UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC asks Centre to look into ‘rationalisation’ of airfares

Q1. The Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 and the subordinate rules framed under it are administered exclusively by which one of the following Union ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Civil Aviation
  • B. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
  • C. Ministry of Defence
  • D. Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Q2. With reference to the authorities established under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, consider the following: 1. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) — regulatory and safety oversight 2. Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) — security oversight 3. Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) — investigation of accidents 4. Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) — economic tariff regulation Which of the above is/are correctly identified as bodies set up under the 2024 Adhiniyam?

  1. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) — regulatory and safety oversight
  2. Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) — security oversight
  3. Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) — investigation of accidents
  4. Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) — economic tariff regulation
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. With reference to the framework governing domestic airfares as it stood in 2026 compared with the earlier position, consider the following statements: 1. Airfares in normal circumstances are market-driven and are neither established nor regulated by the government. 2. In March 2026 the Ministry of Civil Aviation retained the temporary caps it had imposed on domestic airfares. 3. The DGCA's Tariff Monitoring Unit reviews airfares on certain routes on a monthly basis. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Airfares in normal circumstances are market-driven and are neither established nor regulated by the government.
  2. In March 2026 the Ministry of Civil Aviation retained the temporary caps it had imposed on domestic airfares.
  3. The DGCA's Tariff Monitoring Unit reviews airfares on certain routes on a monthly basis.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. Routine monitoring of domestic airfares on select routes and enforcement of tariff-display obligations on airlines is carried out by which one of the following bodies?

  • A. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
  • B. Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA)
  • C. Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS)
  • D. Airports Authority of India (AAI)

Q5. The Supreme Court Bench that, in May 2026, asked the Centre to look into rationalisation of domestic airfares was headed by which one of the following judges?

  • A. Justice Vikram Nath
  • B. Justice Sandeep Mehta
  • C. Justice Surya Kant
  • D. Justice B. R. Gavai

Q6. The Supreme Court Bench that heard the 2026 petition on rationalisation of airfares comprised how many judges?

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

Q7. With reference to the functions of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), consider the following: 1. Enforcement of air safety and airworthiness standards 2. Licensing of pilots and aviation personnel 3. Economic determination of tariffs at major airports 4. Coordination of regulatory functions with the ICAO Which of the above is/are correctly identified as functions of the DGCA?

  1. Enforcement of air safety and airworthiness standards
  2. Licensing of pilots and aviation personnel
  3. Economic determination of tariffs at major airports
  4. Coordination of regulatory functions with the ICAO
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 2, 3 and 4

Q8. As of 2026, the DGCA derives its principal statutory regulatory authority over civil aviation from which one of the following?

  • A. Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024
  • B. Aircraft Act, 1934
  • C. AERA Act, 2008
  • D. Airports Authority of India Act, 1994

Q9. The right to move the Supreme Court directly for enforcement of fundamental rights, exercised in Public Interest Litigations such as the airfare petition, is guaranteed under which Article of the Constitution?

  • A. Article 32
  • B. Article 226
  • C. Article 136
  • D. Article 143

Q10. With reference to India's civil aviation bodies, consider the following pairings: 1. AERA — economic regulation of tariffs at major airports 2. BCAS — civil aviation security oversight 3. AAI — investigation of aircraft accidents 4. DGCA — safety and airworthiness regulation Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. AERA — economic regulation of tariffs at major airports
  2. BCAS — civil aviation security oversight
  3. AAI — investigation of aircraft accidents
  4. DGCA — safety and airworthiness regulation
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 2, 3 and 4

Q11. Comparing the roles of India's airport-sector bodies, consider the following statements: 1. AERA regulates tariffs at major airports above a specified passenger threshold, while for other airports the AAI determines tariffs. 2. AERA was established under a 2008 Act, whereas the AAI operates and manages airports. 3. Unlike AERA, the BCAS is primarily an economic regulator of airport charges. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. AERA regulates tariffs at major airports above a specified passenger threshold, while for other airports the AAI determines tariffs.
  2. AERA was established under a 2008 Act, whereas the AAI operates and manages airports.
  3. Unlike AERA, the BCAS is primarily an economic regulator of airport charges.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3