Assam Current Affairs 12 September 2026: Important Exam Updates

Why in News?

Senior administrative and police officials of Nagaon and Morigaon districts reviewed preparations for the forthcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election.

Key Exam Points

• The Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency comprises five Assembly constituencies of Nagaon district and three of Morigaon district.
• Preparations include polling stations, distribution of election materials, counting-centre security and human-resource management.
• Special security protocols are planned for sensitive areas.
• The cVIGIL app of the Election Commission is being emphasised for reporting violations of the election code with evidence.
• Polling is scheduled for October 6, 2026, with counting on October 9.

Why in News?

The BJP announced former IAS officer and former Nagaon District Commissioner Devasish Sharma as its candidate for the forthcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election.

Key Exam Points

• Sharma recently took voluntary retirement from government service before joining the BJP.
• The last date for filing nominations is September 16.
• Scrutiny of nominations is scheduled for September 17.
• The last date for withdrawal of candidature is September 19.
• Polling is scheduled for October 6 and counting for October 9.
• The constituency became vacant after Pradyut Bordoloi resigned from the Congress and quit his Lok Sabha membership.

Why in News?

The Exclusive Fast Track Sessions Court, Kamrup (Metro), directed the Assam CID to investigate how a prosecution witness’s statement was obtained and published on social media.

Key Exam Points

• The court was hearing sessions case number 256/2025.
• The matter concerned publication of the statement of prosecution witness PW-118, Prateem Lahkar.
• The court observed that publication of the statement prima facie appeared to interfere with the administration of justice.
• The CID was directed to enquire into how the statement was obtained and published and submit a report.
• The court also directed the IG, Prisons, Assam to take appropriate action against the Superintendent of District Jail, Baksa regarding documents bearing an accused’s signature that were not the documents sent by the court.
• The seven accused persons were remanded to judicial custody until September 14.

Why in News?

The District Legal Services Authority, Goalpara, is facilitating Mediation for the Nation Drive 3.0 for amicable and speedy settlement of eligible pending disputes.

Key Exam Points

• Mediation may be conducted in offline, online or hybrid mode.
• Eligible matters include matrimonial disputes, accident claims, cheque bounce cases, compoundable criminal cases and consumer disputes.
• Debt recovery, arbitration, commercial disputes, service cases, partition, eviction, land acquisition and labour-related cases may also be referred where settlement is possible.
• Cases may be referred before September 30, 2026.
• Mediation proceedings are scheduled from October 1 to December 30, 2026.

Why in News?

BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors called for greater representation of emerging-market and developing economies in the IMF and World Bank.

Key Exam Points

• BRICS called for greater voice and representation of emerging-market and developing economies in the IMF and World Bank.
• The bloc called for changes to quota and voting shares.
• BRICS urged implementation of quota increases agreed under the IMF’s 16th General Review of Quotas.
• The grouping called for meaningful quota realignment under the 17th review.
• It argued that the shares of the poorest members should be protected.
• BRICS also called for a merit-based, inclusive and transparent process for selecting IMF and World Bank leadership.
• The grouping criticised unilateral tariffs and trade measures that it said distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules.

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian discussed developments in West Asia and bilateral relations on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.

Key Exam Points

• Modi stressed resolving the West Asia conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
• He highlighted freedom of navigation, commerce and the safety of seafarers.
• It was Pezeshkian’s first visit to India as President of Iran.
• The meeting was the second interaction between the two leaders in less than two weeks.
• The talks came amid increased tensions in West Asia following new US punitive economic measures against Iran.
• India and Iran also discussed bilateral relations and the potential role of BRICS in promoting resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.

Why in News?

Indian Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan met Australian naval and defence leadership in Canberra to discuss maritime cooperation and future exercises.

Key Exam Points

• The two sides discussed expanding naval engagement through joint exercises in 2027.
• Discussions focused on interoperability and operational engagement.
• The meeting also reviewed implementation of the Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap.
• India and Australia discussed evolving fleet capabilities, future inductions and maritime cooperation.
• The engagement reflects growing strategic depth in the India-Australia defence partnership.

Why in News?

Iran-backed Houthi rebels captured the strategic volcanic island of Mayun in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, while Saudi Arabia carried out airstrikes against a Houthi-held airport at Mokha.

Key Exam Points

• Mayun is a small volcanic island located in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
• The Bab el-Mandeb is a major commercial maritime chokepoint at the entrance to the Red Sea.
• The strait provides an alternative route to the Strait of Hormuz.
• The development has implications for Saudi oil exports and international commercial shipping.
• Iran called for an end to the Saudi blockade of Yemen and supported negotiations between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.

Why in News?

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah is scheduled to highlight climate-induced disasters and flood losses during the 81st United Nations General Assembly session.

Key Exam Points

• Shah will visit New York from September 22 to 26.
• He is scheduled to address the General Debate on September 24, 2026.
• He will highlight the devastating Bhotekoshi flash floods of August 26.
• Nepal emphasises that countries contributing relatively little to greenhouse-gas emissions can nevertheless face severe climate impacts.
• Nepal plans to seek international assistance and compensation through mechanisms including the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.
• The 2026 UNGA theme is “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All.”

Why in News?

Numaligarh Refinery Limited said its expansion project and the under-construction 1,635-km crude oil pipeline are likely to be commissioned by March 31, 2027.

Key Exam Points

• The crude pipeline is being laid from Paradip to Numaligarh.
• More than 1,590 km of the 1,635-km pipeline has already been laid.
• The NRL expansion project had achieved 87.1% physical progress as of March 31, 2026.
• The expansion project is valued at approximately Rs 33,400 crore.
• NRL has been supported by domestic crude produced by OIL, with production at a threshold of about 86,000 barrels per day.
• The Siliguri product pipeline has been upgraded to 5.5 million metric tonnes per annum.
• NRL is also considering three new POL terminals.
• The bamboo-based 2G ethanol biorefinery is currently undergoing stabilisation.
• NRL processed 3,113 TMT of crude oil in FY 2025-26, equivalent to 103% of rated capacity.
• Standalone profit before tax was Rs 4,077 crore and profit after tax was Rs 3,057 crore.

Why in News?

India’s foreign exchange reserves surged by USD 44.90 billion in the week ended September 4, 2026, reaching a record USD 785.71 billion.

Key Exam Points

• Total reserves increased by USD 44.90 billion in the week.
• Foreign currency assets rose by USD 47.498 billion to approximately USD 648.17 billion.
• Gold reserves declined by USD 2.594 billion to USD 113.816 billion during the week.
• India’s SDR holdings with the IMF stood at approximately USD 18.806 billion.
• The reserve position with the IMF increased by USD 2 million to about USD 4.916 billion.
• The record reserve level provides a buffer against external shocks and supports management of volatility in financial and foreign-exchange markets.

Why in News?

The European Commission formally submitted its proposal to the European Council to sign and conclude the India-EU free trade agreement.

Key Exam Points

• If authorised, the agreement would be the largest trade agreement concluded by India and the EU.
• The agreement aims to improve market access, reduce tariffs and trade barriers, and provide predictable rules for trade and investment.
• India and the EU announced conclusion of the FTA in January.
• India-EU trade in goods and services is reported at more than 180 billion euros annually.
• The agreement would eliminate or reduce tariffs on 96% of EU goods exports to India.
• The tariff reductions are estimated to save around 4 billion euros annually in duties on European products.

Why in News?

Bank employees joined an all-India strike over several demands, including implementation of a five-day banking week and changes to the Performance Linked Incentive scheme.

Key Exam Points

• The strike was called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU).
• Bank unions are seeking implementation of the government’s commitment to a five-day work week.
• They have also opposed the Performance Linked Incentive scheme, calling its implementation unilateral and discriminatory.
• The unions have demanded bipartite discussions with bank employees’ unions.
• If the issue remains unresolved, unions announced another three-day nationwide strike from September 28 to 30.
• An indefinite strike was announced from October 26 if demands remain unresolved.

Why in News?

An ice-rock collapse near the Tibet-Nepal border triggered debris flow and flash flooding, highlighting the interconnected nature of Himalayan hazards.

Key Exam Points

• The event occurred on August 26, 2026 in Nepal’s Rasuwa district.
• A mass of ice and rock collapsed into the Lhende Khola, producing a surge of water and debris.
• The debris flow travelled about 100 km through the Lhende and Trishuli river systems.
• The event was initially recorded as a magnitude 4.4 earthquake, but analysis indicated that the seismic signal was generated by massive slope failure and debris flow.
• The USGS later estimated seismic energy equivalent to a 5.2-magnitude event.
• The collapse originated around 5,200 metres elevation and involved glacier ice and underlying bedrock.
• The event demonstrates the interaction of glacier, slope and river hazards in the Himalayas.

Why in News?

An editorial examined the role of community-based surveillance in wildlife protection across biodiversity-rich landscapes of Northeast India.

Key Exam Points

• Aaranyak initiated the Community Surveillance and Monitoring Teams (CSMTs) concept in 2022.
• The first pilot strategy was developed around Daying Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh.
• By 2023, CSMTs around D’Ering had developed into a village-level wildlife crime surveillance initiative.
• The approach has subsequently been expanded through conservation interventions in Manipur and western Mizoram around Dampa Tiger Reserve.
• Similar community mechanisms are being explored around landscapes associated with Raimona National Park in Assam.
• Teams can include village representatives, youth and student groups, local NGOs, community leaders and other stakeholders.
• Activities include monitoring wildlife-crime hotspots, suspicious movements and trafficking routes, assisting patrols and reporting information.
• Equipment mentioned includes GPS devices, walkie-talkies and camera traps.
• The editorial contrasts this model with Ladakh’s Environment Protection Force, which uses retired servicemen for ecological protection.

Why in News?

Malaysia called for stronger ASEAN mechanisms to address recurring transboundary haze and its public-health consequences.

Key Exam Points

• The issue concerns transboundary air pollution in Southeast Asia.
• Malaysia argued that existing ASEAN mechanisms need to translate into stronger action.
• Serian in Sarawak experienced hazardous air quality.
• The Air Pollutant Index in Serian reached 302.
• The newspaper notes that 301 and above is categorised as hazardous under the reported air-quality scale.
• The issue is linked to open burning and regional air pollution.

Why in News?

An editorial argued that large capital expenditure on infrastructure must be accompanied by systematic, preventive maintenance and lifecycle planning.

Key Exam Points

• The editorial notes effective capital expenditure of around Rs 17 lakh crore for India’s Budget 2026-27 and another Rs 8.5 lakh crore through internally funded PSU projects.
• Infrastructure maintenance is described as a long-term commitment rather than a discretionary expenditure.
• Assam and other northeastern states are described as relying largely on reactive rather than preventive maintenance.
• The oil and gas sector is cited as an example of asset integrity management involving inspections, preventive maintenance and predictive diagnostics.
• The editorial suggests linking maintenance planning with infrastructure creation from the beginning.
• It proposes dedicated maintenance budgets and lifecycle planning.
• EPC contracts could incorporate whole-life cost rather than focusing only on the lowest initial cost.
• Technology can be used for predictive maintenance and asset-condition monitoring.

Why in News?

A national conference on the future of pedagogy in higher education began at Dibrugarh University, alongside discussions on expanding digital learning through its Educational Multimedia Research Centre.

Key Exam Points

• The conference focused on changing higher education, digital pedagogy and technology-enabled learning.
• The EMRC Board of Management discussed producing 45 in-house MOOCs and 450 educational videos.
• The content is to be produced by Dibrugarh University and affiliated-college faculty under the PM-USHA scheme.
• Plans include upgrading existing MOOCs and strengthening studio infrastructure.
• EMRC is proposed to develop into a full-fledged Media Centre serving educational needs of the Northeast.
• Possibilities include producing programmes for the DTH channel under Swayam Prabha.
• The initiative also aims to promote regional languages and wider dissemination of MOOCs across universities in the Northeast.

Why in News?

London introduced its first self-driving taxis available to the public, bringing autonomous vehicle technology into the city’s transport network.

Key Exam Points

• 15 autonomous vehicles from British technology company Wayve have joined Uber’s network.
• Passengers requesting ordinary rides may be matched with an autonomous vehicle without an additional charge.
• A human safety driver remains in the vehicle for now and can take control when necessary.
• The development illustrates the application of artificial intelligence to complex urban transport environments.
• The report highlights the challenge of deploying autonomous systems in environments containing pedestrians, cyclists, buses and other unpredictable road users.

Why in News?

Jorhat Medical College and Hospital observed World Physiotherapy Day through a three-day programme focusing on prevention, management and rehabilitation.

Key Exam Points

• The programme’s theme was “Prevention, Management and Rehabilitation of CVD and Stroke”.
• A free physiotherapy health camp was held for advocates in association with the Jorhat Bar Association.
• Another camp was organised for inmates of Central Jail, Jorhat, in association with the Jorhat District Legal Services Authority.
• A blood donation camp resulted in 16 units of blood being donated by department students.
• The development highlights the role of rehabilitation and preventive healthcare in public health.

Why in News?

An Assamese theatrical adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s Galileo was presented by Rongghar, Barpeta, examining science, evidence, authority and scientific responsibility.

Key Exam Points

• The production draws from Bertolt Brecht’s The Life of Galileo, the 1975 film Galileo and an Assamese adaptation directed by Jyoti Prasad Das.
• Galileo’s observations included the Moon, the moons of Jupiter, phases of Venus and sunspots.
• These observations challenged the traditional geocentric conception of the universe.
• Galileo was tried by the Roman Inquisition in 1633 and spent the remainder of his life under house arrest.
• The theatrical presentation uses the episode to explore scientific evidence, authority and social responsibility.