Practice APSC Current Affairs MCQs for 25 August 2026 on Assamese language, NPCI, Dak MITRA and Dak Sewa, Nalini Kanta Baruah and H-1B visa. Important APSC UPSC Topics
Question 1: Development of Assamese Language – Gachtal Inscription, Prakrit and Assamese Script | Important APSC UPSC Topics
Consider the following statements regarding the development of the Assamese language:
- The Assamese language evolved through the interaction of Sanskrit, Prakrit and indigenous dialects and tribal languages of Assam.
- The Gachtal Stone Pillar Inscription of 1362 CE is an important milestone in the emergence of early Assamese.
- The Assamese script developed directly from the Roman script without influence from earlier Indian scripts.
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: A — 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while Statement 3 is incorrect.
The Assamese language developed gradually over a long historical period through interactions involving Sanskrit, Prakrit, regional dialects and the languages of indigenous and tribal communities of Assam.
This gradual evolution reflects the diverse linguistic and cultural environment of the Brahmaputra Valley.
The Gachtal Stone Pillar Inscription of 1362 CE is regarded in the provided material as an important milestone in the emergence of early Assamese.
Statement 3 is incorrect because the Assamese script did not develop directly from the Roman script. Its evolution is associated with earlier Indian script traditions, including Brahmi and Siddhamatrika/Kutila traditions.
Question 2: NPCI – UPI, RuPay, IMPS, AePS and India’s Digital Payment Ecosystem| Important APSC UPSC Topics
Consider the following statements regarding the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI):
- NPCI was incorporated in 2008 as an umbrella organisation for operating retail payment and settlement systems in India.
- NPCI was an initiative of the RBI and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
- UPI, RuPay, IMPS, AePS and BBPS are among the major initiatives of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while Statement 3 is incorrect.
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) was incorporated in 2008 as an umbrella organisation for operating India’s retail payment and settlement systems.
According to the attached material, NPCI emerged as an initiative of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) under the framework of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
Statement 3 is incorrect because platforms such as UPI, RuPay, IMPS, AePS and BBPS are major initiatives operated or developed through NPCI, rather than being directly described as RBI initiatives.
Important NPCI Platforms:
UPI – Unified Payments Interface facilitates instant bank-to-bank digital payments.
RuPay is an Indian card-payment network.
IMPS – Immediate Payment Service enables instant inter-bank electronic fund transfers.
AePS – Aadhaar Enabled Payment System facilitates certain banking transactions using Aadhaar-based authentication.
BBPS – Bharat Bill Payment System provides an integrated system for bill payments.
Why is NPCI Important? NPCI plays a central role in India’s rapidly expanding digital-payment infrastructure, linking banks, payment service providers and consumers.
Question 3: Dak MITRA vs Dak Sewa – India Post’s Digital Platforms and BHASHINI | Important APSC UPSC Topics
Consider the following statements regarding the Dak MITRA and Dak Sewa applications:
- Dak MITRA is a citizen-facing platform that provides access to multiple postal services in 23 Indian languages.
- Dak Sewa is designed exclusively for Branch Postmasters to conduct paperless postal and financial transactions through handheld devices.
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 because the functions of the two applications have been interchanged in the statements.
Dak MITRA is the operational platform meant for Branch Postmasters. It enables paperless and real-time postal and financial transactions through handheld devices.
Dak Sewa, on the other hand, is the citizen-facing application.
It provides users with access to services such as:
Tracking postal articles, booking services, lodging complaints, locating Post Offices and PIN codes, and accessing financial calculators.
The application also provides support for 23 Indian languages through BHASHINI, according to the attached material.
Why is this Question Tricky? Both applications are associated with the digitisation of India Post, but their target users are different.
Question 4: Nalini Kanta Baruah – Assam’s “Shutter Guru” and Vintage Camera Collection at Tezpur University | Important APSC UPSC Topics
Consider the following statements regarding Nalini Kanta Baruah:
- Nalini Kanta Baruah was popularly known as the “Shutter Guru” for his long association with photography.
- A collection of 22 vintage cameras used by him was donated to the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Tezpur University.
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.
Nalini Kanta Baruah was affectionately known as the “Shutter Guru” because of his distinguished and long association with photography.
His photographic legacy has also been preserved through a collection of 22 vintage cameras associated with his career.
According to the attached material, his son Madhurjya Baruah donated these cameras to the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Tezpur University.
The cameras had been used by Nalini Kanta Baruah from 1941 until his death.
Why is this Important? The preservation of such equipment provides students and future generations with a tangible connection to the history of photography and visual documentation in Assam.
Question 5: H-1B Visa – Specialty Occupations and Annual Visa Cap
Consider the following statements regarding the H-1B visa:
- The H-1B visa is issued for specialty occupations requiring highly specialised knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
- The annual H-1B visa limit is 85,000, including 65,000 regular visas and 20,000 for applicants with advanced degrees.
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 according to the attached question set.
The H-1B visa is associated with employment in the United States in specialty occupations requiring highly specialised knowledge.
Such occupations generally require at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a relevant field.
The annual H-1B limit mentioned in the attached material is 85,000 visas.
This consists of:
65,000 visas under the regular cap, and
20,000 additional slots for eligible applicants with advanced degrees.
Why is H-1B Important for India? The visa is particularly relevant in discussions around skilled migration, technology professionals, global labour mobility and India–US economic relations.
Key Facts for APSC & UPSC: H-1B → Specialty occupations → Highly specialised knowledge → Bachelor’s degree or equivalent → Annual cap mentioned in the question set: 85,000 = 65,000 + 20,000 advanced-degree slots.
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