4 October 2026
The Siang Indigenous Farmers' Forum (SIFF) declined the invitation of Chief Minister Pema Khandu for a meeting at Pasighat on 5 October. The decision was taken at a meeting held on Sunday in Geku in the presence of villagers. The forum suggested holding the meeting after 11 October. Its spokesperson Tagori Mize said the forum would hold internal deliberations from 4 to 11 October on the project and the proposed PFR survey before arriving at a collective stand. The Siang Upper Multipurpose Project is at the Pre-Feasibility Report stage.
Invited meeting:
5 October, Pasighat
Date suggested by SIFF:
after 11 October
Internal deliberations:
4 to 11 October
Why it matters for exams: SIFF is the grassroots body of the Adi-led opposition on the Siang; knowing who the parties are helps with questions on the project.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
SIFF Siang Indigenous Farmers' Forum — The forum of farmers in the Siang valley that opposes the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project.
3 October 2026
Chief Minister Pema Khandu said the ongoing Preliminary Feasibility Report exercise on the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project should not be read as the start of dam construction. The PFR involves only preliminary technical studies, including the collection of rock samples, and no land acquisition or loss of agricultural or forest land. If the project is found feasible, the next stages are a Social Impact Assessment, an Environment Impact Assessment and a Detailed Project Report, with public consultations mandatory. He said peaceful protest was a legitimate democratic right, but violence and destruction of property were criminal acts.
Current stage:
Pre-Feasibility Report
Later stages:
SIA, EIA, DPR
Why it matters for exams: The staged clearance path for a large dam (PFR, SIA, EIA, DPR) is a common polity and environment question.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
SIA Social Impact Assessment — A study of how a project affects the people and communities around it.
DPR Detailed Project Report — The full technical and financial plan prepared once a project is found feasible.
Background
Namdapha, a National Park and Tiger Reserve, covers an area of 1985.23 square kilometres in Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh, on the international border between India and Myanmar. It lies along the Noa-Dihing river near Miao and was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1983. The district page calls it the only park in the world with four big cat species: the Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard and Clouded Leopard. Hoolock Gibbons, the only ape species found in India, also live there. Changlang became the 10th district of Arunachal Pradesh on 14 November 1987, the same district where the Namchik Namphuk coal mine opened on 6 October 2025.
Area:
1985.23 square kilometres
Declared Tiger Reserve:
1983
River:
Noa-Dihing
District:
Changlang
Why it matters for exams: Namdapha is the standard answer for Arunachal's national park and the four-big-cat fact.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
Tawang was a Sub-Division of West Kameng District until 5th October 1984 and was formally carved out as a full-fledged district on 6th October 1984. The first administrative centre was set up on 6th February 1951 by Major Bob Khating. The inhabitants belong to the Monpa tribe and practise Tibetan Buddhism (Gelugpa sect) centred around Tawang Monastery. Torgya is held in January, Losar in late February or early March. Its major rivers are the Tawang-Chu and Nyamjang-Chu, and the highest peak is Gourichen at about 22,500 ft.
Carved out as district:
6th October 1984
Tribe:
Monpa
Sect:
Gelugpa
Highest peak:
Gourichen (approx. 22,500 ft)
Why it matters for exams: Tawang Monastery, the Monpa and the Torgya and Losar festivals are standard art-and-culture facts for Arunachal Pradesh.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved an investment of Rs.26,069.50 crore for the Kamala Hydro Electric Project in Kamle, Kra Daadi & Kurung Kumey Districts of Arunachal Pradesh. The project has an installed capacity of 1720 MW (8 x 210 MW & 1 x 40 MW) and is expected to generate 6870 MU of energy. It will be implemented through a Joint Venture Company between NHPC Limited and the Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, with an estimated completion period of 96 months. The State will receive 12% free power and an additional 1% for the Local Area Development Fund.
Investment:
Rs.26,069.50 crore
Installed capacity:
1720 MW
Energy:
6870 MU
Completion period:
96 months
Free power to State:
12%
Why it matters for exams: Hydropower in Arunachal Pradesh: capacity, the NHPC joint venture and the 12% free power share are standard facts for economy and state papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
CCEA Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs — The Union Cabinet committee that approves large investment proposals.
LADF Local Area Development Fund — A fund of 1% of project revenue for the host area.
Background
The Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (HEP), located on the Subansiri River at the border of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, has a total installed capacity of 2000 MW (eight units of 250 MW each). It is being implemented by NHPC Limited. As per the reply of 16 March 2026, two units had been commissioned, with the remaining units planned in a phased manner till Dec'26. On completion it is expected to generate about 7,422 million Units a year, with flood moderation benefits in the Brahmaputra Valley. About 7,000 local workers were employed during construction. Minister of State Shripad Naik gave the information in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
Installed capacity:
2000 MW
Units:
eight of 250 MW each
Annual generation:
about 7,422 million Units
Remaining units due:
till Dec'26
Why it matters for exams: Subansiri Lower, a 2000 MW NHPC project on the Arunachal Pradesh-Assam border, is a frequent static and current-affairs link for hydropower and Brahmaputra Valley questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually dedicated the Sela Tunnel project to the nation from Itanagar on March 09, 2024. The Border Roads Organisation built it at an altitude of 13,000 feet on the road connecting Tezpur, Assam to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. Built at a total cost of Rs 825 crore, it provides all-weather connectivity to Tawang across Sela Pass on the Balipara - Chariduar - Tawang Road. It used the New Austrian Tunnelling Method. The foundation stone was laid on February 09, 2019, and construction began on April 01, 2019.
Altitude:
13,000 feet
Cost:
Rs 825 crore
Built by:
Border Roads Organisation
State:
Arunachal Pradesh
Why it matters for exams: Sela Tunnel and Sela Pass are among the most asked border-infrastructure facts about Arunachal Pradesh.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Donyi Polo Airport, Itanagar and dedicated the 600 MW Kameng Hydro Power Station to the nation on 19 November 2022. It is the first greenfield airport in Arunachal Pradesh and the fourth operational airport of the state, taking the North-East total to 16. The foundation stone was laid by the Prime Minister in February 2019. The Kameng station was developed at a cost of more than Rs 8450 crore in West Kameng district and is meant to make Arunachal Pradesh a power surplus state.
Airport:
Donyi Polo Airport, Itanagar
Kameng station capacity:
600 MW
Kameng cost:
more than Rs 8450 crore
North-East airports:
16
Why it matters for exams: Donyi Polo Airport and the Kameng station are standard Arunachal infrastructure facts.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy, along with Chief Minister Pema Khandu, inaugurated the Namchik Namphuk Coal Mine in Changlang district on 6 October 2025, the state's first commercial coal mining project. The mine holds reserves of 1.5 crore tonnes of coal and became operational that day. The event included the handing over of the mining lease and the flagging off of tools and machinery to the Namchik-Namphuk Central Coal Block. The Chief Minister said it would boost the state's economy, create employment and generate steady revenue.
District:
Changlang
Coal reserves:
1.5 crore tonnes
Inaugurated by:
G. Kishan Reddy and Pema Khandu
Why it matters for exams: First commercial coal mine of Arunachal Pradesh; useful for state economy and mining questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
East Siang district takes its name from the Siang river, which rises in Tibet, where it is called Tsangpo, and flows down to the plains of Assam south of Pasighat, where it meets the Dihang and the Lohit and becomes the Brahmaputra. Pasighat, the district headquarters, was established in 1911 and is described by the district administration as the oldest town in Arunachal Pradesh and the gateway to the state. The district is mostly inhabited by the Adi tribe. Its village councils, called Kebang, have judicial, administrative and developmental functions.
District headquarters:
Pasighat
Pasighat established:
1911
Village councils of the Adi:
Kebang
Siang meets Dihang and Lohit:
south of Pasighat, as the Brahmaputra
Why it matters for exams: Background to the live Siang Upper Multipurpose Project debate: the Siang is the river at its centre and Pasighat is where talks with stakeholders have been held. Questions on Arunachal Pradesh often ask about its oldest town, the Siang-Brahmaputra link and the Adi Kebang council system.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Kebang Adi village council — A traditional village council of the Adi with judicial, administrative and developmental functions.