Practice APSC Current Affairs MCQs for 27 August 2026 on International Potato Centre, flash floods, Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan, sugarcane and Tocklai Tea Research Institute.
Question 1: International Potato Centre (CIP) – Assam Agricultural University, Research & Potato Value Chain |Current Affairs MCQ
Consider the following statements regarding the International Potato Centre (CIP):
- The International Potato Centre (CIP) was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Lima, Peru.
- IIT Guwahati has signed an MoU with CIP to strengthen research, training, community engagement and the potato value chain.
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 International Potato Centre (CIP) was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Lima, Peru.
CIP is associated with research and development relating to potato and related agricultural systems, making it relevant to issues such as crop productivity, food security, agricultural research and value-chain development.
Statement 2 is incorrect because the MoU mentioned in the source was signed by Assam Agricultural University (AAU), not IIT Guwahati.
The collaboration seeks to strengthen areas such as research, training, community engagement and development of the potato value chain.
Question 2: Flash Floods – Sudden Flooding, Intense Rainfall & Disaster Management | Current Affairs MCQ
Which of the following best defines a flash flood?
A. A gradual rise in water levels caused by prolonged rainfall over several days
B. A sudden and rapid rise of water, usually caused by heavy rainfall within six hours or less
C. A seasonal increase in river discharge occurring during the monsoon
D. A slow accumulation of groundwater in low-lying areas
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A flash flood is characterised by a sudden and rapid rise of water, generally following intense rainfall within six hours or less.
Unlike floods that develop gradually over several days, flash floods can occur with very little warning time, making them particularly dangerous.
Their rapid onset can severely affect:
Settlements, roads, bridges, agriculture, drainage systems and other infrastructure.
Why are Flash Floods Important for Assam? Flash floods are highly relevant for Assam and Northeast India because of the region’s intense monsoon rainfall, hilly terrain, river networks and rapidly expanding urban areas.
The concept is particularly useful for understanding disasters such as urban flooding, hill-stream flooding and sudden localised inundation.
Flash Flood vs River Flood: A conventional river flood may develop over a longer period because of sustained rainfall and rising river discharge. A flash flood develops much more rapidly, often after intense local rainfall.
Question 3: Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan 2023 – Self-Employment & ₹2–5 Lakh Financial Support | Current Affairs MCQ
Consider the following statements regarding the Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan 2023:
- The initiative aims to enable unemployed youth to become self-reliant through training, financial assistance and access to markets.
- It offers a financial package ranging from ₹2 lakh for general/matric-pass courses to ₹5 lakh for professional degrees, comprising a government grant and an interest-free loan.
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 Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan 2023 is aimed at promoting self-employment and economic self-reliance among unemployed youth in Assam.
The initiative combines training, financial assistance and access to markets, thereby seeking to help beneficiaries move towards sustainable livelihood and entrepreneurship.
According to the provided material, the scheme offers a financial package ranging from ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh, depending on the educational or professional category of the beneficiary.
The assistance is divided between a government grant and an interest-free loan.
Why is the Scheme Important? Self-employment schemes can address unemployment not only by providing capital but also by strengthening entrepreneurship, skill development and market access.
For Assam, such initiatives can be particularly important for creating local economic opportunities and supporting micro and small enterprises.
Question 4: Sugarcane Industry in India – Production, Leading States & Agricultural Economy |Current Affairs MCQ
Consider the following statements regarding the sugarcane industry in India:
- India is the world’s largest producer of sugarcane, with Punjab and Gujarat being the top sugarcane-producing states.
- India’s sugarcane production declined from 500 MMT in 2015–16 to 348.44 MMT in 2025–26.
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: According to the attached source, both statements are incorrect.
The material identifies India as the world’s second-largest producer of sugarcane, rather than the largest.
It also identifies Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra as the leading sugarcane-producing states, not Punjab and Gujarat.
Statement 2 is incorrect because the production trend has been reversed in the statement.
According to the provided data, sugarcane production increased from 348.44 MMT in 2015–16 to around 500 MMT in 2025–26, rather than declining.
Why is Sugarcane Important to the Indian Economy? Sugarcane supports a large agro-industrial ecosystem involving:
Farmers, sugar mills, transport, ethanol production, power generation and allied industries.
The crop also has strong linkages with India’s ethanol-blending programme, making the sector relevant to both agriculture and energy policy.
Major Sugarcane-Producing States: For exam purposes, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra are particularly important.
Question 5: Tocklai Tea Research Institute – Jorhat, Tea Research & North Bengal R&D Centre |Current Affairs MCQ
Consider the following statements regarding the Tocklai Tea Research Institute:
- The Tocklai Tea Research Institute, established as the Tocklai Experimental Station in 1911, is located in Jorhat, Assam, and serves as a major research centre for the Indian tea industry.
- Research on all aspects of tea cultivation is carried out at Tocklai in Jorhat and at the North Bengal R&D Centre, Nagrakata, West Bengal, with the objective of improving tea productivity and quality.
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 Tocklai Tea Research Institute is located at Jorhat in Assam and is one of the most important institutions associated with research for the Indian tea industry.
It was established in 1911 as the Tocklai Experimental Station.
Its research covers different dimensions of tea cultivation with the broader objective of improving productivity and quality.
Research is also undertaken at the North Bengal R&D Centre at Nagrakata in West Bengal.
Why is Tocklai Important for Assam? Tea is one of the most important components of Assam’s agricultural and industrial economy.
Scientific research can contribute to the sector through improvements in areas such as:
Planting material, productivity, crop management, pest and disease control, processing and tea quality.
The institute therefore connects science, agriculture and Assam’s plantation economy.
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