UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Calcutta HC rejects govt. objections to Nicobar plea
Q1. With reference to the recent (May 2026) order of the Calcutta High Court on petitions challenging the Great Nicobar Island Holistic Development Project, consider the following statements:
1. The Court dismissed the Union government's preliminary objection that the petitioner, a Hyderabad-based retired civil servant, lacked locus standi to file the petitions.
2. The National Green Tribunal had earlier, in February 2026, ruled against the project citing inadequate environmental safeguards, and the High Court has now endorsed that finding.
3. The petitions allege that the consent process for diversion of forest land violated the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The Court dismissed the Union government's preliminary objection that the petitioner, a Hyderabad-based retired civil servant, lacked locus standi to file the petitions.
- The National Green Tribunal had earlier, in February 2026, ruled against the project citing inadequate environmental safeguards, and the High Court has now endorsed that finding.
- The petitions allege that the consent process for diversion of forest land violated the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 1 and 3 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q2. Which one of the following is the principal maritime infrastructure component envisaged under the Great Nicobar Island Holistic Development Project?
- A. International Container Transhipment Terminal at Galathea Bay
- B. Multi-modal Logistics Park at Campbell Bay
- C. Deep-water Cruise Terminal at Indira Point
- D. Naval Dockyard Expansion at Car Nicobar
Q3. Which one of the following has been designated as the nodal implementing agency for the Great Nicobar Island Holistic Development Project?
- A. Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO)
- B. National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL)
- C. Indian Ports Association under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
- D. NITI Aayog's Island Development Agency
Q4. The petitions admitted by the Calcutta High Court in May 2026 in connection with the Great Nicobar Island project primarily allege violations of which one of the following statutes?
- A. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006
- B. The Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996
- C. The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
- D. The Indian Forest Act, 1927
Q5. Consider the following as components proposed under the Great Nicobar Island Holistic Development Project:
1. International container transhipment terminal at Galathea Bay
2. Greenfield dual-use international airport
3. Gas and solar-based power plant with a township
4. India's first deep-sea uranium enrichment facility
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- International container transhipment terminal at Galathea Bay
- Greenfield dual-use international airport
- Gas and solar-based power plant with a township
- India's first deep-sea uranium enrichment facility
- A. 1 and 3
- B. 2 and 4
- C. 4 only
- D. 3 and 4