North-East India’s Development Transformation

 

1. The North-East is collectively known as Ashtalakshmi and includes eight states: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim.

2. The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) provides financial assistance to the eight North-Eastern states through five Central Sector Schemes.

3. A total of 3,746 projects have been sanctioned under MDoNER schemes, out of which 2,730 projects have been completed at an approved cost of over ₹27,963 crore.

4. Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE) is a 100% centrally funded scheme with an outlay of ₹6,600 crore for 2022–23 to 2025–26.

5. Under PM-DevINE, 48 projects related to infrastructure, livelihood, social development, and developmental gaps are under implementation, while 3 projects have been completed.

6. North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) – Roads was launched in 2017–18 and extended till March 2026 to improve road access, market connectivity, and strategic infrastructure.

7. Under NESIDS – Roads, 70 road construction and widening projects have been completed, while 57 projects are under implementation.

8. Under NESIDS – Other Than Roads Infrastructure (OTRI), 1,234 projects have been completed in sectors such as healthcare, education, power, water supply, roads, and bridges.

9. The North Eastern Council (NEC) is the nodal agency for economic and social development of the North Eastern Region and has 495 projects under implementation.

10. The Act East Policy, active since 2014, places the North-East at the centre of India’s engagement with Southeast Asia and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

11. The India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway aims to connect Moreh in Manipur with Mae Sot in Thailand through Myanmar.

12. The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project connects Sittwe port in Myanmar to Paletwa through an inland waterway and is expected to improve connectivity for the North-East, especially Tripura.

13. The total National Highway length in the North-East increased from 10,905 km in 2014 to 16,207 km as of 1 April 2025.

14. Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), 50,850 km of rural roads have been constructed in the North-East in the last 12 years.

15. The number of airports in the North-East increased from 9 in 2014 to 17 in 2026, while around 90 regional air routes have been operationalised under Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN).

 

Must Know Terms :

 

 

1.Ashtalakshmi: The collective name given to the eight North-Eastern states—Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. The term symbolises the region’s diversity, prosperity, and strategic importance.

 

2. Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE): A 100% centrally funded scheme with an outlay of ₹6,600 crore for 2022–23 to 2025–26, aimed at supporting infrastructure, social development, and livelihood projects in the North-East.

3. Act East Policy: Introduced in 2014, this policy places the North-East at the centre of India’s engagement with Southeast Asia by promoting connectivity, trade, border infrastructure, and regional integration with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

4. North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS): A Central Sector Scheme that provides financial assistance for roads, bridges, healthcare, education, water supply, power, and other infrastructure projects across the North-Eastern states.

 

5. India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway: A flagship connectivity project that seeks to connect Moreh in Manipur with Mae Sot in Thailand through Myanmar, strengthening trade and transport links between India and Southeast Asia.

 

6. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project: A cross-border connectivity project linking Sittwe Port in Myanmar with Paletwa through inland waterways and road networks, providing an alternative route to improve connectivity and trade for India’s North-East.

 

MCQ :

 

1. With reference to Ashtalakshmi, consider the following statements:

1. It refers to the eight states of North-East India.
2. The term symbolises prosperity and diversity inspired by the eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

2. With reference to the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), consider the following statements:

1. It provides financial assistance through five Central Sector Schemes.
2. More than 2,700 projects sanctioned under its schemes have been completed.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

3. The Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE) is best described as:

(a) A Centrally Sponsored Scheme with 60:40 funding
(b) A 100% centrally funded scheme with an outlay of ₹6,600 crore for 2022–23 to 2025–26
(c) A World Bank-assisted programme for urban development
(d) A North Eastern Council grant scheme for tourism only

4. With reference to PM-DevINE, consider the following statements:

1. It supports infrastructure and livelihood projects.
2. It includes projects aimed at addressing developmental gaps.
3. Three projects have already been completed.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

5. The North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) – Roads was launched in:

(a) 2014–15
(b) 2015–16
(c) 2017–18
(d) 2020–21

6. Under NESIDS – Other Than Roads Infrastructure (OTRI), completed projects include those related to:

1. Healthcare
2. Education
3. Water supply
4. Power

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

7. The North Eastern Council (NEC) primarily functions as:

(a) India’s nodal agency for the economic and social development of the North Eastern Region
(b) A constitutional body for inter-state water disputes
(c) A defence planning authority for border management
(d) A statutory body for disaster management only

8. Which one of the following projects aims to connect Moreh in Manipur with Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar?

(a) Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project
(b) Bharatmala Pariyojana
(c) India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway
(d) Bangladesh–Bhutan–India–Nepal Corridor

9. With reference to the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, consider the following statements:

1. It connects Sittwe Port in Myanmar with Paletwa through an inland waterway.
2. It is expected to improve connectivity for India’s North-East, particularly Tripura.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

10. The total National Highway length in the North-East increased from 10,905 km in 2014 to approximately:

(a) 14,207 km
(b) 15,507 km
(c) 16,207 km
(d) 17,207 km

11. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), approximately how many kilometres of rural roads have been constructed in the North-East over the last 12 years?

(a) 30,850 km
(b) 40,850 km
(c) 50,850 km
(d) 60,850 km

12. Which of the following statements regarding the Act East Policy is correct?

(a) It focuses only on cultural exchanges with East Asian countries.
(b) It places the North-East at the centre of India’s engagement with Southeast Asia.
(c) It is limited to maritime security in the Bay of Bengal.
(d) It was introduced before 2010.

13. Consider the following pairs:

Scheme/Project | Purpose

1. PM-DevINE | Infrastructure and social development in the North-East
2. NESIDS | Infrastructure creation in North-Eastern states
3. Act East Policy | Strengthening connectivity and engagement with Southeast Asia

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

14. With reference to regional air connectivity in the North-East, consider the following statements:

1. The number of airports increased from 9 in 2014 to 17 in 2026.
2. Around 90 regional routes have been operationalised under UDAN.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

15. Which of the following correctly matches the term with its description?

(a) Ashtalakshmi – Nine North-Eastern states of India
(b) PM-DevINE – Externally aided transport corridor project
(c) India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway – Cross-border road connectivity initiative linking India with Southeast Asia
(d) NEC – Constitutional body under Part XXI of the Constitution