Resource Governance and Inclusive Development in North-East India
Indian Polity & Governance
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Addresses critical issues of regional development, centre-state dynamics, land rights, tribal welfare, environmental concerns, and internal security in a strategically important region.
North-East India, characterized by diverse ethnic groups, unique customary land systems, and a history of political sensitivities, presents complex challenges for resource governance. Balancing national strategic interests in resource extraction with local community rights, environmental sustainability, and inclusive development is crucial for regional stability and equitable growth.
Facts & tables
- Historical Framing
- NE India traditionally viewed through 'borders and security' lens.
- New Framing
- Increasingly seen as a 'strategic resource frontier' due to critical minerals.
- Challenges
- Customary land systems, local institutions, political uncertainties, potential for conflict over land/resources.
- Need
- Inclusive development, local participation, equitable benefit sharing, environmental protection.
| Old Framing | New Framing |
|---|---|
| Borders & Security | Strategic Resource Frontier |
| Insurgencies, Territorial Management | Critical Mineral Exploration, Trade Corridors |
| Infrastructure for Access/Security | Resource Development for National Economy |
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Environmental Governance |
| Conceptual area | Indian Polity & Governance |
| Conceptual area | Social Justice |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) | Coordinates development initiatives |
| State Governments of NE India | Manage land, implement policies |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding
- NE India's shift from security focus to resource frontier.
- Complexities: customary land systems, local institutions, political sensitivities.
- Risk of reproducing past tensions if local concerns ignored.
- Need for inclusive development, participation, and equitable benefits.
- Crucial for regional stability and national integration.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2025 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2023 | Statement-based questions, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2019 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2018 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2017 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2013 | Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2013 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
Timeline
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Environmental Governance
Conceptual area
-
Indian Polity & Governance
Conceptual area
-
Social Justice
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2013
Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2013
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2017
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2018
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2019
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2023
Statement-based questions, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2025
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2025
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
From borderland to India’s strategic resource frontier
The shift to viewing NE India as a strategic resource frontier necessitates careful resource governance that respects customary land rights, ensures local participation, and promotes inclusive development to avoid exacerbating existing social and political tensions.
See also
No related topics linked yet.
Past papers
2013–2025 · 8 questions
In the news
From borderland to India’s strategic resource frontier
The shift to viewing NE India as a strategic resource frontier necessitates careful resource governance that respects customary land rights, ensures local participation, and promotes inclusive development to avoid exacerbating existing social and political tensions.
Try these PYQs
Which of the following are not necessarily the consequences of the proclamation of the President’s rule in a State?
1. Dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly
2. Removal of the Council of Ministers in the State
3. Dissolution of the local bodies
Which of the above-given statements is correct?
Statement 1 is correct: The dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly is not mandatory. The Assembly may either be dissolved (leading to fresh elections) or kept under suspension (placing it in a state of dormancy until further decisions are made). Statement 2 is incorrect: When President’s Rule is imposed in a state under Article 356, the Council of Ministers is always dismissed, as the state government is suspended and the Governor takes over the executive powers on behalf of the President. Statement 3 is correct: The dissolution of local bodies is not a direct consequence of President’s Rule. Since municipalities and panchayats function independently under the State List (as per the 73rd and 74th Amendments), their existence remains unaffected unless the state government had already initiated their dissolution through legal provisions. Thus, while the removal of the Council of Ministers is automatic, the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly is conditional, and local bodies remain largely unaffected. Hence, the correct answer is option (B) 1 and 3 only.
Which one of the following suggested that the Governor should be an eminent person from outside the State and should be a detached figure without intense political links or should not have taken part in politics in the recent past?
The Sarkaria Commission was established by the Government of India in 1983 to review Centre-State relations and recommend improvements. One of its key areas of focus was the appointment of Governors. Recommendations on the Appointment of Governor: - The Governor should be an eminent person with a distinguished record in public life. - The person must be from outside the State to ensure impartiality in administration. - The Governor should not have participated in active politics for some time prior to the appointment. - He should be a detached figure, not closely linked to local politics, to maintain neutrality. - The appointment process should involve wider consultation, including the Chief Minister of the State, the Vice President of India, and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. These recommendations were aimed at ensuring that the Governor functions as an independent and neutral constitutional authority, rather than a political appointee of the ruling party at the Centre.
Who among the following constitute the National Development Council?
1. The Prime Minister
2. The Chairman, Finance Commission
3. Ministers of the Union Cabinet
4. Chief Ministers of the States
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
The National Development Council (NDC) in India is comprised of the following members: * The Prime Minister (who chairs the council)
* Ministers of the Union Cabinet
* Chief Ministers of the States The Chairman, Finance Commission - while the Finance Commission plays a crucial role in recommending the devolution of financial resources from the central government to the states, the Chairman is not a member of the NDC. _Note: While the NDC was proposed to be abolished, it has not been formally dissolved, although its powers have largely been transferred to the NITI Aayog's Governing Council._
Consider the following statements:
With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule,
I. the State Government loses its executive power in such areas and a local body assumes total administration.
II. the Union Government can take over the total administration of such areas under certain circumstances on the recommendations of the Governor.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
When an area is declared a Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, it continues to be administered by the State Government, but with special powers granted to the Governor for tribal welfare. ❌ Statement I: Incorrect The State Government does not lose its executive powers. There is no provision for a local body to take over full administration. ❌ Statement II: Incorrect The Union Government cannot take over total administration of Scheduled Areas under the Fifth Schedule, even on the Governor’s recommendation.
Consider the following statements:
1. National Development Council is an organ of the Planning Commission.
2. The Economic and Social Planning is kept in the Concurrent List in the Constitution of India.
3. The Constitution of India prescribes that Panchayats should be assigned the task of preparation of plans for economic development and social justice.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: The National Development Council (NDC) is not an organ of the Planning Commission. It's an independent advisory body headed by the Prime Minister and includes Chief Ministers of all states, Union Cabinet Ministers, and members of the NITI Aayog (successor to the Planning Commission). It was set up on 6 August 1952. Statement 2 is correct: Economic and Social Planning is listed in the Concurrent List (List III) of the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Statement 3 is correct: The Constitution (Article 243G) empowers Panchayats (local village governments) to prepare plans for economic development and social justice at the village level. This promotes decentralized planning and community participation. Hence, statement one is incorrect and statements two and three are correct. _Note: While the NDC was proposed to be abolished, it has not been formally dissolved, although its powers have largely been transferred to the NITI Aayog's Governing Council._
Show 3 more PYQs
Consider the following pairs:
State – Description
I. Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks.
II. Nagaland : The State came into existence on the basis of a Constitutional Amendment Act.
III. Tripura : Initially a Part 'C' State, it became a centrally administered territory with the reorganization of States in 1956 and later attained the status of a full-fledged State.
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
This question tests knowledge of historical and administrative facts about northeastern Indian states. ✅ Pair I: Arunachal Pradesh – Correct
* Itanagar, the capital, is named after Ita Fort.
* The state has two National Parks: Namdapha and Mouling. ✅ Pair II: Nagaland – Correct
* Nagaland attained statehood via a constitutional amendment and came into being on 1 December 1963 through the State of Nagaland Act, 1962. ✅ Pair III: Tripura – Correct
* Tripura was a Part 'C' state, became a Union Territory in 1956, and was granted statehood in 1972.
Consider the following statements:
1. In India, State Governments do not have the power to auction non-coal mines.
2. Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand do not have gold mines.
3. Rajasthan has iron ore mines.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
The correct statement is 3 only. Statement 1 is incorrect. Under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act of 2015, state governments conduct auctions for non-coal mine licenses. Statement 2 is incorrect. Both Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand have gold deposits and ongoing mining activities. Statement 3 is correct. Rajasthan is known for its rich iron ore deposits and mining.
Consider the following statements :
Statement-I :India's public sector health care system largely focuses on curative care with limited preventive, promotive and rehabilitative care.
Statement-II: Under India's decentralized approach to health care delivery, the States are primarily responsible for organizing health services.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
* Statement I is correct: India's public healthcare system prioritises curative care, which focuses on treating existing illnesses. Preventive, promotive, and rehabilitative care, which aims to prevent diseases, promote good health, and help people recover from illness, receive less emphasis. * Statement II is correct: India's healthcare system follows a decentralised approach. The central government sets policies and provides financial assistance, but individual states are responsible for organising and delivering health services to their populations. This allows for flexibility based on local needs and contexts.
Therefore, the answer is Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.