UPSC CSE Prelims
Infrastructure Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Showing solved Previous Year Questions for Chapter: Infrastructure
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In what way(s) does the Vizhinjam International Seaport represent a structural shift in India's maritime trade and logistics policy?
- By functioning exclusively as a domestic cargo hub to reduce reliance on coastal shipping and eliminate the need for foreign collaborations.
- By focusing primarily on passenger cruise tourism and heritage shipping to increase Kerala's profile as a maritime heritage destination.
- By leveraging its natural deep draft and strategic location to reduce dependence on foreign trans-shipment ports, enhance revenue retention, and reposition India in regional maritime trade.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Detailed Explanation:
Statement 1 — Incorrect. Vizhinjam is an international transshipment hub, NOT a domestic-only cargo port. It actually needs coastal shipping (smaller ships distribute cargo from big ships) and actively invites foreign collaboration — not eliminates it.
Statement 2 — Incorrect. While there's a cruise terminal, the port's main focus is container transshipment, not tourism or heritage shipping.
Statement 3 — Correct. Vizhinjam's strength comes from:
- Natural deep draft (18-24m) — can handle the biggest ships (ULCS) that earlier couldn't dock in India
- Location — just 10 nautical miles from the busy East-West shipping route
- Goal: Take back cargo business that currently goes to Colombo, Singapore, Jebel Ali
- Benefit: Saves India $200-400 million/year in transshipment revenue, repositions India in global trade
Consider the following statements with reference to the Sagarmala Programme of the Government of India :
I. The Sagarmala Programme seeks to achieve port-led economic growth through cost-effective and sustainable coastal infrastructure. II. The success of the Sagarmala Programme is reflected in significant growth in coastal and inland waterway shipping, along with improved global port rankings. III. Sagarmala 2.0 aims to position India as a global maritime innovation hub aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047 visions.
Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct ?
- Statement II validates the effectiveness of the strategies envisioned in statement I.
- Statement III extends the objectives of statement I by embedding them into a future-oriented innovation framework.
- Statement I contradicts statement III by focusing only on traditional infrastructure instead of modern innovation.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 (Relationships 1 and 2 are correct)
Simple Explanation:
This question checks if you understand how the original Sagarmala connects to Sagarmala 2.0.
Base Facts:
- Statement I: Sagarmala = port-led growth through coastal infrastructure (launched 2015)
- Statement II: Real success shown — 118% growth in coastal shipping, 700% rise in inland waterway cargo, 9 Indian ports in global top 100
- Statement III: Sagarmala 2.0 = next phase, focused on smart ports, green shipping, and innovation (linked to Atmanirbhar Bharat & Viksit Bharat 2047)
Relationship 1 — Correct. Statement II gives real proof/numbers that Statement I's strategy actually worked. So II validates I.
Relationship 2 — Correct. Statement III is simply the next stage of Statement I — adding innovation and technology on top of the same port-led growth idea. It extends, doesn't replace.
Relationship 3 — Incorrect. Statement I does NOT contradict Statement III. The basic infrastructure (Statement I) is the foundation on which modern innovation (Statement III) is built. They work together, not against each other.
Memory Trick: Sagarmala 1.0 = Build the base. Sagarmala 2.0 = Build the future on that base. No conflict, only progression.
Consider the following airports:
- Donyi Polo Airport
- Kushinagar International Airport
- Vijayawada International Airport
In the recent past, which of the above have been constructed as Greenfield projects?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — 1 and 2 only
Donyi Polo Airport (Itanagar) and Kushinagar International Airport are both greenfield projects, meaning they were constructed from scratch on previously undeveloped land. Donyi Polo Airport was inaugurated in 2022, while Kushinagar International Airport began operations in 2021. Vijayawada International Airport, however, is an existing airport that has undergone expansion and modernization over the years, making it a brownfield project rather than a greenfield one.
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Donyi Polo Airport is a greenfield project built on undeveloped land in Arunachal Pradesh and inaugurated in 2022.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Kushinagar International Airport is a greenfield project constructed on new land in Uttar Pradesh and inaugurated in 2021.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Vijayawada International Airport is a decades-old airport that has been expanded and modernized, not a greenfield project.
📝 Short Notes: Greenfield vs Brownfield Airport Projects in India
- Greenfield Projects: New airports built from scratch on previously undeveloped land, without any existing infrastructure. These require complete planning, land acquisition, and construction.
- Brownfield Projects: Expansion, modernization, or redevelopment of existing airports with established infrastructure and operational facilities.
- Donyi Polo Airport: Located in Hollongi near Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh; inaugurated on November 19, 2022; the state's first airport; built to enhance connectivity in the Northeast.
- Kushinagar International Airport: Located in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh; inaugurated on October 20, 2021; significant for Buddhist pilgrimage tourism; first international flight carried Sri Lankan pilgrims.
- Vijayawada Airport: Operational since 1940s; upgraded to international status; located in Gannavaram; serves Andhra Pradesh's capital region.
- Other Recent Greenfield Airports: Pakyong Airport (Sikkim - 2018), Kannur International Airport (Kerala - 2018), Shirdi Airport (Maharashtra - 2017), and Durgapur Airport (West Bengal - 2013).
- UDAN Scheme: Many new and upgraded airports are part of the government's Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN - Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) launched in 2016 to improve air connectivity to tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
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In India, what is the role of the Coal Controller's Organization (CCO)?
- CCO is the major source of Coal Statistics in Government of India.
- It monitors progress of development of Captive Coal/Lignite blocks.
- It hears any objection to the Government's notification relating to acquisition of coal-bearing areas.
- It ensures that coal mining companies deliver the coal to end users in the prescribed time.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — 1, 2 and 3
The Coal Controller's Organisation (CCO) is a subordinate office of the Ministry of Coal that serves as the primary source of coal statistics in India, monitors captive coal block development, and acts as the competent authority under the Coal Bearing Area Act, 1957 to hear objections related to land acquisition. However, ensuring timely delivery of coal to end users is not part of its mandate.
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008, CCO is the designated statistical authority for coal and lignite, responsible for conducting Annual Coal & Lignite Surveys and publishing Provisional Coal Statistics and Coal Directory of India.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: CCO monitors the progress of development of captive coal/lignite blocks and grants permissions for opening and reopening of coal mines.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Under the Coal Bearing Area (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957, the Coal Controller is the competent authority to hear objections to the Central Government's notifications relating to acquisition of coal-bearing areas and furnish reports to the Central Government.
❌ Statement 4 – Incorrect: Ensuring that coal mining companies deliver coal to end users in prescribed time frames is not a function of CCO; this is a commercial/contractual matter between producers and consumers.
📝 Short Notes: Coal Controller's Organisation (CCO)
- Establishment: Subordinate office of the Ministry of Coal with headquarters at Kolkata and field offices at Dhanbad, Ranchi, Bilaspur, Nagpur, Sambalpur, Kothagudem, and Asansol.
- Statistical Authority: Designated under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 for coal and lignite statistics; collects monthly production data from all public and private sector coal mines.
- Key Publications: Provisional Coal Statistics and Coal Directory of India.
- Captive Mines Monitoring: Monitors development progress of captive coal/lignite blocks allocated to various industries.
- Regulatory Role: Grants permissions for opening/reopening of coal mines; acts as competent authority under Coal Bearing Area (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957.
- Adjudication: Hears objections to government notifications for acquisition of coal-bearing lands and submits reports to Central Government.
Consider the following statements :
- Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the first regulatory body set up by the Government of India.
- One of the tasks of PNGRB is to ensure competitive markets for gas.
- Appeals against the decisions of PNGRB go before the Appellate Tribunals for Electricity.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 and 3 only
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) was established in 2006, not as India's first regulatory body. Its key mandate includes ensuring competitive markets for gas and protecting consumer interests. Appeals against PNGRB decisions are heard by the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) as per Section 30 of the PNGRB Act, 2006.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: PNGRB (2006) is not the first regulatory body; SEBI (1992), TRAI (1997), and others were established earlier.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: PNGRB's mandate includes promoting competitive markets for gas as per the PNGRB Act, 2006.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Appeals against PNGRB decisions go to the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) under Section 30 of the PNGRB Act, 2006.
📝 Short Notes: PNGRB and Regulatory Bodies
| Regulatory Body | Year Established | Governing Act/Statute | Appellate Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) | 1992 (statutory status) | SEBI Act, 1992 | Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) |
| TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) | 1997 | TRAI Act, 1997 | Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) |
| CERC (Central Electricity Regulatory Commission) | 1998 | Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998 (later Electricity Act, 2003) | Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) |
| PNGRB (Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board) | 2006 | PNGRB Act, 2006 | Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) |
- PNGRB Functions: Regulating refining, processing, storage, transportation, distribution, marketing, and sale of petroleum and natural gas; ensuring competitive markets; protecting consumer interests.
- APTEL: Established under Section 110 of the Electricity Act, 2003; also serves as appellate authority for PNGRB.
- First Regulatory Body Context: India's regulatory architecture began evolving in the 1990s post-liberalization; SEBI was among the earliest sector-specific regulators.
Which one of the following is a purpose of ‘UDAY’, a scheme of the Government?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — Providing for financial turnaround and revival of power distribution companies
The Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) was launched by the Ministry of Power in November 2015 to address the financial crisis of state power distribution companies (DISCOMs). Under this scheme, state governments took over 75% of DISCOM debt as of September 2015 and issued low-interest state government bonds, reducing interest burden and improving the financial health of DISCOMs. The scheme also focused on operational improvements including reduction of Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses, mandatory supply of cheaper power from state gencos, and energy efficiency measures. Option 2 refers to the Saubhagya Scheme (launched in 2017) for universal household electrification, while options 1 and 3 do not correspond to any specific government scheme matching UDAY's objectives.
Despite having large reserves of coal, why does India import millions of tonnes of coal?
- It is the policy of India to save its own coal reserves for the future, and import it from other countries for the present use.
- Most of the power plants in India are coal-based and they are not able to get sufficient supplies of coal from within the country.
- Steel companies need a large quantity of coking coal which has to be imported.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: India has no policy of deliberate conservation of domestic coal for future use; imports are driven by supply-demand gaps and quality constraints, not strategic stockpiling.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Coal-based thermal power plants face shortages due to inadequate domestic production, logistical bottlenecks (rail transport constraints), and quality mismatch between available and required coal grades.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: India's steel industry requires high-grade coking coal (metallurgical coal) for blast furnaces; domestic reserves of prime coking coal are negligible, necessitating imports primarily from Australia, USA, and Indonesia.