UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Digital-Only Toll Collection Implemented at National Highway Fee Plazas

Q1. When digital-only toll collection was implemented at National Highway fee plazas from 10 April 2026, its rollout was held back in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, West Bengal and Puducherry. The exemption was granted because which one of the following was in force in these jurisdictions?

  • A. The Model Code of Conduct, owing to the ongoing electoral process
  • B. President's Rule proclaimed under Article 356
  • C. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act
  • D. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita

Q2. With reference to FASTag and its enforcement, consider the following statements: 1. FASTag operates on Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. 2. Fitment of FASTag was made mandatory for M and N category motor vehicles from 1 January 2021. 3. All lanes at National Highway fee plazas were declared 'FASTag lanes' in February 2021. 4. A vehicle without a valid, functional FASTag is liable to pay three times the applicable user fee. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. FASTag operates on Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.
  2. Fitment of FASTag was made mandatory for M and N category motor vehicles from 1 January 2021.
  3. All lanes at National Highway fee plazas were declared 'FASTag lanes' in February 2021.
  4. A vehicle without a valid, functional FASTag is liable to pay three times the applicable user fee.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 2 only

Q3. A vehicle entering a FASTag lane of a National Highway fee plaza without a valid, functional FASTag and paying in cash is liable to pay how many times the applicable user fee?

  • A. 1.25 times
  • B. 1.5 times
  • C. Two times
  • D. Three times

Q4. As per the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, in the absence of an alternate toll-free route, how many of the following categories of vehicles are exempt from paying user fee: two-wheelers, three-wheelers, tractors, and animal-drawn vehicles?

  • A. Only two
  • B. Only three
  • C. All four
  • D. None of the four

Q5. The National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008 — which govern toll collection at fee plazas — were framed primarily under which one of the following statutes?

  • A. The National Highways Act, 1956
  • B. The National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988
  • C. The Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002
  • D. The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

Q6. Under the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, how many modes of digital payment are accepted for user fee at National Highway fee plazas following the 10 April 2026 digital-only rollout?

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

Q7. The nationwide FASTag-based Electronic Toll Collection programme is implemented and managed by which one of the following special purpose vehicles promoted by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)?

  • A. Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL)
  • B. National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL)
  • C. National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML)
  • D. National Highways Infra Trust (NHIT)

Q8. With reference to the digital-only toll collection rollout on National Highways, consider the following statements: 1. It became effective from 10 April 2026. 2. It followed an earlier announcement to discontinue cash payments from 1 April 2026. 3. FASTag accounts for over 98% of toll transactions. 4. Motorists may still pay in cash by paying 1.25 times the user fee. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It became effective from 10 April 2026.
  2. It followed an earlier announcement to discontinue cash payments from 1 April 2026.
  3. FASTag accounts for over 98% of toll transactions.
  4. Motorists may still pay in cash by paying 1.25 times the user fee.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 2
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q9. As per the 2025 clarification on satellite-based tolling, the planned GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection is to be introduced within the existing ecosystem, initially operating in a hybrid model alongside which existing technology?

  • A. RFID-based FASTag
  • B. Magnetic-stripe smart cards
  • C. Barcode/QR-scan tolling
  • D. Manual cash lanes

Q10. The FASTag Annual Pass introduced in 2025 (priced at Rs.3,000, valid for one year or 200 trips) is available for use by which category of vehicles?

  • A. Only private, non-commercial vehicles such as cars, jeeps and vans
  • B. All vehicles, including commercial goods carriers
  • C. Only commercial and public transport vehicles
  • D. Only government and emergency-service vehicles

Q11. UPI, which has been enabled as a toll payment mode at National Highway fee plazas, is developed and operated by which one of the following organisations?

  • A. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
  • B. Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
  • C. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
  • D. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)