Assam General Knowledge (GK) for APSC & State Exams

• 18 Feb 2026

Assam GK is an important part of preparation for APSC, Assam Police, and other state-level exams. This page provides key facts about Assam’s geography, history, rivers, national parks, state symbols, demography, tribes, and culture in a concise, exam-focused format. It serves as a quick revision guide for static state knowledge. 

Formation	26 January 1950 (as a state after India became a Republic)
Capital	Dispur (suburb of Guwahati)
Population	31,205,576 (≈ 3.12 crore, Census 2011)
Area	~78,438 sq. km
Total Districts	35
Latitudinal extent	24°8′ N to 28°2′ N
Longitudinal extent	89°41′ E to 96°0′ E
High Court	Gauhati High Court (Guwahati)
Lok Sabha Seats	14
Rajya Sabha Seats	7
Vidhan Sabha Seats	126

Assam State Symbols 

Category	Assam State Symbol	Description / Image
State Animal	One-horned Rhinoceros (Gor)	Unique to Assam; found in Kaziranga NP
State Bird	White-winged Wood Duck (Deo haah)	Endangered; also called Manipur duck
State Tree	Hollong (Dipterocarpus macrocarpus)	Tall tropical hardwood
State Flower	Foxtail Orchid  Rhynchostylis retusa (locally known as Kopou Phul)
State Dance	Bihu Dance (Bihu nas)	Traditional folk dance during Bihu festival
State Song	“O Mur Apunar Desh” (O Mur Apunar Dekh)	Written by Lakshminath Bezbaroa
State Aquatic Animal	Ganges River Dolphin	Freshwater dolphin in Brahmaputra River
State Festival	Bihu	Bihu is Assam’s main agricultural festival, celebrated in three forms—Rongali (New Year & sowing), Magh (harvest), and Kati (prayers during lean period)—symbolizing Assamese culture and unity.
State Motto	Hail mother Assam	Popularly expressed as “Joy Aai Axom”, a slogan symbolizing pride, unity, and reverence for Assam.
State Language	Assamese	Axomiya (Official language of Assam)
State Seal	Government of Assam	Axom Sorkar (Official seal of Assam Government)
State Literary Society	Assam Literary Society	Axom Xahityo Xobha (Premier literary body of Assam)

Geography of Assam 

• Physiographic region: Brahmaputra and Barak river plains, hills in Karbi Anglong & North Cachar 
• Major rivers: Brahmaputra, Barak, Subansiri, Manas, Dhansiri, Kopili 
• Doabs / Valleys: Brahmaputra Valley, Barak Valley 
• Climate: Subtropical monsoon (high rainfall, hot summers, mild winters) 
• Boundaries: 
  • North: Arunachal Pradesh, Bhutan 
  • East: Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram 
  • South: Meghalaya, Bangladesh 
  • West: West Bengal, Bhutan 
• National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries: 

National Park	District(s)	Notable Features & Wildlife
Kaziranga	Golaghat, Nagaon, Sonitpur, Karbi Anglong	UNESCO World Heritage Site; hosts about two‑thirds of the world’s One‑horned Rhinoceroses; also noted for Tigers, Swamp Deer, and Wild Water Buffalo.
Manas	Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa	UNESCO World Heritage Site; Project Tiger reserve, Elephant reserve, and Biosphere Reserve; famous for Golden Langur, Pygmy Hog, and Hispid Hare.
Orang	Udalguri, Sonitpur	Often called “Mini Kaziranga” due to similar grassland–wetland landscape and high density of One‑horned Rhinos and Tigers on the north bank of the Brahmaputra.
Nameri	Sonitpur	Located in the Eastern Himalayan foothills; important bird habitat; known for the White‑winged Wood Duck, hornbills, and river rafting on the Jia Bhoroli.
Dibru-Saikhowa	Dibrugarh, Tinsukia	Riverine island park on the Brahmaputra–Lohit system; part of a biosphere reserve; known for Feral Horses and rich diversity of migratory and resident birds.
Raimona	Kokrajhar (Bodoland Territorial Region)	Notified in 2021; forms part of a transboundary conservation landscape with Bhutan and West Bengal; habitat for Golden Langur, Asian Elephant, hornbills, and butterflies.
Dehing Patkai	Dibrugarh, Tinsukia	India’s largest stretch of lowland rainforest; known as the “Amazon of the East”; the only major rainforest in Assam, rich in orchids, primates, and wild cats.
Sikhna Jwhwlao	Chirang, Kokrajhar (BTR)	Notified in 2025; located along the Indo–Bhutan border; part of Manas Biosphere Reserve and a crucial corridor linking Manas and Raimona; notable for Golden Langur and other endangered species.

 

• Wildlife sanctuaries: 
  • Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary 
  • Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary 
  • Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary 
  • Chakrasila Wildlife Sanctuary 
  • Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary 
  • Panidehing Wildlife Sanctuary 
  • Hollongapar Wildlife Sanctuary 
  • Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary 
  • Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary 
  • Bherjan - Borajan - Padumoni Wildlife Sanctuary 
  • East K. Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary 
  • Nambor Wildlife Sanctuary 
  • Marat Longri Wildlife Sanctuary 
  • Nambor - Doigrung Wildlife Sanctuary 
  • Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary 
  • Borail Wildlife Sanctuary 
  • Deepar Beel Wildlife Sanctuary 
  • Bordoibam Bilmukh Bird Wildlife Sanctuary  
  • North K. Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary (Proposed)

Major Rivers of Assam and Their Origin

River	Origin (Source)	Remarks
Brahmaputra	Angsi Glacier, Tibet (as Yarlung Tsangpo)	Flows west to east through Assam; major flood river
Barak	Manipur hills	Divides into Surma & Kushiyara in Bangladesh
Subansiri	Tibet	Major tributary of Brahmaputra
Manas	Bhutan	Tiger reserve area, enters Assam in northern valley
Dhansiri	Nagaland	Tributary of Brahmaputra
Kopili	Meghalaya	Hydropower projects; tributary of Brahmaputra

Major Lakes / Wetlands of Assam 

Lake / Wetland	Location	Type / Importance
Deepor Beel	Guwahati	Ramsar Site; freshwater lake & bird habitat
Maguri Beel	Tinsukia	Important wetland for migratory birds
Urpad Beel	Goalpara	Freshwater lake, local fishing
Gaurisagar Lake	Sivasagar	Historical tank built by Ahom kings
Son Beel	Karimganj	Largest wetland in Barak Valley

Major Dams / Hydroelectric Projects in Assam

Dam / Project	River	Location	Purpose / Importance
Khandong Dam	Umrong	Jaintia Hills (Meghalaya)	Hydroelectric power
Kopili Dam	Kopili	Nagaon / Karbi Anglong	Hydropower, irrigation
Ranganadi Dam	Ranganadi	Arunachal Pradesh (affects Assam)	Hydropower; part of Brahmaputra basin projects

History of Assam 

• Ancient period: 
  • Early settlers: Austroasiatic and Tibeto-Burman tribes 
  • Known in Puranic texts as Pragjyotisha 
• Medieval era: 
  • Ahom dynasty (1228–1826) ruled for 600+ years 
  • Resistance against Mughals (Battle of Saraighat, 1671) 
• British period: 
  • Came under British control after Treaty of Yandabo (1826) 
  • Assam formed as separate province in 1874 
• Post-independence: 
  • Initially included modern Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland & Mizoram 
  • Nagaland became state in 1963 
  • Meghalaya in 1972 
  • Mizoram in 1987 (statehood) 

Demography

• Total population (2011): 31,205,576 (≈ 3.12 crore) 
• Population rank (2011): 15th 
• Urban population: ~14% 
• Rural population: ~86% 
• Population density: 398 persons/sq. km 
• Decadal growth rate (2001–2011): 17.07% 
• Sex ratio: 958 females per 1000 males 
• Literacy rate: 
  • Overall: 72.2% 
  • Male: 77.85% 
  • Female: 66.27% 
• Largest populated district: Nagaon 
• Least populated district: Dima Hasao 

Folk Dance

Dance Form	Key Features
Bihu Dance	Energetic, performed during Rongali Bihu; both male & female participation
Sattriya	Classical dance from Vaishnavite monasteries (Satras)
Bagurumba	Bodo folk dance; graceful & rhythmic movements
Jhumur	Performed by tea tribe communities
Bhaona	Devotional dance-theatre by Assamese Vaishnavism

Major Tribes of Assam 

Tribe	Main Area / Districts
Bodo	Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, Udalguri
Mishing (Miri)	Majuli, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur
Karbi	Karbi Anglong
Dimasa (Kachari)	Dima Hasao, Cachar
Rabha	Goalpara, Kamrup
Tiwa (Lalung)	Morigaon, Nagaon
Deori	Lakhimpur, Sonitpur
Sonowal Kachari	Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur
Mech	Western Assam
Hajong	Goalpara, Dhemaji
Zeme	Dima Hasao
Kuki	Dima Hasao
Hmar	Cachar, Dima Hasao

Static GK is the backbone of state-level exams, and staying current is key. Use this Assam GK page for regular revision of important facts and figures relevant to competitive exams. Combine it with current affairs and previous year questions to strengthen your preparation and improve accuracy in state-related sections. 

We hope this concise guide helps you streamline your revision. Bookmark this page for quick access before your exam, and share it with fellow aspirants to help them succeed too.  

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Related Resources
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APSC CCE Previous Year Papers	Click Here
APSC CCE Exam Syllabus	Click Here
APSC Exam Strategy	Click Here
Monthly CA Consolidations	Click Here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Assam GK

1. When was Assam formed as a state?
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 Assam became a state on 26 January 1950 after India became a Republic.

2. What is the capital of Assam? +

 The capital of Assam is Dispur, which is located in Guwahati.

3. How many districts are there in Assam?
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 Assam currently has 35 districts

4. What is the population of Assam as per Census 2011?
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 As per Census 2011, Assam’s population is 31,205,576 (approximately 3.12 crore).

5. What is the state animal of Assam? +

 The state animal of Assam is the One-horned Rhinoceros.

6. Which river is known as the lifeline of Assam?
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 The Brahmaputra River is considered the lifeline of Assam.

7. How many Lok Sabha seats does Assam have? +

Assam has 14 Lok Sabha seats.

8. What are the major national parks in Assam?
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Major national parks include Kaziranga, Manas, Orang, Nameri, Dibru-Saikhowa, Raimona, and Dehing Patkai.

9. What is the literacy rate of Assam?
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 The overall literacy rate of Assam is 72.2% as per Census 2011.

10. What is the main festival of Assam?
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Bihu is the main agricultural festival of Assam, celebrated in three forms: Rongali, Magh, and Kati.