UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Centre again rules out Metro Rail projects for Madurai, Coimbatore

Q1. The Metro Rail Policy, 2017 — which lays down the population and financial-viability norms invoked while returning the Coimbatore and Madurai proposals — was formally approved by which one of the following?

  • A. The Union Cabinet
  • B. The NITI Aayog Governing Council
  • C. The National Development Council
  • D. The Central Advisory Board on Urban Transport

Q2. Under the Metro Rail Policy, 2017, a State seeking Central financial assistance for a metro project may avail it through how many alternative funding options?

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

Q3. According to public-transport cost assessments, a comprehensive bus-based rapid transit system costs approximately what fraction of an equivalent metro rail system?

  • A. About one-half
  • B. About one-third
  • C. About one-tenth
  • D. Roughly the same

Q4. With reference to Bus Rapid Transit Systems (BRTS) and Metro Rail as urban mass-transit modes, consider the following: 1. A comprehensive bus-based transit system typically costs of the order of one-tenth of a metro rail system of comparable coverage. 2. A metro rail system generally offers a higher peak carrying capacity than a Bus Rapid Transit System. 3. A Bus Rapid Transit System can be developed either elevated or at grade along existing road corridors. 4. Unlike a metro, a Bus Rapid Transit System necessarily requires an exclusive underground tunnel alignment. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. A comprehensive bus-based transit system typically costs of the order of one-tenth of a metro rail system of comparable coverage.
  2. A metro rail system generally offers a higher peak carrying capacity than a Bus Rapid Transit System.
  3. A Bus Rapid Transit System can be developed either elevated or at grade along existing road corridors.
  4. Unlike a metro, a Bus Rapid Transit System necessarily requires an exclusive underground tunnel alignment.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 4

Q5. In the context of the Coimbatore and Madurai proposals returned by MoHUA, a 'Detailed Project Report (DPR)' most precisely refers to which one of the following?

  • A. A comprehensive techno-economic and engineering blueprint of a project, prepared and appraised before it is sanctioned for funding
  • B. A preliminary feasibility note prepared only to decide whether a full study should be commissioned
  • C. An annual physical-and-financial progress report submitted while the project is under construction
  • D. A post-completion performance audit prepared after the project is commissioned

Q6. Regarding the sequence of events in the Coimbatore–Madurai Metro Rail episode, consider the following: 1. The Centre first rejected the Coimbatore and Madurai Metro proposals in November 2025. 2. Tamil Nadu re-submitted its justifications for the two Metro projects in May 2026. 3. MoHUA communicated a second rejection of the proposals in July 2026. 4. In its second rejection, MoHUA recommended a monorail system in place of Metro Rail. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The Centre first rejected the Coimbatore and Madurai Metro proposals in November 2025.
  2. Tamil Nadu re-submitted its justifications for the two Metro projects in May 2026.
  3. MoHUA communicated a second rejection of the proposals in July 2026.
  4. In its second rejection, MoHUA recommended a monorail system in place of Metro Rail.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. The appraisal of metro rail proposals and the release of Central financial assistance for urban mass-transit projects are handled by which one of the following Union ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Railways
  • C. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
  • D. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

Q8. Among the routes to Central assistance offered under the Metro Rail Policy, 2017, which one entails the largest financial contribution from the Union government as a share of project cost?

  • A. The 50:50 equity-sharing model between the Centre and the State
  • B. The lump-sum grant equal to 10% of project cost
  • C. The Public-Private Partnership route with Viability Gap Funding
  • D. An Engineering-Procurement-Construction contract funded wholly by the State

Q9. As assessed by MoHUA on the basis of the 2011 Census, how many of the two Tamil Nadu cities in the rejected proposals met the ~20-lakh population benchmark for Metro Rail eligibility?

  • A. None of the two
  • B. Only one of the two
  • C. Both of the two
  • D. The benchmark does not apply to either

Q10. Consider the following statements about Coimbatore and Madurai in the Metro Rail context: 1. As assessed under the 2011 Census, both Coimbatore and Madurai fell short of the ~20-lakh population benchmark for Metro eligibility. 2. Coimbatore's 2011 Census population was higher than that of Madurai. 3. Madurai's own Comprehensive Mobility Plan had earlier recommended a Metro Rail system in preference to a BRTS. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. As assessed under the 2011 Census, both Coimbatore and Madurai fell short of the ~20-lakh population benchmark for Metro eligibility.
  2. Coimbatore's 2011 Census population was higher than that of Madurai.
  3. Madurai's own Comprehensive Mobility Plan had earlier recommended a Metro Rail system in preference to a BRTS.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. India's largest operational metro network — that of the National Capital — is constructed and operated by which one of the following organisations?

  • A. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation
  • B. National Capital Region Transport Corporation
  • C. Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES)
  • D. Delhi Transport Corporation

Q12. Consider the following statements comparing India's urban transport policy instruments: 1. The National Urban Transport Policy was adopted in 2006, whereas the Metro Rail Policy was adopted in 2017. 2. The National Urban Transport Policy, 2006 recommended setting up a Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) in every million-plus city. 3. The National Urban Transport Policy, 2006 accorded priority to the movement of vehicles rather than the movement of people. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The National Urban Transport Policy was adopted in 2006, whereas the Metro Rail Policy was adopted in 2017.
  2. The National Urban Transport Policy, 2006 recommended setting up a Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) in every million-plus city.
  3. The National Urban Transport Policy, 2006 accorded priority to the movement of vehicles rather than the movement of people.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3