Assam Current Affairs 25 September 2026: Important Exam Updates

Why in News?

The Supreme Court agreed to examine the Centre's plea seeking prospective application of its March 11, 2026 judgment on OBC creamy-layer criteria.

Key Exam Points

• The March 11 judgment held that salary or income of a parent employed in a PSU or private sector could not by itself be the determinative criterion for creamy-layer exclusion.
• The Centre has sought a two-year window so past and ongoing recruitment processes are not disrupted.
• The government invoked Article 142 in seeking prospective operation of the judgment.
• The plea also refers to possible effects on seniority, cadre allocation and appointments.

Why in News?

The Supreme Court sought the Centre's response to a petition concerning the legal framework around Vande Mataram and observed that a conscientious person should not face criminal consequences for declining to sing on religious or conscience grounds.

Key Exam Points

• The petition was filed by Carnatic musician T M Krishna.
• The bench referred to the 1986 Bijoe Emmanuel judgment concerning the right of schoolchildren to respectfully decline to sing the National Anthem on grounds of conscience and religious belief.
• The Court has not decided whether the National Song should officially be restricted to two stanzas or whether all six should be sung.
• The issue involves freedom of conscience, national symbols and the limits of compelled expression.

Why in News?

The Nagaon returning officer issued a public notice requiring prior permission for election meetings, rallies, processions and other election-related programmes during the Lok Sabha bye-election.

Key Exam Points

• The notice applies to meetings at both public and private places.
• Candidates and their agents were reminded of the Election Commission's instructions and the Model Code of Conduct.
• Permission may be obtained online or in writing from the competent authority.
• The development links electoral administration with regulation of campaign-related activities.

Why in News?

The Assam Cabinet decided that elections to the Mising Autonomous Council and the Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council would be held in November.

Key Exam Points

• The decision was taken at the State Cabinet meeting reported on September 24.
• Both are autonomous council institutions associated with the governance and development of indigenous communities in Assam.
• The announcement is relevant to local self-governance and institutional arrangements for tribal and indigenous communities.
• The Cabinet decision was reported alongside other welfare, agriculture, industrial and administrative measures.

Why in News?

The State Cabinet approved several welfare-related measures for October, including subsidised sugar and masur dal for NFSA beneficiaries and an enhanced Orunodoi payment.

Key Exam Points

• NFSA beneficiaries will receive subsidised sugar at Rs 30 per kg for October 2026.
• Beneficiaries will receive masur dal and sugar at a combined amount of Rs 100 during October, according to the report.
• Orunodoi beneficiaries will receive Rs 1,500 for October instead of the regular monthly grant of Rs 1,250.
• The Cabinet also approved a 20 per cent bonus for eligible workers and employees of Assam Tea Corporation Limited tea gardens.

Why in News?

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met foreign ministers from the Netherlands, Finland, Slovenia and Andorra on the sidelines of UN General Assembly engagements.

Key Exam Points

• India and the Netherlands discussed the Ukraine conflict and followed up on the Prime Minister's May visit to The Hague, during which ties were upgraded to a Strategic Partnership.
• India and the EU reached a Free Trade Agreement in January that is to be formalised in December, according to the report.
• India and Slovenia discussed trade, investment, energy, manufacturing, digital, connectivity, defence and multilateral cooperation.
• Jaishankar also discussed trade, investment, climate change and Artificial Intelligence with Andorra's foreign minister.

Why in News?

The US, Japan and South Korea announced an implementation plan to advance small modular reactor deployment and an industry framework targeting more than $150 billion in reactor investment across Europe.

Key Exam Points

• The government arrangement supports deployment of small modular reactors in other countries and follows a memorandum signed in Ankara in July.
• An industry framework involving GE Vernova, Hitachi, Samsung C&T and Poland's SGE seeks to advance the BWRX-300 reactor across Europe.
• The announcement described more than $150 billion as an investment ambition rather than committed project financing.
• SMR deployment also requires regulation, financing, fuel arrangements, skilled personnel and radioactive-waste management.

Why in News?

Pakistan's military carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan's Kandahar, Paktia and Khost provinces, with Taliban authorities reporting four civilian deaths.

Key Exam Points

• The Taliban spokesperson condemned the attacks and described them as aggression.
• The reported strikes followed Pakistani claims concerning drones allegedly crossing into its territory.
• Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai criticised Islamabad's policy towards Afghanistan, according to the report.
• The episode highlights cross-border security, regional instability and Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.

Why in News?

Nepal's Department of Immigration began deportation proceedings against 88 Chinese nationals who were found working in activities inconsistent with the purpose of their business visas.

Key Exam Points

• The 88 were working at a China-linked buffalo meat export project in Sindhuli district.
• Their visas were cancelled and they were to be barred from entering Nepal for three years, according to the Department of Immigration.
• Authorities found 501 Chinese nationals staying at the project; 329 who entered on tourist visas were under investigation.
• The development is relevant to immigration regulation, foreign investment and Nepal-China economic ties.

Why in News?

NPCI MD and CEO Dilip Asbe said only about 10 per cent of overall UPI transaction value could face the risk of charges being passed on to consumers under proposed merchant discount rate arrangements.

Key Exam Points

• About 96 per cent of transaction volume and 75 per cent of overall UPI value were not expected to attract charges, according to the report.
• Large businesses with annual turnover above Rs 1,000 crore were expected to account for about 80 per cent of MDR collected.
• India has around 60 million active UPI merchants, while around 20-25 million soundboxes were estimated to be in use.
• NPCI is working with the RBI and other stakeholders on a proposed fund for young entrepreneurs and underserved areas.

Why in News?

National Stock Exchange of India shares made their market debut, closing 1.85 per cent above the issue price and valuing the exchange at about Rs 4.49 lakh crore.

Key Exam Points

• The shares listed at Rs 1,800 against an issue price of Rs 1,785 on the BSE.
• The stock touched Rs 1,878 during the session before closing at Rs 1,818.
• NSE was valued at Rs 4,49,955 crore at the close, according to BSE data cited by the newspaper.
• The exchange was described as the world's seventh most valuable exchange by market capitalisation.

Why in News?

India's Russian crude imports were running at around 1.8 million barrels per day in September, while Middle Eastern suppliers increased shipments to compensate for lower Russian volumes.

Key Exam Points

• Russian crude imports were reported at 2.82 million bpd in July and 2.08 million bpd in August before reaching around 1.8 million bpd in September.
• Iraq and Saudi Arabia increased supplies in September, according to Kpler data cited by the report.
• The article highlighted the relationship between sanctions, refinery economics, crude grades and India's energy security.
• A major reduction in Russian imports could increase competition for alternative Middle Eastern supplies and affect procurement costs.

Why in News?

RBI Deputy Governor Rohit Jain said banks were expected to deploy additional liquidity mobilised through the special Foreign Currency Non-Resident deposit scheme as festive-season credit demand strengthened.

Key Exam Points

• Banks mobilised USD 133 billion under the special FCNR(B) deposit scheme, which closed on August 31.
• The RBI had held meetings with banks to discuss their liquidity position after the inflows.
• The additional liquidity was expected to support credit deployment, while the RBI was not directing banks towards any particular sector.
• The development is relevant to foreign-currency deposits, banking liquidity and credit demand.

Why in News?

School students in Assam are collecting discarded single-use plastic and packing it into eco-bricks that are used to create useful structures and items for their schools.

Key Exam Points

• The initiative is intended to reduce plastic pollution while teaching students environmental responsibility through hands-on activity.
• Students at schools including Mainakhurung MV School and Dahali Karka High School were reported to be participating.
• Eco-bricks are used to create items needed by schools, and students can earn points redeemable for school supplies.
• The initiative connects waste management, behavioural change and environmental education.

Why in News?

A camera-trapping initiative was launched in New Tupi village of Tirap district to document wildlife in a community forest.

Key Exam Points

• The initiative was undertaken by the Hinthong Foundation with active participation from local villagers.
• Field observations recorded signs of wild boar, barking deer and possible Himalayan black bear; villagers also reported Hoolock gibbon calls.
• A pangolin burrow had been spotted in the forest earlier, according to the report.
• Camera traps can monitor wildlife movement with limited physical disturbance and generate scientific information for conservation planning.

Why in News?

North-Eastern Hill University observed the 17th Himalayan Day 2026 on the theme 'Global Warming and the Himalayas'.

Key Exam Points

• Experts discussed climate-induced changes, declining permafrost, anthropogenic pressures and ecosystem resilience.
• The programme emphasised disaster preparedness, nature-based solutions, scientific monitoring and stronger early-warning systems.
• Community participation and coordinated institutional mechanisms were highlighted for sustainable management of the Himalayan region.
• The event linked climate change with biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

Why in News?

A Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change letter dated September 17, 2026 accorded Environment Clearance to Oil India Limited for onshore oil and gas exploration at location ODHB in OALP-III block AA-ONHP-2018/3 in Dima Hasao district.

Key Exam Points

• The clearance concerns onshore oil and gas exploration in Dima Hasao, Assam.
• The notice stated that the clearance letter is available through the PARIVESH portal and Oil India Limited's website.
• The development is relevant to environmental clearance procedures and hydrocarbon exploration.
• It also illustrates the balance between resource exploration and environmental regulation in ecologically sensitive regions.

Why in News?

Maruti Suzuki India commissioned a 300 kW green hydrogen electrolyser plant at its Manesar facility as a pilot project.

Key Exam Points

• The company said the pilot aligns with the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
• Maruti Suzuki plans to use learnings from the pilot to scale green hydrogen technology across manufacturing facilities in Haryana and Gujarat.
• The company aims to reduce carbon emissions from manufacturing operations through multiple clean technologies.
• The initiative is relevant to green hydrogen, industrial decarbonisation and clean-energy transitions.

Why in News?

An industry cooperation framework involving US, Japanese, South Korean and Polish companies aims to advance deployment of the BWRX-300 small modular reactor across Europe.

Key Exam Points

• The framework involves GE Vernova, Hitachi, Samsung C&T and Poland's SGE.
• The stated ambition is to promote more than $150 billion in reactor investment in the coming years.
• SMRs are designed to produce less power per unit than conventional large reactors and are intended to support repeat construction.
• Civil nuclear deployment requires regulation, finance, fuel arrangements, trained personnel and radioactive-waste management.

Why in News?

An editorial highlighted the large gap between the number of people needing organ transplants and the number of organs available in India.

Key Exam Points

• The article estimated annual kidney-transplant need at about 2,00,000 patients, against roughly 11,000-14,000 kidney transplants carried out.
• It identified donor shortages, infrastructure limitations, administrative hurdles, awareness gaps and myths as important constraints.
• The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Rules, 2014 govern several aspects of living-donor transplantation.
• Authorisation committees review unrelated living-donor transplant applications to help prevent commercial dealings and organ trafficking.

Why in News?

China's Commerce Ministry said the two countries reached consensus on multiple economic and trade issues during consultations in New York and held their first dialogue on AI.

Key Exam Points

• The consultations included discussion of reciprocal tariff reductions and trade and investment councils, according to the report.
• The talks took place ahead of President Xi Jinping's visit to the United States.
• The AI dialogue links technology governance with the wider China-US economic relationship.
• Semiconductor and advanced-chip controls remain an important dimension of the broader technology competition.

Why in News?

Eight United Democratic Party legislators joined the BJP, taking the BJP's strength in the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly from two to 10, according to the newspaper.

Key Exam Points

• The legislators included State Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui and seven other UDP MLAs.
• The UDP was reported to be left with four MLAs after the move.
• The development changes the party composition of the Meghalaya Assembly.
• The report also noted demands raised by the legislators, including inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule.

Why in News?

The Nagaland State Commission for Protection of Child Rights highlighted inadequate infrastructure and facilities for children requiring care and protection.

Key Exam Points

• The concerns included children with mental health needs, substance-use issues and disabilities.
• The commission called for additional members, regular staff and enhanced grant-in-aid.
• It monitors implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act, POCSO Act, Right to Education Act and Child and Adolescent Labour Act.
• The commission also highlighted coordination among police, judiciary, social welfare, health, education, labour and NGOs.

Why in News?

The second North East International Sustainable Summit opened at Assam University, Silchar, bringing together academics, researchers and stakeholders to discuss climate change, social inclusion and greener development.

Key Exam Points

• The summit theme was 'Northeast India in the Global …', focusing on the region's role in sustainable development.
• The discussions connected local community practices with Sustainable Development Goals.
• Climate change, social inclusion and greener development were central themes.
• The event highlights the role of regional institutions and community knowledge in sustainability.

Why in News?

The 24th Central Karam Sanmeelan was celebrated at Doomdooma, bringing together tea-tribe and Adivasi communities through traditional rituals, music and dance.

Key Exam Points

• Karam is a major festival associated with tea-tribe and Adivasi communities in Assam and is linked with nature, community traditions and youth participation.
• The celebration included a cultural procession, Jhumair dance competition, Karam Puja and an all-night Karam Jagaran dance programme.
• More than 5,000 people were reported to have attended the overnight programme.
• The festival illustrates the cultural diversity and living traditions of Assam's tea-garden communities.

Why in News?

A camera-trapping initiative in New Tupi village, Tirap district, is combining scientific wildlife monitoring with local community participation.

Key Exam Points

• The initiative was supported by the Nature Conservation Foundation and involved the Hinthong Foundation and local villagers.
• Wildlife signs recorded included wild boar, barking deer and possible Himalayan black bear; Hoolock gibbon calls were also reported.
• The project aims to generate baseline information on local biodiversity and strengthen community stewardship.
• Camera trapping reduces the need for continuous physical presence in the forest and can support species monitoring.