Released by 1s Rank India"s

index Rank
1) Mukesh Ambani; US$88.7

billion
Forbes India Rich Forbes Magazine
2) Gautam Adani; $25.2
List 2020 billion
3) Shiv Nadar; $20.4 billion
Oxfam’s Commitment International charitable

Rank 1:Norway
to Reducing Inequality organisation ‘Oxfam 129th
(CRI) Index 2020 International’
Arton Capital’s Gobal financial advisory

Passport Index 2020 firm Arton Capital. New Zealand 58th
Global hunger index Welhunger life and

94th
2020 Concern Worldwide
Most powerful country Sydney-based Lowy 1- US

4th
in Asia Power Index Institute 2- China
2020 3- Japan
Anemia Mukt Bharat

Index
National Health Mission
Haryana
124
OCTOBER 2020

index Rank
Top industry
(India) –HCL
Top- Samsumg (30th
World’s Best Employer 2nd –Amazon globally)
Forbes Banking
2020 3rd – IBM
sector–
HDFC (176th
Globally)
FiFa Rank (Men) FIFA 1: Belgium

2: France 109th
3: Brazil
NOVEMBER 2020
World’s Best Cities for Vancouver-based 62nd -

Resonance Consultancy London
2021 Delhi
Ltd
Global Bribery Risk

Denmark 77th
Matrix TRACE
FIFA rankings (28th 1-Belgium

Nov)
FIFA 2-France, 144th
3-Brazil
125
DECEMBER 2020

index Rank
The United States

US Air Quality Environmental 1st– Lahore 2nd –
Index Protection Agency 3rd – New Delhi
Kathmandu
Rank 1: Reliance Industries

Fortune 500 list of Ltd
Fortune
Indian firms Rank 2: IOC
Rank 3: ONGC
IIT Bombay
Rank 1:National (Rank 47),
QS Asia University QS Quacquarelli IIT Delhi (Rank
University of
Rankings 2021 Symonds, global higher 50),
Singapore (NUS), IIT Madras
education think-tank Singapore (Rank 56)
Global Terrorism Index

Afghanistan 8th
2020
Best performing police Ministry of Home Nongpok

station in the country Affairs Sekmai -
2020 Manipur
None of the
Climate change Index countries were in top
Germany 10th
2020 three ranks. Rank 4:
Sweden
126
JANUARY 2021

index Rank
COVID-19
Lowy Institute, an New Zealand,
“performance 86 th
Australian thinktank
index”
Asia-Pacific
Economist Intelligence
Personalised Health Singapore 10 th
Unit (EIU)
Index
Global Climate Risk Bonn-based

Index 2021 environmental think Mozambique 7 th
tank Germanwatch
By Global Firepower 1st– US

Global Firepower Index
(GFP)- potential military 2nd-Russia 4th
2021
strength 3rd– China
Henley Passport Index Ministry of Home Nongpok

2021 Affairs Sekmai -
Manipur
Climate change Index International air Rank 1- Japan

85th
2020 Transport Association Rank 2- Singapore
127
FEBRUARY 2021

index Rank
Rank 1: Chinese
Global 500 ranking
Brand Finance Mobile app Rank 5th
of the strongest WeChat Reliance
brands globally Rank 2: Ferrari Jio
Number of new cases Rank 2: Brazil

World Health Rank 3:
of leprosy in the world 1 th
Organization (WHO) Indonesia
annually
International
Economic Resilience PHDCCI Mozambique 2nd
(IER) Rank
Economist Intelligence Rank 1: Norway

Democracy Index 2020
Unit Rank 2: Iceland 53rd
128
MARCH 2021

index Rank
Heritage
Economic Freedom Rank 1:
Foundation, a US 26th in Asia-
Index 2021 Singapore
Conservative Pacific 121st
Rank 2: New
thinktank globally
Zealand
World Happiness
United Nations Rank 1- Finland
Report 2021 139th
Rank 2- Iceland
More than 10 lacs

Population: Bengaluru
Union Housing and Less than 10 lacs
Ease of Living Index
Urban Affairs Population: Shimla
2021
Ministry Municipal Performance
Index 2020 (More than
10 lacs): Surat
International US Chamber of Commerce

Rank 1: US
Intellectual Property Global Innovation Policy 40th
Centre (GIPC)
Rank 2: UK
Index 2021
Military Direct's study Military Direct Rank 1: China

4 th
on strongest armed Rank 2: USA
forces
129
APRIL 2021

index Rank
Global Gender Gap World Economic Rank 1: Iceland

Rank 2: Finland 140th
Report 2021 Forum
Rank 1: Jeff
Rank 10:
35th Forbes’ annual Bezos
Forbes Mukesh
billionaire list Rank 2: Elon
Ambani
Musk
Rank 1:
World Press Freedom Reporters Without Norway
Index 2021 Borders 142nd
Rank 2:
Finland
Rank 1:
Global Energy World Economic Forum Sweden
Transition Index 2021 (WEF) Rank 2: 87 th
Norway
Chandler Good Chandler Institute of Rank 1: Finland

Governance, Rank 2: 49 th
Government Index
Singapore Switzerland
2021
130
Assam Year Book 2021 Special Articles
India's Oxygen crisis
Why in the news?

India is in chaos because of the second wave of coronavirus. The
country’s single-day hike reached to nearly 3 lakh cases with over
2,000 fatalities.
Background:
India is experiencing a second wave of Covid-19 with large number
of people admitted to hospitals. This has also increased the
demand for medical oxygen.
Details:
The government of India is planning to import about 50,000 MT of medical
oxygen in order to fulfil demands across the country.
Maharashtra has been the worst affected state as more than 10% of its
overall patient numbers requiring oxygen support.
It is currently taking 50 tonnes of oxygen daily from Gujarat and
Chhattisgarh. It will also receive 100 tonnes from Reliance’s Jamnagar
plant.
States like Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh are staring at shortages as cases
have been rapidly escalating without showing signs of slowdown.
The centre has appointed an Empowered Group-2 to look after medical
supplies during the pandemic. They have been exclusively focusing on
states of Maharashtra, MP, Gujarat, Rajasthan Karnataka, UP, Delhi,
Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Haryana, where demand is
expected to shoot up.
Use of oxygen Oxygen is currently used in iron and steel industry, hospitals,
pharmaceutical units and the glass industry. Most states have diverted
oxygen for medical use.
Many smaller industries have diverted their resources in producing medical
oxygen after the crisis in previous wave.
131
What is medical oxygen?

Medical oxygen is oxygen that has been purified to be used in the
human body. As a result, it’s used in medical treatments.
Medical oxygen cylinders are filled with high-purity oxygen gas
(99.5 percent purity). The medical oxygen cylinder does not
contain any other gases. This is to avoid cross-contamination.
Before filling up oxygen cylinders that have already been used for
other purposes, they must be evacuated, properly washed, and
correctly labeled.
Need of medical oxygen:

Serve as a foundation for almost all current anesthetic techniques.
Improve oxygen supply to restore tissue oxygen stress. Shock,
serious hemorrhage, carbon monoxide poisoning, major injuries,
and cardiac/respiratory arrest are all treated with this.
Assist patients who are artificially ventilated with life support.
Assist patients’ cardiovascular stability.
To help a critically ill patient’s pulse remain stable.
Disadvantage of medical oxygen:
Medical oxygen has several side effects when used in excess of the
recommended dosage. This is why an oxygen prescription from a
doctor is necessary. The following are some of the disadvantage:
After a few hours of exposure to oxygen at pressures above 3bar,
patients will experience convulsions or seizures (g)
If premature infants are exposed to oxygen concentrations greater
than 40%, it may cause Retrolenticular fibroplasia. In a nutshell, it’s
a disorder characterized by irregular blood vessel development in
the eye. In today’s world, retrolenticular fibroplasia is the leading
132 cause of child blindness.
Government initiatives to increase the availability of

medical oxygen:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) transferred its authority to the NPPA under
the Disaster Management Act of 2005. Take all appropriate measures to control the availability
and pricing of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) and oxygen cylinders, in particular.
In addition, the NPPA set a six-month price limit on medical oxygen cylinders and LMO to
ensure that oxygen is available at a fair price.
The Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) has recently developed an
oxygen enrichment unit (OEU) that may help COVID-19 patients. A system that
concentrates oxygen from the ambient air is known as an oxygen enrichment unit.
Medical oxygen capacity mapping in 12 high-burden states: The Centre-appointed
Empowered Group-2 mapped the medical oxygen capability in 12 high-burden states.
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat, Delhi, among other states.
Hospitals to be identified for PSA plant installation: The MOHFW recently approved the
installation of 162 Pressure Swing Adsorption plants at hospitals to increase oxygen
capacity by over 154 metric tons.
Industrial oxygen manufacturers were permitted to manufacture LMO during the first
wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hurdles in way:
Cryogenic tankers are in short supply to store and transport oxygen throughout the
world. Owing to a scarcity of resources, the time it takes to transport has been
growing.
The current shortage is primarily due to rising transportation costs as well as
cylinder refilling costs.
Way ahead:
Installing pressure swing absorption (PSA) plants in hospitals to allow them to
produce their own oxygen and become self-sufficient.
Building massive storage tanks to store supplies for up to ten days. This would
eliminate the need to wait for cylinders on a regular basis. To avoid wastages,
judicious use of oxygen is needed.
This involves using oxygen for patients who have a saturation level of less than 94
percent. It is possible to avoid leakage and waste caused by poor management.
Faster transit should be prioritized.
133
Cryptocurrency Bill 2021
Why in the news?

The Central government has decided to bring a new bill on cryptocurrencies in the Parliament.
The formal name of the proposed Bill is ‘The Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital
Currency Bill, 2021’.
Background of the Bill:
Earlier, a high-level Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) had been constituted under

the Chairmanship of Secretary (Economic Affairs) to study the issues related to
virtual currencies and propose specific actions to be taken in the matter.
In 2019, the draft bill was going by the name of “Banning of Cryptocurrency and
regulation of official digital currency”.
The IMC has recommended in its report that all private cryptocurrencies, except
any virtual currencies issued by the state, will be prohibited in India.
Previously, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had banned banks from processing
transactions relating to cryptocurrency in 2018. However, the Supreme Court, vide
judgment dated March 4, 2020, lifted the ban.
Since then, cryptocurrency has been operating in the country.
Although the detailed provisions of the Bill is not known yet, broadly the Bill aims
to create a facilitative regulatory framework for cryptocurrency, create an official
digital currency to be issued by the Reserve Bank of India and prohibits all private
cryptocurrencies in India.
What is ‘Cryptocurrency and how are they different from traditional

currency?
Cryptocurrency emerged as a person-to-person electronic cash system that allows
online payments to be sent directly from one party to another, without the need of
a financial institution. Thus, it rules out any role of mediatory organisation such as
central monetary authority.
In traditional currencies, a central authority issues currency that all parties are
legally bound to accept as a mode of payment.
This makes the issued currency a legal tender. Most cryptocurrencies are not
backed by a sovereign guarantee, and therefore are not considered as legal tender.
134
Benefits of Cryptocurrency:
More efficient and inclusive financial system: The Inter-Ministerial Committee

(2019) noted that the technology underlying cryptocurrencies could improve the
efficiency and inclusiveness of the financial system
Low cost on transactions: It can help lower the costs of personal identification for
KYC, and improve access to credit. These currencies could provide cheaper, faster
and more efficient transactions. For eg, they can be used for small value cross-
border transfers where the cost of sending remittances remains high due to
multiple intermediaries.
Counterfeit proof: Cryptocurrencies also provide for a more secure payment
mechanism (as records cannot be manipulated by a single entity), transparency in
transactions, and improved ease of auditing
Rationale behind banning cryptocurrencies :
Associated Risks: Cryptocurrencies pose risks to consumers. They do not have any
sovereign guarantee and hence are not legal tender.
Market volatility: Their speculative nature also makes them highly volatile. For
instance, the value of Bitcoin fell from USD 20,000 in December 2017 to USD 3,800
in November 2018.
Risk in security: A user loses access to their cryptocurrency if they lose their private
key (unlike traditional digital banking accounts, this password cannot be reset).
Malware threats: In some cases, these private keys are stored by technical service
providers (cryptocurrency exchanges or wallets), which are prone to malware or
hacking.
Money laundering: Cryptocurrencies are more vulnerable to criminal activity and
money laundering. They provide greater anonymity than other payment methods
since the public keys engaging in a transaction cannot be directly linked to an
individual.
Regulatory bypass: A central bank cannot regulate the supply of cryptocurrencies
in the economy. This could pose a risk to the financial stability of the country if
their use becomes widespread.
Impacts on climate: Since validating transactions is energy-intensive, it may have
adverse consequences for the country’s energy security (the total electricity use of
bitcoin mining, in 2018, was equivalent to that of mid-sized economies such as
135 Switzerland).
Impacts on various stakeholders:
On Bitcoin investors: As per the official estimates, around seventy lakh Indians hold
cryptocurrencies worth more than $1 billion. The past year has seen a surge in the
number of cryptocurrency investors in India and in trading volumes.
Cryptocurrency exchanges such as CoinDCX and Coinswitch Kuber have also raised
early-stage funding for their operations. Since the Bill is reported to ban private
cryptocurrencies, it may cause a loss to the existing crypto investors of the country.
However, it is still not clear if the new legislation will include Bitcoin or Ethereum
under the list of banned private cryptocurrencies.
On Reserve Bank of India (RBI): It will pave the way for the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) to create a “facilitative framework” to issue an official digital currency.
Previously, the order of RBI was declared ultra vires by the Supreme Court of India.
On employment: Cryptocurrency is a sunrise sector employing thousands of
people in India. There are also tens of thousands of influencers in crypto from India.
Banning all private cryptocurrencies may cause loss of jobs in this sector.
On emerging technologies: The lack of regulatory policy as well as hostile attitude
towards the cryptocurrencies may also affect innovative and cutting edge
technologies such as AI, ML, Blockchain etc. in a negative manner.
Regulatory aspects of cryptocurrencies across the world:
Varied definition of cryptocurrencies: The definition of cryptocurrency varies

significantly across the globe. Some of the terms used by countries to reference
cryptocurrency include: digital currency (Argentina, Thailand, and Australia), virtual
commodity (Canada, China, Taiwan), crypto-token (Germany), payment token
(Switzerland), cyber currency (Italy and Lebanon), electronic currency (Colombia
and Lebanon), and virtual asset (Honduras and Mexico) etc.
Awareness generation by central monetary authority: One of the most common
actions identified across the surveyed jurisdictions is government-issued notices
about the pitfalls of investing in the cryptocurrency markets.
Such warnings, mostly issued by central banks, are largely designed to educate the
citizenry about the difference between actual currencies, which are issued and
guaranteed by the state, and cryptocurrencies, which are not.
136
Indirect regulation through different laws: Some of the countries have expanded
their laws on money laundering, counterterrorism, and organized crimes to include
cryptocurrency markets, and require banks and other financial institutions that
facilitate such markets to conduct all the due diligence requirements imposed
under such laws.
For instance, Australia, Canada, and the Isle of Man recently enacted laws to bring
cryptocurrency transactions and institutions that facilitate them under the ambit
of money laundering and counter-terrorist financing laws.
A complete ban on all cryptocurrencies: Some jurisdictions have gone even further
and imposed restrictions on investments in cryptocurrencies, the extent of which
varies from one jurisdiction to another. Some (Algeria, Bolivia, Morocco, Nepal,
Pakistan, and Vietnam) ban any and all activities involving cryptocurrencies.
Allowing investments in cryptocurrencies: Not all countries see the advent of
blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies as a threat. A limited number of the
countries surveyed regulate initial coin offerings (ICOs), which use cryptocurrencies
as a mechanism to raise funds. In this class are countries like Spain, Belarus, the
Cayman Islands, and Luxemburg.
Way forward :
The underlying technologies of cryptocurrencies are still evolving and have enormous
potential for the financial sector. The idea to impose a blanket ban on all the
cryptocurrencies does not augur well with India’s vision to become a technological
and financial superpower. The government should study the field more carefully and
bring in a Bill which facilitates the growth of cryptocurrencies in a fair and inclusive
manner. The interests of the investors in cryptocurrencies must be protected and the
technologies must be exploited to make our financial system more efficient, cost
effective and inclusive.
137
Assam Year Book 2021 ASSAMEDU.IN
PADMA AWARDS
The Indian government has instituted two civilian awards- a three-tier Padma Awards
and Bharat Ratna in 1954. Padma Award is one of the premier civilian Awards of the
nation that are conferred to people who outshine in their corresponding field. Padma
awards are given by the President of India at a traditional function held at Rashtrapati
Bhawan annually on the Republic Day.
Padma Awards
Padma Vibhushan is given for extraordinary and distinguished service. It
the second-highest civilian award in India.
Padma Bhushan is given for the distinguished service of a high order. It is
the third-highest civilian award in India.
Padma Shri is given for the distinguished service. In the order of civilian
awards, it is ranked 4th.
HISTORY OF PADMA AWARD
The Padma Awards were instituted in 1954 by the Government

of India.
It is awarded annually in the event of Republic Day
The award does not add up to a title and cannot be used as a
suffix or prefix to the recipient’s name.
138
Padma Awards 2021 – Recipients
Padma Awards - one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are
conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan
and Padma Shri. The Awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of
activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade
and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.
‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service;
‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for
distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion
of Republic Day every year.
These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions

which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/ April every year.
This year the President has approved conferment of 119 Padma Awards
including 1 duo case (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one) as per list
below. The list comprises 7 Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan and 102
Padma Shri Awards. 29 of the awardees are women and the list also includes
10 persons from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI, 16 Posthumous
awardees and 1 transgender awardee.
139
Padma Vibhushan 2021
Shri Shinzo Abe Public Affairs
Shri S P Balasubramaniam Arts
Dr. Belle Monappa Hegde Medicine
Shri Narinder Singh Kapany Science and Engineering
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan Others - Spiritualism
Shri B. B. Lal Archaeology
Shri Sudarshan Sahoo Arts
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ASSAM HISTORY >
ASSAM
HISTORY OVERVIEW
The history of Assam is the history of a confluence of people from the
east, west and the north; the confluence of the Tibeto-Burman (Sino-
Tibetan), Hindu and Austroasiatic cultures. Although invaded over the
centuries, it was never a vassal or a colony to an external power until the
third Burmese invasion in 1821, and, subsequently, the British ingress
into Assam in 1824 during the First Anglo-Burmese War. The Assamese
history has been derived from multiple sources. The Ahom kingdom of
medieval Assam maintained chronicles, called Buranjis, written in the
Ahom and the Assamese languages.
History of ancient Assam comes from a corpus of Kamarupa inscriptions

on rock, copper plates, clay; royal grants, etc. that the Kamarupa kings
issued during their reign. Protohistory has been reconstructed from
folklore: Mahabharata, and two medieval texts compiled in the Assam
region—the Kalika Purana and the Yogini Tantra.
The history of Assam can be divided into four eras. The ancient era began in
the 4th century with the mention of Kamarupa in Samudragupta’s
inscriptions on the Allahabad pillar and the establishment of the Kamarupa
kingdom. The medieval era began with the attacks from the Bengal
Sultanate, the first of which took place in 1206 by invader Bakhtiyar Khilji as
mentioned in the Kanai-boroxiboa rock inscription, after the breakup of the
ancient kingdom and the sprouting of medieval kingdoms and chieftain-
ships in its place. The colonial era began with the establishment of British
control after the Treaty of Yandaboo in 1826, and the post-colonial era
began in 1947 after the Independence of India.
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ASSAM HISTORY >
ASSAM
HISTORY OVERVIEW
PREHISTORY
• Paleolithic cultures
The earliest inhabitants of the region are assigned to the Middle Pleistocene
period (781,000 to 126,000 years ago) in the Rongram valley of Garo Hills. The
Paleolithic sites, which used handaxe- cleaver tools, have affinities to the
Abbevillio-Acheulean culture. Other Paleolithic sites include those in the
Daphabum area of Lohit district in Arunachal Pradesh which used stone tools
from metamorphic rocks. The cave-based Paleolithic sites at Khangkhui in
Ukhrul, Manipur, are placed in the Late Pleistocene period. There exists
evidence of a microlithic culture in the Rongram Valley of Garo Hills that lie
between the neolithic layers and virgin soil. The microliths here were made of
dolerite, unlike those from the rest of India. Shreds of crude hand-made pottery
indicate that the microlithic people were hunters and food-gatherers.
NEOLITHIC CULTURES
Early Neolithic cultures based on the hand-axe in the Garo hills have developed in line
with the Hoabinhian culture, and it is conjectured that this region was the contact point
for the Indian and the Southeast Asian cultures. The Late neolithic cultures have
affinities with the spread of the Mon Khmer speaking people from Malaysia and the
Ayeyarwady valley and late neolithic developments in South China. Since these
cultures have been dated to 4500–4000 BCE, the Assam sites are dated to
approximately that period. These neolithic sites, though widely spread, are
concentrated in the hills and high grounds, due possibly to the floods. These cultures
performed shifting cultivation called jhum, which is still practiced by some communities
in the region. Some typical sites are Daojali Hading in Dima Hasao, Sarutaru in Kamrup
district and Selbagiri in the Garo Hills.
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ASSAM HISTORY>
Metal age
Assam has heterogeneous population with socio-cultural & ethnic diversity.
According to the Census of India, 2011 the population of Assam stands at
312.05 lakh of which 159.39 lakh are male and 152.66 lakh are female. The
decadal growth of the State’s population works out at 17.07 percent during
the decade 2001-2011 as against 17.68 percent for the country as a whole.
Out of the total 312.05 lakh population, 86 percent population live in rural
areas & 14 percent population live in urban areas of the State. The density of
the population of Assam has increased to 398 persons in 2011 from 340
persons in 2001 Census or on an average, 58 more people inhabit every
square kilometer in the State as compared to a decade ago.
DETAIL >
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ASSAM HISTORY>
ASSAM
HISTORY
Megalithic cultures
Though the metal age seems to be missing in Assam, the Iron Age
Megalithic culture of South India finds an echo in the rich megalithic
culture in the region, which begins to appear earlier than the late second
millennium BCE, and which continues till today among the Khasi and the
Naga people. The affinity is with Southeast Asia.
Protohistoric Assam
Protohistoric Assam is reconstructed from history and literature from early
times (Mahabharata, Kalika Purana, Yogini Tantra, diff. chronicles etc.). The
earliest political entity seems to have been led by a Danava dynasty with
Mahiranga mentioned as the first king. This dynasty was removed by
Narakasura. Naraka appears to be a generic name for many kings
belonging to the Naraka dynasty. According to History, the last of the
Naraka kings was killed by Krishna and his son Bhagadatta took the throne.
Bhagadatta is said to have participated in the Mahabharata war with an
army of “chinas, kiratas DETAIL >
and dwellers of the eastern sea”, thereby indicating
that his kingdom, Pragjyotisha, included part of Bangladesh. The last in the
Naraka dynasty was a ruler named Suparua.
Danava Dynasty
The Danava dynasty was the first legendary line of rulers in Pragjyotisha,
established by Mahiranga Danava.The Danava dynasty consisted of
Kirata chiefs; the last of whom, Ghatakasura, was killed and replaced by
Naraka.
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Important Rulers
Mahiranga
Hatakasura
Sambarasura
Ratnasura
Ghatakasura
Bhauma Dynasty
The Bhauma dynasty is the second legendary dynasty of Pragjyotisha, after the
Danava dynasty. Narakasura, who is said to have established this dynasty, and his
descendants Bhagadatta and Vajradatta are first mentioned in the epics
Mahabharata and the Ramayana in the sections that were composed in the first
few centuries.Narakasura's legend is further embellished in the locally composed
Kalika Purana (10th century), the Yogini Tantra and local lores and the legends
became firmly attached to Assam.
Important Rulers DETAIL >
Naraka
Bhagadatta
Pushpadatta
Vajradatta
Naraka
Details about Naraka are found in the Kalika Purana. Naraka was the
son of a maidservant through Janaka, king of Videha. When grown up,
he went to Pragjyotishpur and there after killing Ghatakasur he
occupied his kingdom. He imported Brahmins to Pragjyotishpur and
settled them there.
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He is said to have introduced the worship of Devi in his kingdom. Later on Naraka
became hostile to Vedic Gods and Goddesses. He then abandoned the worship of
Vishnu of whom he was a great devotee in his early life. He then began to oppress
people who observed Vedic rites and rituals. Krishna, king of Dwaraka, became
angry with Naraka. Krishna then attacked him and after killing him placed his son
Bhagadatta on the throne.
All the ruling dynasties of ancient Kamarupa claim descent from Naraka. It shows
that Naraka was a remarkable man, and to be his descendents was regarded as a
matter of pride. Near Gauhati there is a village known as 'Narakasurgaon' and a
road called 'Narakasurali'. Both seem to be associated with the memories of
Naraka.
Bhagadatta
Detailed accounts of Bhagadatta are found in the Mahabharata. In this great epic
he is described as the 'Lord of the mountain'. According to the geologists, in
ancient times the greater part of SouthEast Bengal was submerged under water.
Possibly the boundary of Bhagadatta's kingdom in that direction extended as far
as the shore of the sea. The epic further says that in Bhagadatta's army there were
Chinese and Kirata soldiers. In the Kuru-Pandava war he sided with the Kurus, and
after demonstrating great heroism he fell, much to the regret of the Kauravas, in
DETAIL
the battle-field. He is said >
to have been killed by Arjuna, the greatest of the
Pandava heroes
After Bhagadatta, Vajradatta ascended the throne. From the Mahabharata we

know that he recognized the overlordship of Yudhisthir when the latter
performed the Asvamedha sacrifice. After Vajradatta, Naraka line went into
oblivion.
Other Kingdoms in Pre-historic era

Banasur
Legends regarding another non-Aryan king of ancient Assam are preserved in the
Bhagavat and the Vishnu Purana.
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He was the son of Bali, king of Sonitpur, which has been identified with modem
Tezpur. According to the Kalika Purana, Bana was a contemporary of Naraka, and
as a worshipper of Siva, he was opposed to the Vishnu cult. Coming into contact
with him, Naraka deviated from the Aryan path as a result of which he was
ultimately killed by Krishna, ruler of Dwaraka. Bana also had conflicts with
Krishna.According to legends Krishna's grandson Aniruddhha came to Sonitpur,
entered the castle and secretly married Usha, daughter of Bana. When it was
detected Bana captured him. On hearing this Krishna came to Sonitpur and
rescued his grandson after defeating Bana in a great battle.Bana's grandson
Bhaluka made his capital at Bhalukpung, not far from Balipara at the foot of the
Aka hills. Remains of old fortifications are still visible there. Balipara may have
some association with Bali, father of Bana.
Bhismak
The Bhagavat preserves the legends of a king named Bhismak who ruled over a
kingdom known as Vidarbha. His capital was at Kundil nagar. According to
tradition, ancient Vidarbha was situated in the north-east corner of Assam. In that
region, ancient buildings have been discovered and popular belief is that these
are the relics of the capital over which Bhismak ruled. In the legend of Bhismak
also, Krishna appears. It is said that Krishna married Rukmini, daughter of
Bhismak, after defeating Sisupal, a prince of a neighbouring kingdom.
Nagakhya or Nara Sankar

His kingdom flourised towards the end of 4th century at Pratapgarh near
Bishwanath Chariali.Four kings – Mimang, Gajang, Sribang and Mrigang ruled for
two hundred years in this region.
Dharmapal
He was a Kshatriya who came from the west and founded a kingdom. He
made his capital west of Guwahati and attracted there a number of
Brahmins and other caste hindus from North India. The sage Kendu Kulai is
said to have lived in his reign. Dharmapal was succeeded in turn by Padma
Narayan Chandra, Narayan and others, ending with Ram Chandra, whose
151 capital was at Ratanpur in Majuli.
ASSAMEDU.IN
ASSAM HISTORY>
Ancient History (4th to 12th century AD)
The Ancient History of Assam begins with the Ancient kingdom of Kamrupa. Some
of the major dynasties of Kamrupa are:
1. Varman Dynasty
2. Salasthambha Dynasty
3. Pala Dynasty
Kamarupa also called Pragjyotisha or Pragjyotisha-Kamarupa), an early state during

the Classical period on the Indian subcontinent was (along with Davaka) the first
historical kingdom of Assam. Though Kamarupa existed from 350 CE to 1140 CE,
Davaka was absorbed by Kamarupa in the 5th century CE.
Ruled by three dynasties from their capitals in present-day Guwahati, North
Guwahati and Tezpur, Kamarupa at its height covered the entire Brahmaputra
Valley, North Bengal, Bhutan and northern part of Bangladesh, and at times portions
of what is now West Bengal and Bihar.
Though the historical kingdom disappeared by the 12th century to be replaced by

smaller political entities, the notion of Kamarupa persisted and ancient and
DETAIL >
medieval chroniclers continued to call this region by this name. In the 16th century
the Ahom kingdom came into prominence and assumed for itself the political and
territorial legacy of the Kamarupa kingdom. The earliest mention of a kingdom
comes from the 4th-century Allahabad inscription of Samudragupta that calls the
kings of Kamarupa and Davaka frontier rulers (pratyanta nripati).
The Chinese traveler Xuanzang visited the kingdom in the 7th century, then ruled
by Bhaskaravarman. The corpus of Kamarupa inscriptions left by the rulers of
Kamarupa, including Bhaskaravarman, at various places in Assam and present-
day Bangladesh are important sources of information. Nevertheless, local grants
completely eschew the name Kamarupa; instead they use the name Pragjyotisha,
with the kings called Pragjyotishadhipati. According to the 10th century Kalika
Purana and the 7th century Xuanzang, the western boundary was the historical
Karatoya River.
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The eastern border was the temple of the goddess Tamreshvari (Pūrvāte
Kāmarūpasya devī Dikkaravasini, given in Kalika Purana) near present-day
Sadiya.The southern boundary was near the border between the Dhaka and
Mymensingh districts in Bangladesh. Thus it spanned the entire Brahmaputra valley
and Northeast India and at various times included parts of present day Bhutan,
Bangladesh and Nepal.
The kingdom appears to have broken up entirely by the 13th century into smaller
kingdoms and from among them rose the Kamata kingdom in the west and the
Ahom, Dimasa and the Chutiya kingdoms as the main successors, with the Baro-
Bhuyans ruling intervening areas.
Davaka was a kingdom of ancient Indian subcontinent, located in current central
region of Assam state. The references to it comes from the 4th century Allahabad
pillar inscription of Samudragupta, where it is mentioned as one of five frontier
kingdoms of the Gupta Empire; the Shung-Shu History of the Liu Song dynasty,
where the kingdom is named Kapili (now the name of a river); the Gachtal stone
pillar inscription written in Kamrupi Prakrit. N K Bhattasali has identified it with
Dabaka in modern Nagaon district, with the kingdom associated with the Kopili-
Kolong river valley.
In 4th-century Davaka was mentioned as frontier kingdom with Kamarupa in the

Samudragupta's PrayagaDETAILstone> inscription, which was later absorbed by 6th or 7th
century by western kingdom of Kamarupa. Though later historians like B N Puri
(1968) and P C Choudhury (1959) claim that it was absorbed much earlier in the first
half of the 5th century during the reign of Kalyana Varman (422-446).Its capital was
located near Kapili river. In the year 428 A.D, an embassy was sent to China by
Davaka king, whose name according to Chinese sources is Yuegnai or Yu Chai.
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ASSAM HISTORY>
Rulers of Varman Dynasty

Varman Dynasty (c 355-650)
The Varman dynasty was the first historical dynasty of the Kamarupa kingdom. It
was established by Pushyavarman, a contemporary of Samudragupta The
kingdom which he established with much effort, grew in the periphery of the
Gupta Empire, adopted the north Indian political model, and its kings took on
names and titles of the Gupta kings and queens.The earlier Varmans were
subordinates of the Gupta Empire, but as the power of the Guptas waned,
Mahendravarman (470- 494) performed two horse sacrifices and status of
Kamarupa as Independent state remained unimpaired
According to Allahabad Prasasti of Samudragupta, the ruler of Kamarupa was
mentioned as a frontier ruler (Pratyanta-nrpatis) of the great Gupta emperor. As
per Apsad Inscription of Adityasen, Susthivarman was defeated by Mahasengupta
on the bank of Lauhitya.
The capital was Pragjyotishpura and located at the south-eastern slope of the
Narakasur hill near Dispur. The dynastic line from Pushyavarman first appear in
the 7th century, in Dubi and Nidhanpur copperplate inscriptions issued by
Bhaskaravarman and in DETAIL
the Harshacharita,
> though the descriptions are panegyric,
repetitive and devoid of dates.Though some modern scholars have opined that
the Varman dynasty is probably of Indo-Aryan descent, it is now believed that the
Varmans were originally non-Indo-Aryans.
Suniti Kumar Chatterjee calls Bhaskaravarman a Hinduised Mlechcha king of
Indo-Mongoloid origin. Hugh B. Urban (2011) too infers that the Varmans
descended from non-Aryan tribes.
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ASSAM HISTORY>
Important Rulers:
Pushya Varman (c. 350-380 AD)
- Founder of Varman Dynasty
- Contemporary of great Gupta Ruler Samudra Gupta
- Took the title ― Maharajadhiraja
- Ensured steps to establish Kamrupa as a frontier state
Samudra Varman (c. 380-405 AD)

- Son of Pushya Varman
- Contemporary of great Gupta Ruler Chandra Gupta II (Vikramaditya)
Mahendra Varman (c. 450-485 AD)

- First Varman Dynasty king to conduct Aswamedh ritual
- The first king of Kamrupa who waged a successful war against Gupta
army
DETAIL >
- He possibly liberated Varman Dynasty from Gupta dominance
Mahabhuti Varman (c. 510-555 AD)
- During his reign a big portion of north bengal and bihar was included within
the kingdom of kamrupa
- Came to be known as Parama Bhagavata (Inclination towards vasihnavism)
After Mahabhuti Varman , certain later varman rulers showed weakness and
consequently were defeated by later Guptas As a result, the Kingdom of
Kamrupa contracted in the west and the river Karotoya became the boundary
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Bhaskar Varman
- Last and greatest king of the Varman dynasty and a contemporary of
Harshavardhan (606- 648 AD)
- Harshavardhan honoured Bhaskar Varman at a conference held at Kanauj -
During his reign, Kamrupa became a dominant power in all India politics
- He jointly with Harshavardhana of Kanauj defeated ruler of Bengal called
Sasanka and forced him to flee to Orissa Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang lived in the
court of Bhaskar varman for some time
- Assamese Calendar (Bhāskarābda) is counted from the date of the ascension of
Kumar Bhaskar Barman to the throne of Kamrup
- The achievements of Bhaskar Varman are mentioned in Bana Bhatta‘s ‗Harsha-
Charita‘, Hiuen Tsang‘s ‗Si-Yu-Ki‘ and various insrciptions found
- He was a bachelor king, that is why he was known as Kumar Bhaskar Varman.
The dynastic line from Pushyavarman first appear in the 7th century, in Dubi and
Nidhanpur copperplate inscriptions issued by Bhaskaravarman and in the
Harshacharita The Dubi copperplate inscriptions are the inscriptions of a grant
issued by Bhaskaravarman of Kamarupa. This is the earliest of all copper plate grants
issued by Kamarupa kings discovered so far. This was an issue after an earlier
charter, issued by Mahabhuti
DETAILVarman
> , was destroyed. All six plates in this grant
were first discovered around 1950 during digging near a Siva temple in Dubi village
about three miles from the Pathshala railway station, Kamrup district.These plates
are currently in the Assam State Museum.This plate was issued before the
Nidhanpur copperplate inscription, during the earlier part of Bhaskkaravarman's
reign.
The Nidhanpur copperplate inscription of the 7th century Kamarupa king
Bhaskaravarman gives a detailed account of land grants given to Brahmins. The
copper plates were discovered on 29 December 1912, in the village of Nidhanpur
in Panchakhanda near what is now Sylhet in Bangladesh. The copper plates
were found mostly in Panchakhanda pargana where historians opined that
actual granted lands are located. The inscriptions recorded by Bhaskaravarman
in different parts of India provide a detailed account of his rule and associate
events.
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It was customary among the kings of Kamarupa to issue seals for every major event
related to the kingdom be they giving land grants to Brahmins or winning a war.
Hiuen Tsang
- Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang came to India around 630 AD

- Around 643 AD, during the Bhaskar Varman reign, Hiuen Tsang visited Kamrupa
and remained in his court for some time
- He compiled his accounts in his book ‗Si-Yu-Ki‘
The account of Hiuen Tsang provides various insight on the socio-economic and
geographical features of the kingdom of Kamrupa. In his account, he mentions
about the language spoken being different from north India, People worshipped
to Devas and performed sacrifices and the Hindus were divided into many sects.
There was minimum following of Buddhism at that period.
DETAIL >
Salasthambha Dynasty (c. 650 – c. 900)

The Salasthambha dynasty was the next in line which began with the reign of a
chieftain called Salasthambha.The Salasthambha dynasty is also called
Mlechchha dynasty. The Mlechchha dynasty ruled Kamarupa from their capital
at Harruppesvar (Dah Parvatiya) in the present day Tezpur, Assam.
According to historical records, there were twenty one rulers in this dynasty, but
the line is obscure and the names of some intervening rulers are not known.
Mleccha may be sanskritized form of tribal name mech Suniti Kumar Chatterji
claims that Salastambha (650-675) was a Bodo-Kachari chief of Mech
(Sanskritized as Mleccha). According to some historians, the remnant of the
Mlechchha kingdom formed the later Kachari kingdom.
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ASSAM HISTORY>
Rulers
Salastamba (650-670)
Vijaya alias Vigrahastambha
Palaka
Kumara
Vajradeva
Harshadeva alias Harshavarman (725-745)
Balavarman II
Jivaraja
Digleswaravarman
Salambha[12]
Harjjaravarman (815-832)
Vanamalavarmadeva (832-855)
Jayamala alias Virabahu (855-860)
Balavarman III (860-880)
Tyagasimha (890-900)
Among all the kings of the Salasthambha dynasty, it was Shri Harshadeva (725-
750 AD) who acquitted himself as a good king. His kingdom extended upto Gaur
(North Bengal), Orissa, Kalinga and Kushal (North Bihar). Another Great King of
DETAIL >
this dynasty was Harjjaravarman. He was the first in this dynasty to get the
throne in vedic rituals.He established the capital at Harupeswar (Tezpur).
According to some historians, the remnant of the Mlechchha kingdom formed
the later Kachari kingdom.
Pala Dynasty (c 990 – 1138AD)
Brahmapala (990-1010 AD) was the founder of Pala Dynasty.Ratnapala (1010 -1040
AD), the son of Brahmapala was the most famous king of this dynasty. Jayapala
(1120-1138 AD) was the last ruler of this dynasty
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ASSAM HISTORY>
Important Rulers
Ratna pal
He was the most famous King and great administrator. He shifted the capital
to Guwahati and named it Shri Durjoya. He took the title of Maharajadhiraja
(Similar to Varman and thus try to establish legitimacy)
Dharmapal
He may have shifted the capital to North Guwahati.The Pala dynasty came to
an end when Kamarupa was invaded by the Gaur king of Bengal - Ramapala
(c. 1072-1126).
Timgyadeva was made the governor of Kamarupa who ruled between 1110 and
1126 AD. Timgyadeva threw off the yoke of the Pala king and ruled independently
for some years when he was attacked and replaced by Baidyadeva under
Ramapala's son Kumarapala.Baidyadeva, who ruled between 1126 and 1140 AD,
declared independence within four years of his rule after the death of
Kumarapala. Both Timgyadeva and Baidyadeva issued grants in the style of the
Kamarupa kings (three copper plates attached to the seal of the Kamarupa kings
by a ring). The work of the pala
DETAIL > dynasty of Kamarupa is reflected in the Madan
Kamdev sculpture.
Pala Dynasty (c 990 – 1138AD)
After the Pala Dynasty ended, Kings such as Bhingadev, Baidyadeva, Rayridev,
Uday Karna and Balladeva and Prithu ruled over kamrupa.During the reign of
Prithu, in 1206 and 1226, Bengal Sultanate Mohammad Ibn Bakhtiyar invaded
Kamrupa.In 1228, Delhi Sulatanate Illtutmish killed Prithu. With the collapse of
Pala Dynasty of Kamrupa, ancient history of Assam ended.
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Medieval History (12th to early 19th

century AD)
The first Mohammedan invasion (1206 & 1226) of Kamrupa took place during the
reign of a king called Prithu who was killed in a battle with Ilitutmish in
1228.During the second invastion by Ikhtiyaruddin Yuzbak or Tughril Khan, about
1257, the king of Kamrupa Saindhya (1250-1270) transferred the capital ‗Kamrup
Nagar‘ to Kamatapur in the west. From then onwards, Kamata's ruler was called
Kamateshwar.
According to traditions, Lower Assam and the adjacent part of Bengal
subsequently formed a kingdom called Kamata, and its ruler at the beginning of
the fourteenth century was Durlabh Narayan (1330-1350). He is followed by
Indranarayan and probably he was the last ruler of this dynasty.During the last
part of 14th century, Arimatta was the ruler of Gaur (the northern region of
former Kamatapur) who had his capital at Vaidyagar. The last descendent of
Arimatta was Mriganka, who died childless, followed by the rule of the Bhuyans
and after the invasion of the Mughals in the 15th century many muslims settled
in this State and can be said to be the first Muslim settlers of this region.
In the 15th century a line of Khen kings rose to power and Nilambar, the third and
the last of this line, was DETAIL >
overthrown in 1498 by Hussain Shah, who after a long
seize, took the capital, Kamatapur by his stratagem.
First Mohammedan Invasion of Kamrupa

In 1206 the Afghan Muhammad-i-Bakhtiyar (Bakhtiyar Khilji ) passed through
Kamarupa against Tibet which ended in disaster, the first of many Turko-
Afghan invasions. The ruler of Kamarupa at this point was Prithu (d. 1228,
called Britu in Tabaqat-i Nasiri), who is sometimes identified with
Visvasundara, the son of Vallabhadeva of the Lunar dynasty, mentioned in the
Gachtal inscription of 1232 A.D. Prithu withstood invasions (1226–27) from
Ghiyasuddin Iwaj Shah of Gauda who retreated, but was killed in the
subsequent invasion by Nasiruddin Mahmud in 1228.
Nasiruddin installed a tributary king but after his death in 1229, the control of
160 Kamarupa lapsed back to local rulers.
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Kingdom of Kamata
From among the local rulers, there emerged a strong ruler named Sandhya (c.1250–
1270), the Rai of Kamrup, with his capital at Kamarupanagara, the seat of the last
Pala kings.
Malik Ikhtiyaruddin Iuzbak, a governor of Gaur for the Mamluk rulers of Delhi,
attempted an invasive attack on Sandhya's domain in 1257; and Sandhya, with
the help of the spring floods that same year, captured and killed the Sultan.
Subsequent to this attack, Sandhya moved his capital from Kamarupanagara to
Kamatapur (North Bengal) and established a new kingdom, that came to be
called Kamata.At that time, western Kamarupa was the domain of the Koch and
Mech peoples. In other parts of the erstwhile Kamarupa, the Kachari kingdom
(central Assam, South bank), BaroBhuyans (central Assam, North bank), and the
Chutiya kingdom (east) were emerging. The Ahoms, who would establish a
strong and independent kingdom later, began building their state structures in
the region between the Kachari and the Chutiya kingdoms in 1228.
CHUTIA KINGDOM
During the earlier part of the 13th century, when the Ahoms established their
rule over Assam with the capital at Sivasagar, the Sovansiri area and by the
banks of the Disang river were under the control of the Chutias. According to
popular Chutia legend, Chutia king Birpal established his rule at Sadiya in 1189.
He was succeeded by ten kings of whom the eighth king Dhirnarayan or
Dharmaraj had a son, Sadhak Narayan and a daughter Sadhani. In his old age
he handed over his kingdom to his son-in-law Nitai or Nityapal. Later on
Nityapal's incompetent rule gave an opportunity to the Ahom king
Suhungmung Dihingia Raja, who annexed it to the Ahom kingdom. Sadhani
and Nityapal committed suicide.
BAROBHUYANS
The Bhuyans were petty chiefs who had their petty principalities towards the
east of KamrupKamata area. They were politically aware and accordingly they
made the adjustments, sometimes accepting the suzerainty of kings more
161 powerful than them or sometimes declaring their independence.
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The title ―Baro‖ is a title of honour given to twelve chieftains who, even though
were not kings, established in their independence they stood united against any
common enemy. They took up arms against the Ahoms also, but it was the Ahom
king Pratap Singha who crushed the rebellion of the Barobhuyans. Mention here
should also be made of Srimanta Sankardeva, the most illustrious of the Bhuyans.
Khen Dynasty
The Khen dynasty replaced the weak rulers of Kamata kingdom following
Arimatta in the middle of the 15th century. Niladhvaj Khen, the first king, united
several Baro-Bhuyan chieftains of the area and removed the last of Arimatta's
successors—Mriganka.
There were only three Khen rulers. The last king, Nilambar expanded the
kingdom to include the present Koch Bihar districts of West Bengal and the
undivided Kamrup and Darrang districts of Assam and northern Mymensing in
Bangladesh as well as eastern parts of Dinajpur district, though he was removed
by Alauddin Husain Shah in 1498.
According to the Gosani Mangala (1823), the Khen rulers had a humble origin,
implying that they were local indigenous chieftains. They worshiped
Kamatashwari (also called Chandi or Bhavani), thus providing a break from the
earlier dynasties that drew their lineage from Narakasura, the son of Vishnu i.e
Bhauma dynasty. The Khen rulers were of Kheng-Bhutanese lineage from the
mountains. Possibly non-Aryan in origin, it was only the decline of the Kamarupa
kings which allowed them to blossom into a powerful entity in their own right
from their former position as local chieftains.
The Khen dynasty finally fell to Alauddin Husain Shah in 1498. But Hussein Shah
could not rule the kingdom—Bhuyan chiefs of the region, with the help of the
Ahom king, Suhungmung, defeated the invaders in 1505. Soon the control of the
Kamata kingdom passed into the hands of the Koch dynasty.After the collapse of
the Palas of the Kamrupa Kingdom, western Kamarupa was the domain of the
Koch and Mech peoples – kamata, Khen and Koch Kingdoms. In other parts of
the erstwhile Kamarupa, the Kachari kingdom (central Assam, South bank),
BaroBhuyans (central Assam, North bank), and the Chutiya kingdom (east) were
emerging.
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The Ahoms, who would establish a strong and independent kingdom later,
began building their state structures in the region between the Kachari and the
Chutiya kingdoms in 1228.
KOCH KINGDOM
The Koch dynasty, was a dynasty that ruled regions in the eastern part of the
Indian subcontinent, mainly the regions of Assam and Bengal; it is named after
the Koch community, emerged as the dominant ruling house in the Kamata
kingdom in 1515 after the fall of the Khen dynasty in 1498.
The first of the Koch kings, Viswa Singha and then his sons, Nara Narayan as the
subsequent king and Chilarai as the general, soon occupied the western portion
of the erstwhile Kamarupa Kingdom as well as some regions of south Assam.
The dynasty forked for the first time into two major branches that controlled Koch
Bihar and Koch Hajo. Koch Bihar became a vassal of the Mughals, whereas Koch
Hajo came under Ahom control and was subsequently absorbed. Koch Bihar
became a princely state during British rule and was absorbed after Indian
independence. The third branch of this dynasty at Khaspur disappeared into the
Kachari kingdom.
The progenitor of the Koch kingdom was a Mech or Koch, named Hariya Mandal, a
resident of Chikangram, a village in the Khutaghat paragana of the Goalpara
district. The son of Hariya Mandal, Bishwa Singha (1515-1540) laid the foundation of
the Koch dominion over Kamata Kingdom in the early part of the 16th century and
established his capital in Coch-Behar. Bishwa Singha died in 1540.After his death,
his son Malladeva ascended the name - Naranarayana. His brother Sukladhvaj
became his commander-in-chief. He was also called "Chilarai' because of his ability
to attack the enemy like a Chila (hawk). Naranarayan's rule was the most glorious
epoch of Koch kingdom. It was during his reign that the Ahoms suffered defeat in
1562. Chilarai also annexed the Kachari kingdom, Manipur, Tripura, Jayantia and
Srihatta and extended its boundaries. Then again there was a battle with the
Nawab of Gour. During that time Chilarai was attacked by smallpox and died on
the banks of the Gangas.Naranarayan died in 1584 after a reign of nearly fifty years
(1540-1584). In his times the power of the Koch Kings reached its zenith.
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Naranarayan's rule is also remarkable, for it was during his reign that Assamese
literature and culture flourished, which was inaugurated by Srimanta Sankardeva.
Naranarayan was a great patron of learning and some of best-known Assamese
writings date from his reign. Many Vaishnava hymns and homilies were written
by Sankardeva and Madhabdeva; Purushottam Bidyabagish compiled a
grammar; Bakul Kayastha wrote a book on Mathematics; Ram Saraswati
translated the Mahabharat, and Ananta Kandali translated the Bhagavat and
other books into Assamese.After the death of Naranarayan, the Koch kingdom
was not able to retain its glory. Internal dissensions became the order of the day.
Consequently the Afghans and the Mughals took advantage and in 1615, the
Koch kingdom was annexed to the Mughal Empire. But the then Koch king
Balinarayan with the help of the Ahom king was able to get back the area
between Bharali and Barnadi. He accepted the rule of the Ahom king and
assumed the name Dharmanarayan as a vassal king, a tradition which continued
till the time of British occupation of Assam.
Kachari Kingdom
The Dimasa Kingdom (also Hidimbā kingdom) was a major kingdom in Assam,
Northeast India ruled by Dimasa kings, called Timisa in the Ahom Buranjis. The
Dimasa kingdom and others (Kamata, Chutiya) that developed in the wake of the
Kamarupa kingdom were examples of new states that emerged from indigenous
communities in Medieval Assam that transformed these communities. The British
finally annexed the kingdom: the plains in 1832 and the hills in 1834. This kingdom
gave its name to undivided Cachar district of colonial Assam. And after
independence the undivided Cachar district was split into three districts in Assam:
Dima Hasao district (formerly North Cachar Hills), Cachar district, Hailakandi
district.
In the beginning of the 13th century, when the Ahoms appeared on the political
scene of Assam, the Kacharis were the most important and organised tribe with
their kingdom extending fromthe river Dikhou in the east to the Kapili in the west
and covering the present district of North Cachar in the south. The Kacharis have
no written records o their rule. According to certain traditions, there were two
branches of Kacharis, one ruling at sadiya and the other on the south bank of the
Brahmaputra with capitals at Dimapur, Maibong and Khaspur.
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The southern branch of the Dacharis claimed their esent from Ghatotkacha, son
of Bhima, through the Kachari princess Hedamba or hidimba. As for the Sadiyal
Kacharis their identity is not fully established.The Kacharis are known under
different names in different places throughout north-east India. In goaplara and
North Bengal they are called Mech and in North Cachar Hills Dimasa. In the
Brahmaputra valley, the Kacharis call themselves Bodo or Bodo-fisa.
The first encounter of the Kacharis with the Ahoms took place about the end of
the 15th century. The Ahoms were defeated and compelled to sue for peace. This
humiliation was fully retaliated by Suhungmung or the Dinihgia Raja, who
inflicted a crushing defeat on the Kacharis in 1526 AD and made them feudatory
to the Ahoms. Henceforth the Kachari kings were called thapita sancita of the
Ahoms. But soon afterwards, the Kacharis revolted against the Ahoms who led
an army to subdue the rebels, killed their king and took possession of their
capital city Dimapur.
The Kacharis then moved downwards and established their headquarters at
Maibang on the bank the Mahur river, but the Ahom kings did not refrain from
considering the Kacharis as being in virtual subordination.The Kacharis were
conquered by the Koches in 1562 and Kamalnarayan, popularly known as Gosain
Kamal, who was another brother of Naranarayan, the Koch king, was appointed
governor of Cachar.
This had stopped Ahom intervention in Kachari affairs as the Ahoms also by that
time had become tributary to the Koches. However following the defeat of the
Koches in Bengal (1567-68), the rulers of the north-eastern states reasserted their
independence.
JAINTIA KINGDOM
The Jaintia Kingdom was a matriarchal kingdom in present-day Bangladesh's
Sylhet Division and India's Meghalaya state. It was partitioned into three in
630 AD by Raja Guhak for his three sons, into the Jaintia Kingdom, Gour
Kingdom and Laur Kingdom. It was annexed by the British East India
Company in 1835.
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Jayantia was a matriarchal race which had established their kingdom in and
around Jayantia hills. This race forged matrimonial relation with the Ahoms
and fought alongside during the invasion of the Mughals.
In the 17" century Jayantia king Dhanmanik helped the Ahoms in the war
against the Kacharis. One of their ruler, Jashomatta Rai was the contemporary
of the Ahom king Nariya Raja (1644-1648). He claimed back the possession of
Dimoria, Gobha, Nellie and Khola principalities which led to the souring of
relations between the Jayantias and the Ahoms. Bijayanarayan was the last
Jayantia ruler after whom this kingdom passed into the hands of the British
along with the Ahom kingdom .
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Medieval History(12th to early 19th century

AD)
AHOM KINGDOM
The Ahom kingdom (1228–1826) was a late medieval kingdom in the
Brahmaputra Valley in Assam. It is well known for maintaining its sovereignty for
nearly 600 years and successfully resisting Mughal expansion in Northeast India.
Established by Sukaphaa, a Tai prince from Mong Mao, it began its rule in the
upper reaches of the Brahmaputra based on wet rice agriculture. It expanded
rapidly under Suhungmung in the 16th century and became multi-ethnic in
character, casting a profound effect on the political and social life of the entire
Brahmaputra valley.
The kingdom became weaker with the rise of the Moamoria rebellion, and
subsequently fell to repeated Burmese invasions of Assam. With the defeat of the
Burmese after the First Anglo-Burmese War and the Treaty of Yandabo in 1826,
control of the kingdom passed into East India Company hands.Though it came
to be called the Ahom kingdom in the colonial and subsequent times, it was
largely multi-ethnic, with the ethnic Tai-Ahom people constituting less than 10%
of the population toward the end.
The Ahom kingdom was actually a multi ethnic kingdom, and most people from
different ethnic groups became a part of the Ahom population. The identity of
the Ahom people in this kingdom was fluid, with the king controlling who
belonged to it and who did not.
The Ahoms initially called their kingdom Mong Dun Shun Kham till 1401,
(Assamese: xunor-xophura; English: casket of gold) but adopted Assam in later
times. The British-controlled province after 1838 and later the Indian state of
Assam came to be known by this name.
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Chaolung Sukaphaa (c. 1228 - 1268)

Chaolung Sukaphaa (c. 1228–1268), also Siu-Ka-Pha, the first Ahom king in medieval
Assam, was the founder of the Ahom kingdom. A Tai prince originally from Mong Mao,
the kingdom he established in 1228 existed for nearly six hundred years and in the
process unified the various indigenous ethnic groups of the region that left a deep
impact on the region. In reverence to his position in Assam's history the honorific
Chaolung is generally associated with his name (Chao: lord; Lung: great).
Since 1996 December 2 has been celebrated in Assam as the Sukaphaa Divawkh, or
Axom Divawkh (Assam Day), to commemorate the advent of the first king of the
Ahom kingdom in Assam after his journey over the Patkai Hills.
In 1215 a new tribe known as the Ahom left upper Burma and moved towards India. The
Ahoms were an offshoot of the great Tai or Shan race which lived in upper Burma. The
leader under whom the Ahoms marched towards India was Sukapha. He had a
following of eight nobles and 9000 men, women and children with him. For thirteen
years he wandered about the hilly country of the Patkai. His first encounters during his
advance were with the Nagas. After breaking through the Naga obstruction, he in 1228
A.D. arrived in Khamjang. When Sukapha moved further westward the Nagas
attempted to resist his advance. He defeated them.It so terrified the Nagas that they all
hastened to make their submission.
Sukapha was in search of a suitable place where he could settle down and build a
city. The topography of that region was of such nature that this task proved to be a
formidable.Moving from place to place - Abhayapur, Habung, Ligirigaon, Simulguri he
finally reached Charaideo in about 1254. This he found to be a land of his choice. There
he built a city amid general rejoinings. The neighbouring country was occupied by
tribes known as the Morans and Borahis.To consolidate his position Sukapha had to
fight against these tribes. Being defeated these tribes had to make submission to him.
Instead of being revengeful, Sukapha adopted conciliatory measures towards them.
He treated them as equals and encouraged intermarriage between the Ahoms and
these conquered tribes. By this statesman-like act he welded them all into one nation.
He made friends with his brother rulers in upper Burma and sent presents to them.
He died in 1268 A.D.
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Sukapqa is one of the most romantic figures in the history of eastern India. He
was extraordinarily enterprising and brave.He plunged into a risky adventure to
find a kingdom in a land which was wholly unknown to him. He was no doubt
extremely harsh towards the Nagas, but it is also a fact that if in the treatment
towards the Nagas he was guided by any other methods, his enterprise would
have found a burial on the Patkai hills. Sukapha showed great statesmanship by
winning over the Morans and Borahis by conciliatory methods. Following the
practice in his native country, he appointed two great officers known as Bar
Gohain and Burha Gohain. The position of these two officers was next to that of
the King.
Important Rulers of Ahom Kingdom

o Sukapha
o Sudangpha or Bamuni Konwar
o Suhungmung or Dihingia Raja
o Suklengmung or Gargainya Raja
o Sukhampha or Khora Raja
o Susenghpha or Burha Raja or Pratap Singha
o Surampha or Bhaga Raja
o Sutyinpha or Nariya Raja
o Sutamla or Jayadhvaj Singha
o Supungmung or Chakradhvaj Singha
o Sulikpha or Lora Raja
o Supatpha or Gadadhar Singha
o Sukhrumpha or Rudra Singha
o Sutanpha or Siva Singha
o Shiva Singha
o Sunenpha or Pramatta Singha
o Surampha or Rajeswar Singha
o Sunyeopha or Lakshmi Singha
o Suhitpangpha or Gaurinath Singh
o Suklingpha or Kamaleswar Singha
o Sudinpha or Chandrakanta Singha
o Purandar Singha o Jogeswar Singha
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IMPORTANT RULERS OF AHOM KINGDOM

Suteuphaa (r. 1268–1281)
He was the second king of Ahom kingdom who ruled from 1268 CE to 1281 CE.
Suteuphaa succeeded his father Sukaphaa, who laid the foundation of Ahom
kingdom in Assam. His reign was characterized by the expansion of his father‘s
kingdom. He also had conflicts with the Shans or Naras of Mungkang, a Shan
kingdom in Upper Burma.
Suteuphaa was the eldest son of Ahom king Sukaphaa. After a reign of 39 years,
Sukaphaa died in 1268 CE. The nobles installed Suteuphaa as the new king of
Ahom kingdom. After his accession, Suteuphaa sent embassy to the ancestral
homeland of Sukaphaa, informing its ruler Sukhranphaa, the brother of
Sukaphaa, about the demise of Sukaphaa and his accession to the throne.
Sukhranphaa sent gifts to Suteuphaa consisting of caps made of gold and silver
and two specially designed bows, congratulating his coronation as the king of
Ahom kingdom.
Suteuphaa desired to expand his father‘s kingdom. Therefore, in order to fulfill his
desire, he came in conflicts with the Kacharis residing in the neighbouring region.
At that time, many parts of Upper Assam were inhabited by the Kacharis, though
it was not known whether all the Kachari tribes were part of the same kingdom.
He forced the Kacharis to abandon the country which lies to the east of Dikhou
river.
Suteuphaa died in 1281 CE. Among his four sons, the eldest son Subinphaa
succeeded him as the king of Ahom kingdom. Suteuphaa followed the policy of
expansion of his father‘s kingdom. The manner in which he outwits the Kacharis
and conquered the country which lies east to the Dikhou river, reveals that he had
inherited his father, the king Sukaphaa‘s wits and intelligence. The policy of
expansion of Ahom kingdom will be followed by the later Ahom rulers and almost
the entire Brahmaputra valley would come under their rule.
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Sudangphaa (1397–1407)
He was the king of the Ahom kingdom. He was popularly known as Bamuni
Konwar (Brahman prince) because of his upbringing in a Brahman's house. His
reign marks the first stage in the growth of Hinduism in the Ahom dynasty. He
initiated the Singarigharutha ceremony (coronation ceremony) of the Ahom
kings, a tradition which was followed by his successors.
Sudangphaa brought with him from the Habung country the Brahman who had
sheltered him and his sons. The latter were given post of importance on the
frontier, while the old Brahman himself was installed as his confidential adviser,
and, under his influence, many Hindu rites and ceremonies began to be
observed. The Brahman introduced the prayer of Lakshmi-Narayan Salagram in
the royal palace. It was the beginning of Brahmanical influence and attraction
towards Hinduism in the Ahom Dynasty
Suhungmung (1497–1539)
He was one of the most important Ahom kings belonging to the Dihingia clan,
who ruled at the cusp of Assam's medieval history. His reign broke from the early
Ahom rule and established a multi-ethnic polity in his kingdom. Under him the
Ahom Kingdom expanded greatly for the first time since Sukaphaa, at the cost of
the Chutiya and the Dimasa kingdoms.
He also successfully defended his kingdom against the first Muslim invasions
under Turbak Khan. During his time, the Khen dynasty collapsed and the Koch
dynasty ascended in the Kamata kingdom. His general, Tonkham, pursued the
Muslims up to the Karatoya river, the western boundary of the erstwhile
Kamarupa Kingdom, the farthest west an Ahom king had ventured in its entire six
hundred years of rule.
He was the first Ahom king to adopt a Hindu title, Swarganarayana, indicating a
move towards an inclusive polity; and Ahom kings came to be known as the
Swargadeo which is the Assamese translation of Ahom word Chao-Pha. He is also
called the Dihingia Raja, because he made Bakata on the Dihing River his capital
and also belonged to the Dihingia clan. Suhungmung was the last progenitor
Ahom king (all subsequent kings were his descendants).
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Suklenmung (1539–1552)
He was a king of the Ahom kingdom in medieval Assam. Since he established his
capital at Garhgaon (which would remain the capital of the Ahom kingdom till the
establishment of the Tungkhungia kings), he is also called the Garhgaiya roja in the
Buranjis. It was during his reign that Madhabdev and Sankardeva's son-in-law Hari
were captured and Hari executed, which precipitated the departure of Sankardeva
from the Ahom kingdom. It was before thought that he was the first Ahom king to
strike coins, but it later turned out to be a misreading of Tai legend for
Supangmung(1643-1670).
Suklenmung consolidated the kingdom's command over the regions captured from
the Kachari kingdom, by moving the Baro-Bhuyan in the Kopili river valley closer to
the capital.
Sukhaamphaa (1552–1603)
He was a king of the Ahom kingdom of medieval Assam. He ruled for a period of fifty
one years, the longest in the Ahom dynasty. Very fond of sports, he fell off an
elephant soon after his ascension and the injury gave him a limp, and as a result the
Buranjis often called him the khora roja.He was particularly fond of sports and
personally took part in elephant catching expeditions (khedda). Unlike during his
father's rule when Sankardev and Madhavdev had to flee the kingdom, the disciples
of Madhavdev could come and establish centers of Ekasarana Dharma and it was
during Sukhaamphaa's reign that the religion took firm root and began to flourish.
Many common folks as well as high officials of the kingdom took initiation in this
religion, a development with remarkable consequences.
War with the Koch

A dispute in 1562 with the Koch kingdom led to a full-fledged invasion in January
1563 by the Koch general Chilarai. Aikhek, the Burhagohain who was the
commander of the Ahom military, offered ineffectual opposition, and Chilarai was
able to quickly occupy the Ahom capital Garhgaon.
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Sukhaamphaa fled to Namrup, which one of his successors, Sutamla, would be

forced to do once again when Mir Jumla II occupies the capital hundred years
later.Peace negotiations began that year itself, and Chilarai agreed to hand back
the capital in return for a large tract of land in the north bank of Brahmaputra
river, sons of nobles for hostage and riches in gold, silver and fabric,as agreed
upon in the Treaty of Majuli.
Sukhaamphaa came back to the capital, and in the inquiry into the cause of
defeat that followed, Aikhek was removed from the office the Burhagohain and
replaced by Chaopet (Kankham). In due course, the Ahoms could recover
Narayanpur, and up to Sala; and Nara Narayana, the Koch king, who was facing
aggression from Bengal, released the hostages to ease relations with the Ahoms.
Susenghphaa (1603–1641) (Pratap Singha)
He was the 17th and one of the most prominent kings of the Ahom kingdom. As
he was advanced in years when he became king, he is also called the Burha Raja
(Old king). His reign saw an expansion of the Ahom kingdom to the west, the
beginning of the Ahom-Mughal conflicts, and a reorganization of the kingdom
with an expanded Paik system and reoriented village economy designed by
Momai Tamuli Borbarua. His expansion to the west is underlined by the two new
offices that he created: that of the Borbarua and the Borphukan. The alliances he
formed with the rulers of Koch Hajo resulted in formation that successfully
thwarted Mughal expansion.
The administrative structure that he created survived till the end of the Ahom
kingdom in 1826.After the death of Sukhamphaa in 1603, his son Langi Gohain, was
installed as the Swargadeo by the ministers Tonkham Borgohain, Chaopet
Burhagohain and Banjangi Borpatrogohain.
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At his coronation he was 58 and he assumed the name Susenghphaa accorded

to him by the Tai priests. He accepted an offer of marriage to the Jaintia princess
and the subsequent events brought him into conflict with the Kachari
kingdom.He also established alliance with the Koch Hajo rulers by marrying
Mangaldahi, the daughter of Parikshit Narayan, in 1608. According to historian
Late Benudhar Sarma, the present form of worship of Durga with earthen idol in
Assam was started during the reign of King Susenghphaa or Pratap Sinha. The
King heard about the festivity, the pomp and grandeur with which the King
Naranarayan of Koch Bihar celebrated Durga Puja from one Sondar Gohain, who
was held captive by the Koch Raja.
King Pratap Sinha sent artisans to Koch Bihar to learn the art of idol making. The
King organised the first such Durga Puja celebration in Bhatiapara near Sibsagar.
This was the first time Durga Puja with earthen idols in Assam was held for the
masses, in addition to the worship in Durga temples.The conflict between Koch
Bihar and Koch Hajo drew the Mughals and finally the Ahoms into the conflict in
1615, which finally ended in 1682 with Supaatphaa a later Ahom Swargadeo
removing Mughal influence for ever from Assam. An interim truce (Treaty of Asurar
Ali) was signed during Susenghphaa's reign. A necessary outcome of the Ahom-
Mughal conflicts was cessation of Ahom-Kachari hostilities and restoration of
peace, to confront a common enemy.
Administration
As the Mughal attacks weakened Koch Hajo state powers and Ahom influence
spread west, Susenghphaa appointed Langi Panisiya the first Borphukan(a Chutia by
caste) as his western viceroy, based at Kajali, and in charge of all Ahom territories
west of Kaliabor
The three classes of ministers Burhagohain, Borgohain and Borpatrogohain had

their well defined areas to rule and function, and those part of the kingdom which
did not fall under their jurisdiction were brought under the control of the Borbarua,
a new office that was also created during the rule of Pratap Singha. Under him
Momai Tamuli Borbarua, the first Borbarua, made extensive changes to the Paik
system and village economy.He redistributed populations to consolidate his rule. He
moved the Bhuyans, the remnant of the Bhuyan chieftains, from the north to the
south bank of the Brahmaputra, decreasing their power considerably.
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He moved eight thousand families to the sparsely populated Marangi area which
was originally recovered from the Kachari kingdom by Suhungmung.Creation of
other posts like Rohiyal Barua, Jagiyal Gohain, Kajalimukhiya Gohain is also
credited to him. For his organizational capability, political acumen and his
wisdom, he was also known as Buddhi Swarganarayan.
Pratap Sinha died in the year 1641 after a long reign of 38 years. Although a great
part of his reign was distracted by wars with the Kacharis and the Mughals, he
was still able to devote much attention the internal organisation of his kingdom,
development of backward tracts and construction of roads, embankments and
tanks.
Suramphaa (1641–1644)
He was a king of the Ahom kingdom. Due to his moral disposition, which
was severely lacking, he is referred to as the bhoga roja in the Buranjis.
Suramphaa, one of the three eligible sons of the previous Ahom king,
Susenghphaa (Pratap Singha), acceded the Ahom throne in alliance with
Sutingphaa against Sai, both of whom were his brothers. Due to his scandalous
life, as well as the depredations of an adopted son who he announced as heir
apparent, the Ahom nobles deposed and poisoned him and installed Sutingphaa
as the king.
Sutingphaa (1644–1648)
He was a king of the Ahom kingdom. He was sickly and had scoliosis, and thus
was also known as noriya roja and kekura roja. He was often unable to attend to
public duties and had to be carried in a palanquin.
Sutingphaa became the king after his brother, the erstwhile king, was deposed.
He got in palace intrigues and was eventually deposed himself by his son Sutamla
and killed.
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Sutamla (r. 1648–1663)
Sutamla was also known as Jayadhwaj Singha.He was the 20th king of the Ahom
kingdom. During his reign the Mughal viceroy at Bengal Mir Jumla II invaded and
occupied his capital Garhgaon as a result of which he had to retreat to the Namrup
area, and because of this flight he is also known as the Bhagania Roja in the Buranjis.
Mir Jumla's invasion

After the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan fell sick in 1658, the vassal ruler of Koch Bihar,
Pran Narayan, threw off the Mughal yoke and took possession of Kamrup and Hajo.
The Ahoms, taking advantage of the confusion, pushed west and took control of the
region up to the Sankosh river. Mir Jumla II, Auranzeb's general who pursued Prince
Shuja to the Arakan, was made the governor of Bengal. Very soon he repossessed
Koch Bihar and began his campaign against the Ahom kingdom on January 4, 1662.
The Ahoms took a stand at the Jogighopa fort at the Manas river. Mir Jumla overran
Jogighopa, Guwahati, Simlagarh, Salagarh and finally Sutamla's capital Garhgaon on
March 17, which the Ahom king had abandoned for Namrup.
Supangmung ( 1663–1670)
He was also known as Chakradhwaj Singha.He was an important Ahom king under
whom the Ahom kingdom took back Guwahati from the Mughals following the
reverses at the hands of Mir Jumla and the Treaty of Ghilajharighat. He is known for
his fierce pride as an Ahom monarch.
Sulikphaa (r. 1679–1681)

He was also, known as Ratnadhwaj Singha.He was the king of the Ahom Kingdom.
He was only 14 years of age when Laluksola Borphukan, the Ahom viceroy of
Guwahati and Lower Assam, raised him to the throne, after deposing the former
king, Sudoiphaa. Due to his youth at the time of his accession, he was generally
known as Lora Raja or the Boy-king. His reign was characterized by the atrocities
committed by Laluksola Borphukan, who held the real authority behind the
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The most notorious act which occurred during his reign was the mutilation of
Ahom princes belonging to the Royal Ahom Dynasty. While most of the Ahom
princes suffered mutilation, Prince Gadapani, the future king Gadadhar Singha,
from the Tungkhungia branch of the Royal Ahom Dynasty, escaped, due to the
efforts of his illustrious wife, Joymoti Konwari, who refused to divulge any
information regarding her husband's whereabouts even in face of the tortures
inflicted by the henchmen of Lora Raja. After Laluksola Borphukan was
assassinated in court intrigues, the nobles at Kaliabar decided to get rid of the
incompetent Lora Raja and put an able prince on the throne..
Prince Gadapani, who was living incognito at a place called Rani in Kamrup at
that time, was nominated for the throne. Sulikphaa or Lora Raja was deposed
and exiled to Namrup, only to be executed later on.In order to safeguard his
position he passed an order that all the princes belonging to different clans
should either be maimed or killed, a cruel plot which met with almost full
success, but for the escape of Gadapani who belonged to Tunghungia clan. Laluk
Sola tried his best to find about his whereabouts from his wife Joymoti. But
Joymoti was determined to save her husband, therefore she revealed nothing
even after suffering the most inhuman torture. In her martyrdom she stands as a
bright example of patriotism, devotion to her husband, mental strength and
ability to withstand the greatest pressure.
Gadadhar Singha (1681-1696)

Laluk Sola Barphukan met his death at the hands of Gadapani. Gadapani then
ascended the throne in 1681. He assumed the Ahom name Supatpha and Hindu
name Gadadhar Singha (1681-1696). He made his capital at Barkola.First of all, he
waged a war against the Mughals which is also famously known as Itakhulir Rann
(War of Itakhuli) and captured back Guwahati from the Mughals. He was a
Shaivite and to help propagate this form of Hindu worship built 'Umananda
Devaloya' at Guwahati. He also built the 'Dhodar Ali', a road near Golaghat. He
also had the lands surveyed. The earliest known copper plates recording grants of
land by Ahom king to the Brahmins dates from the period of Gadadhar Singha.
Besides this, he suppressed many rebellions - both internal and external troubles
from the various tribes. In this manner, he was able to establish peace and
prosperity in the State.
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Rudra Singha (1696-1714)
Gadadhar Singha's eldest son Lai succeeded him. He took on the Hindu name of
Rudra Singha (1696-1714) and the Ahom name Sukhrumpha. In the honour of
the memory of his mother Joymoti, he dug the Joysagar tank and built Joydoul.
Other architectural monuments and structures accredited to him are stone
bridge built over the Namdang river, Kharikatia Ali, Meteka Ali etc. Rudra Singha
gave royal patronage to ―Bihu‖. He also created Khels or position like Khaund,
Kotoki, Bairagi, Doloi, Kakoti. He also created high posts like Satriya Baruah,
Gayon Baruah, Senchowa Baruah, Kukurachowa Baruah, Bezbaruah etc. He also
subjugated the Kacharis and the Jayantias, who had to remain content as vassal
kings and accept the overlordship of the Ahoms. In this manner the boundaries
stretched from the Manas river in the west to Kartowa river in the east.
Throughout his long reign; Rudra Singha tried his level best to raise the standard
of living of the people, which is why even now his rule is emblazoned as a
glorious chapter in the annals of Ahom history. He died in 1714.
Shiva Singha (1714-1744)
He was succeeded by his eldest son Shiva Singha (1714-1744). He took on the
Ahom name of Sutanpha. He became a Shakti worshipper, as he was initiated in
the tenets of the Shakti cult by Krishnaram Bhattacharya, who was later on
installed as head priest of Kamakhya temple which is situated atop the Nilachal
hill. Since he was priest of a temple built on a hill (Parbat), he and his
descendents were called Parbatiya Gossains.
Shiva Singha was a weak person who relied heavily on astrologers which explains
the fact that when an astrologer told him that he was in the danger of being
dethroned, he installed his QueenPhuleswari, who assumed the name
Pramateswari (one of the name of Durga), as Bor Raja, or chief king, thus marking
the beginning of the end of the Ahom dynasty. Phuleswari was an orthodox
Shakti worshiper who persecuted the Moamoria Mahantas by forcibly making
them to take parsed of Durga worship and anointing their foreheads with
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This resulted in the famous Moamoria rebellion. After Phuleswari died in 1731
Shiva Singha married her sister Drupadi or Deopadi and made her the next Bor
Raja, with the name Ambika. She was the one who constructed the Shiva Doul
(temple) at Sivasagar, which is the tallest Shiva Doul in Assam. Drupadi died in
1738. Shiva Singha then married the daughter of Salal Gossain whose name was
changed to 'Sarbeswari' from 'Anadori'.
It was during Shiva Singha's reign that 'Dhai Ali' was constructed at Sivasagar.
Gaurisagar tank and Sivasagar tank were dug at the instruction of Bor Raja
Phuleswari and Ambika respectively. Shiva Singha's reign is remembered for
developments in literary and cultural matters. But this positive aspect was
ultimately overshadowed by the sharp rise in fanatic Shaivism which
ultimately paved the way for the downfall of the Ahom rule.
Pramatta Singha (1744-1751)

Shiva Singha's brother Pramatta Singha (1744-1751) was next in line as per the
instructions of their father Rudra Singha. Pramatta Singha or Sunenpha's reign
is chiefly remembered for the various temples and other buildings constructed
in his reign. For example Singhaduar (main gate) at Gargaon, Sukleswar and
Rudreswar temples at Guwahati. Swargadeo Rudra Singha under whose
instructions originally the Ranghar was built of bamboo and wood, was later
on given the present shape by Pramatta Singha.
Rajeswar Singha (1751-1769)
Rudra Singha's fourth son Surampha took on the mantle of kingship. He took
on the name of Rajeswar Singha (1751-1769). He stopped the atrocities of the
Dafalas and Miris on the people of the plains. He also extended full support to
the Manipur king to fight against the Burmese. Rajeswar Singha sent Haranath
Phukan with forces to the aid of Manipuri king. The Ahom forces had to make
way through dense forests which is why this particular battle is also called
‗Lata-Kata Rann‘. In gratitude the Manipuri king gave his daughter
Kuranganayani in marriage to Rajeswar Singha.
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Towards the end of the reign of Rajesar Singha, Barbaruah Kirtichandra alias
Gendhela became powerful. He passed an order to burn all the Buranjis (History
books) written by Numali Borgohain, because he had adopted a negative stance
against Gendhela's family in the Buranjis. As a result much useful information
was lost. Like previous kings who had preceded him, Rajeswar Singha
constructed Kareng Ghar at Gargaon, Basistha Ashram, Navagraha Mandir,
Monikarneshwar Mandir, Chitrachal Mandir, Har-Gouri Devalaya at Guwahati
and Talatal Ghar at Sivasagar. He died in 1769.
Suhitpangphaa (r. 1780–1795)

He is also known as Gaurinath Singha. He lost his capital Rangpur to the
Moamoria rebellion and camped in the Nagaon and Guwahati region till
Captain Welsh removed the rebels. Thereafter he established his capital at
Jorhat.
Suklingphaa (r. 1795–1811)

Also known as Kamaleswar Singha .His reign witnessed the suppression of
Moamoria rebellion and restoration of Ahom rule over Upper Assam. The
Dundiya Revolution in Kamrup was also suppressed during his reign. In
Nagaon, the Ahom army also managed to defeat a coalition of Moamoria
rebels and the Kacharis of Kachari Kingdom.
Sudingphaa (1811–1818, 1819–1821)
He was also known as Chandrakanta Singha.He was a Tungkhungia king of

the Ahom dynasty, who ruled at the climactic of the Ahom kingdom.His reign
witnessed the invasion of Burmese on Assam and its subsequent occupation
by British East India Company. He was installed as King twice. His first reign
ended when Ruchinath Burhagohain deposed him and installed Purandar
Singha in his stead. His second reign ended with his defeat at the hands of the
invading Burmese army. He continued his militant efforts to regain his
kingdom as well as to keep Purandar Singha at bay.
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After the defeat of Burmese in the First Anglo-Burmese War and subsequent
peace Treaty of Yandaboo on 24 February 1826 CE, Assam passed into the hand
of British. Most of the members of Ahom Royal family were granted pensions.
Chandrakanta Singha received a pension of 500 rupees. He first lived in

Kaliabor and later on at Guwahati. He visited Calcutta in order to request the
restoration of his kingdom but in vain. He died in 1839 CE soon after his return
to Guwahati.
Purandar Singha (1818–19, 1833–1838)
He was the last king of Ahom kingdom in Assam. He was installed as king
twice. First time, he was installed by Ruchinath Burhagohain in 1818 CE, after
the latter deposed Chandrakanta Singha from the throne. His first reign ended
in 1819 CE, during the second Burmese invasion of Assam, when his forces were
defeated and the Burmese reinstalled Chandrakanta Singha on the throne. He
along with Ruchinath Burhagohain continued their efforts to expel Burmese
invaders, by seeking help from British and through armed struggle. After First
Anglo-Burmese War, the British East India Company occupied Assam from
Burmese invaders. Finding it difficult to administer an unfamiliar region and
sensing discontent among the local inhabitants to foreign rule, the British
authorities decided to restore Upper Assam to one prince of Ahom Dynasty.
Purander Singha was found suitable for this post and therefore, in April 1833
CE, except Sadiya and Matok region, the entire Upper Assam was formally
made over to him, on the condition of yearly tribute of 50,000 rupees.
Later, in 1838 CE, finding him incompetent and defaulter in payments of

revenue, the British formally annexed his kingdom, putting an end to 600 years
reign of Ahom Dynasty.
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Burmese invasions of Assam

There were three Burmese invasions of Assam between 1817 and 1826, during
which time the Kingdom of Ahom came under the control of Burma from 1821
to 1825. Locally, this period, called the manor din by the Indigenous Assamese
people and Chahi-Taret Khuntakpa (seven years of devastation) in Meitei, is
remembered with horror.
The sharp drop in population due both to depredations as well emigrations left
the erstwhile kingdom in shambles. The British, who were earlier reluctant to
colonise Assam, came into direct contact with a belligerent Burmese occupying
force.
Following the First Anglo-Burmese War, the British annexed not just Assam but
also Burma. In the later part of 18th century, the Ahom Kingdom in Assam was
wreaked by series of rebellions. The Moamoria rebellion in Upper Assam and
the Dundiya rebellion in Western Assam severely weakened the Ahom
Kingdom due to loss of lives and property.
The Prime Minister Purnananda Burhagohain tried his best to reestablish Ahom
rule over the region. With great efforts, he finally suppressed all the rebellions,
and firmly established the royal authority over the kingdom. For smooth
functioning of administration or to consolidate his power, he appointed all his
relatives in high posts of Ahom Kingdom.
Badan Chandra Borphukan, the governor of Guwahati, was anxious of the

growing power of Purnananda Burhagohain. At first, he tried to make
friendship with Purnananda Burhagohain. He gave his daughter Pijou Gabhoru
to Purnananda's son, Urekhanath Dhekial Phukan along with a huge amount of
gold ornaments and utensils.The move backfired when Purnananda
Burhagohain expressed his displeasure and suspected Badan Chandra
Borphukan of misusing his office. Angered by the behaviour of Purnananda
Burhagohain, Badan Chandra Borphukan encouraged conspirators in the
capital Jorhat with the aim to assassinate Purnananda Burhagohain. The
conspiracy failed and the conspirators were punished. The alleged link of
Badan Chandra Borphukan with the conspirators got revealed.
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Meanwhile the people of Western Assam, complained Burhagohain about the

atrocities committed by Badan Chandra Borphukan and his two sons, Janmi and
Piyoli. Finally in 1815 CE, Purnananda Burhagohain decided to act and he send a
deputation with orders to arrest Badan Chandra Borphukan and bring him to
the capital Jorhat for justice.
Pijou Gabhoru, the daughter-in-law of Purnananda Burhagohain, who was also

the daughter of Badan Chandra Borphukan, send an early message to her
father, warning him of the impending danger. Warned by his daughter, Badan
Chandra Borphukan escaped to Bengal, which was under British rule.
Burhagohain's men caught him at Chilmari in Bengal, but he again escaped
with the help of local Thanedar or Police officer. He went to Calcutta and visited
the Governor General Lord Hastings with the plea for help to oust Purnananda
Burhagohain. The Governor-General declined his plea stating their Policy of
Non-interference in the internal matter of another kingdom. Around that time,
Badan Chandra Borphukan met the envoy of Burmese King Bodawpaya, who
was on a visit at Calcutta. The envoy, after hearing his plea took him to Burma
and fixed an appointment with Bodawpaya.
First Burmese invasion

In 1816, Badan Chandra Borphukan came to the court of Burmese King
Bodawpaya and sought help to defeat his political rival Purnananda
Burhagohain. The Burmese monarch agreed and send an expedition under a
general of Bhamo, with Badan Chandra Borphukan which entered Assam in
January 1817.
The first battle took place on March 27, 1817 at Ghiladhari. The Assam forces
were led by Daman Gogoi, Hau Bora and Jama Khan. The battle continued for a
week when Purnananda Burhagohain died due to natural causes.This,
according to chronicles, led to the division in the ranks of the Ahom nobility,
and due to lack of reinforcements the Assam army surrendered. Ruchinath, the
son of Purnananda, became the Burhagohain, and asked the king to evacuate,
who refused.
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This led Ruchinath to suspect that Chandrakanta Singha was in alliance with
Badan Chandra Borphukan, and left for Guwahati without the king when the
Burmese army advanced toward the Ahom capital at Jorhat. The king,
Chandrakanta Singha, stayed behind, received Badan Chandra Borphukan and
made him the Mantri Phukan.The Burmese army was paid 100,000 rupees and
the commanders were given suitable presents. The Burmese army left Assam in
April 1817. Soon after, Badan Chandra was assassinated. Ruchinath marched
against Chandrakanta Singha and made Purandhar Singha the king.
Second Burmese invasion

Bodawpaya, on hearing this news, sent an army of 30,000 under the command
of Kiamingi (Ala Mingi Borgohain) and guided by Patalang Senapati (Momai
Barua). This army was met by an army led by Jaganath Dhekial Phukan on
February 15, 1819 at Phulpanisiga, near Janji.
The Burmese army was defeated with a loss of about 300 soldiers and retreated
a short distance. The Assam army, instead of pursuing the defeated Burmese,
returned to the Ahom capital Jorhat leading to much confusion and panic.
Failing to instill confidence, Ruchinath Burhagohain and Purandar Singha sailed
down to Guwahati, and the Burmese army was able to occupy the capital two
days later.Chandrakanta was reinstated as the king on March 9, 1819 followed by
execution of the Ahom officials who had supported Ruchinath Burhagohain;
and in the middle of April 1819 Kiamingi left for Burma leaving Mingimaha Tilwa
in charge.
Under Tilwa's orders, Patalang pursued Ruchinath, engaged his forces in Nagaon
and finally pushed him beyond Assam boundary. Patalang was made the
Borbarua and the Burmese contingent returned to Burma on January 27,
1820.Nevertheless, Chandrakanta's attitude toward the Burmese changed soon
after. Patalang, who was originally a native of Namrup, persuaded the king to
shake off Burmese allegiance and had a fort constructed at Jaypur (Dighalighat).
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Third Burmese invasion

In 1819, Bagyidaw became the king of Burma and decided to annex Assam. He
sent Mingimaha Tilwa to Assam in February 1821. Patalang Borbarua was killed
and Chandrakanta Singha fled to Guwahati. Mingimaha killed a number of
Ahom officials and installed Punyadhar (Jogeshwar Singha), a brother of Hemo
Aideo, as the king.
Chandrakanta Singha's response

Chandrakanta Singha made his camp at Guwahati and lead his campaign
against the Burmese without any help from Ruchinath or Purandar Singha.
Purandar, who was unable to raise an army in the British territory, raised one in
Bhutan under Robert Bruce, but this force was dispersed by Chandrakanta's
forces in May 1821.A large force, deputed by Tilwa, advanced against
Chandrakanta (September 1821), who retreated to Assam Chokey and then to
the British territories. Unlike Purandar, Chandrakanta was able to raise a force
mainly of Sikhs and Hindustani soldiers, and he retook Assam Chokey (October
1821) and Guwahati (December 1821) and pitched his camp at Mahgarh, near
Jorhat, on March 15, 1822.
Bagyidaw, on hearing of the Assam situation, sent in a 20,000 strong

contingent under Mingi Maha Bandula who attacked and defeated the forces
of Chandrakanta in April 1822. Chandrakanta fell back to Guwahati, and finally
to Assam Chokey, where he encountered Mingimaha Tilwa in June 1822. He
was defeated and had to further retreat into the British territory. After this
victory, the Burmese declared Mingimaha Tilwa the Raja of Assam and brought
an end to the sovereign Ahom rule in Assam.
Burmese rule
The defeat of Chandrakanta at Assam Chokey brought the Burmese face-to-face
with the British in the Brahmaputra valley. Tilwa demanded the British hand over
the fugitive king, and threatened to enter British territory to seize him, with about
7,000 troops at Assam Chokey and 1,000 more at Guwahati under Bandula.
Nevertheless, the Burmese troops faced logistics issues, and as a result Bandula
left Guwahati, leaving Tilwa at Guwahati with only 1,000 troops. At this juncture,
185 Chandrakanta Singha was invited by the Burmese to come back and rule.
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Chandrakanta abandoned his Baruas and Phukan's and surrendered to Tilwa at

Assam Chokey. When he reached Jorhat, he was seized and imprisoned
instead.This period is remembered in Assam as very difficult, with the garrison
soldiers and native marauders committing atrocities on the common people
leading to thousands leaving Assam for Bengal. Much of the neighboring State
of Manipur was also laid waste by the marauding armies.
By 1825, the Meiteis under the leadership of Meitei king Gambhir Singh had
repulsed the Burmese and drove them past the Chindwin river. The occupation
led to frequent contacts between the Burmese and the British and finally led to
the Treaty of Yandaboo in 1826.
Treaty of Yandabo
The Treaty of Yandaboo treaty brought peace between East India Company and the
King of Ava that ended the first Anglo-Burmese war. The agreement was signed on
February 24,1826 by General Sir Archibald Campbell on the British side and by
Governor of Legaing Maha Min Hla Kyaw Htin of the Burmese side. This treaty starts
the British Rule in Assam.
As per this treaty:

Assam, Manipur, Arakan,were ceded to British.
Burmese had to desist opposition in the Chachar Kingdom and Jaintia Hills.
Burmese agreed to pay an compensation of One Million Pounds Sterling to
British.
Burmese decided to allow diplomatic ambassadors from British.
The Treaty of Yandabo was the peace treaty signed on 24 February 1826, that
ended the First Anglo-Burmese War. The treaty was signed by General Sir
Archibald Campbell on the British side, and the Governor of Legaing Maha Min
Hla Kyaw Htin from the Burmese side. With the British army at Yandabo village,
only 80 km from the capital Ava, the Burmese were forced to accept the British
186 terms without discussion.
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According to the treaty, the Burmese agreed to :
Cede to the British Assam, Manipur, Rakhine (Arakan), and the Taninthayi
(Tenasserim) coast south of the Salween River.
Cease all interference in Cachar and the Jaintia Hills district.
Pay an indemnity of one million pounds sterling in four installments.
Allow an exchange of diplomatic representatives between Ava and Calcutta.
Sign a commercial treaty in due course.
The treaty ended the longest and most expensive war in British Indian history.
Fifteen thousand European and Indian soldiers died, together with an unknown
number of Burmese. The campaign cost was very huge which led to a severe
economic crisis in British India in 1833, which was ultimate recoverd from Burma
as war indemnity.
Negotiations:
The Court of Ava had not expected, and were unwilling to accept, the full
dismemberment of their western empire and the crushing penalty demanded.
But with the army severely depleted, the Burmese envoy, the lord of Kawlin,
replied that his government:
Would give up any claim to Assam and Manipur

Objected to the British choice for the future Manipuri raja
Would cede the Taninthayi coast but not Rakhine.
By the beginning of 1826, the British were making steady advances towards Ava,
captured the ancient city of Pagan and the village of Yandabo, less than 50 miles
from Ava. Left with little choice, the Burmese sued for peace. The Burmese king
Bagyidaw sent a delegation, consisting of one American, one English and two
Burmese ministers, to meet the commander of British forces, General Sir
Archibald Campbell. The Burmese had to agree to all British demands.
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Aftermath :
Some 40,000 British and Indians troops had been involved of whom 15,000 had
been killed. The cost to British India’s finances had been almost ruinous,
amounting to approximately 13 million pounds sterling. The cost of war
contributed to a severe economic crisis in India, which by 1833 had bankrupted the
Bengal agency houses and cost the British East India Company its remaining
privileges, including the monopoly of trade to China.
For the Burmese, the treaty was a total humiliation and a long lasting financial
burden. The burden of indemnity would leave the royal treasury bankrupt for years.
The indemnity of one million pounds sterling would have been considered a
colossal sum even in Europe of that time, and it became frightening when
translated to Burmese kyat equivalent of 10 million.
AHOM ADMINISTRATION
Swargadeo and Patra Mantris The Ahom kingdom was ruled by a king, called
Swargadeo (Ahom language: Chao-Pha), who had to be a descendant of the first
king Sukaphaa. Succession was generally byprimogeniture but occasionally the
great Gohains (Dangarias) could elect another descendant of Sukaphaa from a
different line or even depose an enthroned one.
Dangarias :
Sukaphaa had two great Gohains to aid him in administration: Burhagohain and
the Borgohain. In the 1280s, they were given independent territories, they were
veritable sovereigns in their given territories called bilat or rajya. The Burhagohain's
territory was between Sadiya and Gerelua river in the north bank of the
Brahmaputra river and the Borgohain's terrotory was to the west upto the Burai
river. They were given total command over the paiks that they controlled. These
positions were generally filled from specific families. Princes who were eligible for
the position of Swargadeo were not considered for these positions and vice versa. In
the 16th century Suhungmung added a third Gohain, Borpatrogohain. The
Borpatrogohain's territory was located between the territories of the other two
188 Gohains.
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Royal officers :
Pratap Singha added two offices, Borbarua and Borphukan, that were directly
under the king. The Borbarua, who acted as the military as well as the judicial head,
was in command of the region east of Kaliabor not under the command of the
Dangarias. He could use only a section of the paiks at his command for his personal
use (as opposed to the Dangariyas), the rest rendering service to the Ahom state.
The Borphukan was in military and civil command over the region west of Kaliabor,
and acted as the Swargadeo's viceroy in the west.
Patra Mantris :
The five positions constituted the patra mantris (council of ministers). From the
time of Supimphaa (1492–1497), one of the patra mantris was made the Rajmantri
(prime minister, also Borpatro; Ahom language: Shenglung) who enjoyed additional
powers and the service of a thousand additional paiks from the Jakaichuk village.
Other officials :
The Borbarua and the Borphukan had military and judicial responsibilities, and
they were aided by two separate councils (sora) of Phukans. The Borphukan's sora
sat at Guwahati and the Borbarua's sora at the capital. Superintending officers were
called Baruas. Among the officers the highest in rank were the Phukans. Six of them
formed the council of the Borbarua, but each had also his separate duties. The
Naubaicha Phukan, who had an allotment of thousand men managed the royal
boats, the Bhitarula Phukan, the Na Phukan, the Dihingia Phukan, the Deka Phukan
and the Neog Phukan formed the council of Phukan. The Borphukan also had a
similar council of six subordinate Phukans whom he was bound to consult in all
matters of importance, this council included Pani Phukan, who commanded six
thousand paiks, Deka Phukan who commanded four thousand paiks, the Dihingia
Phukan, Nek Phukan and two Chutiya Phukans.
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The Baruas of whom there were twenty or more included Bhandari Barua or
treasurer; the Duliya Barua, who was in charge of the royal palanquins; the
Chaudang Barua who superintended executions; Khanikar Barua was the chief
artificer; Sonadar Barua was the mint master and chief jeweler; the Bez Barua was
the physician to the Royal family, Hati Barua, Ghora Barua, etc. Other official
included twelve Rajkhowas, and a number of Katakis, Kakatis and Dolais. The
Rajkhowas were governors of given territories and commanders of three thousand
paiks. They were arbitrator who settled local disputes and supervised public works.
The Katakis were envoys who dealt with foreign countries and hill tribes. The
Kakatis were writers of official documents, and the Dolais expounded astrology
and determined auspicious time and dates for any important event and
undertaking. Governors Members of the royal families ruled certain areas, and they
were called Raja.
Charing Raja, the heir apparent to the Swargadeo, administered the tracts
around Joypur on the right bank of the Burhidihing river.
Tipam Raja is the second in line.
Namrup Raja is the third in line
Members of the royal families who occupy lower positions are given regions called
mels, and were called meldangia or melkhowa raja. Meldangia gohains were
princes of an even lesser grade, of which there were two: Majumelia gohain and
Sarumelia gohain.
Paik System (Khel System):

The organization of society during Ahom rule known as the paik or khel system
grew out of a relation which the Ahoms established with the tribes of the south
eastern part of the Brahmaputra valley. Sukapha introduced the system of exacting
personal service from the members of the tribal communities who were to serve
the ruling tribe as fuel suppliers, water drawers, honey suppliers etc. But the paik
system was systematically implemented by Momai Tamuli Barbarua under the
patronage of Pratap Singha. Under the Khel or Paik system, every adult male
between the age 16 to 50 was registered as a paik for State service.
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Four paiks (later three) formed a unit called got. The paiks in a got had to render
service to the State in rotation, one paik serving for a period of three (later four)
months a year. The cultivation or domestic concerns of the paik on duty was looked
after by his comrades in a got. In times of emergency two, sometimes three, paiks
were recruited from each got, the first levy in a got was called the mul, the second,
the dewal and the third, the tewal. Some paiks were also organized into
professional khels, each rendering a particular kind of productive work like
boatbuilding and arrowmaking for the State. The control of the state on the paiks
were very rigid over each 20 paiks there was an officer called Bora, over 100 paiks
there was an Saikia and the Hararika commanding over 1000 paiks and phukan
commanding over 6000 paiks.
Military System :
The Ahoms who made their humble beginning as under Sukapha attained high
watermark due to military strategy. In the early days, the king entirely depended on
the three Gohains for success in war. The Ahom army mainly consisted of infantry
and elephants. Moreover, the paiks constituted a standing militia which could be
mobilized by the kheldar in times of war. In war strategy open encounters were
supplemented by guerilla warfare. Moreover, the Ahoms had an efficient navy and
abled espionage system through which king could eye on important matters of the
states.
Law and Justice :

In civil matters Hindu laws expounded by the Brahmans have been generally
followed during the later days. The criminal law was characterized by sternness and
comparative harshness.The chief judicial authorities were Barbarua and the the
Barphukan in their respective provinces and trials were conducted before them.
Revenue Administration :
According to the laws of the country, the land and the subjects were equally the
property of the State. In upper Assam paik system were enforced and hence no one
need to pay the land revenue in cash. In kamrup, Chandrakanta Singha introduced
a tax on lands called kharikatana.
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Moreover revenue administration of Kamrup was different from that of eastern

Assam where the Muhammadans retained the same system of revenue as found in
Bengal.
For fiscal purpose the districts were divided into parganas which were in charge of
Choudhury. Further parganas were divided into Taluk in charge of a Talukdar. The
lands granted by the Ahoms rajas can be classified under several heads such as
Debottor land were for the maintenance of the temple, Brahmottor land for the
brahmans and Dharmottor lands for religious and charitable purposes.
Decline and fall of the Ahom Kingdom

The Moamoria Rebellion started during the reign of Swargadeo Lakshmi Singha
and ended during the reign of Swargadeo Kamaleswar Singha. It continued up to
36 years, from 1769 to 1805.It was a conflict between Ahom Kings and the Moran
people of upper Assam, who were disciple of the Moamara Sattra. Rise of
vaishnavism, Ahom Paik System and internal clash among Ahom royals were the
key reasons of the rebellion. In 1769, the rebels occupied Ahom capital. Though
Ahoms recaptured the capital, the rebellion continued till 1806. Srimanta
Sankardeva established the Mahapuruxiya Dharma in the 16th century, a
proselytizing religion that opened itself to all including the Muslims and tribesmen.
The religion provided opportunities for social and economic improvements to
common tribesmen, and the sattras provided a safe haven from mandatory labor
under the Paik system.
The Ahom rulers saw a threat and Sankardeva himself had to escape to the Koch
kingdom during the reign of Suklenmung to avoid persecution. A later king,
Prataap Singha, demolished the Kalabari and Kuruabahi sattras and his successors
followed a similar policy of oppression.
The Dundiya rebellion was a late 18th-century uprising against the Ahom kingdom
in the Borphukan’s domain. The rebellion was headed by Haradutta Bujarbarua
who, with mercenary troops, managed to occupy most of northern Kamrup before
being beaten back.
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The Ahom kingdom emerged from these rebellions much weakened. About one
half of the population of the kingdom perished and the economy was totally
destroyed. Gaurinath Singha’s successors Kamaleswar Singha and Chandrakanta
Singhawere reduced to nominal rulers due to their own incompetencies. The
real power was in the hands of the Prime Minister, Purnananda Buragohain. This
fuelled tensions among other chiefs and one such chief, Badan Chandra
Barphukan, Viceroy of Lower Assam was particularly opposed to the Buragohain.
The Barphukan plotted the murder of Purnananda Buragohain, but the latter
came to know about it. The Buragohain sent Maheswar Parbatiya Phukan to
arrest Badan Chandra Barphukan. Coincidentally, Barphukan’s daughter was
Purnananda Buragohain’s daughter in law, who warned her father about the
developments. The Barphukan fearing execution rushed to Calcutta to seek help
from the Bristish, but was unable to do so. Thereafter he was able to escape to
Burma and sought the help of the Burmese King. The Burmese agreed and
attacked Assam with a strong army in 1817.
The Barphukan plotted the murder of Purnananda Buragohain, but the latter
came to know about it. The Buragohain sent Maheswar Parbatiya Phukan to
arrest Badan Chandra Barphukan. Coincidentally, Barphukan’s daughter was
Purnananda Buragohain’s daughter in law, who warned her father about the
developments. The Barphukan fearing execution rushed to Calcutta to seek help
from the Bristish, but was unable to do so. Thereafter he was able to escape to
Burma and sought the help of the Burmese King. The Burmese agreed and
attacked Assam with a strong army in 1817.
There were three Burmese invasions of Assam between 1817 and 1826, during
which time the Kingdom of Assam (Ahom) came under the control of Burma
from 1821 to 1825. Locally, this period, called the manor din by the Assamese and
Chahi-Taret Khuntakpa (seven years of devastation) in Manipuri, is remembered
with horror.The period ended with the defeat of the Burmese in the First Anglo-
Burmese War and the subsequent annexation of the kingdom to British territory.
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Medieval History(12th to early 19th century AD)

Significant Battles of Medieval history
1. Alaboir Rann (War of Alaboi)

2. Battle of Saraighat
3. Itakhulir Rann (Battle of Itakhuli)
4. Lota Kota Rann
Alaboir Rann (War of Alaboi)

Alaboi Battle is a landmark in the history of Assam. The battle was fought
between the invader Mughals and the Ahom army on August 14, 1669 at Alaboi
near Dadara of Kamrup district.Nearly 10,000 Assamese soldiers laid down their
lives for the sovereignty of Assam. This emboldened the Ahom King for retaliation
after two years under the generalship of Lachit Borphukan that reached its
climax in the battles of Saraighat where the Mughal soldiers under the
commandership of Ram Singha met their 'Waterloo' at the hands of Assamese
soldiers and thus expansionist policy of the Mughals to annex Assam was
eliminated
Battle of Saraighat
The Battle of Saraighat was a naval battle fought in 1671 between the Mughal
Empire (led by the Kachwaha king, Raja Ramsingh I), and the Ahom Kingdom (led
by Lachit Borphukan) on the Brahmaputra river at Saraighat, now in Guwahati,
Assam. Although weaker, the Ahom Army defeated the Mughal Army by brilliant
uses of the terrain, clever diplomatic negotiations to buy time, guerrilla tactics,
psychological warfare, military intelligence and by exploiting the sole weakness of
the Mughal forces—its navy
The Battle of Saraighat was the last battle in the last major attempt by the Mughals
to extend their empire into Assam. Though the Mughals managed to regain
Guwahati briefly after a later Borphukan deserted it, the Ahoms wrested control in
the Battle of Itakhuli in 1682 and maintained it till the end of their rule.
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Background :
In early 1600s, Mughals realized the strategic importance of Brahmaputra valley.
After a few battles with Ahom kings, they signed a treaty of Asurar Ali in 1639,
marking the Barnadi river in the north bank and Asurar Ali in the south bank of
Brahmaputra as the boundary of Ahom Kingdom and Mughal Empire. When
Aurangzeb became the Mughal emperor, Mir Jumla, the Mughal Viceroy at Dhaka
was asked by Aurangzeb to recapture Assam. In 1661, he marched with a large army
and defeated Ahom and captured their capital Garhgaon. The Ahom King
Jayadhwaj Singha agreed to a humiliating treaty. According to the treaty, Ahom
gave territory from Guwahati to the Manas river and also a large amount of money.
The Mughals retreated and Mir Jumla died of illness.
Road to the Battle :

The successor, King Chakradhwaj Singha started making preparation to recover the
lost territories. He appointed Lachit Borphukan as the new commander-in-chief. In
1667, the Ahom army advanced from Garhgaon to Guwahati. Lachit captured
Guwahati and the Mughal had to vacate Guwahati.
Lachit started bolstering Guwahati defence by erecting walls and planting

obstacles to tackle a retaliatory attack by the Mughals. Guwahati has excellent
natural barriers as it is surrounded by hillocks and the Brahmaputra river. Lachit
was focused in ensuring the full safety of Guwahati and planned each move of the
enemy carefully.
In 1669, the Mughals forces consist of 4,000 troopers (from his char-hazaari
mansab), 1,500 ahadis (soldiers recruited by the Emperor) and 500 barqandezes by
an additional 30,000 infantrymen, 21 Rajput chiefs (Thakurs) with their contingents,
18,000 cavalry, 2,000 archers and shieldmen and 40 ships, under Raja Ram Singh
and Rashid Khan, ex-faujdar of Guwahati, reached up to the Manas river with a
huge army. Armies from Koch Bihar also joined the Mughal forces as they were also
vassals of Mughal Empire.
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Aware of Mughal military might and the weakness of the Ahom militia,
especially against the professional cavalry and mounted forces in open fields,
Lachit Borphukan decided to choose the terrain of Guwahati, which was hilly,
on the way to the heart of the Ahom kingdom and without open fields where
the Mughal forces would not have sufficient mobility. The only way east was via
the Brahmaputra river passing through it. The Brahmaputra at Saraighat, at its
narrowest 1 km width, was ideal for a naval defense. To check Mughal advance,
Lachit prepared a complex system of mud embankments in Guwahati. Ahom
allies viz. the Garos, the Jaintia, the Nagas, the Rani of Darrang, the Raja of Rani
joined battle. The Ahom defense was arraigned as :
The north bank, under the command of Atan Burhagohain.

The south bank, under the command of Lachit Borphukan.
Both commanders had a number of pali commanders each defending a specific

strategic area, with each pali reorganized in response to the challenge posed by
Ram Singh’s forces. The Mughal forces were arraigned in four divisions:
The north bank, commanded by Ram Singh himself.
The south bank, under Ali Akbar Khan, Mir Sayyid Khan, Raja Indramani, Raja
Jaynarayan and Marul Khan
The Sindurighopa entrance, under Jahir Beg, Kayam Khan, Ghanashyam Bakshi,
and three Baruah’s from Koch Bihar—Kavisekhar, Sarveshwar and Manmatha.
The river, guarded by the naval commanders Mansur Khan, Latif Khan, Iswarpati,
firinghees (Europeans) and one Kapidan Raja.
When the Mughals found Guwahati impregnable by land, they would be forced
to use their navy, which was their weakest asset. When the Mughal march
reached the Manas river and defeated some Ahom forces, Lachit decided on a
strategic retreat to Guwahati. Three Rajkhowas were asked to meet the Mughal
forces and retreat to Guwahati, keeping the Mughal forces in sight but beyond
the reach of their weapons. When the Mughals reached closer, he started a
sham negotiation via the captured Firuz Khan with Ram Singh, who had set up
camp at Agiathuti, calling the Mughal Emperor the “Bhai Raja” (brother
sovereign) to the Ahom king.
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And when he was ready for the Mughal attacks, he sent words to Ram Singh
that “Guwahati and Kamrup do not belong to the Mughals” since they were
taken from the Koch and that the Assamese were prepared to fight to the last.
The Mughals laid siege to Guwahati for around a year. Lachit knew that his army
could not fight the Mughals in an open-ground attack, so he started guerilla
warfare.
Ram Singh became frustrated due to failed negotiations and attacks on his army,
thus he asked for a duel with the Ahom king. He promised to withdraw from
Assam with his army if he was defeated. Chakradhwaj Singha rejected the offer
on the ground that it was beneath his dignity to duel a mere servant “who has no
umbrella over his head” (who is not a “Chhatrapati”). Annoyed with Ram Singh’s
proposal he ordered Lachit to confront the Mughals militarily. Lachit reluctantly
followed the order and sent in 40,000 and using an anti-koch tactic that had
worked against Chilarai, they dressed their vanguard archers and musketeers as
Brahmans to make the Rajput warriors desist from killing them. Ram Singh, on
the other hand, set a woman, Madanavati, dressed as a man, to command the
vanguard to deny the Ahoms any glory in case of a victory. The battle took place
in the fields adjoining the Alaboi hills.
Ram Singh let loose his veteran horsemen and in the carnage that followed,
10,000 Ahom soldiers were massacred. Lachit did a great job of building a
precautionary defence by digging a line in the rear of his army and that helped
him from total destruction, by pulling remainder of his troops to safety.
Battle at Saraighat
The Mughals wanted Ahom to honour the Asrur Ali treaty of 1639. Mughals were
prepared to compensate Ahom well. However, Ahom did not want to give up their
western part of the kingdom. Atan Burhagohain suspected that the commitment
given by Ram singh will not be eventually honored by the Mughal emperor. Also
giving Guwahati would have amounted to providing Mughals with a hold on the
Brahmaputra valley and a launching pad for attacks on the eastern part of the
kingdom. He was able to persuade the other commanders and the Ahoms rejected
this proposal.
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At the failed diplomacy, the Mughals launched a massive naval attack on the
river at Saraighat. The Ahom soldiers had not recovered from their earlier defeat
and Lachit Borphukan and their admiral were both seriously ill. Ahom were
losing the will to fight and some started retreating.
At this crucial moment in the battle, when the Mughals were about to land at
Andharubali, the Borphukan sent orders via katakis to all the land and naval forces
to attack. Lachit asked his troops to carry him on a boat. Seven boats advanced
against the Mughal fleet. Seeing their leader entering the war had an electrifying
impact of the Ahom soldiers. A large number of small Ahom boats entered the
river quickly and smashed into the Mughal warships. Mughal’s large boats could
not maneuver deftly against the attack from small boats.
The triangle in the Brahmaputra River, between Itakhuli, Kamakhya and

Aswakranta was filled with men and boat and the Ahoms resorted to a combined
front and rear attack. The Mughal admiral Munnawar Khan, smoking a hookah was
killed by a gunshot from the back, throwing the Mughals out of gear. The Mughals
were pursued to the Manas river, the Ahom kingdom’s western boundary.
Lachit died a year later. After a few years, the Mughals briefly recaptured Guwahati,
but in 1682 Ahom won it back. Since then the Brahmaputra valley never became a
part of Mughal empire.
Itakhulir Rann (Battle of Itakhuli)
The Battle of Itakhuli was fought in 1682 between the Ahom Kingdom and the
Mughal Empire. The main battle was fought at a garrison island on the
Brahmaputra, in which the Mughal fauzdar, Mansur Khan, was defeated and the
remnant of the Mughal forces pursued to the Manas river. With this win, the
Ahoms recovered Sarkar Kamrup from the Mughals.With the fall of Itakhuli, the
Ahom kingdom quickly occupied the region up to Manas river, and set up
administration under the Borphukan, with his headquarters at Guwahati.
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Lota kota Rann

Jai Singh of Manipur made a personal appeal to Rajeswar Singha in his court to
help him drive out the Burmese from his kingdom. Rajeswar Singha consulted
his ministers and sent an army consisting of mul and dewal paiks in 1765
commanded by Haranath Senapati Phukan to Manipur directly over the hills
south of Charaideo to reinstate Jai Singh. But the jungle was extremely dense so
that the work of clearing a road was laborious and time consuming. The troops
suffered great hardship, lack of food and many died from raiding Naga tribesmen
and snake bites. The king ordered return of the army. This unsuccessful
expedition came to be known as the Lotakota ron (War of the Creepers)
Important revolts during Medieval Assam History

1. Dundiya rebellion (Dondua Droh)
2. Moamoria Revolt
Dundiya rebellion (Dondua Droh)
The Dundiya rebellion was a late 18th-century uprising against the Ahom
kingdom in the Borphukan‘s domain. The rebellion was headed by Haradutta
Bujarbarua who, with mercenary troops, managed to occupy most of northern
Kamrup. The Ahom kingdom emerged from these rebellions much weakened.
About one half of the population of the kingdom perished and the economy was
totally destroyed. Gaurinath Singha‘s successors Kamaleswar Singha and
Chandrakanta Singhawere reduced to nominal rulers due to their own
incompetencies. The real power was in the hands of the Prime Minister,
Purnananda Buragohain. This fuelled tensions among other chiefs and one such
chief, Badan Chandra Barphukan, Viceroy of Lower Assam was particularly
opposed to the Buragohain.
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Dundiya Revolt was amongst the numerable rebellions which shook Kamrup
during the reign of the Ahom ruler Suklingphaa. According to certain historians,
this revolt was instigated by the improper administration tactics of the then
viceroy of the area of Guwahati named Badan Chandra Borphukan, who
controlled Lower Assam.It is believed that the subordinate officers of this viceroy
and even himself used to offend the local people frequently mainly due to their
unique local dialect. The residents of Lower Assam were forced to tolerate several
forms of insults and abuses by the administrative officials. The local inhabitants
complained to Purnananda Burhagohain and the new king Suklingphaa against
Badan Chandra's torturous regime.
Bir Datta Choudhary and Har Datta Choudhary gradually assembled a group of
Kacharis, Hindustani and Punjabi who ultimately broke free from the
administrative control of Ahom regime. They were the former officers under the
Guwahati viceroy. Finally, the entire North Kamrup slipped into the hands of the
rebels. The Koch kings of Bijni and Cooch Bihar had secretly assisted the brothers in
the sole wish of restoring Kamrup from the kings of Ahom which was once part of
the erstwhile Koch kingdom. While local people are of the view that the two rebel
brothers made a bold attempt to gain freedom for them, against the faulty and
abusive administration of Badan Chandra Borphukan, some historians claim that
they were quite mean who loved spending time in petty quarrels and fights,
creating unnecessary unrest in the kingdom. They termed them as 'Dundiyas'.
Kalia Bhomora was appointed the new 'Borphukan' of Sandikai family as Badan
Chandra was not capable of controlling the rebellion. The rebels were subdued by
the strong practices embraced by Kalia Bhomora who was a resourceful man. He
restored Ahom rule by assembling a few Hindustani mercenaries derived from
Ahom rulers, the Raja of Dimarua and Raja of Beltola. Armed with this strong
military force, Kalia Bhomora crossed Brahmaputra River and won victory against
the rebel forces. A large quantity of Hindustani mercenaries lost their lives in this
rebellion. Ultimately the rebellion concluded and Kalia Bhomora was awarded a
wicker-hat umbrella or 'japi' with a streak of gold by Purnananda Burhagohain and
Suklingphaa. Suklingphaa was also pleased and so granted him the title 'Pratap-
Ballabh', which means 'one whose friend is valour'.
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Moamoria Revolt (Panimua Rebellion)

The Moamoria rebellion (1769–1805) was the 18th century uprising in Ahom
kingdom of presentday Assam that began as power struggle between the
Moamorias, the adherents of the Moamara Sattra, and the Ahom kings. This
uprising spread widely to other sections of Ahom kingdom including disgruntled
elements of the Ahom aristocracy leading to two periods in which the Ahom king
lost control of the capital. Retaking the capital was accompanied by a massacre of
subjects, leading to a steep depopulation of large tracts. The Ahom king failed to
retake the entire kingdom; a portion in the north-east, Bengmara, became known
as Matak Rajya ruled by a newly created office called Borsenapati, became a
tribute-paying but virtually independent territory
The Ahom kingdom emerged from the rebellion much weakened. About one half
of the population of the kingdom perished and the economy was totally
destroyed. The weakened Ahom kingdom fell to a Burmese invasion which
ultimately led to colonization by the British.This rebellion mainly was primarily
among the Moamoria Paiks against the Ahom kingdom. The Moamorias were the
followers of the Moamaria sattra that was predominantly Morans but there were
also the Sonowal Kacharis (gold-washers), Chutias (expert archers and
matchlockmen), professional castes such as Hiras (potters), Tantis (weavers),
Kaibartas (fishermen), Baniya/Brittia Baniya(artisans) and Ahom nobles and
officers. The rising popularity of Moamoria sattra had siphoned off the power of
orthodox Hindu groups and Shakti sect which supported the Ahom kings. The
sattras provided refuge for those seeking to escape the Paik system under which,
any able-bodied person who was not a Brahmin or a noble could be used for
labour, services or conscripted into the army.
The Ahom kingdom was entering a crisis, as the Paik system on which the state
was based was unable to adapt to the changing economy and the emerging social
classes. The rise of the sattras was one of the reason for the leakage of manpower
from the Paik system, and as a result the Ahom kingdom and the sattras came
into increasing conflict.
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Moamara sattra belonged to the nonconformist Kala-samhati sect that competed

against the royalist sattras belonging to other sects. The Ahom kingdom watched
the growth of this sattra with discomfort and heaped insult and repression on the
followers of this sattra. The Moamoria Rebellion started during the reign of
Swargadeo Lakshmi Singha and ended during the reign of Swargadeo Kamaleswar
Singha. It continued up to 36 years, from 1769 to 1805.
Sattra-Ahom conflict
Srimanta Sankardeva established the Eksaran Naam Dharma in the 16th century
which opened itself to all including the Muslims and tribesmen. The religion
provided opportunities for social and economic improvements to common
tribesmen, and the sattras provided a safe haven from mandatory labor under the
Paik system.The Ahom rulers saw a threat and Sankardeva himself had to escape
to the Koch kingdom during the reign of Suklenmung to avoid persecution.
A later king, Prataap Singha, demolished the Kalabari and Kuruabahi sattras and
his successors followed a similar policy of oppression. Jayadhwaj Singha reversed
this policy and his successors up to Sulikphaa Lora Roja tried to come to terms
with the sattras. This policy was again reversed during the reign of Gadadhar
Singha, who began persecuting the sattras. His son, Rudra Singha tried to isolate
the more liberal—and thus most threatening to the Ahom state—of the non-
Brahmin sattras by encouraging the Brahmin sattras. When he realized this policy
was not bearing fruit, he initiated a policy to accord state support to saktism, the
historical and theological bete noire of the Mahapuruxiya dharma, to contain
further sattra influence. This led to more persecutions, the most notable under Bor
Roja Phuleshwari Kunwonri during the reign of Siba Singha. This unresolved
conflict finally exploded into the Moamoria rebellion in the 18th century that so
weakened the Ahom kingdom that it collapsed in the 19th century.
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Moamara sattra belonged to the nonconformist Kala-samhati sect that competed

against the royalist sattras belonging to other sects. The Ahom kingdom watched
the growth of this sattra with discomfort and heaped insult and repression on the
followers of this sattra. The Moamoria Rebellion started during the reign of
Swargadeo Lakshmi Singha and ended during the reign of Swargadeo Kamaleswar
Singha. It continued up to 36 years, from 1769 to 1805.
Sattra-Ahom conflict
Srimanta Sankardeva established the Eksaran Naam Dharma in the 16th century
which opened itself to all including the Muslims and tribesmen. The religion
provided opportunities for social and economic improvements to common
tribesmen, and the sattras provided a safe haven from mandatory labor under the
Paik system.The Ahom rulers saw a threat and Sankardeva himself had to escape
to the Koch kingdom during the reign of Suklenmung to avoid persecution.
A later king, Prataap Singha, demolished the Kalabari and Kuruabahi sattras and
his successors followed a similar policy of oppression. Jayadhwaj Singha reversed
this policy and his successors up to Sulikphaa Lora Roja tried to come to terms
with the sattras. This policy was again reversed during the reign of Gadadhar
Singha, who began persecuting the sattras. His son, Rudra Singha tried to isolate
the more liberal—and thus most threatening to the Ahom state—of the non-
Brahmin sattras by encouraging the Brahmin sattras. When he realized this policy
was not bearing fruit, he initiated a policy to accord state support to saktism, the
historical and theological bete noire of the Mahapuruxiya dharma, to contain
further sattra influence. This led to more persecutions, the most notable under Bor
Roja Phuleshwari Kunwonri during the reign of Siba Singha. This unresolved
conflict finally exploded into the Moamoria rebellion in the 18th century that so
weakened the Ahom kingdom that it collapsed in the 19th century.
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Modern History (early 19th century to 1947)
Introduction
After the treaty of Yandaboo, the people welcomed the British with open arms
because they were seen as saviours. The Assamese had suffered more than
enough on account of the Burmese invasion, Moamoria rebellion, downfall of the
Ahom kingdom. The British, however, saw it as a golden opportunity to annex
Assam to the vast British empire which consisted of almost the whole of India.
The Paik system was alive and posts were filled up with non-Assamese, which did
not go down well with the people, specially the intellectuals. Thus plans were
afoot to overthrow the British and reestablish the Ahom rule.
I. British annexation of Assam
In 1824, the First Anglo-Burmese War broke out. The British attacked the Burmese
garrison in Assam and by 1825, the Burmese were expelled from Assam. According
to the Treaty of Yandabo (1826), the Burmese Monarch Bagyidaw renounce all
claims on Assam. The British thus became the masters of Brahmaputra Valley and
they began to consolidate their rule in Assam. In 1830, the Kachari king Govinda
Chandra was assassinated. Seizing this opportunity, the British annexed Kachari
kingdom in 1832.
In 1833, the Ahom prince Purandar Singha was made a tributary ruler in Upper
Assam. But owing to mismanagement and failure to pay regular revenue, the
British authorities annexed his kingdom in 1838. In 1835, the kingdom of Jaintia
was also annexed. In 1842, the region of Matak and Sadiya was also annexed by
British authorities, and in 1854, the North Cachar Hill district, under Tularam
Senapati's administration, was also annexed into British Empire, thereby
completing their conquest and consolidation of their rule in Assam.
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II. Colonial rule

1. Bengal Presidency (1826–1873):
Assam was included as a part of the Bengal Presidency. The annexation of upper
Assam is attributed to the successful manufacture of tea in 1837, and the
beginning of the Assam Company in 1839. Under the Wasteland Rules of 1838, it
became nearly impossible for natives to start plantations. After the liberalization of
the rules in 1854, there was a land rush. Chinese staff that was imported earlier for
the cultivation of tea left Assam in 1843, when tea plantations came to be tended
by local labor solely, mainly by those belonging to the Kachari group.
From 1859 central Indian labor was imported for the tea plantations. This labor,
based on an unbreakable contract, led to a difficult condition of this labor group.
The conditions in which they were transported to Assam were very horrific. The
colonial government already had monopoly over the opium trade.
Resistance against British

The first notable revolt against the British was led by Dhananjay Borgohain and
Gumadhar Konwar in 1828, a revolt which did not meet with much success. In
1830 Dhananjoy Burhagohain, Piyali Phukan and Jiuram Medhi rose in revolt, and
they were sentenced to death. In the Indian rebellion of 1857, rebels supporters
offered resistance in the form of non-cooperation, and Maniram Dewan and Piyali
Baruah were executed for their roles. In 1861 peasants of Nagaon gathered at
Phulaguri for a raiz mel (peoples' assembly) to protest against taxes on betel-nut
and paan. Lt. Singer, a British officer got into a quarrel with the peasants and was
killed, after which the protests were violently suppressed.
Gamadhar Konwar was sentenced to seven years in prison and Dhananjay
Borgaohain who was given orders to be hanged, fled to Matak kingdom. There he
together with his sons Harakanta and Haranath, son-in-law Jeuram Dualia Baruah,
Piyoli Barphukan, Rupchand and many others secretly set up a plan to attack
Rangpur. But before they could execute the plan, Sadiya Khowa Gohain informed
the British of their plans, because he wanted to prove his loyalty to the
British.Piyoli Barphukan, Jeuram Dualia Baruah were hanged to death in 1830 and
205 the rest were expelled from the country.
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In 1833 Purandar Singha was reinstated by the British, a mere puppet in their
hands. He could not do anything without their permission. This left the elite
section of the society bitterly frustrated as all their hopes were crushed. This
turned them against the king and the British who were waiting for such an
opportunity removed him on the flimsy ground of an incompetent ruler.Thus
Assam passed into the hands of the British. Besides Assam, they annexed Khamti,
Singhphow, Matak, Kachari, Naga, Garo, Luchai and other hilly kingdoms to the
ever-growing British empire.The people, however, did not benefit in any manner,
for the economic scenario did not improve. The time had come when the people
decided to take matters in their own hands. The famous revolt of 1857, found an
echo in Assam under the leadership of Maniram Dewan and Piyoli Barua, who
were consequently hanged in 1858. Other leaders like Madhu Mullick, Kamala
Baruah, Dutiram Baruah, Marangi Khowa Gohain were banished from the State.
Two others viz. Formud Ali and Bahadur Gaon Burha were sent to the Andamans
i.e. Kalapani.
The British dispensed justice in a high handed manner, without making

distinction between innocent and the guilty. Sir Holroyd had this to say in
connection with the innocents pleading for fair play that, ‗We will hang you first,
try you afterwards‘. Although the first armed revolt did not meet with success, the
spark for independence was truly lit.Assam was put under a Commissioner in 1859.
Around that time, farmers of Phulguri, Mangaldol (Pathorughat) and Uttar Kamrup
organised public meetings or mels where they sought to enlighten people about
the reality of British rule. Agrarian revolts took place at Phulaguri, Patharughat,
Rangia and various places of north Kamrup protesting against imposing excessive
taxes.
2.Chief Commissioner's Province (1874–1905):
In 1874, the Assam region was separated from the Bengal Presidency, Sylhet was
added to it and its status was upgraded to a Chief Commissioner's Province. The
capital was at Shillong. The people of Sylhet protested the inclusion in Assam.
Assamese, which was replaced by Bengali as the official language in 1837, was
reinstated alongside Bengali.
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In 1889, oil was discovered at Digboi giving rise to an oil industry. In this period
Nagaon witnessed starvation deaths, and there was a decrease in the indigenous
population, which was more than adequately compensated by the immigrant
labor. Colonialism was well entrenched, and the tea, oil and coal-mining industries
were putting increasing pressure on the agricultural sector which was lagging
behind.The peasants, burdened under the opium monopoly and the troubles by
money lenders, rose again in revolt. Numerous raiz mels decided against paying
the taxes. The protests culminated in a police charge against the protesters at
Patharughat in 1894. At least 15 were left dead and in the violent repression that
followed villagers were tortured and their properties were destroyed or looted.
In 1903, Assam Association was formed with Manik Chandra Baruah as the first
secretary.On the other hand, the British sought to clamp the linguistic freedom of
the natives by introducing Bengali as the medium of instruction in 1837. It was an
unsuccessful attempt since the unstinted efforts by the American Baptist
Missionaries, and front ranking personalities of the day like Anandaram Dhekial
Phukan, Hemchandra Barua, Gunabhiram Baruah - Assamese regained its place as
the medium of instruction in 1873. During those days Calcutta was the Mecca of
higher learning. The Assamese students who pursued their higher studies there
formed various cultural organisations which were aimed at regenerating
Assamese culture and literature. They thought it was important that the element
of cohesiveness should rejoin the social fabric of the State, so that the fight for
liberty could percolate to every strata of society.
In 1884 Jagannath Borooah formed the first such organisation and named it
Sarbajanik Sabha at Jorhat. The foundation of the organisation is a landmark in
the history of political associations in Assam. It was followed by Assam Association
formed by Manik Chandra Baruah. Notable freedom fighters of the period like
Nabin Chandra Bordoloi, Tarun Ram Phukan, Gopinath Bordoloi, Rohini Kumar
Hati Baruah, Vidyadhar Sarma, Chandranath Sarma etc. made the association a
platform for their future political career. Later on this particular association came
to be recognised as the Assam branch of Indian National Congress in 1919. In 1916
Asam Chatra Sanmilan and in 1917 Assam Sahitya Sabha (formerly known as
Sadou Asom Sahitya Sanmilani) were formed.
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3. Eastern Bengal and Assam under Lt. Governor (1906–1912):
Bengal was partitioned and East Bengal was added to the Chief Commissioner's
Province. The new region, now ruled by a Lt. Governor, had its capital at Dhaka.
This province had a 15-member legislative council in which Assam had two seats.
The members for these seats were recommended (not elected) by rotating groups
of public bodies.The Partition of Bengal was strongly protested in Bengal, and the
people of Assam were not happy either. The partition was finally annulled by a
royal decree in 1911.
The Swadeshi movement (1905–1908) from this period, went largely unfelt in
Assam, though it stirred some, most notably Ambikagiri Raychoudhury.Beginning
1905 peasants from East Bengal began settling down in the riverine tracts (char) of
the Brahmaputra valley encouraged by the colonial government to increase
agricultural production and government had successful on that mission. Between
1905 and 1921, the immigrant population from East Bengal increased four folds.
The immigration continued in post colonial times, giving rise to the Assam
Agitation of 1979.
4. Assam Legislative Council (1912–1920):

The administrative unit was reverted to a Chief Commissioner's Province (Assam
plus Sylhet), with a Legislative Council added. The Council had 25 members, of
which the Chief Commissioner and 13 nominated members formed the bulk. The
other members were elected by local public bodies like municipalities, local
boards, landholders, tea planters and Muslims. As Assam got involved into the
Non-Cooperation Movement, the Assam Association slowly transformed itself into
the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (with 5 seats in AICC) in 1920–21.
In 1919-20 like the rest of the country Assam also plunged into the non-
cooperation movement launched by Gandhiji. Leaders like Nabin Chandra
Bordoloi, Tarun Ram Phukan, Chandranath Sarma etc. had to undergo
imprisonment.There was full scale participation. Assam participated in the
national Congress held at Calcutta, where Debi Charan Baruah, Gopinath Bordoloi,
Kamini Kumar Chandra, Bipin Chandra Pal, Satyanath Baruah and Joy Gobinda
Som represented Assam. 1921 is a memorable year in the annals of Assam history
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(1) Gandhiji's visit to Assam,

(2) Strikes by Assam-Bengal train service and steamer companies which were the
cause of widespread unrest and
(3) After a period of 63 years i.e., in 1921 Assam passed into the hands of a Governor,
thus paving the way for a dual administration, which lasted till 1936.
The 41st session of Indian National Congress took place at Pandu at Guwahati in
1926. It was presided over by Srinivas Iyengar. This session was an eye-opener, for it
served as a medium for helping the voice of freedom reach every nook and corner
of Assam. People learned how to make handspun cloths and thereby reject
foreign made goods.
5. Dyarchy (1921–1937):
Under the Government of India Act 1919 the Assam Legislative Council
membership was increased to 53, of which 33 were elected by special
constituencies. The powers of the Council were increased too; but in effect, the
official group, consisting of the Europeans, the nominated members etc. had the
most influence.In 1930 Civil Disobedience was launched by Gandhi and Assam too
plunged into it. Leaders like Hemchandra Baruah. Bishnu Ram Medhi, Omeo
Kumar Das courted imprisonment. Even a large number of women participated in
this struggle.In 1935 self governance in Assam was introduced.
6. Assam Legislative Assembly (1937–1947) :

In the elections held in 1937 although the Congress was able to secure the
maximum number of seats, they were not able to get a majority. Under the
Government of India Act 1935, the Council was expanded into an Assembly of 108
members, with even more powers. The period saw the rise of Gopinath Bordoloi
and Muhammed Saadulah and their role in increasing power and influence.
The leader of Muslim League Sir Sayed Muhammad Saadulla formed the first
council of ministers after securing the approval of other parties. Later on the
Congress came to power, its leader being Gopinath Bordoloi. Finally during the
Second World War, Bordoloi ministry resigned and Sadulla ministry came back to
power in 1939.1942 was the year of the historic Quit India Movement which was
also popularly known as Peoples' Revolution. This movement is historic because it
209 was the last movement before India gained independence.
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In Assam, leaders like Jyotiprasad Agarwala, Gopinath Bordoloi, Siddhinath

Sarmah, Mohammed Tayebullah, Fakaruddin Ali Ahmed, Bishnu Ram Medhi were
the leaders of this movement, who were also imprisoned. In various places this
movement acquired a violent character. Post offices, police stations were put to
fire, rail communication was disrupted. There were many people who laid down
their lives for the sake of freedom of India. They are the people like Bhogeshwari
Phukanani, Kanaklata, Laxmiram Hazarika, Thogiram Sut, Baloram Sut, Mukunda
Kakati, Routa Kachari, Madan Barman etc. Almost 30,500 people were arrested.
Finally in 1945, after the end of Second World War, the Labour party headed by
Clement Attle came to power in Britain. In 1946 Cabinet Mission sat in discussion
with the political leads of India and decided on the transfer of power. The
‗transfer‘ which took place on 15th August, 1947 earned India its independence
1. Resistance against British Rule :
Gomdhar Konwar
Piyoli Phukan
Maniram Dewan
Kanaklata Baruah
Kushal Konwar
Gomdhar Konwar
In 1828, Gomdhar Konwar, a prince of the Ahom royal family, his colleague
Dhanjay Borgohain and their followers rose in revolt against the British occupation
of Assam.By end of 1828 the process extension of British dominion into Assam was
completed. With the assumption of the political power by the officers of the East
India Company, the ruling Ahom monarchy lost not only their political authority
but social privileges too. The feudal structure of the society began to crumble as
new measures were adopted by the colonial rulers to strip the nobility of their
rights and privileges. Their enthusiasm for their new friend, who aided them in
driving out the Burmese from Assam, soon disappeared and supporters of
monarchy began the organize themselves the restore the old Ahom monarchy
and oust the British.
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Gomdhar was formally enthroned near Jorhat according to Ahom rites, and arms
and ammunitions were collected. But before he could make much headway a
counter offensive was made by the British led by Lieutenant Rutherford. The
rebels lost and Gomdhar fled to the Naga Hills. But, soon he and his associates
were arrested by the British. Gomdhar was found guilty of ―illegally assuming the
Insignia of Royalty‖ and sentenced to death. This sentence was subsequently
commuted to seven years of imprisonment in banishment and was deported to
an unknown location.
Piyoli Phukan
Piyoli Phukan is an important personality in the story of India‘s freedom struggle.

He was the son of the infamous Badan Borphukan who brought in army troops
from Myanmar to dethrone the Ahom king in the 18th century. It was this move by
Borphukan that paved the way to British rule in Assam. The British landed in
Assam ostensibly to save the people from the inhuman torture of the Myanmar
army, and in no time took over the reins of administration themselves. The Indian
aristocracy of the time bowed down before the British rulers. Most followed suit,
but not Phukan. Though physically handicapped, the dynamic leader on crutches
was the first to organise a people‘s uprising against the British after the Yandaboo
Pact. With indomitable courage, conviction and support of the masses, Phukan
hatched a dare-devil plan —to blow up a firearms godown of the British rulers.
Everything was going as planned till the English, acting on a tip-off, arrested
Phukan.After a tumultuous trial, on July 26, 1830 Piyoli Phukan was hanged by the
British for his heroic patriotism.
On 1955 Piyoli Phukan movie released directed by Phani Sharma. Phani Sharma's
"Piyoli Phukan" received the "Certificate of Merit" and became the first Assamese
movie to bag the National Award. The famous song Tejore Kamalapati by Bhupen
Hazarika from movie Piyoli Phukan is still popular.
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Maniram Dewan
Maniram Dutta Baruah, popularly known as Maniram Dewan (17 April 1806 – 26
February 1858), was an Assamese nobleman in British India. He was one of the first
people to establish tea gardens in Assam. A loyal ally of the British East India
Company in his early years, he was hanged by the British for conspiring against
them during the 1857 uprising. He was popular among the people of Upper Assam
as "Kalita Raja".
Kanaklata Baruah
She, also called Birbala and Shaheed (martyr), was an Indian independence
activist and AISF leader who was shot dead by the British police while leading a
procession bearing the National Flag during the Quit India Movement of 1942.
During the Quit India Movement Barua joined the Mrityu Bahini, a death squad
comprising groups of youth from the Gohpur sub division of Assam. On 20
September 1942, the Bahini decided it would hoist the national flag at the local
police station. A procession of unarmed villagers were led by Barua to do so.
Undeterred by the police, the procession continued marching ahead when the
police fired upon the procession. Barua was shot and the flag she was carrying
with her was taken up by Mukunda Kakoti who too was shot at. Both Barua and
Kakoti were killed in the police action. Barua was only 17 years of age at the time of
her martyrdom.
Kushal Konwar
Kushal Konwar was a freedom fighter from Assam and he happened to be
the only martyr in India who was hanged during last phase of the Quit India
Movement of 1942-43.
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Quit India Movement

On 8 August 1942 the Congress Working Committee in its meeting in Bombay
passed the "Quit India" resolution. This resolution demanded complete
withdrawal of the British from the India‘s soil. Mahatma Gandhi gave the call of
"do or die" to the people of India. The British reacted by arresting Mahatma and all
the Congress leaders and putting them in jails. Across India, this sparked a
widespread mass movement against the British. Cutting across caste, creed, and
religion people came out to the streets shouting the slogan of "Vande Mataram".
In spite of Gandhiji‘s appeal for peaceful non-cooperation and dharna, in many
regions the movement erupted in violence with people burning offices and
damaging government properties, disrupting road, rail, and telecommunication
networks. Some people of Assam also spontaneously joined this historic
movement of 1942. Two of the leaders of the Assam Pradesh Congress, Gopinath
Bordoloi and Siddhinath Sarma were arrested by the British in Dhubri while
returning from Bombay attending the Congress Working Committee meeting.
Other Congress leaders such as Bishnuram Medhi, Bimala Prasad Chaliha, Md.
Tayebulla, Omeo Kumar Das, Debeswar Sarma, etc., were arrested from different
parts of Assam and thrown into jails. Assam too burned like the rest of India and
many people leaving the path of nonviolence engaged in violence.On 10 October
1942, hidden in the thick fog of early morning, some people removed few sleepers
of the railway line near Sarupathar in Golaghat district. A Military train passing by
derailed and many British and American soldiers lost their lives. The British army
immediately cordoned the area and started an operation to catch the culprits.
Innocent people of the area were rounded up, beaten and harassed. The British
police participated in this reign of terror in which people were beaten up and
arrested.
Accusing Kushal Konwar as the chief conspirator of the train sabotage, the
British police arrested him. An ardent follower of Gandhiji and his principle
of nonviolence, Kushal was ignorant about the sabotage plan and action. He
was innocent but the police charged him as the mastermind of the train
sabotage. He was brought from Golaghat and was lodged in the Jorhat jail
on 5 November 1942.Kushal was sentenced to death by hanging. He
accepted the verdict with dignity. At dawn on 15 June 1943 at 4:30 am,
Kushal Konwar was hanged in Jorhat Jail.
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Assam Geography Overview

Geographically Assam is situated in the north-eastern region of the Indian sub-
continent. It covers an area of 78,523 sq. kilometers (approximate). Assam – the
gateway to north-east India is a land of blue hills, valleys and rivers. She has
lavishly bestowed upon her unique natural beauty and abundant natural wealth.
The natural beauty of Assam is one of the most fascinating in the country with
evergreen forests, majestic rivers, rich landscape, lofty green hills, bushy grassy
plains, rarest flora and fauna, beautiful islands and what not. The capital of Assam
is Dispur and the state emblem is one-hoed rhino. Its literacy rate in 72.19% (as per
Census 2011).
Assam is bounded by Manipur and Nagaland in the east and in the west by West
Bengal, in the north by Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh and in the south by
Mizoram, Tripura, Bangladesh and Meghalaya. The physiographic of Assam is one
of the most enchanting in the country. It can be classified into three well-defined
geographical regions
1. The Brahamaputra Valley
2. The Barak Valley
3. The hilly regions comprising the North Cachar Hills (Now Dima Hasao) and the
karbi Anglong district which separate the two valleys.
The second natural division of Assam is the Barak or Surama Valley which is
surrounded by North Cachar, Manipur and Mizoram. This valley is dominated
by the Barak river. It flows through the valley and finally empties itself to the
old bed of Brahmaputra in Bangladesh. This valley has hills and ‘Beels’ or
lakes in plenty. Flood is a common feature lending the quality of fertility to
the valley.
The Brahamaputra Valley and Barak Valley are separated by long range of
hills. The Karbi Hills and the North Cachar Hills are located in the south of
the Brahmaputra valley. Karbi hills are a part of the Meghalaya plateau.
These hills are dotted with plain areas. Greenery is the hallmark of these
hills, slowly reaching their full height towards the middle of the North
Cachar district, merging with the Barail range-which is the highest hill range
214 in Assam.
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The elevation of the Barail range varies from 1,000 to 1,200 metres above sea level.
This valley is full of dense forest and rare wildlife. Nesting at the foothills of the
Himalayas, Assam is the place where one can find natural peace and solace. There
are a few states in India which have such vast fertile valleys, dense forests,
numerous rivers and lofty hills. Assam, is located about 79.5m above sea level:
Sadiya 134m, Dibrugarh 104m, Guwahati 50m, Goalpara 37m, and Dhubri 28m.
Physiography
Geographically Assam is a shadow of its former self. It has been reduced to one-
third of its original size in thirty years’ time. By virtue of its geographical location,
Assam occupies a strategic position in the political map of India. The State forms
the core of the north-easte region of the country and provides the focal points of
transport and communication lines serving its neighbouring states.
Climate of Assam
Assam does not have the normal Indian hot, dry season. The temperature of
Assam is moderate, about 84 degrees F in the hottest month of August. The
average temperature in January is 61 degrees F. In this season there is heavy
fog and bristles. Sometimes the rain occurs during March. From June
onwards there will be Monsoon winds. Rainfall is highest in Assam. Annual
rainfall varies from 70 inches in the west and 120 inches per year in the east.
The heavy rain usually results in destructive floods. Twenty percent of
Assam’s total area is covered with forest. Deers, elephants, Royal Bengal
tigers and wild pigs inhabit the forests. The important forest products are
lac, timber, bamboo and firewood.
Location
The state of Assam is situated in the heart of the north-east coer of Indian
subcontinent. It is located in between latitude 24010’ N to 27058’ N and
longitude 89049’ E to 97026’ E.
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Boundaries
Assam is surrounded by Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh on the north; Nagaland,
Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh on the east; Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura on
the south; and Bangladesh, Meghalaya and West Bengal on the west. Assam is
connected with the rest of Indian Union by a narrow corridor in West Bengal that
runs for 56 kms. Below foothills of Bhutan and Sikkim.
National Parks of Assam

Assam is one of the lands comprising of the seven sisters. Blessed richly with
diverse flora and fauna. Geographically made up of The Eastern Hills of The
Northern Himalayas and The Brahmaputra Plains, Assam has copious forests.
With the tropical monsoon rainfall type of climate Assam is one of the greenest
states of the country. Because of its profuse forests Assam witnesses ample of rare
species that seek shelter in the greens of the nature. Assam’s rich biodiversity has
an enormous wildlife of flora and fauna, that draws a lot of wildlife lovers to this
state.
As of now Assam has Seven national parks,
1) Kaziranga National Park

2) Manas National park,
3) Orang National Park,
4) Dibru-Saikhowa National Park,
5) Nameri National Park,
6) Raimona national park,
7) Dehing patkai national park
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Kaziranga National Park

This famous national park of Assam is situated in the Golaghat and Nagaon
districts of the state of Assam, India. It is located on the banks of the Brahamputra
River. Covering an area of approximately 430 sq. kms is recognized as an
Important Bird Area of the world.
The Kaziranga Park is one of the oldest National parks in Assam, being declared as
National Park in 1974. Kaziranga was originally established as a reserved forest in
1908. Later, it was converted in to a game sanctury till 1938. A forest
conservationist, P. D. Stracey renamed this sanctury to Kaziranga Wildlife
Sanctuary in 1950. Kaziranga was declared as World Heritage Site by UNESCO for
its quality natural environment. In 2006 it is also declared as Tiger Reserve.
Kaziranga National Park is home to world’s great one-horned rhinoceroses with
total population of 2401. Intersected by four major rivers the forest land shows
multiple areas with different characteristics and hence housing some of the rarest
species of both flora and fauna. Apart from the rhinos the Asian Elephants also
find their shelter in the grasslands of Kaziranga National Park. The other
inhabitants of the park are wild boars, barasingha (swamp deer), monitor lizards,
Indian bison, Swamp deer, Samber, Hog deer, Sloth Bear, Tiger, Leopard, Leopard
cat,Jungle cat, hog badger, Capped langur, Hoolock gibbon, Jackal, Goose,
Hornbills, lbis, Cormorants, Egret, Heron Fishing Eagle etc. Kaziranga is also known
for its vibrant bird life. Birds including Fishing Eagle, Oriental Honey Buzzard,
Himalayan Griffon and White-tailed Eagle are easily spotted in the area.
9 of the 14 primate species found in India occur in the Kaziranga National Park as
well as the only ape found in India, the hoolock gibbon. The landscape of
Kaziranga is of sheer forest, tall elephant grass, rugged reeds, marshes & shallow
pools. This park is very famous for its wild life inhabitation including many species
of rhinoceroses, as well as many animals, including elephant, and numerous bird
species. Kaziranga is one of the largest Protected Areas in India and one of the
most significant conserved forest areas on the earth. In addition to numerous
species of resident birds it serves as the winter visiting ground to many migratory
birds. So, the park has also been identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA). Today,
Kaziranga is one of the richest, most picturesque wildlife habitats of southern
Asia.
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Manas National Park

Manas National Park is a national park, UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, a
Project Tiger reserve, an elephant reserve and a biosphere reserve. The park area
falls in Assam’s five districts viz. Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, Barpeta, Udalguri and
Darrang, on the foothills of the Himalayas and it is contiguous with the Royal
Manas National Park in Bhutan. It is spread over an area of 391 square kilometers in
Assam. Occupying a large area the park is home to an ample of flora and fauna.
With the typical tropical monsoon rainfall type of climate the national park houses
more than twenty five species that are endangered world-wide. Animals like Wild
Water Buffaloes, Assam Roofed Turtle, Golden Langoor and Hispid Hare can also
be seen along with the rare Pygmy Hog.
The Manas National Park was declared a sanctuary on 1 October 1928 with an area
of 360 km2. Manas bioreserve was created in 1973. It was declared a national park
in 1980. It was declared a World Heritage site in December 1985 by UNESCO. On 25
February 2008 the area was increased to 950 km2. On 21 June 2011, it was removed
from the List of World Heritage in Danger and was commended for its efforts in
preservation. in 1973 it got its designation as a Tiger Reserve and it’s the only tiger
project of Assam. The name of the park is derives from the Manas River, which is
named after the serpent god Manasa. The Manas River is a major tributary of
Brahmaputra River, which passes through the heart of the national park.
Manas known for its Project Tigers, Rhinos & Elephants, and is Assam’s one of the
two Tiger projects. The sanctuary is home to a great variety of wildlife, including
tiger, Golden Langur, Wild Buffalo, Hispid Hare, Pigmy Hog, Capped Langur,
Indian one-horned Rhinoceros, Elephant, Gaur, Hog Deer, etc. The Manas Wildlife
National Park is home to more than 450 species of birds also. 374 species of major
flora are recorded from the park includes Melastoma malbathricum, Oroxylum
indicum, Toona ciliata, Trewia nodiflora, Sterculia villosa, Bischofia javanica,
Pouzolzia zeylanica, Syzygium formosum, Terminalia bellarica, Zingibar
zecumber, Bauhinia sps., Bombax ceiba, Careya arborea, Chukrasia tabularis etc.
The main types of forests are Sub-Himalayan High Alluvial Semi-Evergreen
Forests, East Himalayan Moist Mixed Deciduous Forests, Low Alluvial Savana
Woodland ,Assam Valley Semi-Evergreen Alluvial Grasslands
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Dibru Saikhowa National

Park
Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is one of the largest park of Assam, is situated in
the south bank of the river Brahmaputra in the extreme east of Assam state in
India. It is a National Park as well as a Biosphere Reserve having an area of 340 sq.
kms in Tinsukia district. This national park is a home to some of the rare creatures.
Dibru Saikhowa National Park area lies in the Indo-Burma Global Biodiversity
Hotspot ( one of the 19 biodiversity hotspots in the world). It’s fauna diversity
comprises of semi wet evergreen forests, tropical moist deciduous forest, swamp
forests, bamboo, cane brakes and grasslands.
The national park consists of a total of 36 species which include Hog Deer,
Gangetic Dolphin, Royal Bengal Tiger, Jungle Cat, Asaiatic Water Buffalo, Capped
Langur, Small Indian Civet, barking Deer, Slow Loris, Clouded Leopard, Asian
Elephant, Chinese Pangolin, Malayan Giant Squirrel, etc. Semi-wild horse. It
witnesses over 500 species of birds, both migratory and local. Species like white-
winged duck, marsh babbler, white rumped vulture that are close to extinction
seek refuge in this park. White winged Wood- Duck and Black-breasted Parrotbill
Feral Horses are species of wild life which makes Dibru Saikhowa very famous. The
National Park also conserve the White-Winged Wood Duck which are very rare.
This area was called as the Dibru Reserve Forest in the year 1890 and in the year
1920 some additional areas were also added to this Dibru Reserve Forest. The in
the year 1929 the Dibru Reserve Forest was named as Saikhowa Reserve Forest. In
the year 1995 this Saikhowa Reserve Forest was declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary.
It was designated a Biosphere Reserve in July 1997. In the year 1999 this Wildlife
Sanctuary was again declared as a National Park.
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Nameri National Park
Sharing its boundary with Arunachal Pradesh and therefore merging with the
Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary, Nameri National Park is built up on an area of
approximately 200 sq km. The Park situated in the District of Sonitpur of Assam,
is also an Elephant reserve. Animals like tiger, Himalayan Black Bear, Wild Boar
and Indian Giant Squirrel are its common inhabitants. Birds like Ibis bill,
Wreathed horn bill, black stork and Rufous necked hornbill find home here. The
National Park also houses the orchids that make it rich in its flora as well.
The park is the second Tiger reserve of Assam. It was established as a sanctuary on
18th September 1985 and was officially declared as a National Park on 15th
November, 1998. It is counted amongst the richest and most threatened reservoirs
of plant and animal life in the world. Nameri is a haven for many rare animals. The
rich wildlife includes Tiger, Black bear, elephant, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Indian
Bison, Pangolin, Indian wild dog, deer, Civet Cat, Capped Langur, Jackals
etc.Various species of birds such as the endangered white winged wood duck, four
species of Hornbill, butterflies and reptiles are also found here.
Together the Nameri National Park in Assam and the Pakhui wildlife sanctuary in
Arunachal pradhesh cover up a vast area of more or less 1000 square kilometres.
This deciduous and moist jungle of bamboo brakes, canes and narrow grass strips
along river banks is the ideal habitation for animals like elephants, tigers and a
wide range of migratory birds.
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Orang National Park

Orange National Park is situated in the Darrang and Sonitpur districts of Assam.
Parksmall, the park is spread in about 78 sq km. Orang National
Being comparatively
Park has a strong hold of one-horned rhinos in the region.
The uniqueness of the park lies in the fact that it houses more than 50 species of
fishes. This park is oldest game reserve of the State and an important breeding
ground for varieties of Fishes. The animals found in this sanctuary are the One-
horned Rhinoceros, Leopard, Elephant, Sambar, Barking Deer, Tiger, varieties of
water birds, Green Pigeon, Florican, Teal , Goose, Otters, hog deer, Indian civet,
Rhesus macaque, Bengal porcupine, Indian pangolin, Indian fox etc. Various
species of birds such as the Pelican, Cormorant, Greylag Goose, Large Whistling
Tea Great Adjutant Stork, King Vulture etc. have also found this sanctuary to be
their ideal habitat.
It is also known as the mini Kaziranga National Park because of similar landscape,
streams and grassland. The Park was established as a sanctuary in 1985 and
declared a National Park on 13th of April 1999.
Raimona National park

The Raimona National Park is within the Bodoland Territorial Region. The
boundary of Raimona National Park, which forms with the Sonkosh River on the
west along the inter-state boundary of West Bengal and Assam from Indo-Bhutan
border up to fire line Ride-6 southwards (BP30) and Saralbhanga River on the east,
runs northwards till it touches the Indo-Bhutan international boundary on the
north and remaining part of Ripu RF on the south.
The southern boundary runs eastwards along the fire line Ride-6 up to Pekua
River where it runs at 90 degrees southwards till it meets the fire line Ride-3.
The Raimona National Park shares contiguous forest patches of Phipsoo Wildlife
Sanctuary and Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park in Bhutan (total area of
1,999 square km), creating a trans-boundary conservation landscape of more than
2,400 square km.
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Dehing Patkai National park
Dehing Patkai National park is located within the larger Dehing Patkai Elephant
Reserve, which spreads across the coal- and oil-rich districts of Upper Assam
(Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts).
• The Dehing Patkai National park is also known as the Jeypore Rainforest.
• Dehing is the name of the river that flows through this forest and Patkai is the hill
at the foot of which the national park lies.
• The oldest refinery of Asia in Digboi and ‘open cast’ coal mining at Lido are
located near the National Park.
Fauna: Rare fauna found in the region include Chinese pangolin, flying fox, wild
pig, sambar, barking deer, gaur, serow and Malayan giant squirrels.
• It is the only sanctuary in India which is home to seven different species of wild
cats – tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, leopard cat, golden cat, jungle cat and
marbled cat.
• Assamese macaque, a primate found in the forest, is in the red list of Near
Threatened species.
• It has the highest concentration of the rare endangered White Winged Wood
Duck.
Flora: Dehing Patkai is a deciduous rainforest interspersed with semi-evergreen

and lush green flora.
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Wildlife Sanctuaries in Assam

Assam is blessed with rich biodiversity of enormous wildlife of flora and fauna,
that draws a lot of wildlife lovers to this state. Geographically located in the
Eastern Hills of The Northern Himalayas and The Brahmaputra Plains, Assam has
copious forests. With the tropical monsoon rainfall type of climate, the Assam
state is one of the greenest states of the country.
Assam has 17 (Seventeen) Wildlife Sanctuaries (WS) in total and two more are
proposed to be declared as Wildlife Sanctuaries. These protected area of Assam
considered as one of the important wildlife areas for the protection of primate
diversity and flora and fauna. Besides, Assam also has five National Parks.
1. Garampani Wildlife Santuary

2. Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary
3. Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Chakrasila Wildlife Sanctuary
5. Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary
6. Panidehing Wildlife Sanctuary
7. Hollongapar Wildlife Sanctuary
8. Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary
9. Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary
10. Bherjan – Borajan – Padumoni Wildlife Sanctuary
11. East K. Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary
12. Nambor Wildlife Sanctuary
13. Marat Longri Wildlife Sanctuary
14. Nambor – Doigrung Wildlife Sanctuary
15. Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary
16. Borail Wildlife Sanctuary
17. Deepar Beel Wildlife Sanctuary
* Bordoibam Bilmukh Bird Wildlife Sanctuary (Proposed)

* North K. Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary (Proposed)
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Forest Types of Assam

Forests of Assam have rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. It has a wide range of
forests viz. Evergreen and Semi Evergreen forests, Mixed Deciduous forests, Sal
forests, Riverine forests, Moist Savannah, Dry Savanna and Dry Miscellaneous type
of forests. Managing these vast natural and life sustaining ecosystems is a
herculean task in itself. The State Government accords top most priority for the
conservation of these diverse ecosystems while keeping the needs and
aspirations of the people into consideration and remembering that we owe this
for the future generations.
The climatic conditions cause prevalence of highly humid weather coupled with
heterogenic physiography Assam a distinct identity phyto-geographically, many
a species are endemic to this region and it is also the center of origin for
commercially important plants including Banana, Citrus, Mango, Zizyphus, and
Tea.
The forest in Assam can be described into following types/ sub types.
Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests.
Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests.
Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests.
Sub-tropical Broadleaf Hill Forests.
Sub-tropical Pine Forests.
Littoral and Swamp Forests.
Grassland and Savannahs.
Evergreen forests
Evergreen forests – The reserved forests of the State are distributed mainly in a
few definite areas .These are along the foothills of the Himalayas; in deep alluvial
land commonly known as the Bhabar and Terai tracts; along the southern edge of
the Brahaputra Valley, touching the foothills of the central hilly region and lastly
in the hills surrounding valley of the Barak and its tributaries.
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The evergreen forests of most of the districts are composed of broad leafed
species where rainfall is usually heavy. Both evergreen and semi-evergreen forests
flourish in alluvial soil having capacity to retain water. Heavy rainfall exceeding
254 cms a year is required for their growth. Distribution of plants depends on
rainfall and geographical configuration of the country. In heavy rainfall areas, the
incidence of plants of different varieties is also heavy. The main species found in
these forests are Sal, Bonsum, Titasopa, Hollock, Khokan, Gameri and other
species. Usually these forests contain from Sal (Shorea robusta) to miscellaneous
evergreen forest trees.
It appears that both evergreen and semi-evergreen forests are represented by

varieties of important trees. It may also mention that Sal is one of the important
naturally durable timber species of India, which predominates in the southern
part of Kamrup district.
Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests
Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests are found in the districts of Golaghat, Jorhat,
Sibsagar, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and in a narrow stretch in Lakhimpur and Dhemaji
districts along foot hills. These forests also occur in the southern part of the State
at lower elevations in Borail Range, and in Loharbund, Sonai, Longai and Dholia
Reserve Forests in Cachar and Karimganj Districts.
Hollong (Dipterocarpus macrocarpus), the tallest tree of Assam and also the
“State Tree” is the most predominant constituent of these forests. The associated
species are Borpat, Jutuli ,Sam, Dewa sam, Nahar , Teeta chap, Bhelu, Mekai etc.
Forests in Southern Assam have, however, Dipterocarpus terbinatus(Garjan) in
association with Mesua ferrea (Nahar), Mesua floribunda ( Bolong)), Michelia
glabra (Champ), Palaquium polyanthum (Kathalua) etc.
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Tropical Semi Evergreen Forests

Tropical Semi Evergreen Forests occur mostly in Hallangapar, Abhoypur, Dilli,
Dhansiri, Kholahat, Mayong, Garbhanga, Rani, Mahamaya, Guma, Haltugaon,
Kachugaon, Gali, Pobha, Ranga, Kakoi, Nauduar, Batasipur, Dohalia, Singla,
Longai, Bhuban Pahar, Sonai, Barak and Inner Line Reserve Forests along
Northern and Southern parts of the State. These forests have mostly medium size
trees with few large trees. Shrubs, lianas, climbers, orchids and ferns grow
copiously. At the fringe bamboos and canes occupy the space.
Species association and frequency of their occurrence vary from forest to forest,
but the ones commonly found are Actinodaphne obovata (Petarichawa),
Aesculus species (Ramanbih), Artocarpus chama(Sam), Albizia species(Siris, Sau,
Koroi), Anthocephalus chinensis (Kadam), Duabanga grandiflora (Khakan),
Castonopsis species (Hingori, Dhobahingori, Kanchan),Dillenia indica (Ou-tenga),
Bauhinia purpurea (Kanchan), Lagerstroemia species( Jarul, Ajar,Sidha), Magnolia
species(Phulsopa, Gahorisopa, Pansopa, Kharikasopa, Kathalsopa,
Duleesopa),Mallotus species( Sinduri, Joral, Dudhloti, Buritokan), Michelia
champaca(Teeta campa), Syzygium species( Paharijam, Mokrajam, Berjamu,
Kolajamu, Bogijamu, golapjamu). Schima wallichii (Bolem,Ghugra), Terminalia
species, (Hilikha, Bohera, Bhomora), Trewia nudiflora( Bhelkor), Hatipolia, Holok
etc.
Moist Deciduous Forests

Moist Deciduous Forests can further be described as Sal Forests and Mixed
Deciduous Forests. Sal Forests occupy considerable forest area in the Central and
Lower parts of the State in the Districts of Nagaon, Morigaon, Kamrup, parts of
Nalbari and Barpeta, Darrang, Dhubri, Kokrajhar and Goalpara. In these forests,
Sal grows in association with Lagerstroemia species( Jarul, Ajar), Schima Wallichii(
Ghugra), Stereospermum personatum (Paruli), Adina cordifolia (Haldu),
Artocarpus species ( Sam), Ficus species( Bor, Dimoru, Dhupbor, Bot, Athabor,
tengabor, Lotadioru, Khongaldimoru), Bischofia javanica (Uriam), Gmelina
arborea (Gomari), Michelia champaca(Teeta champa), Terminalia species (Hilikha,
Bhomora, Bohera). Toona ciliate (Poma) etc.
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Moist Deciduous Mixed Forests

Moist Deciduous Mixed Forests occur at the foot of hills in Lakhimpur, Dhemaji,
Karbi-Angong and N. C. Hills districts. Trees are mostly deciduous with Sprinkling
of few evergreen and semi-evergreen species. Important plant species growing in
these forests include Adina cordifolia Haldu), Albizia species(Siris, Kolasiris, Koroi,
Sau) Alstonia scholaris(Satiana), Artocarpus chama (Sam), Careya arborea(
Kumbhi), Dalbergia species(Sissoo, Medelua), Ficus species (Bot, Bor, Dimoru),
Lagerstroemia species (Jarul, Ajar), Mallotu species (Senduri, Joral, Dudhloti) etc.
These forest harbour rich diversity of shrubby and herbaceous ground vegetation.
Some of the Reserve Forests also have teak plantations.
Bordering Moist Deciduous Forests in rain shadow areas are found forests which
has been referred to as “Dry Forests” by Kanjilal. This type of forests are
encountered in the Lumding, Langting, Mailongdisa Reserve Forests. A typical
example is the Umananda Island in the middle of Brahmaputra North of
Guwahati. Important species include, Aegle marmelos(Bel), Albizia species(Siris),
Cassia fistula(Sonaru), Bombax (Simul), Alstonia scholaris(Satiana), Ficus
species(Bor), Litsea species( Loban, Bagnola, Mezankori, Honwalu,Digloti) Melia
azedarach( Neem), Moringa oleifera(Sajana), Orosylum indicum(Bhatgila),
Mallotus species(Senduri), Terminalia species(Hilikha,Bhomora) etc.
Sub-tropical Broad Leaf Hills

forests
Sub-tropical Broad Leaf Hills forests and Sub-tropical Pine forests occur in the
districts of Karbi-Anglong and N. C. Hills. Species commonly occurring are
Alseodaphne petiolaris(Ban-hanwalu), Antidesma bunius, Betula alnoides,
Cleidon speciflorum etc. Higher up pure stands of Pinus kesiya(Khasi-pine) are
found particularly in the Hamren sub-division in Karbi-Anglong district.
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Grass land and Savannahs
Grass land and Savannahs are grass dominated biomes and form the major part
of vegetation in Kaziranga National Park, Pobitora, Orang, Sonai-Rupai,
Laokhowa, Barnadi, Burachapori, Dibru-Saikhowa Wildlife Sanctuaries and some
part in Manas National Park.
Grasslands support important wildlife population in Assam. Important grasses
are Apluda mutica, Phragmatis karka, Sclerostachya fusca, Saccharum species
etc. These species grow gregariously at the onset of monsoon and grow even
upto 6 meters tall. This type of forests occur in patches in most of the reserved
forests of the State particularly in North Kamrup, Darrang, Sonitpur, Kokrajhar,
Dhubri, Bangaigaon, Goalpara and Nowgong.
In Central Assam, Dry Savannah type forest occurs in open areas in dry
miscellaneous forests and are characterised by species like Ulu, Khagari and other
grasses. Besides, grasses like Ikara and Nal are also in this type of forests.
Sporadiccaly in certain areas under this type species like Bejaowe, Simul Sida,
Udal, Jamuk ,Kuhir, Khoir, Bohera, Kum,etc.,are also found.
The grass forests of Savannah type gets burnt every year making the soil very dry
and unfit for the invasion and establishment of other species towards the climax
forests. But whenever for some reasons fire cannot penetrate, there is a tendency
towardsmixed deciduous forests. Though at present such forests have not got
much commercial importance except for catering to the needs of the villagers for
the grazing of cattle and requirement of agricultural and constructional
materials, great improvement can be made to such forests by improving the
stock by artificial regeneration and complete protection from fire.
Littoral and Swamp forests have almost lost their identity because of biotic
pressure on land. Presently sedges and grasses form the largest component of
vegetation. Important species include Ageratum conyzoides, Alocasia species,
Alpinia species., Amaranthus species., Bacopa species., Blumea species., Bombax
species., Crotolaria species. etc.
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In the riverine forests, Simalu (Bombax malabaricum) and Sisso (Dulbergia Sissso)
are found. In the district of Kamrup, evergreen trees contain Bhelu (Trameles
grandis), Satiana, Amari, Gandhsorai, Poma, Bogipoma, Titasopa, Bota (Morus
Lacvigata) Bhomora, Silikha, Paruli (Stariospermum Chelenoides), Dhuna, Gogra,
Maz, Seling, Borhamthuri, Jaipoma, Gohara, Owtenga, Sal, Jamuk, Koliori, Uriam,
Letaku, Ritha, Rudrakhya, Thekera, etc.
Most of these trees as useful as timber, medicinal matter and food. The riverine
forests of the State are mainly found along the banks of big streams or Chaparis
of big rivers. The forest areas found in Kanamakra, Manas, Beki, Pagladiya and
Puthimari, Barnadi, Nanoi etc., are instances of riverine forests. Usual combination
or Khoir and Sissioais found in this group of forests.
In Kamrup, Nalbari and Barpeta districts, this type of forest with Sissoo first
coming in and then khoir has the tendency to change over to the mixed
decidious forests if left to nature alone, by subsequent invasion of species like
Simul, Koroi, Udal, Kuhir, Khokan, Gomari, Sida,etc.,and hence is an early stage of
succession towards the climax forests. In the Brahmaputra alluvium of the State,
the principal species of this group of forests is Simul or Simalu. The Jamuna and
the Kapili valley alluvoums in central Assam contain the mixed type of forests and
is composed of trees like Koroi, Ajhar, Uriam, Simalu, Outenga,etc., and also in the
well drained soils the better species like Sopa, Poma, Gandhsorai,Amari,etc, are to
be seen.
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Mountains and Hills of Assam and NE Region
The state of Assam along with whole Northeast India region is full of amazing
valleys, Astonishing Waterfalls, dense forest and great hills and that’s why it’s also
called as “The land of the Red River and Blue Hills”. Assam has numerous
mountain ranges and hills which are home to wide range of flora and fauna.
Purvanchal Range
The Purvanchal Mountains or Eastern Mountains are a sub-mountain range of the
Himalayas in northeast India covering the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh,
Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram. The range is an eastern
extension of the Himalayan Range System, is north eastern India. It bends sharply
to the south beyond the Dihang River gorge, and spreads along the eastern
boundary of India with Myanmar.
The Purvanchal range includes the hill ranges of the Patkai Hill, Barail Range,
Mizo Hills and Naga Hills. The Garo, Khasi and Jaintia hills are part of Shillong
Plateau, and not part of the Purvanchal range.
Assam Himalaya
A portion in the lower Himalayan mountains range is known as Assam Himalaya
between the border of Bhutan and the Great Bend of the Tsangpo River. Yarlung
Tsangpo River originates from Lake Manasarovar in Mount Kailash and known as
Dihang river in Arunachal Pradesh. The range provides shelter to number of flora
and fauna. Namcha Barwa is the highest mountain peak of Assam Himalaya
range. Namcha Barwa (7,782 m) is the highest peak of its own section as well as
Earth’s easternmost peak over 7,600 metres.
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Patkai Range
The Patkai mountain range also known as Purvanchal Range, one of the eight
mountain range in India and the major of India’s North Eastern states. Patkai
Range is consist of three major hills, viz. The Patkai-Bum,the Garo-Khasi-Jaintia
and Lushai Hills. The Patkai hill range are not as rugged as the Himalayas and the
peaks are much lower in height. Features of the range include conical peaks,
steep slopes and deep valleys. The climate range from temperate to alpine due to
differencies in altitude.
Three mountain ranges come under the Patkai. The Patkai-Bum (Burmese
Kumon Taungdan), the Garo-Khasi-Jaintia, and the Lushai Hills, highest point
Phawngpui Tlang, also known as ‘Blue Mountain‘. The Garo-Khasi range is in the
Indian state of Meghalaya. Mawsynram and Cherrapunji, on the windward side of
these hills are the world’s wettest places, having the highest annual rainfall. The
Pangsau Pass offers the most important route through the Patkai. The Ledo Road
was built through Pangsau Pass as a strategic supply road built over the range
during World War II to link India with the Burma Road into China.
Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills

The Khasi and Jaintia Hills are a mountainous region is a part Meghalaya, which
includes the present districts of East Jaintia Hills district, West Jaintia Hills district,
East Khasi Hills district, and West Khasi Hills district. The hills of Khasi is the part
of major Garo-Khasi range in Meghalaya and also the part of the Patkai mountain
ranges. Khasi Hills got its name by Khasi tribes of the region.
Cherrapunji is the wettest place in the world is situated in the East Khasi Hills and
Lum Shyllong is the highest peak(1,968 metres high). The Jaintia Hills are located
further to the east from the Khasi Hills.
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Garo Hills
The Garo Hills is located in Meghalaya state and part of Garo-Khasi range. It is one
of the wettest places in the world. The range is part of the Meghalaya subtropical
forests eco-region.
Nokrek Peak is the highest point of the Garo Hills region of the State, Nokrek
Peak stands 1412 metres above sea level. The mother germo plasm of Citrus-
indica have been discovered by science researchers within Nokrek Range. This
discovery led to the establishment of the National CitrusGene Sanctuary-cum-
Biosphere Reserve at Nokrek covering an area of forty seven square kilometres.
Tura Peak is a majestic hill stands on the eastern flank of Tura, the largest town in
the Garo Hills region of the State. It peaks 872metres above sea level.
Balpakram is a National Wildlife Park, located in SouthGaro Hills and 167 km from
Tura. It is home to the rare Lesser Panda, the Indian bison and the Stag like Serow.
Siju Caves is the famous limestone caves of Siju are located near Simsang River in
Siju village.
Lushai Hills
The Lushai Hills also known as Mizo Hills is one of the three part of Patkai
mountain range, located in Mizoram and Tripura. Mizo Hills is highly covered with
dense bamboo jungle and rank undergrowth; but in the eastern portion, owing
probably to a smaller rainfall, open grass-covered slopes are found, with groves of
oak and pine interspersed with rhododendrons.
Phawngpui, also known as Blue Mountain is the highest mountain peak

(elevation of 2157 m), located in Mizoram.
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Naga Hills
The Naga Hills are actually part of Indian Territory mountain ranges of Arakan
Mountains between the western Burma and the Naga Hills district. The hills, due
to their complexity and position, form a barrier between the India and Myanmar
(Burma).
The Naga Hills, reaching a height of around 3,825 metres (12,549 ft). The highest
point of Naga hills is Mount Saramati (3826 m). Naga Hills is one of the major
tribal region of Nagaland state and inhabited by Naga people.
Jampui Hills
Jampui Hills is a hill range located in the North Tripura district of Tripura. The
average altitude of the hill range is approximately 1000 metres above sea level. Its
habitants are mainly Mizo or Lushai. The Jampui Hills stretch from North to South
and are bordering the state Mizoram in the east.
Betalongchhip (930 m high), also known as Betlingchhip, Balinchhip and
Thaidawr, is the highest point in Tripura. Jampui Hills is famous for its unique
Orange Festival, view of rising and setting sun and excellent panoramic views of
the deep valley and villages around.
Chin Hills
The Chin Hills is a range of mountains extends northward from Manipur to Chin
State of Myanmar. Chin Hills are the part of Arakan Mountain Range with an
highest peak of Nat Ma Taung with 3,053 m(10,500 feet). Chin Hills are very close
to Lushai Hills of Patkai Range and offers a wide range of flora and fauna.
In the Second World War the hills formed a point of armed conflict between
Japanese forces and a combined British and Indian force. Mikir Hills are a group
of hills located to the south of the Kaziranga National Park, Assam. It is part of the
Karbi Anglong Plateau Daphla Hills is a tract of hilly country on the border of
western Arunachal and Assam occupied by an independent tribe called Daphla.
It lies to the north of the Tezpur and North Lakhimpur subdivisions, and is
bounded on the west by the Aka Hills and on the east by the Abor Range.
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Rivers and Drainage System of

Assam
The State of Assam comprised of two valleys namely the Brahmaputra and Barak.
The geographical area of Assam is 78,438.00 Sq. Km out of which 56,194.00 Sq.
Km and 22,244.00 Sq. Km fall under the Brahmaputra and Barak Valley including
2 (Two) hill districts respectively. The flood prone area of the state is 31,500.00 Sq
Km, which is about 39.58 % of the total area of the state and 9.40% of total flood
prone area of the whole India.
River System of Assam

A) Brahmaputra river system
The main river of the valley, Brahmaputra is one of the largest rivers in the world
and is a trans-boundary river which flows through China, India and Bangladesh.
With 3,848 km in length, it is the 15th longest and tenth largest river in the world
by discharge.
The river originates from the Kailalsh ranges of Himalayas at an elevation of 5300
M. After flowing through Tibet it enters India through Arunachal Pradesh and
flows through Assam and Bangladesh as the Jamuna. It merges with the Padma,
the popular name of the river Ganges in Bangladesh, and finally the Meghna and
from here it is known as Meghna before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
The river drains the Himalaya east of the Indo-Nepal border, south-central portion
of the Tibetan plateau above the Ganga basin, south-eastern portion of Tibet, the
Patkai-Bum hills, the northern slopes of the Meghalaya hills, the Assam plains,
and the northern portion of Bangladesh. The basin, especially south of Tibet, is
characterized by high levels of rainfall. Kangchenjunga (8,586 m) is the only peak
above 8,000 m, hence is the highest point within the Brahmaputra basin.
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The river is often called Tsangpo-Brahmaputra river. The lower reaches are sacred
to Hindus. While most rivers on the Indian subcontinent have female names, this
river has a rare male name, as it means “son of Brahma”.
The Brahmaputra is an important river for irrigation and transportation. It is a
classic example of a braided river and is highly susceptible to channel migration
and avulsion. It is also one of the few rivers in the world that exhibit a tidal bore. It
is navigable for most of its length. The catchments area of Brahmaputra in Tibet is
2,93,000 Sq. Km; in India and Bhutan is 2,40,000 Sq. Km and in Bangladesh is
47,000 Sq. Km. The Brahmaputra basin extends over an area of 5,80,000 Sq. Km
up to its confluence within Bangladesh.
The average width of Brahmaputra is 5.46 Km. The average annual discharge is
about 20,000 cumec and average dry season discharge is 4,420 cumec. The river
slope is very steep till it enters India. A drop of about 4800 M is achieved in a
length at about 1700 Km. This average slope of about 2.82 m/Km in China (Tibet)
gets reduced to about 0.1m/Km in Assam valley. Due to this sudden flattening of
river slope, the river becomes braided in nature in the Assam valley. During its
course in Assam valley from Kobo to Dhubri the river is joined by about 20
(twenty) important tributaries on its North bank and 13 (thirteen) on its South
bank. Joining of these tributaries bringing high sediment load activates braiding.
The drainage area lying in India is 1,94,413 sq.km which is nearly 5.9% of the total
geographical area of the country. The sub-basin lies in the States of Arunachal
Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, West Bengal and Sikkim. The most
predominant soil type found in the sub-basin is the red loamy soil and alluvial
soil. Other important soil types are sandy, loamy, clayey soils, their combinations
and laterite soils. The culturable area of the sub-basin is about 12.15 M. ha which is
6.2% of the culturable area of the country.
Heavy precipitation occurs here from May to September. All its tributaries
experience number of flood waves as per rainfall in respective catchments. If the
flood of the tributaries coincides with the flood of Brahmaputra, it causes severe
problem and devastation. The severity of flood problem of the state has been
further aggravated by the acuteness of erosion on both banks of river
Brahmaputra and its tributaries.
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Study reveals that an area of 4.27 Lakh Hectare of the state has been eroded by
the rivers since 1950, which is 7.40 % of area of the state. The average annual rate
of erosion is 8000.00 Ha. The world’s largest river island Majuli is also under the
grip of erosion by river Brahmaputra and about 60 % of its original area has
already been engulfed by the river.
The tributaries namely Subansiri, Ronganadi, Dikrong, Buroi, Borgong, Jiabharali,

Dhansiri (North) Puthimari, Manas, Beki, Aie, Sonkosh are the main tributaries on
the North while the Noadehing, Buridehing, Desang, Dikhow, Bhogdoi, Dhansiri
(South), Kopilli, Kulsi, Krishnai, Dhdhnoi, Jinjiran are the main tributaries on the
south bank of the river Brahmaputra.
B) Barak River system

Barak is the second largest river system in Assam as well as in North East. The
river with a total length of 900 km from source to mouth drains an area of 52,000
sq. km. The Barak is also a perennial river of the state.
It originates from Japvo mountain of Manipur hills at an altitude of 3,015 m, near

the border of Manipur and Nagaland and forms a part of the northern boundary
of the Manipur State with Nagaland where it is known as Kirong. Then it flows
south through mountainous terrain up to Tipaimukh near the tri-junction of the
three states: Assam, Manipur and Mizoram. Here, the river takes a hairpin bend
and debouches into the plains of Cacher district of Assam and forms the border
of Assam and Manipur states up to Jirimat. The river then flows through the Barak
valley of Assam and then it enters Bangladesh where it forks into the Surma and
Kushiyara rivers. From the source to the Indo-Bangladesh border, the Barak River
flows for 564 km.
The local rainfall run off of the valley along with that of adjacent hilly areas flows
through river Barak and its various tributaries and is drained out to Bangladesh.
The Katakhal, Jiri, Chiri, Modhura, Longai, Sonai, Rukni and Singla are the main
tributaries of the valley. The tributaries are mainly rain fed and cause flood
problems when precipitation occurs.
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ASSAM GEOGRAPHY
The Barak sub-basin drains areas in India, Bangladesh and Burma. The
drainage area lying in India is 41723 sq.km which is nearly 1.38% of the
total geographical area of the country. It is be on the north by the Barail
range separating it from the Brahmaputra sub-basin, on the east by the
Na Lushai hills and on the south and west by Bangladesh. The sub-basin
lies in the States of Meghalaya. Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Tripura and
Nagaland.
There are two major physiographic regions in the sub-basin, namely,

the hilly region and the plain plains are thickly populated and
extensively cultivated. The predominant soil types found in the sub-
basin are laterite and red and yellow soils. The culturable area in the
sub-basin 0.893 M-ha which is only about 0.5% of the culturable area
of the country.
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ASSAM POLITY
ASSAM POLITY
Government of Assam
The Government of Assam is the provincial governing authority of Assam, a state
of India. It consists of the Governor as the head of the state, nominated by the
Government of India. The head of government is the Chief Minister, who is the
leader of the group that commands a majority in the 126-membered unicameral
Assam Legislative Assembly. The Assam Assembly is elected by universal adult
suffrage for a period of five years. The Chief Minister is assisted by a Council of
Ministers that he nominates, the size of which is restricted.
Assam Cabinet Minister List 2021
1. Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma – Chief Minister, Home, Personnel,

PWD & any other Department not allotted to any other minister.
2. Ranjit Kumar Dass – Panchayat and Rural Development, Public

Health Engineering, Food & Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs
3. Atul Bora – Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry &

Veterinary, Border Area Development, Implementation of Assam
Accord, Cooperation
4. Urkhao Gwra Brahma – Handloom & Textile, Soil Conservation,

Welfare of Plain Tribe & Backward Classes
5. Chandra Mohan Patowary – Transport, Industries & Commerce,

Skill Development, Welfare of Minorities
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Assam Cabinet Minister List 2021
6. Parimal Shuklabaidya – Environment & Forests, Fisheries, Excise
7. Keshab Mahanta – Health & Family Welfare, Science and

Technology, Information Technology
8. Ranuj Pegu – Education, Welfare of Plain Tribe & Backward

Classes- non-BTC
9. Ashok Singhal – Guwahati Development, urban Development,

Irrigation
10. Jogen Mohan – Revenue & Disaster Management, hills Area

Development, Mines and Minerals
11. Sanjay Kishan – Welfare of Tea Tribes, Labour and Employment
12. Ajanta Neog – Social Welfare, Finance
13. Pijush Hazarika – Water Resources, Information and Public

Relations, Parliamentary Affairs
14. Bimal Bora – Sports & Youth Welfare, Cultural Affairs, Power,
Tourism
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Autonomous Councils of Assam
The Government of Assam have been taking various steps to

accelerate development process for the welfare of Scheduled
Tribe (ST) communities in the State through democratic
decentralization of power and empowering the Scheduled Tribe
(ST) communities to participate in the planning, monitoring and
implementation of Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) schemes in grass root
level by constituting Territorial Councils, Autonomous Councils
and Development Councils for different Scheduled Tribe (ST)
communities in the State.
The various Autonomous Councils constituted by the Government

are under the following heads:
Territorial Councils under Sixth Schedule of Constitution of
India
Statutory Autonomous Councils constituted under State Act
Territorial Councils under Sixth Schedule of Constitution of
India
The Autonomous Councils are given varying degrees of autonomy

within the State Legislature. In Assam there are 3 Autonomous
Councils under Sixth-Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The 3
Autonomous Councils are:
Bodoland Territorial Council

Dima Hasao Autonomous District Council
Karbi Anglong Autonomous District Council
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ASSAM POLITY
The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) has legislative,

administrative, executive and financial powers over 40 policy
areas in the Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts comprising 4
Administrative Districts namely Udalguri, Baksa, Chirang,
Kokrajhar comprising various protected tribal belts and blocks in
Assam and 40 Elected Representatives to the BTC Legislative
Assembly and provisions for 6 Nominated Members to be
nominated by the Governor of Assam from the unrepresented
communities in the BTCLA through direct election in the districts
of Assam. It was established in 2003 following a peace agreement
between the Government of India and Bodo Liberation Tigers and
is functioning since 2003 under the provision of the Amended
Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India. The first Chief
Executive Member of the BTC was Hagrama Mohilary. The
headquarters of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) is at Kokrajhar
Town in Kokrajhar district.
The North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, Dima Hasao District

(NCHAC) and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, East Karbi
Anglong (KAAC) are autonomous councils constituted under the
provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India to
administer the respective districts and for the development of the
Tribal people. The headquarter of North Cachar Hills Autonomous
Council, Dima Hasao District (NCHAC) is in Haflong, Dima Hasao
district. The headquarter of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council,
East Karbi Anglong (KAAC) is in Diphu, East Karbi Anglong district.
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Statutory Autonomous Councils constituted under State Act :
The Statutory Autonomous Councils are constituted for Social,

Economic, Educational, Ethnic and Cultural advancement of the
Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities living in Core Areas as well as
in Satellite Areas covering many districts of Assam. There are six
(6) Statutory Autonomous Councils namely,
Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council

Mising Autonomous Council
Tiwa Autonomous Council
Deori Autonomous Council
Thengal Kachari Autonomous Council
Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council
Development Council:
For the Socio- Economic upliftment and sustainability targeted

development of different backward communities the
Government of Assam has created 33 Development Councils to
decentralize power and responsibility so that they can take care
of development needs. The main function of these Council bodies
is to formulate various developmental schemes/project and to
execute these in priority and need base manner.
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The list of the councils is as given below:

1) Moran Development Council
2) Mottok Development Council
3) Maimal Development Council
4) Moria Development Council
5) Gorkha Development Council
6) Chutia Development Council
7) Adivasi Development Council
8) Nath Jogi Development Council
9) Koch Rajbongshi Development Council
10) Bishnupriya Manipuri Development Council
11) Tai Ahom Development Council
12) Mech Kachari Development Council
13) Manipuri Development Council
14) Sadharan Jati Development Council
15) Singpho (Man Tai) Development Council
16) Amri Karbi Development Council
17) Sarania Kachari Development Council
18) Barak Valley Hill Tribes Development Council
19) Tea & Ex-Tea Garden Development Council
20) SC Development Council
21) Chaodang Development Council
22) Madahi Development Council
23) Kumar Development Council
24) Hajong Development Council
25) Sut Development Council
26) Goria Development Council
27) Barman Kachari Development Council
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28) Development Council for Karbi people residing outside Karbi

Anglong
29) Hindi Speaking Development Council
30) Bengali Speaking Development Council
31) Jolha Development Council
32) Brahmin Development Council
33) Kalita Development Council (yet to be notified)
The creation of each of the Development Council was made by

separate Gazetted Notification during the month of May and June
in 2010 and in the month of January in the year 2011. During the
year 2015- 2016 also few Development Councils were created for
socio-economic, educational, cultural and ethnic advancement of
the people of the community within the State of Assam.
To regulate the various function/ activities of the Development

Councils, the Government has issued Guidelines vide notification
No.TAD/BC/105/2013/6 Dated 07.03.2013. Each of the Development
Councils has their Council body with minimum 15 and maximum
25 members headed by Chairman elected by the Members of the
Council.
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Assam Year Book 2021
ASSAMEDU.IN
ASSAM BUDGET
2020-21
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS
I. Bodo Accord and provision for the community
In pursuant with the spirit of the Memorandum of Settlement, for BTR,

Government proposes the following immediately:
Convert Kokrajhar Music & Fine Arts College into a government college.
Establishment Bodo Kachari Welfare Council for focused development of Bodo
villages outside BTAD.
Earmarked a sum of Rs. 250 Crore per annum for three years to match equivalent
sum to be provided by the Government of India Establish a Directorate of Tribal
and Bodo languages.
Undertake rehabilitation of Bodo ex-militants.
II. Recognition and award of grants to tribal communities
Create an Autonomous Council for Koch Rajbongshi community, in the name of

‘Kamatapur Autonomous Council’.
2 new Autonomous Councils for Moran and Mattak communities
Provide a fund of Rs. 500 Crore as Special package for Moran, Mattak, Chutia and
Ahom communities.
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ASSAM BUDGET
2020-21
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS
III. Exclusion of Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) from

Assam State Capital Region Development Authority (ASCRDA)
Exclude Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) areas from the purview of
the ASCRDA Act, 2017.
GDD to bring necessary amendments to the legislation. Undertake
rehabilitation of Bodo ex-militants.
IV. Promotion of Assamese Language
Make the teaching of Assamese as a compulsory subject in all English & other
medium schools up to Class X.
Education Department to bring necessary bill in current session
Proposed law not applicable for Barak Valley, Bodo inhabited areas and two hill
districts administered by the sixth scheduled councils.
Bring a law so that studying Assamese/ any regional languages in school a
mandatory condition for securing a government job.
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ASSAM BUDGET
2020-21
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS
V. Announcement regarding making annual patta land

transferable:
Initiated steps to bring legal changes to make annual patta land transferable.
VI. Indigenous Muslim Development Corporation

Create a Development Corporation for Indigenous Muslims of Assam.
Socio-economic census of these communities on a war footing.
VII. One-time Financial Assistance to 1000 leading Sport personnel,

Artists and Mobile Theatre personalities:
One-time cash incentive of Rs. 50,000 each to 1000 Sport personnel, 1000 Artists
and 1000 Mobile theatre personalities.
VIII. Grants for Registered Youth Clubs:
Provide Grants amounting to Rs. 75,000/- per club, to 2500 Youth clubs in the
State.
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ASSAM BUDGET
2020-21
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS
IX. Initiative for Batadrava Than

Develop Batadrava Than in Nagaon district as a centre of art, culture, research
and spirituality
Total cost of the project is Rs. 188 crores Rs. 50 Crores is allocated in first phase.
X. Bhasha Gaurav Asoni

Provide budgetary allocation of Rs.50 Crore in 2020-21.
XI. Positions in Civil Services for International Sporting Champions

of Assam
Sports persons who win medals in Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth
Games to be designated as Grade-I officers.
Ms. Hima Das to be the first recipient to be offered Deputy Superintendent of
Police.
XII. Special Grant for Sivasagar: An Iconic Site of Assam
Develop Sivasagar as an ‘iconic’ site. In collaboration with Government of India
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Assam Year book 2021
ASSAMEDU.IN
ASSAM BUDGET
2020-21
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS
XIII. Grassroot Olympics for all ages:
Sports-tournaments to be held at Panchayat, Block, District and State levels for

all age groups from 10 to 60 years, in Olympic disciplines.
XIV. Centre of Excellence for Digital Enablement of Assamese

Language
Creation of a world class open source Operating System in Assamese.
XV. Celebrating different Traditional/Cultural Festival of Tribal

Communities
Strengthening tribal cultures, traditions and beliefs

Rs. 50 Crores is earmarked for this purpose
XVI. Fighting Drug Menace
Establish of five de-addiction centres through partnerships with reputed NGOs.

Government to launch awareness drives in schools, colleges, Youth Clubs and
amongst street children
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ASSAMEDU.IN
ASSAM BUDGET
2020-21
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS
XVII. Mega Awareness Drive against Social Evils
Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC) to launch mega

awareness drive against all social evils in line with progressive, scientific thinking
An amount of Rs. 10 crores is earmarked for this novel initiative.
XVIII. Educational Institutions Initiatives:
Start five polytechnics at Morigaon, Udalguri, Tinsukia, Hailakandi and Chirang

Seven new Government Colleges, Borkhola in Cachar, Deaithor in Karbi Anglong,
Kakopathar in Tinsukia, Katlicherra in Hailakandi, Lahorighat in Morigaon,
Samaguri in Nagaon and Majer Alga in South Salmara.
New University Sati Sadhoni Rayjik Vishwavidyalaya in Golaghat District. Two
new Medical Colleges in Sonari and Biswanath Chariali
One new Ayurvedic College at Dudhnoi, Goalpara
One new Law College will be established in Kaliabor
To institute a Bani Kanta Kakoti Chair at Guwahati University.
Grants of Rs. 10 cr. as corpus to Mahapurush Srimanta Shankardeva
Viswabidyalaya.
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ASSAM BUDGET
2020-21
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS
XIX. Sanitary Napkin Scheme:
Free sanitary napkins to girls in Classes 6 to 12 in government and government-

aided schools.
An amount of Rs. 25 crores is earmarked for this initiative.
XX. Resolution of issues plaguing the Micro-Finance Institutions
Government proposes to frame detailed guidelines for the operations of the MFIs
in the state, to safeguard the interest of our people
Government proposes to constitute a Microenterpreneurs Support Fund with a
corpus of Rs. 500 Crores.
XXI. Partnerships with reputed private hospitals to provide NICU

and PICU services
Empanel all Private Health Institutions who have the necessary quality standards
for Paediatric and Newborn Intensive Care Unit setup,
To provide quality care to infants and Newborns of BPL as well as low income APL
families.
Private partner to be reimbursed for expenditure made.
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ASSAM BUDGET
2020-21
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS
XXII. Uttoron:
Rs. 300 Crores earmarked for execution of Signature Projects of Infrastructure

development.
XXIII. City Infrastructure Development Fund

Schemes under CIDF to be continued. Overall Commitment of Rs.2300 Crore for
18 Cities across the State.
Necessary Fund Provision for carrying out required activity.
XXIV. Assam Adarsha Gram Yojana

Create ‘villages of excellence’ in each of the assembly constituencies. Entry
point activities to kickstart in right earnest
An amount of Rs. XXX Crore is earmarked in the budget for the year 2020-21.
XXV. Chuburi Poka Rasta Asoni:
Provide Rs. 20 Lakhs per Kilometer gap funding to P&RD department for
construction of all-weather sustainable roads in hamlets.
Government propose to provide Rs. 20 lakhs per kilometre, as gap funding in
Budget 2020-21 Construct 200 Km of roads on a pilot basis
Rs.40 Crore earmarked for year 2020-21.
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ASSAM BUDGET
2020-21
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS
XXVI. PPP Partnership for Healthcare in Silchar

Engage quality private health institutions in Barak Valley with specialty branches
like Cardiology, Neorology etc, under Public Private Partnership mode, to cater to
the medical necessities of patients belonging to Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi
districts.
An amount of Rs. 10 Crore is earmarked in the budget for the year 2020-21.
XXVII. Shram-Gaurav Asoni:

Improve the health and quality of life of the construction workers with the
following salient features:
o IT enabled registration of workers and mass registration drives.
o Waiver of registration fees for workers.
o Insurance cover under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan
Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana.
o Provide Rs. 3000 to each registered worker (<40 years) and Rs. 5000 to those who
are above 40 years on DBT mode for annual medical check-up
o Provide one time grants of Rs. 5000 per registered workers on DBT mode for
purchasing tools.
Open up bank branches and ATMs in the unbanked areas.
An amount of Rs. 50 Crore is earmarked for Gap funding for banks to set up
necessary infrastructure in the budget for the year 2020-21
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ASSAM BUDGET
2020-21
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS
XXIX. Tea Mission:

Provide Orthodox production subsidy of Rs. 7 per kg, to cover 50% of price gap
against International Prices
Provide subsidy on Orthodox machinery to manufacturing units of Orthodox tea
commencing operations after 1.4.2020.
Launch a ‘Tea Mission’ to ensure Assam’s pre-dominance in Global Tea Industry &
for longterm financial sustainability of Tea Industry in Assam.
XXX. Proactive filling of all sanctioned post in all departments:

Finance Department to proactively initiate proposals regarding filling up of
vacancies within 7 working days.
XXXI. Employees Welfare Measures

Increase ex-gratia amount of Home Guard personnel by another Rs. 2 lakhs, to be
funded by the state.
Rs. 2.5 lakhs as ex-gratia payment to next kin in case of unfortunate death of
Muster Roll, Casual, Fixed Pay, Asha & Anganwadi workers.
Establish crèche with day care facilities at Assam Secretariat, Directorates and
Deputy Commissioners’ offices.
Develop houses for employees on a Tri-partite agreement basis (Government-
Employee— Builders).
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ASSAM BUDGET
2020-21
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS
Renovate the Secretariat Training School to make it comparable to the best in

the country.
Promotional examinations for all grades of ministerial staff of Assam to be made
online.
Bajali Sub-division to be upgraded to a full-fl edged administrative district.
XXXII. Additional Honorarium to Mid-Day Meal Workers:
Rs. 500 per month as an additional honorarium to Mid Day Meal worker
This will cost Rs. 36 Crore to the State Exchequer.
XXXIII. Ration Increase for Police
Increase monthly ration support to Rs. 2000 to benefit t 50,000 police personnel.
XXXIV. Incentive schemes for frontline workers of Kaziranga, Manas

and Orang National Park:
Provide incentives to frontline staff of Kaziranga, Manas and Orang National Park
the same scale as National Tiger Conservation Authority.
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ASSAM BUDGET
2020-21
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS
XXXV. Announcement on Teachers Transfer
Government will bring in a policy to ensure management and transfer of teachers

of Elementary and Secondary Schools.
Legislation will be brought in the Assembly for this purpose
XXXVI. Establishment Grant for Gaon Burahs:
One-time Establishment Grant of Rs. 10,000/- per Gaon Burah.

To undertake refurbishment, upgradation and modernization of office-space.
XXXVII. Revamping Anganwadi Centre:
Electricity to all Anganwadi Centre along with Gas Connection.

Convert existing Anganwadi Centre in Tea Gardens to Creches for young infants.
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(18 FLAGSHIP PROGRAMME)
ASSAM BUDGET 2020-21
1. Increasing stake of Assam Government in Numaligarh Refinery

Ltd
• NRL’s origins can be traced back to the historic Assam Accord

• Government of Assam to acquire additional shareholding in NRL to take its total
stake to 26%
• Ensure NRL remains a Public Sector Undertaking in the long term
• Capacity to be expanded to 9 MMTPA from present 3 MMTP capacity • Rs.1500
Crore earmarked for this scheme
2. Anna Yojana
• Free rice for all beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act
• Total number of beneficiary families: 57 Lakhs
• Ensure nutritional guarantee for all
3. Jyotisman Asom
• Free electricity to all households with monthly consumptions less than 30 units
• Adequate to cover basic electricity needs of a family
• 14 Lakhs families to instantly benefit from scheme: many more to benefit by
optimizing their consumption
• Additionally, Government to transfer a subsidy of Rs. 400 Crore to APDCL to
insulate consumers from upward revision in tariff.
267
ASSAMEDU.IN

4. Redesigned ‘Swami Vivekananda Youth Empowerment Yojana’
• Creation of entrepreneurial support groups of youth on the lines of NRLM SHGs

• Each member of the group to receive a grant of Rs. 50,000
• To encourage youth to engage in economically productive activities
• To cover 2, 00,000 youths of the State
5. Chah Bagicha Dhan Puraskar Mela
• 7, 21,485 Tea Garden workers from 752 gardens received a benefit of Rs. 5000 each
during FY 18-19
• To receive another Rs. 3000 each in FY 20-21
• Will drive financial inclusion of Tea Garden workers and inculcate banking habits
6. Welfare Schemes for the Tea Tribes and Adivasi
i. Wage compensation for pregnant women

• Wage compensation expanded from existing 6 months to 9 months
• Compensation increased to Rs. 18,000 to be paid in 6 installments
• Will support pre-natal and post-natal health checkups and provide nutritional
security
268
ASSAMEDU.IN

ii. Educational Benefits

• One-time support of Rs. 10,000 to Tea Tribes & Adivasi students who pass HSLC
and HSC exams
• Students will continue to receive same benefit provided they are still pursuing
their academic course
iii. Other Schemes

• 14,000 youths to get Rs. 25,000 each for starting entrepreneurial activities;
additional 20,000 Youths to get the same benefit in FY 20-21
• Smart phones for approx. 4000 Tea Garden Sardars
• Government to facilitate gratuity payment of approx. Rs. 50,000 to Tea Workers
• 300 km of roads in 300 tea garden divisions to be constructed
• 102 new high schools to ensure continuous education to children in tea gardens
• Renovation of 100 football grounds in tea garden areas
• Establishment of District & Block Programme Management Units for effective
implementation of schemes
7. Arundhati
• Rs. 40,000 in lieu of 1 tola gold to newly- wed brides with annual family income of
less than Rs. 5 Lakh.
• Mandatory Registration of Marriage under the Special Marriage Act, 1954.
269
ASSAMEDU.IN

8. Comprehensive Social Security Schemes

• One time grant of Rs. 25,000 as family assistance to widows and ‘Widow Pension’
of Rs. 250 per month
• Swahid Kushal Konwar Sarbajanin Briddha Pension Asoni: Rs. 250 per month to
citizens above 60 years of age, 13 Lakh senior citizens covered so far. Additional 10%
to be covered in FY 20-21
• Deen Dayal Divyang Sahayjya Asoni: Rs. 1000 per month to Divyangs in Assam
• Aideu Handique Mahila Samman Asoni, new pension scheme for unmarried
/divorced / separated /single women above the age of 40 years-Rs. 250 per month
9.Vistarita Kanaklata Mahila Sabalikaran Asoni
• Revolving fund of Rs. 25000 and Rs. 10000 for female SHGs
• Rs. 50000 to each SHG availing / eligible to avail bank loans, benefiting 1.04 lakh
SHGs
• Scooties for Jeevika Sakhis along with monthly allowance of Rs. 500
10. Asom Mala
• Transformation of 57,617 Km of State highways and Major District and other Roads
• Rs. 250 Crore for upgradation of Industrial Roads in 7 districts
• 1000 timber bridges to be converted to RCC structures
270
ASSAMEDU.IN

11. Pragyan Bharati

• Admission fee waiver, free textbooks and uniforms in Government Schools
• Rs. 1000 to 1 Lakh students for textbooks
• Textbook assistance of Rs. 1500 and Rs. 2000 for student at graduate and post
graduate levels
• Rs. 1000 per month to all students towards their mess dues
• One time Education Loan Subsidy of Rs. 50000
• Scooties to 20000 top ranked female students in Class 12th
12. Assam Cancer Care Foundation
• 3 tier Cancer Care Grid

• State contributed Rs. 550 Crore and Rs. 250 Crore by Tata Trusts so far
• Construction in progress in 8 districts, Phase 1 within 2020-21
• Unified Technology Platform; 34,544 detections in 3 years
13. Bhraman Sarathi
• Free and dedicated bus services for women and senior citizens in Guwahati
• Pink buses in busiest routes will provide safe and comfortable rides
• Free ride in ASTC for youth appearing in examination / interviews
271
ASSAMEDU.IN

14. Asom Darshan

• Development of tourist spots and religious places of all faiths
• Rs. 10 Lakh transferred for infrastructure development to 915 religious institutions
• Rs. 2 Lakh Annuity Grant for each Devalaya in 2020-21
• Rs. 2.5 Lakh to 8000 Namghars for infrastructure
• Rs. 614 Crore for road connectivity
15. Yuva Arohan
• Development of entrepreneurial mindset in youth for a ‘Resurgent Assam’

• Introduction of ‘Entrepreneurship’ as a curricular subject from Class XI onwards
• ‘Nano-entrepreneurship Grant’ as Seed Capital for real life projects
16. Sonali Shaishab Rupali Pathsala
• Infrastructure development grant to school management committee

• Upgradation to be completed by October, 2020
• School infrastructure upgradation at Rs.25 Lakh per School for 200 Elementary
Schools on pilot basis
272
ASSAMEDU.IN

17. Teachers Provincialization Drive

• Provincialisation of services of all teachers within August 2020
• Provincialisation of 20,288 teachers under consideration
18. Orunodoi
• Tectonic shift in Governance delivery and poverty alleviation

• Minimum guarantee to the poorest for nutrition and health
• Annually Rs. 10000 to 27 lakh poor households through Direct Benefit Transfer
• Rs. 400 for medicines and Rs. 430 for pulses, sugar and fruits & vegetables
• Transfer of money directly to the primary care-takers of households i.e. women
273
IMPORTANT GOVERNMENT SHCEME OF 2020

- 2021
Arundhati Gold Scheme
The Assam government has announced the launch of ‘Arundhati Swarna Yojana’
or 'Arundhati Gold Scheme '.
Key features of the scheme :
• Under the scheme, the state government will offer 10 grams of gold as a gift to
every adult bride who has completed at least 10th standard and has registered her
marriage.
• Note: The government will not give the gold directly but Rs. 30,000 to purchase 10
gms of gold.
Eligibility :
The annual income of the bride’s family must be less than five lakh rupees to
avail the scheme.
Minimum age should be 18 years and 21 years for the bride and bridegroom
respectively.
The family has to register their marriage under the Special Marriage (Assam)
Rules, 1954.
Minimum education should be 10th standard. However, minimum educational
qualification criteria have been relaxed for the tribes and workers of tea
gardens.
The eligible bride and bridegroom must apply for the scheme before the date
of their wedding.
274
Orunudoi scheme:
Launched in December 2020 by the Assam Government, Orunudoi scheme is one

of the most popular schemes of the state.
About the Scheme :
Under the scheme, a monthly assistance of Rs 830 is transferred to women

members of marginalised families of Assam.
On account of being a DBT, or a Direct Benefit Transfer scheme, the money is
credited directly to the bank account of the woman head of a family because
they are “primary caretakers of the household”.
The scheme gives “a choice to the poor and needy households on how they
want to spend their money”.
Eligibility :
The applicant, a woman, has to be a permanent resident of Assam, whose

composite household income should be less than Rs 2 lakh per annum.
Families with specially-abled members and divorced/widowed/separated
/unmarried women are prioritised. Poorer families, those without National Food
Security Act (NFSA) or ration cards, are also given priority.
Families without any women members, MPs, MLAs (former and current),
members of Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies, government
officials and employees of cooperative societies are excluded from the scheme.
Families owning four-wheelers, mechanised boats, tractors or refrigerators, ACs
and washing machines, or more than 15 bighas of agricultural land, are not
eligible either.
275
SVAYEM Scheme :
Swami Vivekananda Assam Youth Empowerment Yojana or SVAYAM is a scheme
that has been introduced by the Government of assam in the financial year 2020-
21.
About the Scheme :

It is a scheme to provide self-employment to around 2 lakh youths of the Assam
state.
The SVAYEM scheme stands for Swami Vivekananda Assam Youth
Empowerment.
Its objective is to provide 50 thousand rupees each as seed money to selected
youths to start business ventures.
It is a flagship program to provide financial support to the youths of Assam to
take up income generating activities in the manufacturing, trading and service
sector.
Eligibility :
Residents of Assam above 18 years of age.

There will be no income ceiling for getting assistance under this scheme.
The individual beneficiary should have skills, experiences, knowledge, etc., to
undertake the income generating activities.
The beneficiary should possess educational qualification of at least Class VII
standard.
PMEGP beneficiaries of the last 5 years will not be eligible under the scheme.
276
Pragyan Bharati Scheme :
Pragyan Bharati Scheme is a scheme that has been introduced by the

Government of assam in the financial year 2020-21.
About the Scheme :
It is a scheme by Government of assam which provides admission fee waiver, free

textbooks, uniforms in govt. schools. Along with this textbook assistance to UG / PG
students, mess dues, one time education loan subsidy, scooty to girls.
Assam Pragyan Bharti Scheme 2021 Salient Features :
The state govt. will provide admission fee waiver, free textbooks and uniforms
in government schools of Assam.
Assam govt. will provide Rs. 1,000 to 1 lakh students for textbooks.
The state govt. will provide textbook assistance of Rs. 1500 and Rs. 2,000 for
students at graduate and post-graduate levels.
Govt. is going to provide Rs. 1000 per month to all students towards their mess
dues.
The govt. will also provide one time education loan subsidy of Rs. 50,000.
Moreover, scooties would be provided to 20,000 top-ranked female students in
class 12th.
277
Notable deaths of 2020 - 2021
Tarun Gogoi (Politician):
Former chief minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi, one of Assam's most celebrated and
respected politicians, died at around 5:34 pm on November 23. He was 86 years old
at the time of his demise. Gogoi had tested positive for COVID-19 on August 26,
after which he was admitted to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
Although he later tested negative, the cause of his death has been attributed to be
post-COVID complications. Tarun Gogoi leaves behind a lasting impression among
millions of his admirers for his plain-speaking and never-say-die attitude. At an age
when most would prefer the confines of cosy homes, Gogoi unleashed himself
politically and verbally on his detractors. For 15 straight years, Gogoi was at the
helm of the state’s affairs with his record and tenure remaining unblemished.
Archana Mahanta (Singer)
Renowned folk singer from Assam, Archana Mahanta passed away on August 27,
Thursday. Wife of Late Khagen Mahanta, she is survived by son Angaraag Papon
Mahanta and daughter Kingkini Mahanta. Archana Mahanta was earlier admitted
to a Guwahati-based hospital following a brain stroke on July 15. Archana Mahanta
and her late husband Khagen Mahanta had an enormous contribution in
popularising and preserving Assamese folk music. The duo's son Angarag Papon
Mahanta, who has carved a niche for himself, is also a famous playback singer in
Bollywood with an enormous body of work in Assamese music.
278
Syeda Anwara Taimur :

(Politician)
Assam’s first and only woman chief minister Syeda Anwara Taimur passed away in
Australia on September 28 reportedly due to cardiac arrest. The 84-year-old was
staying with her son in Australia for the past four years. A four-time Congress MLA
beginning with her first election in 1972, Taimur held portfolios like education
before becoming chief minister for a brief period from December 6, 1980 to June
30, 1981. She was nominated for a Rajya Sabha term in 1988. She joined the All
India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) in 2011.
Dr Sarat Dutta (Sportsperson) :
Dr Sarat Chandra Dutta, Urologist, Former Professor and Head of Department of

Urology, Gauhati Medical College & Hospital, took his last breath today, December
7 at 10.30 am at Apollo Hospital, Guwahati. Dr Dutta was a dedicated social worker,
captain of the Assam football team for Santosh Trophy. He was also a former
District Governor of Lions Club International 322-D, Melvin Jones Fellow of Lions
Club International, former President of Guwahati Mental Welfare Society, Member
of the Pensioners' Association, and former President of India Club, Guwahati.
279
SV Subramanian (Police)
(Politician)
Former Assam Director General of Police (DGP) SV Subramanian passed away on
December 23, 2020. He was a 1960 batch IPS officer. IPS Officer SV Subramanian
served as the DGP, Assam twice - once from 4th August 1988 to 6th May 1991 and
again from 12th August 1991 to 31st March 1994. He passed away at Hyderabad.
Assam Police offered condolences to the bereaved family.
Trailokya Dutta (Cartoonist)
Founder of Save Guwahati Build Guwahati, Upen Sarma expired on October 29

morning at his Bhetapara residence in Guwahati. He was 88. A senior journalist,
Sarma
S p er publ
was the founder editor of Raf" r r gbat e ap,
Hema Bharali (Freedom fighter)

Assam born freedom fighter and Padma Shri Hema Bharali passed away in
Guwahati on April 29 at around 3:15 PM at her residence. She admitted in Nemcare
Hospital in February last as she was suffering from prolonged illness. She was 101
years old. Born on 19 February 1919, Hema Bharali is an Indian freedom activist,
social worker, Sarvodaya leader and Gandhian, known for her contributions for the
empowerment of women and efforts towards the upliftment of the socially and
financially challenged sections of the society.
Shankar Chakraborty (Actor)

Noted Assamese actor Shankar Chakraborty passed away on October 3 at Gauhati
Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Guwahati. He was suffering from kidney-
related ailments and had also tested positive for COVID-19. An acclaimed actor,
Chakraborty has acted in Bordoisila, Kohinoor, as well as Bhramyaman theatres. He
has acted in many popular plays such as Moromor Bandhobi Bidai Diya, Radha
Ebar Hahi Diya, Asthapath, and Pratighat, among others.
Dr Amaresh Dutta (Educationist)
Renowned educationist Dr. Amaresh Dutta passed away at the age of 101. He
breathed his last at his Dibrugarh residence. He was suffering from age-related
ailments.He was conferred with the title of Professor Emeritus and the honour of
Saraswat Sanman for his contribution towards literature. Dr. Amaresh Dutta was a
scholar of Shakespearean literature and a former lecturer of Dibrugarh and Gauhati
Universities.
281
Parul Debi Das ( Civil servant)

Parul Debi Das, the first female IAS officer from Assam, passed away. She was an
Assam-Meghalaya cadre IAS officer. She was the daughter of the former cabinet
minister of undivided Assam – Ramnath Das. She was the sister of former Assam
Chief Secretary Naba Kumar Das.
Homen Borgohain
Noted Assamese litterateur and journalist, Homen Borgohain has passed away. He
was associated with several newspapers and was most recently working as the
editor in chief of Assamese daily Niyomiya Barta until his death. He was also the
President of Assam Sahitya Sabha. He was awarded Sahitya Akademi Award in
1978 for the Assamese language for his novel ‘Pita Putra’. He has written several
novels, short stories and poetry.
282
ASSAM STATIC GK
INDEX
Notable peoples of Assam 283 - 288

Assamese Books and authors 289 - 291
First in Assam 292 - 293
Dams and Reservoirs if assam 294 - 295
Famous monuments of assam 296 - 300
Important festivals of Assam 301 - 304
Assam year book 2021
Notable people of Assam
Bhupen Hazarika
Bhupen Hazarika was an Indian playback singer, lyricist,
musician, poet and filmmaker from Assam, widely known as
Xudha kontho (meaning cuckoo, literally "nectar-throated"). His
songs, written and sung mainly in the Assamese language by
himself, are marked by humanity and universal brotherhood and
have been translated and sung in many languages, most notably
in Bengali and Hindi.
Tarun Gogoi
Tarun Gogoi served as the Chief minister of Assam between 2001
and 2015. He was a member of the Congress party. Till date he
was the longest serving chief minister of Assam. Between 1991
and 1996 Gogoi served as the food and food processing industry
minister in the Union Cabinet of India under Prime Minister
Narasimha Rao.
Himanta biswa sarma

Himanta Biswa Sarma is the current and the 15th Chief Minister
of Assam. Governor of Assam Jagdish Mukhi administered the
oath of office and secrecy to Himanta Biswa Sarma on 10 May
2021, the man behind BJP's phenomenal rise in North-East. He
was previously associated with Indian National Congress and
joined Bharatiya Janata Party on 23 August 2015.
283
Sarba nanda sonowal

Sarbananda Sonowal is the 14th chief minister of Assam.
Sonowal is a BJP member and represents Majuli constituency
in Assam's state legislative assembly. He did his Bachelor from
Dibrugarh University and went on to do his LLB from Gauhati
University. He is popularly known as a firebrand and dynamic
youth politician, also regarded as a Jatiya Nayak of Assam, a
title given by the AASU, the oldest student body of the state.
Ranjan Gogoi
Ranjan Gogoi (born 18 November 1954)[6] is a nominated
Indian Parliamentarian and a former Judge in the Supreme
Court of India who served as the 46th Chief Justice of India
for 13 months between 2018 and 2019. He was nominated to
Rajya Sabha by President Ram Nath Kovind on 16 March
2020. He is the third Supreme Court justice to serve in the
Rajya Sabha, and the first to be nominated to his seat, after
Ranganath Mishra and Baharul Islam, who were elected as
members of the Indian National Congress.
284
Zubeen garg
Zubeen Garg is an Indian singer, music director, composer,

lyricist, music producer, actor, film director, film producer,
script writer and philanthropist.He primarily works for and
sings in the Assamese, Bengali and Hindi-language film and
music industries, but has sung in many other languages and
dialects, including Bishnupriya Manipuri, Boro, English,
Goalpariya, Kannada, Karbi, Khasi, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali,
Odia, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Tiwa. He is also an
instrumentalist and plays 12 instruments including dhol, dotara,
drums, guitar, harmonica, harmonium, mandolin, keyboard,
tabla and various percussion instruments.
Papon
Angaraag Mahanta known by his stage name Papon, is an

Indian playback singer from Assam. Papon has also sung in
many languages apart from Assamese like Hindi, Bengali,
Tamil and Marathi.He is the lead singer and founder of the
folk-fusion band Papon and The East India Company.
285
Nilotpal Bora
Nilotpal Bora (born in 1986) is Indian Singer, Songwriter,

Music Producer, and Director from Jorhat, Assam (India).
The most popular Assamese song of his musical journey
is “Majuli”. apart from Assamese, He has given his voice
in hindi language as well. His famous hindi songs
include "Dhaga", "De mouka zindagi", "Ishq ka hafiz",
"Patang" etc..
Hima das
Hima Das, nicknamed Dhing Express, is an Indian sprinter

from the state of Assam. She holds the current Indian
national record in 400 meters with a timing of 50.79 s that
she clocked at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.
She is the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal in a track
event at the IAAF World U20 Championships. She was
appointed as a Deputy Superintendent Of Police (DSP) in
Assam Police under the state's Integrated Sport Policy.
286
Shiva thapa
Shiva Thapa is an Indian boxer. He was born on 8th

December 1993 in Guwahati, Assam and belongs to the
Indian Gorkha community. Shiva Thapa does his
training at the Pune-based Army Sports Institute and he
is supported by the Anglian Medal Hunt Company and
the Olympic Gold Quest, a non-profit foundation which
identifies and supports Indian athletes. He qualified for
the 2012 London Olympics, making him the youngest
Indian boxer to qualify for the Olympics.
Lovlina Borgohain
Lovlina Borgohain is an Indian amateur woman boxer who
won bronze medals at the 2018 AIBA Women's World
Boxing Championships and the 2019 AIBA Women's World
Boxing Championships. She won gold medal at 1st India
Open International Boxing Tournament held in New Delhi
and silver medal at 2nd India Open International Boxing
Tournament held in Guwahati. She secured 3rd rank in the
69 kg Welterweight category.She has become the first
woman from Assam to qualify for the Olympics and the
second boxer from the state to represent the country after
Shiva Thapa.
287
Rima das
Rima Das is an Indian filmmaker. She is known for her film, Village Rockstars
(2017), which won several national and international awards. The film—
written, directed, edited, and produced by Das—was India's official entry for
the 90th Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category. The
film, chosen out of 28 other entries in India, is also the first Assamese film to
be submitted for Oscar consideration. She won India's National Award for
Best Film and Best Editor.
288
Assamese books and authors

Books Authors
Rongmilir hahin Rong Bong terang
Xugandhi pokhila Hiren Bhattacharya
Birohi Anandiram Das
Xagar Dekhisa Debakanta Baruah
Xurabhi Lakshminath Bezbaruah
Halodhia soraye Baodhan Khay Homen Borgohaien
A grammer of assamese language William Robinson
Omar tirtha Jatindranath Duwarah
Katha Geeta, Katha Bhagawat Bhattadev
Katha Guruchari Ramcharan thakur
Keteki, Dohikotora,Xadori Raghunath Choudhury
Datal hatir Uien Khowa haoda Mamoni Raisom Goswami
Adhalekha dastabej Mamoni Raisom Goswami
289
Assamese books and authors

Books Authors
Nilokonthi Broj Mamoni Raisom Goswami
Namghariya Atulananda Goswami
Makam Rita Choudhury
Anuradhar dex Phanindra Kumar Deva Choudhury
Harichandra Upakhyan Sankardev
Alakanada Nalinibala Devi
Hridoi Ek Bigyapan Anuradha Sarma Pujari
Buhi Aair xadhu Lakshminath Bezbaruah
Hemokosh Hemchandra Baruah
Oghori Atmar kahini Sayed Abdul malik
Hujarat Nohammed Lokopriyqa Gopinath Bordoloi
Ontorip Bhabendra nath saikia
Mrinal mahi Satyaprasad Baruah
290
Assam year Book 2021 ASSAMEDU.IN
First In Assam
Air Vice Marshall of Indian Air Force
- Pranab Kumar Borbora
Barrister
- Anundoram Borooah
Cabinet minister of Union Cabinet
- Fakharuddin Ali Ahmed
Chairman, Sangeet Natak Academy
- Dr. Bhupen Hazarika
Chief Justice of High Court
- Haliram Deka
Chief Justice of Supreme Court
- Parvati Kumar Goswami
Chief Justice of India
- Ranjan gogoi
Chief Minister
- Gopinath Bordoloi
Director, AIIMS
- Dr. Ramesh Deka
Director, Reserve Bank of India
- Ganesh Phukan
Graduate
- Anundoram Barooah (1869)
Graduate, Woman
- Sukhalata Dowarah and Sudhalata Dowarah
Indian civil servant
- Anundoram Barooah
Justice of High Court, Woman
- Meera Sarma
Minister in the union cabinet, Woman
- Renuka Devi Barkotoky
Multi language Online dictionary
- Xobdo (2006)
President of India
Fakharuddin Ali Ahmed
291
First In Assam
President of Indian Football Association
- Nurul Amin
President of Indian National Congress
- Devakanta Baruah
Recipient of Jnanpith Award
- Dr. Birendra Kumar Bhattacharyya, 1979
Recipient of Jnanpith Award, Woman
- Mamoni Roisom Goswami, 2000
Recipient of Padma Bhushan
- Krishnakanto Handique, 1967
Recipient of Padma Bhushan, Woman
- Pushpalata Das, 1999
Recipient of Padmasree
- Krishnakanto Handique, 1955
Recipient of Padmasree, Woman
- Nalinibala Devi, 1957
Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly
- Babu Basanta Kumar Das
Vice Chancellor of a University
- Krishnakanto Handique, Gauhati University, 1948-1957
Ambedkar Awardee
- Chetana Das (2000)
Vice Chancellor of a University outside Assam
- Sarat Kunar Dutta, Kurukshetra University
Arjuna Awardee
- Bhogeswar Barua (1966)
Bharat Ratna
- Gopinath Bordoloi (1999, Posthumously)
Bibliography
- Asomiya Puthir Talika ( Devananda Bharali, 1912)
Book that received Sahitya Academy Award
- Bonphool ( Jatindranath Duwarah, 1955)
Bridge on the Brahmaputra
- Saraighat (1962)
292
First In Assam
College
- Cotton College (1901)
Daily News Paper
- Dainik Batori
Governor
- Bishnuram Medhi ( Madras, 8 Jan, 1957 )
PHD
- Maidul Islam Bora
Printed Book
- Dharma Pustak ( Atmaram Sharma, 1813)
Printing Press
- Mission Press, Sivsagar
Radio Station
- Guwahati and Shillong
First Assamese movie
- Joymoti
Shri Manta Shankardev Award winner
- Kirtinath Hazarika (1986)
university
- Gauhati University
First Assamese colour movie
- Bhaiti
293
Dams and Reservoirs in Assam
A Dam is a barrier constructed to hold back water and raise its level,
forming a reservoir used to generate electricity or as a water supply. And a
Reservoir is a large natural or artificial lake used as a source of water
supply.
Khandong Dam
Khandong Dam is located on the river kopili
Operated & Maintained by NEEPCO Ltd.
Khandong Dam project is completed on 1984.
Umrong Dam
Umrong Dam is located on the river Umrong Nalla
Operated & Maintained by NEEPCO Ltd.
Umrong Dam project is completed on 1988.
Subansiri Lower Dam

Subansiri Lower Dam is located on the river Subansiri
Operated & Maintained by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation
Ltd (NHPC)
Subansiri Lower Dam project is still under construction.
Karbi Langpi Dam

Karbi Langpi Dam is located on the river Borpani
Operated & Maintained by Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited
(APGCL)
Karbi Langpi Dam project was completed in 2007.
Pagladiya Dam
Pagladiya Dam is located on the river Pagladiya River
Operated & Maintained by Brahmaputra Board
Karbi Langpi Dam project is still under construction.
294
Dams and Reservoirs in Assam
Some Important Points:

The Dams and Reservoirs in India are maintained by the Central Water
Commission (CWC), Government of India.
The Oldest Dam and Reservoir of Assam is Khandong Dam.
There are two Dams and Reservoirs which are under construction they
are Subansiri Lower Dam and Pagladiya Dam.
295
Famous monuments in Assam
Nabagraha Temple
The Nabagrah or Navagrah temple, located just 3 kms away from the
Guwahati Railway Station, is one of the most attracting monuments of
very rich historic importance. This temple is the only of its kinds, where
the nine planets are worshiped. Nabagraha Temple, nestled on the
Chitrachal Hill in Guwahati, used to be a great center for study of
astronomy and astrology.
Rang ghar
Ranghar is 3 km away from the center of the Sivasagar Town. It's just 5
minutes walk away from the Talatal Ghar, Royal Palace of Ahom Kings.
An unique amphitheatre built by the Ahom Kings, symbolizes the pride of

then Ahom kingdom. It resembles the Roman Colosseum in the fact that
Ahom kings' used this as a platform of enjoying sports.
Ranghar is a double-storied royal pavilion of Ahom kings with unique

architectural features. The central unit of the ground plan is rectangular
and annexed with small structures of trapezoid ends making the entire
ground plan like an octagon. The roof of the structure is parabolic which
supported by rows of massive columns and semi-circular arches and
shows Islamic influence in architectural features. A unique pleasure boat
with makara ending marks outer beauty of the structure and a trefoil arch
canopy rests at the top of the structure. The building also bears testimony
to the use of locally available building materials used by the Ahom kings
like Bora Chaul(a special variety of rice, sticky in nature) and eggs. The
grains can still be found in its original form even after hundred of years of
its construction. The present building was built by Ahom king Pramatta
Singha (AD 1744-1750) for watching various games by families of royals.
These included many of Assam's indegenous games like birds fight,
buffalo fight, etc.
296
Talatal Ghar
Talatal Ghar is just 3 km away from the Sivasagar Town. It's pretty much
near to Ranghar. Talatal Ghar is the largest of all the monuments built by
Ahom kings on the bank of river Dikhow.
Historical chronicle narrates that Rudra Singha (AD 1696-1714) founded

the city of Rangpur in 1698 AD and constructed a palace made of wood
and other locally available impermanent materials. However, the present
edifice of brick masonry was built by his successor Rajeswara Singha (AD
1751-1769). The monument is built in a north-south axis with long annexes
at either ends and at the middle. Except an octagonal small temple, guard
room, three large chambers and a big hall with courtyard having separate
entrance, the entire area on this floor is left open. Presence of numerous
post holes on the terrace indicate the practice of erecting temporary
shades occasionally to cater the needs of ceremonial gatherings. All the
rooms were connected with small passages. Talatal ghar had three storeys
underground and four storeys above ground.
The remains of this palace is standing tall in Sivasagar town. Though top
levels of the palace having wooden works are completely destroyed.
Similarly the underground levels are currently closed for tourists. Recent
archaeological excavation has exposed the remains of burnt wooden logs,
post holes, burnt brick structures and pathways on the northern and
western sides respectively. The remains of wooden logs and post holes
suggest that a structure of impermanent material did exist at the site. The
architecture of this palace has resemblences of contemporary Moghals.
Also the top levels of the palace had wooden works pretty similar to
typical Assamese architecture.
297

Shiva Dole
Shiva Dole is situated In the Heart of Sivasagar Town. It has One of the
tallest Shiva(Hindu God) temple in the world. Built 300 years back. Center
of attraction for all tourists for its gigantic architectural and religious
values. Maha Shivaratri is the most celebrated puja of this temple.
Thousands of devotees come to the temple in the Shivaratri. Another
attraction is 'Hare Krishna' kirton in the month of 'Shawan'.
The word 'Dole' means temple in Assamese. All the three were built by
Queen Ambika, wife of King Shiva Singha, in the year 1734. It is not only
one of the most sacred place in North-East India, also the beauty of the
place beyond words with three temples standing tall by the bank of a
large pond 'Sivasagar Tank'. Shiva Dol is 180 feet tall and 195 feet in
diameter. It is caped seven feet high large Golden Dome, called 'Kolosi', on
the topmost part of the dole. The walls of the temple are sculptured with
statues of numerous Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The other two great
doles in the same campus are Vishnu Dole and Devi Dole.
Kamakhya Temple
The Kamakhya Temple is a Sakta temple dedicated to the mother
goddess Kamakhya. It is one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Pithas. Situated
on the Nilachal Hill in western part of Guwahati city in Assam, India, it is
the main temple in a complex of individual temples which is the most
comprehensive representation of the ten Mahavidyas of Saktism, namely,
Kali, Tara, Tripura Sundari, Bhuvaneshwari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta,
Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi and Kamalatmika. Among these,
Tripurasundari, Matangi and Kamala reside inside the main temple
whereas the other seven reside in individual temples. It is an important
pilgrimage destination for Hindus and especially for Tantric worshipers.
Originally an autochthonous place of worship, the Kamakya Temple
became identified with the state power when the Mleccha and then with
the Pala kings of Kamarupa, and finally the Koch and the Ahoms
patronised it. The Kalika Purana, written during the Pala rule, connected
Naraka, the legitimizing progenitor of the Kamarupa kings, with the myth
of the goddess Kamakhya representing the region and Kamarupa
kingdom.
298

Agnigarh
Located in the Noth bank of mighty river Brahmaputra, the historical &
hindu mythological place Agnigarh which is also known as love site of
Northeast is situted in Tezpur town of sonitpur district. The literal
meaning of 'a residence amidst fire'. In assamese Agni means Fire and
Garh means place surrounded by walls and thogether it spell as Agnigarh.
Agnigarh is a verdant hillock which was once a fortress and currently is an
amazing hill-garden with landscaped sloping lawns and several
beautifully sculpted statues all over the place.
According to hindu mythology agnigarh is the site of the fortress which

was surrounded by fire at all times so that nobody could go in or out of
the perimeter without permission. It was built by Bana (also called
Banasura), in Hindu mythology, he was a thousand-armed asura and son
of Bali. Banasura was a powerful and terrible asura. All people, even the
king of earth and Devas of heaven, were afraid of him. Bana was a prime
devotee of Lord Shiva. Bansura built this to keep his daughter Usha in
isolation.
Powa Mecca - Hajo

Powa Mecca means the one fourth of original Mecca (1/4 is known as Powa
in Assamese), which is an Islamic holy place in Saudi Arabia. Powa Mecca
in Hajo which lies on the banks of the Brahmaputra River and 24 km from
Guwahati in Kamrup district is a very popular and famous pilgrimage spot
for Muslims.
Powa Mecca is thought to have some of the sanctity of Mecca. It is said

that Powa Mecca was constructed from the soil that was brought from
the city of Mecca itself. So its become Powa Mecca. It is located in top of
the Garurachal Hill, just adjacent to the Madhava Temple. It is noted as the
tomb of Pir Giasuddin Auliya, who was the pioneer of Islam in this part of
the world. This mosque was built by Sujauddin Mohammed Shah in 1657
AD, during the reign of the renowned Mughal Emperor, Shahjahan.
299
Umananda Temple
Located in between the mighty river the Brahmputra in a Peacock island,
Umananda Temple is just opposite side of the famous Kachari Ghat in
Guwahati, Assam. This shiv temple was was built by the famous Ahom
King Gadadhar Singha (1681 - 1696), who was was the husband of Sati
Joymati a great devout of Shaivite. The original temple was however
immensely damaged by a devastating earthquake of 1897. Later, it was
reconstructed by a rich local merchant who chose to inscribe the interior
part of a Siva temple with Vaisnavite slogans.
In Assamese Uma means Hindu goddess Parvati, the wife of Shiva; and
ananda means happiness which is also known as smallest inhabited
riverine island in the world. This is one of the mostly visited temple in
Assam which is devoted to Lord Shiva.
According to the ancient Hindu texts Kalika Purana, lord Siva is said to
have resided here in the form of Bhayananda. In the beginning of the
creation Siva sprinkled ashes (bhasma) at this place and imparted
knowledge to Parvati (his consort). It is said that, when Siva was in
meditation on this hillock, Kamadeva interrupted his yoga and was
therefore burnt to ashes by the fire of Siva's anger and hence the hillock
got the name Bhasmacala.
300
Various festivals Of Assam
Ambubasi Mela Or Ambubasi Festival

Maa Kamakhya Devi temple is one of the strongest Shakti Peeth among 9
shakti Peethas of hindu goddesses Durga, according to hindu mythology.
Shakti Peethas are the places of worship consecrated to the goddess
Shakti or Goddess Sati or the wife of Lord Shiva. Kamakhya Devi temple in
Nilachal hills of Guwahati, Assam anually clebrated Ambubasi Mela during
the monsoon season to celebrate menstruation course of goddess
Kamakhya.
It is widely believe that during the Assamese month of Ahaar, around the
middle of June Devi Kamakhya, the Mother Shakti, goes through her
annual cycle of menstruation during this time stretch. During these three
days the temple remains closed. It is also believed that during the
monsoon rains the creative and nurturing power of the 'menses' of Mother
Earth becomes accessible to devotees at this site during the mela. In
Assam it is believed that the earth becomes impure during this time. No
farming work is undertaken, and daily worship and other religious
performances are suspended for the duration. In assamese it is called Haat
Loga. There is no idol of the presiding deity but she is worshipped in the
form of a yoni-like stone instead over which a natural spring flows.
Ambubasi Mela is also known as Ameti or Tantric fertility festival which

last 4 day long. This mela is closely associated with Tantric Shakti cult
prevalent in eastern parts of India. Even some Tantric Babas make their
public appearances only during these four days. The rest of the year, they
remain in seclusion. Some Babas are seen displaying their psychic powers
like putting their heads in a pit and stand upright on it, standing on one
leg for hours at a stretch.
301
Karam Puja
Karam puja is the most important festivals of tea tribe communities of
Assam with a view to propitating "Mother of Earth" - the goddesses of
creation. It is celebrated on the night of "Bhado Ekadasi" which is
generally in the mid of August. It is basically an agriculture related festival.
It is believe that by the blessing of God "Karam" they will get bumper
crops and their family will be saved from evil.
There is a general belief that the desire of a man germinate send in

human body is fulfilled by the worship of mohther earth. More over
woman pray for better conjugal life. The dance perform in the night of
Karam Puja is called "Jhumair Nritya". It is basically a group dance perform
by the rhythm of "Dholl" and "Madal" by a group of young man and
woman.
Rongker & Chomangkan Festivals
Rongker is the major springtime annual festival celebrated among Karbis

in the month of April at the same time Punjab celebrates Baisakhi,
Assamese celebrates Rongali Bihu. Karbis are are of the major ethnic
groups in North-east India and especially in the hill areas of Assam. They
are the primary habitants of the Karbi Anglong district. These people are
mainly found in North Cachar district, Kamrup, Nagaon and Sonitpur
district of Assam.
The main reason for celebrating this festival is to make the people free
from the diseases and natural calamities throughout the year and also
seek the blessings for bounteous yield of crops. This festival celebrate to
propitiate different gods and goddesses for the well being of the entire
village, the elderly male folk organise Rongker so that people can be free
from diseases and natural calamities for the entire year. The women are
not allowed to enter the worship area during this festival.
302

Jonbeel Mela
Started later than 15th Century AD this was first organized several
centuries ago by the Ahom kings to discuss the prevailing political
situations. Jonbeel Mela is one of the most attractive and unique festival of
Assam where Barter system comes alive. It is the only fair in India where
barter system is still alive. Just 30 km from state capital Guwahati, Assam
it is a 3-day-long community fair held at the weekend of Magh Bihu (Mid
of January)at a historic place known as Dayang Belguri at Jonbeel.
The three day long festival takes its name from the lake next to which it is
celebrated, the "Jonbeel". Before the mela takes place, an Agni Puja is
performed for the well-being of the mankind. The mela starts with
community fishing in the Jonbeel wetland. The theme of the mela is
harmony and brotherhood among the various tribes and communities
scattered in the Northeast India. In this Mela, hill people and the people of
plain exchange commodities.
Baishagu Festival
Baishagu is the major festival celebrated by Bodos with much pomp and
enthusiasm in mid of April at the same time Punjab celebrates Baisakhi,
Assamese celebrates Rongali Bihu. Bodos are the largest Scheduled tribe
in Assam. They are the branch of Indo-Mongoloid family. Believe that they
have migrated from Tibet and Burma and settle in Assam. They are mostly
in lower assam distrcits like Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Chirang etc.
Baishagu is famous for its myriad colours and merriment in the month of
April. It is the most cherished festival of the Bodo tribe. It is also celebrated
as springtime festival to welcome the new year. The first day of the
Festival begins with the cow's worship same as Goru Bihu (Cow's Bihu)
celebrated in the other parts of assam. The next day synchronizes with the
first day of the month of "Bohag" in the Assamese calendar. The young
people bow down to their parents and elders.
This festival is devoted to Lord Shiva or "Bathou" as he is worshipped

during this festival with utmost devotion. They worship the supreme deity
Bathou or Lord Shiva by offering chicken and zou (rice beer).
303

Baresahariya Bhaona
Barechahariya Bhaona (বােৰচহৰীয়া ভাওনা) is a 200-year-old drama festival

held every 5–6 years at Jamugurihat, a small town in Sonitpur District,
Assam. The festival was first held in 1797-98. Led by Gayan Bora and
sounds of Doba, Kanh, Bhortal and Khol resonates amidst the audience to
signal the start of the Barechaharia Bhaowna. This tradition that dates
back two centuries, livens up the small town of Jamugurihat.
Ali Aye Ligang
It is the main festival of the ethnic Mishing community of the region, in

which they perform traditional rituals and dances. This festival is
celebrated on the first Wednesday of the Phagun month, which starts
from mid-February. Ali Aye Ligang is a traditional festival of Mishings, the
second largest tribe of Assam. This cultural festival is usually observed on
the first Wednesday of Phagun (mid-February) month and is uniformly
celebrated by Mishings in Assam.
304
QUESTION PAPERS OF ASSAM'S RECENT
COMPETITIVE EXAMS 2020-21
Assam police Sub inspector SI

Question paper 2021
ASSAM POLICE
SUB INSPECTOR
Memory based GK questions
Assam police
si G.K
memory
based
Questions
By Assamedu.in
305
ASSAM POLICE SUB INSPECTOR SI
QUESTION PAPER 2021
Q1. The "Nine Dash Line" which is to be contested at the UN,

is in which water body ?
[A]North Atlantic Occean
[B]East Philippine Sea
[C]South China Sea
[D]Arctic Occean
Q2. What is Andhra Pradesh's OCTOPUS?
[A] Science Research Institute

[B]Water Management Authority
[C]Anti Enforcement Drive
[D]Counter Terrorism Unit
Q3. Collegium of Supreme Court Consists of Chief Justice of

India and how many other Judges?
[A] 2
[B] 3
[C] 4
[D] 6
Q4. How many Indians are Grand Masters of Chess ?

[A] 62
[B] 63
[C] 64
[D] 68
Q5. Strategic tunnel under Rohtang pass is recently named

afer which of erstwhile PM of India ?
[A] Indira Gandhi
[B] Atal Bihari Vajpaee
[C] Morarji Desai
[D] Indra Kumar Gurjal
306
QUESTION PAPER 2021
Q6. The preamble of the Indian constitution amended by ?
[A] 42nd
[B] 44th
[C] 46th
[D] it was never amended
Q7. India has how many Union Territories ?

[A] 7
[B] 8
[C] 9
[D] 10
Q8. Ashoka the great belong to ?
[A] Maurya Dynasty

[B] Gupta Dynasty
[C] Kushan Dynasty
[D] None of these
Q9. The "Jataka Tales are related ?

[A] Jainism
[B] Buddhism
[C] Vikram And Betaal
[D] Both A & B
Q10. Out of Total Seats of Rajya Sabha how many are

reserved for SC and ST ?
[A] 38/18
[B] 36/16
[C] 33/14
[D] None of these
307
QUESTION PAPER 2021
Q11. Article 19 of Indian Constitution does not include ?

[A] Freedom to assemble peacefully without
Arms
[B] Freedom of life and personal Liberty
[C] Freedom to form Association or unions
or cooperative Societies
[D] Freedom to practice any profession
Q12. Where was Gurunanak Born ?
[A] Kartarpur in Pakistan

[B] Amritsar In India
[C] Nanka Sahib in Pakistan
[D] Gurudwara Sahib in India
Q13. Which of the following is not Union Territory of India ?
[A] Dadra and Nagar Haveli

[B] Jammu & Kashmir
[C] Andaman & Nicobars Islands
[D] National Capital Territory Delhi
Q14. Which of the following state in India shares a boundary

with maximum number of other Indian states?
[A] Jainism
[B] Buddhism
[C] Vikram And Betaal
[D] Both A & B
Q15. The temple of Seven hills refer to ?

[A] Minakshi Temple of Madurai
[B] Vankateswara Temple of Tirrupati
[C]Omkareswar Temple of Mandhata
[D] Shree Shidhivinayak Temple Of Mumbai
308
QUESTION PAPER 2021
Q16. Who added the fifth storey of "Qutub Minar"?

[A] Qutubuddin Aibak
[B] Shamsuddin Illtutmis
[C] Firoz Shah Tughlak
[D] Sher Shah Suri
Q17. "Food for work" programme was renamed as

[A] Rural Landless Emplyment Guarantee Programme
(RLEGP)
[B] National Rural Emplyment Programme (NREP)
[C] National Rural Emplyment Programme (NREP)
[D] Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP)
Q18. "Mixed Economy" means an economy where ?

[A] Both agriculture and industry are equally promoted by the state
[B] There is co existence of public sector along with private sector
[C] There is equal emphasis on small scale industries along with heavy
industries
[D] Economy is controlled by both military as well as civilian rulers
Q19. Greenland is under the rule of ?
[A] Sweden
[B] USA
[C] England
[D] Denmark
Q20. The oldest rock system of the world is ?

[A] The primitive Rock System
[B] The Archaean Rock System
[C] The Zireous Rock System
[D] None of these
309
QUESTION PAPER 2021
Q21. The concept of Sustainable development relates to ?

[A] Infra generational Equity
[B] inter generational Equity
[C] Extra Generational Equity
[D] None of these
Q22. Who among the following is most benefitted from

inflation?
[A] Govt. Pensioners
[B] Creditors
[C] Savings Bank Account Holders
[D] Debtors
Q23. The PM Fasal Bima Yojana is compulsory for ?

[A] All the farmers for all the crops
[B] All the farmers cultivating notified crops
[C] Farmers of notified areas cultivating in notified crops
[D] Farmers of notified areas having crop loan account/kcc account cultivating
in notified crop
Q24. Which of the following was supposed to have been

written by Srimanta Sankardeva within one night
[A] Namghosa
[B] Gunamala
[C] Prahalda Charita
[D] Kumara Haran
Q25. Iyaruyingam was written by ?

[A] Bhabendranath Saikia
[B] Bhabendra Kumar Bhattacharya
[C] Navakanta Baruah
[D] Mahim Bora
310
QUESTION PAPER 2021
Q26. The Royal House of Tripura is known as the ?

[A] Manikya
[B] Tripuri
[C] Holkar
[D] Varmans
Q27. Sri Krishna is said to have fought a battle with which

king of Assam?
[A] Narakasur
[B] Banasur
[C] Mahiranga Danava
[D] None of these
Q28. The legend of which character from Nagaland is associated

with the Mahabharata?
[A] Princess Ulupi
[B] Princess Mulagabharu
[C] Ghatokach
[D] Bhima
Q29. The legend of Princess Rukmini is associated with

which place ?
[A] Arunachal
[B] Assam
[C] Nagaland
[D] Tripura
Q30. Who is the RBI Governor ?

[A] Raguhram Rajan
[B] Bilam Jalan
[C] Shakti kanta Das
[D] Urjit patel
311
QUESTION PAPER 2021
Q31. Who is the Chief of Army Staff of India ?

[A] Bipin Rawat
[B] Manoj Mukund Naravane
[C] KB Singh
[D] Dalbir Singh Suhag
Q32. How many children were reported born on 01-01-2020

in India?
[A] More than 67000
[B] More than 13000
[C] More than 46000
[D] More than 24000
Q33. Which are age categories for Khelo India Youth Games?
[A] 13 years to 17 years

[B] 17 years to 19 years
[C] 19 years to 21 years
[D] 17 years to 21 years
Q34. Which of the following ceremonies was supposed to

give power to the Ahom Kings?
[A] Abhishekh
[B] Rikhhavan
[C] Yajna
[D] Narayan puja
Q35. Which ahom king created the post of the BAR

PHUKAN?
[A] Pratap Singha
[B] Rudra Singha
[C] Chakradhwaj Singha
[D] Udyaditya Singha
312
QUESTION PAPER 2021
Q36. The logo of the Sahitya Sabha has been designed by ?

[A] Mitradev Mahant
[B] Nilpawan Baruah
[C] Jugal Das
[D] Lazminah Bezboruah
Q37. Planning in India derives its objective from ?
[A] Fundamental Rights

[B] Fundamental Duties
[C] Directive Principles of State Policy
[D] Preamble
Q38. The burmese general wjo attacked Assam was ?
[A] Mingimaha Bandula

[B] Mingimaha Tandabla
[C] Arakan
[D] Badan
Q39. Which king is said to have constructed hospitals for

animals and birds?
[A] Bhaskarvarman
[B] Rudra Singha
[C] Nara Narayan
[D] Suhunmung
Q40. Who introduced the Saka Era in Assam ?

[A] Supungmung
[B] Suhungmung
[C] Rudra Singha
[D] Bamuni Konwar
313
QUESTION PAPER 2021
Q41. Which of the following sites is linked to the Gupta

school of Architecture?
[A] Da Parbatia
[B] Deopani
[C] Deogarh
[D] Dimow
Q42. The treaty of Majuli was signed between ?

[A] Ahoms and Koches
[B] Ahoms and Moamariyas
[C] Koches and Kacharis
[D] Ahoms and Kacharis
Q44. Founder of Swaraj Party in Assam
[A] Gopinath Bordoloi

[B] Brajanath Sarma
[C] Bishnu Rabha
[D] TR Phookan
Q45. Assamese Bengali and Odiya are said to have

development from the common root ?
[A] Sanskrit
[B] Brajavali
[C] Prakit
[D] Apabrahmsa
Q46. Princess Amriprabha of Assam Married to the king of

Kashmir
[A] Gulmarg
[B] Meghvahana
[C] Meghraj
[D] Meghmallar
314
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CURRENT AFFAIRS FROM JANUARY 2020

2) Current issues 2020-21 001 - 144

3) Assam History 145 - 213

4) Assam Geography 214 - 237

5) Assam polity 238 - 244

6) Assam Budget 2020-21 255 - 273

7) Important schemes 0f 2020-21 274 - 277

8) Notable death of 2020-21 278 - 282

10) Assamese Books and author 289 - 291

11) First in Assam 292 - 293

12) Dams and Reservoirs if assam 294 - 295

13) Famous monuments in Assam 296 - 300

14) Various festivals Of Assam 301 - 304

Question papers of Assam's recent

5 Premium APSC GS Mock test 315 - 317

1) Union Budget 2021 116 - 123

2) India's rank in different indices

3) India's oxygen crisis 131 - 133

4) Cryptocurrency bill 2021 134 - 137

5) Padma Awards 2021 138 - 144

Assam is administratively divided into 33 district with 80 sub-division,

Assam has heterogeneous population with socio-cultural & ethnic diversity.

Geographical Area (Sq. Km.) : 78438

Total Population [Census 2011] : 31205576

Literacy Rate (%) [Census 2011] : 72.19

Number of National Parks :

Number of Wildlife Sanctuaries : 18

Population Density (per Sq. Km.) [Census 2011]: 398

Total Forest Area : 1852676

Total High and Higher Secondary institution : 8241

Total College for General Education Institution : 344

© All Rights Reserve

JUNE 107 – 114

Assam Current Affairs - January 2020

• Magh Bihu festival celebrated in Assam

On January 15,2020 Magh Bihu, an auspicious harvest festival is being celebrated

Chief Minister (CM)- Sarbananda Sanowal

• Eight States finalized Agriculture Export Policy by the Government of

About Agriculture Export Policy:

Tripartite agreement with NDFB:

About National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB)

Fact 2 - It was designated as a terrorist organisation by the Government of India.

• Assam Rifles builds war memorial “Veer Samriti” in Nagaland for

About “Veer Samriti" war memorial:

About Assam Rifles:

Headquarters- Shillong, Meghalaya.

Motto-Sentinels of the North East.

Director General- Lt Gen Sukhdeep Sangwan.

• Natyasurya Awardee dramatist Ratna Ojha passed away at 88 in

• He was born on December 5, 1931, in Barpeta district of Assam.

Best Tableaux Awards (States and Union territories):

Best Tableaux Awards Ministry/Departments :

About Khelo India Games:

Chief Executive Officer- Avinash Joshi

•Overview of 3rd Khelo India youth games 2020 held in

Rank State Goldmedal Silvermedal Bronzemedal Medaltally

Tamil Nadu girls won the under-17 basketball title

Maharashtra wins U-17 & U-21 gold in Kho Kho