UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Metro Rail: A Catalyst for Sustainable Urban Growth and Financial Resilience

Q1. Under the Metro Rail Policy, 2017, projects seeking central assistance must clear an 'EIRR of at least 14%'. What does 'EIRR' in this criterion stand for?

  • A. Economic Internal Rate of Return
  • B. Financial Internal Rate of Return
  • C. Equity Internal Rate of Return
  • D. Estimated Investment Recovery Rate

Q2. The Metro Rail Policy, 2017 offers States how many distinct options for availing Central financial assistance for a metro project?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five

Q3. How many years separate the enactment of the Metro Railways (Construction of Works) Act and the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act?

  • A. 20 years
  • B. 22 years
  • C. 24 years
  • D. 26 years

Q4. Under the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002, which authority is empowered to acquire, hold and commercially develop metro railway land?

  • A. Metro Railway Administrator
  • B. Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety
  • C. Metro Rail Regulatory Authority
  • D. Urban Land Ceiling Authority

Q5. With reference to MetroLite and MetroNeo, consider the following statements: 1. MetroLite is a Light Urban Rail Transit System whose standard specifications were issued in July 2019. 2. MetroNeo uses rubber-tyred electric coaches drawing power from an overhead traction (OHE) system. 3. MetroNeo is designed for a higher Peak Hour Peak Direction Traffic (PHPDT) than MetroLite. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. MetroLite is a Light Urban Rail Transit System whose standard specifications were issued in July 2019.
  2. MetroNeo uses rubber-tyred electric coaches drawing power from an overhead traction (OHE) system.
  3. MetroNeo is designed for a higher Peak Hour Peak Direction Traffic (PHPDT) than MetroLite.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. With reference to India's low-cost mass transit systems, consider the following: 1. MetroLite standard specifications were issued in July 2019. 2. MetroNeo standard specifications were issued in November 2020. 3. MetroLite is suitable for a PHPDT of up to 15,000. 4. MetroNeo runs on a dedicated steel-rail track with third-rail electrification. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. MetroLite standard specifications were issued in July 2019.
  2. MetroNeo standard specifications were issued in November 2020.
  3. MetroLite is suitable for a PHPDT of up to 15,000.
  4. MetroNeo runs on a dedicated steel-rail track with third-rail electrification.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4 only

Q7. With reference to the Namo Bharat (Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut RRTS), consider the following: 1. It is implemented by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). 2. Its trains have a design speed of 180 km/h. 3. It is India's first Regional Rapid Transit System. 4. Its trains have an operating speed of 200 km/h. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It is implemented by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).
  2. Its trains have a design speed of 180 km/h.
  3. It is India's first Regional Rapid Transit System.
  4. Its trains have an operating speed of 200 km/h.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 4 only

Q8. The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), which runs the Namo Bharat RRTS, functions as an SPV under which Union Ministry?

  • A. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Railways
  • C. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
  • D. Ministry of Urban Development

Q9. Regarding the growth of India's metro network, consider the following: 1. India's metro network length was 248 km in 2014. 2. Metro services operated in 5 cities in 2014. 3. The metro budget for 2025–26 is ₹29,550 crore. 4. The 2013–14 metro budget allocation was ₹15,798 crore. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. India's metro network length was 248 km in 2014.
  2. Metro services operated in 5 cities in 2014.
  3. The metro budget for 2025–26 is ₹29,550 crore.
  4. The 2013–14 metro budget allocation was ₹15,798 crore.
  • A. 1 and 4 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q10. According to the EAC-PM study (January 2026) on metro rail, by approximately what percentage did mortgage delinquency decline in metro-connected PIN codes of Delhi?

  • A. 1.7%
  • B. 2.4%
  • C. 3.5%
  • D. 4.42%

Q11. In India's metro rail architecture, entities such as DMRC and BMRCL are 'SPVs'. What does this term most precisely denote?

  • A. A Special Purpose Vehicle — a dedicated company, typically a 50:50 Centre–State joint venture, set up to implement and operate a metro project
  • B. A Statutory Public Voucher issued to subsidise metro passenger fares
  • C. A State Procurement Vendor empanelled to supply indigenous rolling stock
  • D. A Special Provision for Viability gap funding administered by the Ministry of Finance

Q12. Under the Metro Rail Policy, 2017, 'Value Capture Financing' through a 'Betterment Levy' refers to:

  • A. Mobilising resources by capturing a share of the rise in land and property values along a metro corridor
  • B. A surcharge added to every passenger's fare to recover the project's capital cost
  • C. A Central grant pegged to the betterment of a project's internal rate of return
  • D. A cess levied on rolling-stock manufacturers under the Make in India programme