State PCS - Assam (APSC)

• 23 Feb 2026

Assam Grants 3% Reservation to Tea Tribes and Adivasis

Why in News?

The Assam Cabinet has approved a 3% reservation quota for tea tribes and Adivasi communities in Grade-I and Grade-II government jobs.

Key Points:

• Reservation Policy: The 3% quota now applies to Grade-I and Grade-II posts, which include senior administrative and supervisory roles under the Assam State Services, extending beyond existing quotas.
  • The policy covers tea garden communities and indigenous Adivasi groups who have traditionally faced socio-economic disadvantages and limited representation in public employment.
• Earlier Coverage: Tea Tribes and Adivasi communities were already eligible for reservation in Grade-III and Grade-IV posts. 
  • The present decision expands representation in higher level positions of state services. 
• Demographic Significance: Tea Tribes constitute a significant population segment in Assam, primarily residing in tea garden areas across districts such as Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sonitpur, and Golaghat.
• Objective: To ensure inclusive governance, social justice, and equitable participation in policymaking and administrative processes.
  • The decision reflects an effort by the government to address long-standing demands of the tea tribes and Adivasi population, while integrating them more fully into the public workforce.

Read More: Reservation

Vibrant Villages Programme-II Launched from Assam

Why in News?

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the ₹6,839 crore Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP–II) from Nathunpur village, marking a major step towards comprehensive development of border villages and strengthening internal security through inclusive growth.

Key Points:

• Vibrant Villages Programme: The Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) was initially announced in the Union Budget 2022-23. 
• The Shift to VVP–II: While Phase I focused exclusively on the northern borders (Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh), Phase II expands the scope to other international land borders.
  • Strategic Shift: This second phase, with a total outlay of ₹6,839 crore, marks a strategic shift in developing India's border regions from being viewed as "last villages" to the nation's "first villages".
• Geographical Coverage: 1,954 strategic villages across 334 blocks in 15 States and 2 Union Territories.
  • The programme will cover 140 villages across 9 districts and 26 blocks in Assam.
• Scheme Nature: VVP–II is a 100% Central Sector Scheme, meaning it is fully funded by the Union Government.
• Core Objectives: The programme is designed with a multi-dimensional approach to border management and rural development:
• Saturation-Based Development: It aims for 100% coverage of essential services including all-weather road connectivity (under PMGSY-IV), telecom, television, and 24x7 electrification.

Read More: Vibrant Villages Programme

NEST Sanctioned to Boost Innovation in North East

Why in News?

The Government of India has sanctioned a project to establish the North Eastern Science & Technology Cluster (NEST) aimed at boosting research, innovation, skill development, and entrepreneurship across the North Eastern Region (NER).

Key Points:

• Project Approval: The NEST project was sanctioned in July 2025 under the Schemes of the North Eastern Council (NEC) and the Ministry of Development of North-East Region with an outlay of approximately ₹22.98 crore to strengthen science and technology infrastructure in the NER.
• Implementing Agency: The project will be implemented by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati.
• Four Thematic Verticals: NEST will operate through four key focus areas:
  • Innovation Hub on Grassroots Technologies – to promote tech solutions for local challenges.
  • Technology Hub for Semiconductors and Artificial Intelligence – aligning with future technology trends.
  • Centre of Excellence for Bamboo-Based Technology – leveraging regional strengths for product and process innovation.
  • Skill Development & Innovation Centre for Biodegradable and Eco-friendly Plastics – encouraging sustainable technology and entrepreneurship.
• Objectives: The NEST Cluster aims to empower youth in the NER—especially SC/ST, women, and Divyangjan—towards self-employment and entrepreneurship, while strengthening MSMEs through capacity building, research interventions, and commercialization of products.
  • It will adopt a hub-and-spoke approach connecting academia, research institutions, industry partners, and government agencies to promote R&D interventions, innovation ecosystems, and skill development at the grassroots level.
• Significance: The sanctioning of the North Eastern Science & Technology Cluster (NEST) represents a strategic initiative by the Government of India to harness science, technology, and innovation for inclusive development, employment generation, and entrepreneurial growth in the North Eastern Region, aligning with broader goals of regional empowerment and technology-driven economic transformation.

Read More: North Eastern Region (NER), North Eastern Council (NEC), Semiconductors , Artificial Intelligence, MSMEs

Thanya Nathan to Become Kerala’s First Blind Woman Judge

Why in News?

Thanya Nathan is set to make history by becoming Kerala’s first visually challenged (completely blind) woman judge.

Key Points:

• Historic Achievement: Thanya Nathan will be the first fully blind woman to be appointed as a judge in Kerala’s judiciary.
• Success: She secured the top rank among persons with benchmark disabilities in the competitive Civil Judges (Junior Division) exam conducted for entry into the Kerala Judicial Service.
  • She pursued law despite visual impairment and completed her legal education with the assistance of accessible learning tools and digital support systems.
• Judicial Inclusivity: Her achievement follows a landmark 2025 Supreme Court ruling affirming that visually impaired candidates cannot be excluded from eligibility for judicial service.
  • Her appointment reflects the principles of equality and non-discrimination under Articles 14, 16, and 21 of the Indian Constitution, ensuring equal opportunity in public employment.
• Significance: Thanya’s success not only inspires persons with disabilities but also contributes to ongoing efforts to make India’s legal profession more accessible and inclusive for all.

Read More: Supreme Court,  Indian Constitution, Persons with disabilities