অসম বিশেষ

Topics of the week

Now Solve অসম বিশেষ Qs on : • State Budget Session
• Gohpur - Numaligarh Tunnel
• 9th Assam Film Awards
• Polls to 3 State RS Seats
• Ali Aye Lrigang
State Budget Session
Source : The Assam Tribune
Date : 16 Feb 2026
Syllabus : Prelims/GS Paper V
State Budget Session
Context
• Last session of the 15th Assam Legislative
Assembly.
• Finance Minister Ajanta Neog presented the
Vote on Account Budget 2026–27.
• Full-fledged budget deferred due to upcoming
Assembly elections (March–April).
• Session began with the Governor’s Address
(Constitutional convention under Article 176).
State Budget Session
PART I: Vote on Account –
Constitutional & Procedural Aspects
2. What is a Vote on Account?
• A temporary budget provision to withdraw
funds from the Consolidated Fund of the
State.
• Passed when:
• Full budget cannot be presented (e.g.,
election year).
• Valid for:
• Usually 2–4 months.
• Passed through:
• Appropriation (Vote on Account) Bill.
Constitutional Basis:
• Article 202 – Annual Financial Statement.
• Article 204 – Appropriation Bills.
• Article 206 – Vote on Account, Vote on Credit &
Exceptional Grants.
State Budget Session
3. Legislative Procedure in Budget
Session
Key proceedings:
• Governor’s Address Assam’s Share
• Motion of Thanks • Under 15th FC:
3.128%
• Question Hour • Under 16th FC:
• Supplementary Demands for Grants 3.26%
(increase)
• Supplementary Appropriation for 2025–26 • Indicates
• Discussion & Voting on Vote on Account recognition of
economic
• Passing of Assam Appropriation (Vote on performance.
Account) Bill, 2026
State Budget Session
PART II: Assam’s Economic
Performance – Key Indicators
4. GSDP Growth
• Projected GSDP (2026–27): ₹8.71 lakh crore
• Growth Rate: 16.93%
• GSDP increased from:
• ₹4.10 lakh crore (2021–22)
• ₹7.45 lakh crore (2025–26)
• 45% growth at constant prices (2019–20 to
2024–25) — above national average.
Target:
• Assam to become ₹10-lakh-crore (1 trillion
rupee) economy by 2028.
State Budget Session
5. Per Capita Income

• Increased from:
• ₹86,947 (2020–21)
• ₹1,85,429 (2025–26)
• Growth of 113%.
• However:
• Among lowest 5 States.
• Higher only than Bihar, Uttar Pradesh &
Jharkhand.
• States like Sikkim far ahead.
• Insight:
• High aggregate growth ≠ High income
convergence.
State Budget Session
6. Revenue Trends
Own Tax Revenue:
• ₹17,134 crore (2020–21)
• ₹30,052 crore (2024–25)
• Avg growth: 13%
Own Source Revenue Share: 7. Public Expenditure Trends
• Increased from 30% (a decade ago) Indicator 2015–16 2025–26 (BE)
• Now ~37% of total receipts Total Budget ₹72,573 crore ₹1,55,985 crore
Concern: Capital
₹2,951 crore ₹26,409 crore
Expenditure
• Still dependent on:
• Central devolution • Capital expenditure increased 8 times.
• Significance:
• Externally aided projects • Infrastructure creation
• Long-term asset formation
• Growth multiplier effect
State Budget Session
Debt & Fiscal Health Banking & Credit Indicators

• Debt-to-GSDP Ratio: 25.52% • Credit-Deposit Ratio:

• Within FRBM limits. • 56.09% (2021)
• 74.48% (Dec 2025)
• Reserves: • Priority Sector Advances:
• ₹10,000 crore in sinking & redemption • ₹3.69 lakh crore since 2021–22.
funds. Significance:
• Financial deepening
• Ranked 21st among 28 States (controlled debt
• MSME & agriculture support
trajectory).
• Improved economic activity
• Interpretation:
• Indicates fiscal prudence despite expenditure
expansion.
State Budget Session
Externally Aided Projects
• ₹15,000 crore (2021)
• ₹56,000 crore (Present)

Indicates:
• Increased development financing
• Infrastructure expansion
State Budget Session
Prelims Practice MCQ
Q. With reference to the Vote on Account and
Assam’s recent fiscal trends, consider the
following statements:
1. A Vote on Account allows withdrawal of
money from the Consolidated Fund without
passing an Appropriation Bill.
2. Assam’s debt-to-GSDP ratio is currently
above 35%, exceeding FRBM limits.
3. Capital expenditure in Assam has increased
more than eight times since 2015–16.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
State Budget Session
Q. Assam’s rapid GSDP growth has not yet translated into comparable per capita income levels. Critically analyse the
structural challenges and suggest policy measures. (250 words)
Introduction 3. Financial Sector Role
• Mention rapid GSDP growth. • Improve credit flow.
• Highlight per capita income gap. • Support priority sectors.
Body • Encourage entrepreneurship.
• 1. Reasons for Gap 4. Social Dimension
• Population growth. • Skill development.
• Agriculture dominance.
• Urbanisation & industrial corridors.
• Women workforce participation.
• Low industrial base.
Conclusion
• Informal economy. • Sustainable growth requires:
• Regional imbalance. • Productivity enhancement
• 2. Fiscal & Structural Measures • Income diversification
• Improve tax base. • Fiscal discipline
• Increase capital productivity. • Inclusive development
• Promote MSMEs & manufacturing.
• Invest in human capital.
• Attract FDI.
Gohpur - Numaligarh Tunnel
Source : The Assam Tribune
Date : 15 Feb 2026
Syllabus : Prelims/GS Paper V
Gohpur - Numaligarh Tunnel
Context
• Approved by the Cabinet Committee on
Economic Affairs (CCEA).
• Chaired by Narendra Modi.
• India’s first twin-tube underwater rail-cum-
road tunnel.
• Total Cost: ₹18,662 crore.
• Length of tunnel: 15.79 km.
• Total corridor length: 33.7 km (four-lane
access-controlled greenfield connectivity).
• Construction timeline: 5 years.
• Mode: Engineering Procurement Construction
(EPC).
Gohpur - Numaligarh Tunnel
Key Features
• (A) Unique Significance
• India’s first underwater rail-cum-road tunnel.
• World’s second twin-tube rail-cum-road
underwater tunnel.
• (B) Location & Connectivity
• Connects:
• Gohpur (NH 15)
• Numaligarh (NH 715)
Strategic & Economic Importance
• Under River:
(A) Travel Efficiency
• Brahmaputra • Current distance: 240 km via Kaliabhomora bridge (NH-52).
• Travel time: ~6 hours.
• After completion:
• Travel time: ~20 minutes.
• Average speed increase: 100%.
Gohpur - Numaligarh Tunnel
Gohpur - Numaligarh Tunnel
(B) Multi-Modal Integration
• Project integrates:
• NH-15 & NH-715
(C) Strategic Importance
• Rangia–Murkongselek Railway (NFR) • Crucial for:
• Furkating–Mariani loop line (NFR) • Defence logistics in Northeast.
Enhances: • Connectivity to Arunachal Pradesh.
• Faster troop & equipment
• 11 economic nodes movement.
• 3 social nodes • Reduces vulnerability of existing bridges.
• 2 tourist nodes
(D) Economic Benefits
• 8 logistics nodes • Reduces logistics cost.
Connectivity to: • Boosts freight efficiency.
• 4 major railway stations • Strengthens industrial corridors.
• 2 airports • Enhances trade integration in Northeast.
• 2 inland waterways • Expected employment:
• ~80 lakh person-days (direct & indirect).
Gohpur - Numaligarh Tunnel
4. Broader Relevance for Assam
• (A) Industrial Boost 5. Infrastructure & National Policy Linkages
• Strengthens connectivity to Numaligarh • Aligned with:
Refinery Limited. • PM Gati Shakti Master Plan.
• Act East Policy.
• Enhances petroleum & logistics movement.
• North East Special Infrastructure Development
(B) Tourism Promotion Scheme (NESIDS).
• Improved access to: • Bharatmala & railway modernisation.
• Kaziranga National Park
• Upper Assam eco-tourism belt.
6. Challenges
(C) Regional Development • Geological complexity of Brahmaputra
riverbed.
• Reduces regional imbalance between North &
South Bank of Brahmaputra. • Seismic vulnerability (Zone V region).
• Promotes economic integration across • Environmental clearance issues.
districts.
• High capital cost.
Gohpur - Numaligarh Tunnel
Prelims Practice MCQ
Q. With reference to the Gohpur–Numaligarh
Tunnel Project, consider the following
statements:
1. It will be India’s first twin-tube underwater
rail-cum-road tunnel.
2. The project will connect National Highway-
15 and National Highway-715.
3. The tunnel is proposed to be constructed in
BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) mode.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
9th Assam Film Awards
Source : The Assam Tribune
Date : 16 Feb 2026
Syllabus : Prelims/GS Paper V
9th Assam Film Awards
9th Assam State Film Awards (2020 & 2021)
• The 9th Assam State Film Awards were presented by
Lakshman Prasad Acharya at Srimanta Sankaradeva
Kalakshetra.
Major Winners
• 2021
• Best Film & Best Director: Sabda Nishabda
Kolahal – Directed by Dhanjit Das
• Jayanta Hazarika Award – JP Das
• Nip Barua Award (Short Film) – Kumu
• Naren Barua Award (Documentary) – Breaking
the Silence
• 2020
• Best Film & Best Director: Balconit Bhagwan –
Directed by Biswajit Bora
• Nip Barua Award (Short Film) – Xogun Lifetime Achievement Awards
• Naren Barua Award (Documentary) – Screaming • Dinesh Das (2021)
Butterflies
• Jayanta Bhagawati (2020)
9th Assam Film Awards
Historical & Cultural Context of Assamese Cinema
• The Governor emphasized the legacy of:
• Jyotiprasad Agarwala – Pioneer of Assamese
cinema.
• His film Joymoti – First Assamese feature film;
foundation of the industry.
9th Assam Film Awards
Prelims Practise Question
Q. With reference to the Assam State Film
Awards, consider the following statements:
1. The awards are presented by the Governor
of Assam.
2. The Assam State Film (Finance and
Development) Corporation is associated
with promotion of cinema in the State.
3. Only feature films are eligible for awards
under this scheme.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Polls to 3 State RS Seats
Source : The Assam Tribune
Date : 19 Feb 2026
Syllabus : Prelims/GS Paper V
Polls to 3 State RS Seats
Context
• The Election Commission of India (ECI)
announced biennial elections to 3 Rajya
Sabha seats from Assam.
• Poll date: March 16.
• Term of 3 sitting MPs expiring in April 2026.

Retiring MPs:
• Rameswar Teli
• Bhubaneswar Kalita
• Ajit Kumar Bhuyan
Polls to 3 State RS Seats
Rajya Sabha – Constitutional Background
• Upper House of Parliament.
• Maximum strength: 250 members.
• 238 elected by States & UTs.
• 12 nominated by President (Art 80).

Constitutional Provisions:
• Article 80 – Composition.
• Article 83(1) – Permanent House (not subject
to dissolution).
• One-third members retire every two years.
• Term: 6 years.
Polls to 3 State RS Seats
Nature of Rajya Sabha Elections
(A) Type:
• Biennial (every 2 years).
(B) Electoral System:
• Proportional Representation.
• Single Transferable Vote (STV).
• Elected by elected members of State
Legislative Assembly.
(C) Voting:
• Open ballot system (anti-defection
safeguard).
Polls to 3 State RS Seats
Prelims Practice MCQ
Q. With reference to elections to the Rajya
Sabha, consider the following statements:
1. Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected
through proportional representation by
means of the Single Transferable Vote.
2. The Rajya Sabha is subject to dissolution
every five years.
3. One-third of the members of the Rajya
Sabha retire every two years.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 1 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Ali Aye Lrigang
Source : The Assam Tribune
Date : 19 Feb 2026
Syllabus : Prelims/GS Paper V
Ali Aye Lrigang
Context
• Celebrated across Assam including Tezpur,
Lakhimpur, Demow on 18th Feb 2026
• Observed on the first Wednesday of the
Assamese month of Phagun.
• Marks the beginning of the sowing season.
• Organised by local Mising bodies like Tezpur
Mising Kebang, Banke Dribi Kebang.
Ali Aye Lrigang
About the Mising Community
• An indigenous tribal community of Assam.
• Primarily inhabit:
• Upper Assam districts (Lakhimpur,
Dhemaji, Majuli, Tinsukia, Sivasagar).
• Belong to the Tani group of Tibeto-Burman
origin.
• Traditionally riverine and agrarian.

Meaning of Ali Aye Lrigang

• Ali → Root/Seed
• Aye → Fruit
• Lrigang → Sowing
• Thus, it is a festival connected to agricultural
prosperity and fertility.
Ali Aye Lrigang
Prelims Practice MCQ
Q. With reference to Ali Aye Lrigang, consider
the following statements:
1. It is an agricultural festival of the Mising
community marking the beginning of the
sowing season.
2. It is celebrated on the first Wednesday of
the Assamese month of Phagun.
3. Gumrag Ch:man is a ritual connected with
Bihu celebrations.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Thank you
- SPM IAS Academy