Practice 9 APSC Current Affairs MCQs for 22 & 24 August 2026 on British Assam, Rare Diseases, INS Mangrol, Laokhowa, AIF, Super El Niño, BAS, Pitch Black and Durand Cup.
Question 1: British Rule in Assam – Tea, Petroleum, Railways and Migration| APSC Current Affairs 22 24 August 2026
Consider the following statements regarding the development of Assam during British rule:
- Tea plantations expanded significantly during the colonial period.
- The discovery of petroleum contributed to Assam’s economic significance.
- Railway development facilitated the transportation of tea, oil and timber.
- Colonial economic development had no significant impact on migration into Assam.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 4 only
C. 1, 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Correct Answer: C — 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation: Statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct, while Statement 4 is incorrect.
During British rule, Assam underwent major economic changes as colonial authorities increasingly integrated the region with wider markets.
Tea Plantations: The expansion of commercial tea cultivation became one of the most important features of Assam’s colonial economy. Large tea plantations were established and Assam emerged as a major tea-producing region.
Petroleum: The discovery and commercial development of petroleum, particularly around Digboi, further increased Assam’s economic significance.
Railway Development: Railways were developed to improve the movement of important commercial resources such as tea, petroleum, timber and other commodities from Assam to markets outside the region.
Migration: Statement 4 is incorrect because colonial economic expansion had a substantial impact on migration into Assam. Labour was required for tea plantations, infrastructure and emerging economic activities, contributing to movements of people into the province.
The colonial transformation of Assam therefore involved not only new industries and infrastructure but also significant demographic and social consequences.
Question 2: National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD) – ₹50 Lakh Assistance and Centres of Excellence| APSC Current Affairs
Consider the following statements regarding the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD):
- The National Policy for Rare Diseases was launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in March 2021.
- Under the policy, financial support of up to ₹50 lakh per patient is provided for treatment at notified Centres of Excellence (CoEs).
- Rare diseases under the policy are categorised into three groups based on the nature of treatment and associated challenges.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: All three statements are correct.
The National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD) was launched in March 2021 by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
The policy seeks to create a systematic framework for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases while addressing the major financial and institutional challenges associated with such conditions.
Financial Assistance: Under the policy, eligible patients can receive financial support of up to ₹50 lakh per patient for treatment at notified Centres of Excellence (CoEs).
Classification of Rare Diseases: The policy categorises rare diseases into three broad groups, depending upon the nature, duration and feasibility of treatment.
Group 1 broadly includes diseases amenable to one-time curative treatment.
Group 2 includes diseases requiring long-term or lifelong treatment, where the treatment cost may be relatively lower but requires continuous medical intervention.
Group 3 includes diseases for which definitive treatment may be available but involves significant challenges such as very high cost, lifelong therapy and patient-selection issues.
Question 3: INS Mangrol – Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft and Indigenous Naval Capability| APSC Current Affairs
Consider the following statements regarding INS Mangrol:
- Mangrol is the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) built by Cochin Shipyard Limited and was delivered to the Indian Navy in August 2026.
- The ship has over 80% indigenous content and is equipped for Anti-Submarine Warfare, underwater surveillance and mine warfare.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Both statements are correct.
Mangrol is the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi.
It was delivered to the Indian Navy on 21 August 2026.
The ship contains more than 80% indigenous content, reflecting India’s increasing emphasis on domestic defence manufacturing and naval self-reliance.
Operational Roles: Mangrol has been designed to undertake missions including Anti-Submarine Warfare in coastal waters, underwater surveillance, Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and mine warfare.
What is Anti-Submarine Warfare? Anti-Submarine Warfare refers to military operations aimed at detecting, tracking, deterring or neutralising hostile submarines.
Shallow-water ASW vessels are particularly useful in coastal and littoral environments where underwater conditions can make submarine detection challenging.
Question 4: Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary – Nagaon, Brahmaputra and Kaziranga Tiger Reserve| UPSC | APSC
Consider the following statements regarding Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Golaghat district of Assam and lies on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River.
- Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary forms part of the Manas Tiger Reserve ecosystem and is located in western Assam.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation: Both statements are incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Nagaon district, not Golaghat district.
It is situated on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River, not the northern bank.
Statement 2 is also incorrect because Laokhowa does not form part of the Manas Tiger Reserve ecosystem.
Instead, it forms an integral part of the Laokhowa–Burachapori ecosystem and is a notified buffer of the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
This ecological linkage is important because protected areas should not always be studied as isolated units. Wildlife movement and habitat connectivity often extend beyond the administrative boundary of a single sanctuary or national park.
Question 5: Agriculture Infrastructure Fund – Post-Harvest Infrastructure and 3% Interest Subvention| APSC Current Affairs
Consider the following statements regarding the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Scheme:
- The AIF Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2020 to provide debt financing for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets.
- Under the scheme, loans up to ₹2 crore are eligible for 3% interest subvention per annum for a maximum period of 7 years.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Both statements are correct.
The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) was launched in 2020 as a Central Sector Scheme.
It provides medium- to long-term debt financing for investment in post-harvest management infrastructure and viable community farming assets.
Such infrastructure can include facilities that improve storage, processing, handling and value addition of agricultural produce.
Interest Subvention: Under the scheme, eligible loans up to ₹2 crore receive an interest subvention of 3% per annum.
The benefit can be available for a maximum period of seven years.
Why is AIF Important? A major challenge in Indian agriculture is the loss of value between production and final sale because of inadequate storage, processing, logistics and market infrastructure.
Better post-harvest infrastructure can contribute to:
- Lower post-harvest losses
- Improved farm-gate value
- Greater value addition
- Better storage
- Stronger agricultural supply chains
- Improved farmer incomes
Question 6: Super El Niño – Strong ENSO Event and Pacific Ocean Warming| APSC Current Affairs UPSC | APSC
Which of the following best describes Super El Niño?
A. An exceptionally strong El Niño event marked by unusually high sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean
B. A prolonged cooling of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean causing global temperature decline
C. A periodic warming of the Indian Ocean that affects only South Asian rainfall
D. A strong La Niña event associated with unusually low sea-surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Super El Niño is an informal term used to describe an exceptionally strong El Niño event.
El Niño involves abnormally warm sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.
A particularly intense El Niño can have important impacts on:
- Global temperatures
- Rainfall patterns
- Agriculture
- Water security
- Drought and floods
- Extreme weather
ENSO: El Niño forms part of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
Broadly, ENSO has three phases:
El Niño – unusual warming of the central/eastern equatorial Pacific.
La Niña – unusual cooling of the same region.
Neutral Phase – neither El Niño nor La Niña conditions dominate.
India Link: ENSO is important for India because changes in the tropical Pacific can influence the Indian monsoon system, although the relationship is influenced by several other oceanic and atmospheric factors.
Question 7: Bharatiya Antariksh Station – Five Modules, Microgravity Research and India’s Space Station| APSC Current Affairs
Consider the following statements regarding the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS):
- The Bharatiya Antariksh Station is planned to orbit at an altitude of 400–450 km above Earth and support scientific research.
- The BAS will consist of seven modules, with the first module scheduled for launch in 2030.
- The station is expected to support microgravity research, long-duration human space missions and international collaborations in areas such as biotechnology and materials science.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: C — 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct, while Statement 2 is incorrect.
The Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) is India’s planned space station and represents an important component of the country’s long-term human-spaceflight programme.
The station is planned to orbit approximately 400–450 km above Earth and will provide a platform for scientific research in space.
Number of Modules: BAS is planned to consist of five modules, not seven.
According to the information provided, the Base Module is scheduled for 2028, while the complete station is targeted to become operational by 2035.
Research Areas: BAS is expected to support scientific activity in the microgravity environment, including areas such as:
- Biotechnology
- Materials science
- Microgravity research
- Long-duration human spaceflight
- International scientific collaboration
Why is Microgravity Important? The very low-gravity environment experienced in orbit enables experiments that behave differently from comparable experiments on Earth, providing opportunities for research in fields such as human physiology, material sciences and biotechnology.
Question 8: Exercise Pitch Black 2026 – Royal Australian Air Force and Multinational Air Operations| APSC Current Affairs
Consider the following statements regarding Exercise Pitch Black 2026:
- Exercise Pitch Black is a biennial multinational air exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
- The 2026 edition featured 19 nations, including India, with more than 100 aircraft and 4,400 personnel participating.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer as provided in the source file: C — Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Both statements are treated as correct in the attached 24 August question set.
Exercise Pitch Black is a biennial multinational flying exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
The 2026 edition was conducted from Australian air bases including:
- RAAF Base Darwin
- RAAF Base Tindal
- RAAF Base Amberley
According to the attached question set, the exercise involved 19 nations, more than 100 aircraft and over 4,400 personnel, including participation by India.
The exercise provides participating air forces with an opportunity to improve:
- Interoperability
- Complex aerial operations
- Multinational coordination
- Tactical integration
- Operational familiarity with partner air forces
What is Interoperability? Interoperability refers to the ability of military forces from different countries to communicate, coordinate and operate effectively together.
Question 9: Durand Cup – Asia’s Oldest Football Tournament and its Origin in Shimla| APSC Current Affairs| APSC Current Affairs 22 24 August 2026
Consider the following statements regarding the Durand Cup:
- The Durand Cup is Asia’s oldest football tournament and the world’s third-oldest football tournament.
- The inaugural edition of the tournament was held in Kolkata in 1888 and initially started as an Army Cup.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: A — Statement 1 Only
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct, while Statement 2 is incorrect.
The Durand Cup is recognised as Asia’s oldest football tournament and one of the oldest football competitions in the world.
It was established in 1888.
Why is Statement 2 Incorrect? The first Durand Cup was held in Shimla, not Kolkata.
The competition initially began as an Army Cup, with participation restricted to British Indian Army troops.
The tournament subsequently evolved into a major competition involving civilian and professional football clubs.
Historical Significance: The Durand Cup reflects the long history of organised football in India and occupies a distinctive place in the development of the sport during the colonial and post-colonial periods.
About Lucent IAS
Lucent IAS is a premier civil services coaching institute in Guwahati, focused on helping aspirants prepare systematically for the APSC Civil Services Examination. Our programmes combine Foundation preparation, advanced Mains guidance, Assam-centric learning and answer-writing practice with personalised mentoring and examination-oriented test series.
The objective is simple: help aspirants move beyond collecting information and develop the ability to understand, analyse and write effectively in the examination.
Publications From LUCENT IAS
- “The Assam Odyssey: The Complete Assam Centric Resource useful for APSC CCE and various other Departmental Examinations. Read More
- InExam PYQ Explained.Read More
- Mains Tattva: The Craft of Answer Writing (GS Paper PYQs). Read More
- Maanchitra – An Illustrative Colour-Coded Informative Map of Assam. Read More
- প্ৰাৰম্ভ (Prarambha). Read More
- অসম ওডিচী – The Assam Odyssey (Assamese Edition). Read More
Connect with Lucent IAS
- Website: LUCENT IAS
- Study Portal/Course Access: STUDY.LUCENTIAS
- YouTube: @LUCENTIAS
- Instagram: @LUCENT_IAS
- Facebook: @LUCENTIAS
- Official Telegram Channel: @LucentIAS
- Telegram Public Forum: @LUCENTIAS
Start your journey to success today. Visit us at lucentias.com or call +91-6913007777 for more details.
For course details and admissions, visit the Lucent IAS website or contact 6913007777.