Tourism and Banking in Assam
Tourism and banking are two key service sectors that support Assam's economy. Tourism draws on the state's unmatched wildlife, temples, river islands and tea heritage, while banking provides the credit and financial services that keep farms, businesses and households running. From the world-famous one-horned rhinoceros of Kaziranga to the cooperative and regional rural banks that serve remote villages, these sectors are a frequent source of questions in ADRE, APSC and similar examinations. This chapter covers the major tourist destinations, the institutions that promote tourism, the structure of banking in Assam and the key banking schemes and facts.
Wildlife tourism and national parks
Kaziranga National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 and is famous for the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, which it hosts in the largest numbers in the world. It lies on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra and spans the districts of Golaghat and Nagaon. Manas National Park, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1985), is a Project Tiger reserve famous for the Bengal tiger and also shelters the pygmy hog and the golden langur; it shares a border with Bhutan. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Morigaon district is famous for the one-horned rhinoceros and has one of the highest densities of rhinos in the world. These parks are the backbone of Assam's wildlife tourism.
Cultural, religious and river tourism
Majuli, on the Brahmaputra, is the largest river island in the world and the centre of the Vaishnavite Sattra tradition established by Srimanta Sankardeva. The Kamakhya Temple stands on Nilachal Hill in Guwahati and is dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, a form of Shakti. Sivasagar, the capital of the Ahom dynasty, is home to the Rang Ghar, one of the oldest amphitheatres in Asia. Me-Dam-Me-Phi is an ancestor-worship festival of the Tai-Ahom community. The Umananda Temple is located on Peacock Island in the Brahmaputra near Guwahati. Guwahati, known as the 'Gateway to the North East', and Dibrugarh, known as the 'Tea City of India', are major urban tourism centres, while Upper Assam, especially Jorhat, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia, is a leading tea-tourism destination. Hojai is famous for its agarbati (incense stick) industry. The Tocklai Tea Research Institute at Jorhat is the world's oldest tea research station.
Tourism institutions and policy
The Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC), established in 1988, develops tourism infrastructure and promotes travel in the state. The Assam Tourism Policy 2017 provides a framework for investment, marketing and sustainable tourism. The Department of Tourism runs promotional campaigns under the 'Awesome Assam' theme to attract domestic and international visitors. Better connectivity under the Act East Policy is expected to boost inbound tourism and cultural exchange.
Banking structure and institutions
Assam has a well-developed banking network of commercial banks, regional rural banks and cooperative banks. The State Bank of India's North East circle head office is in Guwahati. The sole regional rural bank of Assam is the Assam Gramin Vikash Bank, sponsored by Punjab National Bank, with its headquarters at Guwahati, renamed Assam Gramin Bank in 2025. Regional Rural Banks were created under the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976. The Assam State Cooperative Apex Bank was established in 1948 as the Assam Co-operative Apex Bank Limited, now renamed Assam Cooperative Apex Bank. NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) was established on 1 July 1982 and has its regional office at Guwahati. The credit-deposit ratio of banks in Assam is generally lower than the national average, reflecting lower credit offtake in the state.
Financial inclusion schemes
Several central schemes extend banking and insurance to the common people. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was launched on 28 August 2014 and issues RuPay debit cards to account holders. The Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana provides accident insurance against accidental death and disability. These schemes, along with the network of rural and cooperative banks, are central to financial inclusion in Assam.
Key facts at a glance
- Kaziranga - UNESCO World Heritage Site (1985); one-horned rhino; Golaghat and Nagaon; south bank of Brahmaputra.
- Manas - UNESCO World Heritage Site (1985); tiger, pygmy hog, golden langur; borders Bhutan.
- Pobitora - Morigaon; high rhino density.
- Majuli - largest river island; Vaishnavite Sattra tradition of Srimanta Sankardeva.
- Kamakhya Temple - Nilachal Hill, Guwahati; Umananda - Peacock Island.
- Sivasagar - Ahom capital; Rang Ghar; Me-Dam-Me-Phi (Tai-Ahom festival).
- Guwahati - Gateway to the North East; Dibrugarh - Tea City of India.
- Tocklai Tea Research Institute, Jorhat - world's oldest tea research station.
- ATDC (1988); Assam Tourism Policy 2017; SBI NE circle HQ - Guwahati.
- Assam Gramin Vikash Bank - sole RRB, sponsored by PNB; NABARD (1 July 1982).
- PMJDY (28 August 2014) - RuPay debit card; PMSBY - accident insurance.
Quick revision points
- Kaziranga and Manas became UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1985.
- Majuli is the largest river island; Kamakhya Temple is on Nilachal Hill.
- Rang Ghar is at Sivasagar, the Ahom capital.
- ATDC was set up in 1988 and the Tourism Policy came in 2017.
- Assam Gramin Vikash Bank is the state's sole RRB; NABARD was set up in 1982.
How to prepare this topic
- Link each national park with its signature species, district and UNESCO status.
- Learn the cultural sites and the festivals associated with them.
- Memorise banking institutions with their years and headquarters.
- Note financial inclusion schemes and their key features.
- Remember the nicknames - Gateway to the North East and Tea City of India.
Common exam traps
- Both Kaziranga and Manas became UNESCO sites in 1985 - do not mix with other years.
- Kaziranga is on the southern bank; it covers Golaghat and Nagaon districts.
- Majuli is a river island, not a district in the hills.
- NABARD was set up in 1982; RRBs came under the 1976 Act.
- Assam Gramin Vikash Bank is sponsored by Punjab National Bank, not SBI.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Kaziranga and Manas become UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
Both Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1985. Kaziranga is famous for the Indian one-horned rhinoceros and lies on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra in Golaghat and Nagaon districts, while Manas is a Project Tiger reserve known for the Bengal tiger, pygmy hog and golden langur and shares a border with Bhutan.
Which is the largest river island in the world and why is it important?
Majuli, on the Brahmaputra in Assam, is the largest river island in the world. It is the centre of the Vaishnavite Sattra tradition established by Srimanta Sankardeva and is an important cultural and religious tourism destination of the state.
Which body promotes tourism in Assam and when was it established?
The Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC), established in 1988, develops tourism infrastructure and promotes travel in the state. The Assam Tourism Policy 2017 provides a framework for investment and sustainable tourism, and the Department of Tourism runs campaigns under the 'Awesome Assam' theme.
Which is the sole regional rural bank of Assam?
The Assam Gramin Vikash Bank is the sole regional rural bank of Assam, sponsored by Punjab National Bank, with its headquarters at Guwahati. It was renamed Assam Gramin Bank in 2025. Regional Rural Banks were established under the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976, and NABARD (established 1 July 1982) has its regional office at Guwahati.
What is the credit-deposit ratio of banks in Assam?
The credit-deposit ratio of banks in Assam is generally lower than the national average, reflecting lower credit offtake in the state. Financial inclusion schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (launched on 28 August 2014, issuing RuPay debit cards) and the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (accident insurance) help extend banking services to more people.