Practice APSC Current Affairs MCQs for 23 October 2026 on Pahumara River, Nouka Khel, Dar Puja, Bhupen Da Uncut and the HIV and AIDS Act, 2017, Pahumara River Assam, Nouka Khel Bajali, Medhikuchi boat race, Dar Puja Assam, Koch royal family Darrang, Bhupen Da Uncut, Bobbeeta Sharma, Bhupen Hazarika documentary, HIV AIDS Prevention and Control Act 2017, HIV Ombudsman India, APSC Assam Culture MCQ, Assam Current Affairs 2026.
Strengthen your APSC CCE and UPSC Current Affairs preparation with the Daily Current Affairs Challenge – 23 October 2026.
Today’s set contains 4 exam-oriented MCQs with a particularly strong Assam focus. The questions cover Assam geography and traditional culture, the Koch royal tradition, Dr Bhupen Hazarika, and an important national social-justice legislation concerning the rights of persons affected by HIV/AIDS.
Topics Covered: Pahumara River; Nouka Khel of Bajali; Dar Puja; Bhupen Da Uncut; HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017.
Question 1 | Current Affairs
Consider the following statements regarding the Pahumara River and Nouka Khel of Assam:
- The Pahumara River is a right-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra flowing through the Lower Assam region.
- The traditional Nouka Khel boat race is held annually at Medhikuchi in Bajali district on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Both statements are correct according to the supplied material.
The Pahumara River is described as a northern-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra, flowing primarily through Barpeta and Bajali districts.
The traditional Nouka Khel, also known as Nouka Baich, is an annual boat race held at Medhikuchi in Bajali district on Vijaya Dashami.
For APSC aspirants, this topic is useful because it combines Assam geography with local cultural traditions.
Prelims Focus: APSC often links local rivers, districts, fairs, festivals and traditional practices in statement-based questions.
Question 2 | Current Affairs
Which of the following statements regarding Dar Puja of Assam is/are incorrect?
- Dar Puja involves the worship of arms and symbolises Shakti, power, courage and valour.
- Dar Puja is observed at all three historic Howlis associated with the Royal Durga Puja of the Koch royal family of Darrang.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: B — Statement 2 only
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct, while Statement 2 is incorrect.
Dar Puja is associated with the worship of arms and symbolises Shakti, power, courage and valour.
However, Dar Puja is not observed at all three historic Howlis associated with the Royal Durga Puja tradition. According to the source, it is observed exclusively at the Mohanpur Howli campus, although the broader Royal Durga Puja is celebrated at three historic Howlis.
Assam Culture Link: This topic is significant for understanding the royal and martial traditions associated with Durga Puja in Assam, especially those connected with the Koch royal lineage.
Question 3 | Current Affairs
Who directed the documentary Bhupen Da Uncut, which presents a first-person account of the life of Dr Bhupen Hazarika, narrated by the singer himself?
A. Rima Das
B. Bobbeeta Sharma
C. Jahnu Barua
D. Manju Borah
Correct Answer: B — Bobbeeta Sharma
Explanation: Bhupen Da Uncut was directed by Bobbeeta Sharma. The documentary presents the life of Dr Bhupen Hazarika through his own candid and intimate narration.
The question is important from an APSC perspective because Dr Bhupen Hazarika frequently appears in questions on Assamese music, cinema, culture, literature and important personalities.
For revision, aspirants should connect such current-affairs references with the broader contribution of Dr Bhupen Hazarika to Assamese and Indian cultural life.
Question 4 | Current Affairs
Consider the following statements regarding the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017:
- The Act prohibits discrimination against HIV-positive persons in employment, educational establishments, healthcare services and housing.
- The Act requires every State Government to appoint an Ombudsman to inquire into complaints regarding violations of the Act.
- A person below 18 years of age cannot act as a guardian of an HIV/AIDS-affected sibling under any circumstances.
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 HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 prohibits discrimination against HIV-positive persons and their family members in important areas such as employment, education, healthcare and housing.
The Act also requires each State Government to appoint an Ombudsman to inquire into complaints concerning violations of the Act and related healthcare services.
Statement 3 is incorrect. According to the source, a person between 12 and 18 years of age, if sufficiently mature to understand and manage the affairs of an HIV/AIDS-affected family, may act as guardian of a sibling below 18 years of age.
Social Justice Link: The Act is important because it approaches HIV/AIDS not merely as a public-health issue but also through the lens of dignity, equality, non-discrimination and legal protection.
Quick Revision – 23 October 2026: The Pahumara River flows through Lower Assam, particularly Barpeta and Bajali, while the traditional Nouka Khel at Medhikuchi is associated with Vijaya Dashami. Dar Puja involves the worship of arms and is observed specifically at Mohanpur Howli. The documentary Bhupen Da Uncut was directed by Bobbeeta Sharma and presents Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s life through his own narration. The HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 prohibits discrimination, provides for State Ombudsmen and permits certain mature persons aged 12–18 to act as guardians of younger siblings in HIV/AIDS-affected families.
For effective APSC Current Affairs preparation, connect every Assam-specific current-affairs topic with its district, river, festival, institution, personality and associated static-GK background. For national legislation, revise the objective, rights created, implementing authority and important exceptions.
Follow the Lucent IAS Daily Current Affairs Challenge regularly for exam-oriented MCQs, explanations and revision points relevant to APSC CCE, UPSC and other competitive examinations.
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