UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Considering airfare fluctuation issue: Centre

Q1. Under which statutory provision is the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) empowered to monitor domestic airfares through its Tariff Monitoring Unit (TMU)?

  • A. Section 8 of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024
  • B. Sub-rule (2) of Rule 135 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937
  • C. Section 14 of the Air Corporations Act, 1953
  • D. Rule 29 of the Carriage by Air Rules, 1973

Q2. Which one of the following is the principal parent statute currently governing the regulation of civil aviation in India?

  • A. Aircraft Act, 1934
  • B. Air Corporations Act, 1953
  • C. Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024
  • D. Carriage by Air Act, 1972

Q3. With reference to the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 vis-à-vis its predecessor Aircraft Act, 1934, consider the following statements: 1. The Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 re-enacts and replaces the Aircraft Act, 1934 and came into force on 1 January 2025. 2. Unlike the Aircraft Act, 1934, the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 explicitly prescribes a statutory cap on domestic airfares chargeable by private scheduled operators. 3. The Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 seeks to align India's regulatory framework with the Chicago Convention and standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 re-enacts and replaces the Aircraft Act, 1934 and came into force on 1 January 2025.
  2. Unlike the Aircraft Act, 1934, the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 explicitly prescribes a statutory cap on domestic airfares chargeable by private scheduled operators.
  3. The Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 seeks to align India's regulatory framework with the Chicago Convention and standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. In the context of airfare regulation in India, the term 'Tariff Monitoring Unit (TMU)' refers to:

  • A. A statutory tribunal under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 empowered to adjudicate passenger complaints on overcharging by airlines.
  • B. An inter-ministerial body chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation that fixes monthly fare bands for domestic routes.
  • C. A unit set up by the DGCA that monitors airfares on a selected set of routes on a random monthly basis using airlines' websites to verify that fares are within the declared range.
  • D. A consumer-redressal cell under the Department of Consumer Affairs that audits ancillary charges levied by private carriers.