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Land Acquisition for Infrastructure Projects

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Land acquisition is a critical bottleneck for India's infrastructure development, directly impacting economic growth, industrialization, and social justice. It highlights challenges in governance, federal coordination, and the implementation of welfare policies for displaced populations.

Land acquisition in India is primarily governed by the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (RFCTLARR Act). This legislation aims to balance the need for land for public purposes and infrastructure development with the rights of landowners and affected families, ensuring fair compensation and rehabilitation.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Primary legislation

Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (RFCTLARR Act)

Major bottleneck

Delays infrastructure projects across sectors (railways, roads, industrial corridors)

Contributing factors

Issues with compensation, rehabilitation, forest clearances, shifting utilities, statutory approvals, law-and-order

Impact

Escalates project costs, extends timelines, hinders economic development

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaIndian Polity & Governance
Conceptual areaIndian Economy

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Ministry of RailwaysImplements
State GovernmentsFacilitates land acquisition, provides clearances
K-RIDE (Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Limited)Implements
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • RFCTLARR Act, 2013 is the key legislation.
  • Major cause of delays in infrastructure projects.
  • Involves fair compensation, rehabilitation, resettlement.
  • Requires coordination between Centre and States.
  • Other factors: forest clearances, utility shifting.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements with respect to the Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) is/are correct ? 1. The period of its implementation is ...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2025Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following pairs: State – Description I. Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks. II. Nagala...

GeographyOpen question

With reference to India, consider the following: I. The Inter-State Council II. The National Security Council III. Zonal Councils How many of the above wer...

Indian PolityOpen question
2025Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following pairs: State – Description I. Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks. II. Nagala...

GeographyOpen question

With reference to India, consider the following: I. The Inter-State Council II. The National Security Council III. Zonal Councils How many of the above wer...

Indian PolityOpen question
2024Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements: 1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation base...

Modern HistoryOpen question
2023Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Constitution of India, the Central Government has a duty to protect States from internal disturbances...

Indian PolityOpen question

With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements : 1. Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards act and Rules of the Central Government. 2...

Indian PolityOpen question
2023Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Constitution of India, the Central Government has a duty to protect States from internal disturbances...

Indian PolityOpen question

With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements : 1. Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards act and Rules of the Central Government. 2...

Indian PolityOpen question
2014Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

Indian PolityOpen question
2013Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements 1. An amendment to the Constitution of India can be initiated by the introduction of a bill in the Lok Sabha only. 2. If su...

Indian PolityOpen question

Topic timeline

Indian Polity & GovernanceIndian Economy
Prelims 2013· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements 1. An amendment to the Constitution of India can be initiated by the introduction of a bill in the Lok Sabha only. 2. If su...

Open question
Prelims 2014· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

Open question
Prelims 2023· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Constitution of India, the Central Government has a duty to protect States from internal disturbances...

Open question

With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements : 1. Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards act and Rules of the Central Government. 2...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Constitution of India, the Central Government has a duty to protect States from internal disturbances...

Open question

With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements : 1. Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards act and Rules of the Central Government. 2...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements: 1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation base...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following pairs: State – Description I. Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks. II. Nagala...

Open question

With reference to India, consider the following: I. The Inter-State Council II. The National Security Council III. Zonal Councils How many of the above wer...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following pairs: State – Description I. Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks. II. Nagala...

Open question

With reference to India, consider the following: I. The Inter-State Council II. The National Security Council III. Zonal Councils How many of the above wer...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements with respect to the Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) is/are correct ? 1. The period of its implementation is ...

Open question

Only 61% of land acquired for Karnataka railway projects; nearly 4,000 hectares still pending

30 Jul 2026 · Land acquisition, governed by the RFCTLARR Act, 2013, remains a significant hurdle for infrastructure projects in India, leading to delays and cost overruns due to issues like compensation, rehabilitation, and inter-state/centre-state coordination.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Land Acquisition for Infrastructure Projects

Often confused with

Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policies

Open notesOften confused with

Centre-State Cooperation in Infrastructure Development

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Land Acquisition for Infrastructure Projects in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Land Acquisition for Infrastructure Projects

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Consider the following pairs: State – Description I. Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks. II. Nagala...

2025·Geography
Solve

With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements: 1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation base...

2024·Modern History
Solve

Which of the following statements with respect to the Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) is/are correct ? 1. The period of its implementation is ...

2026·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Constitution of India, the Central Government has a duty to protect States from internal disturbances...

2023·Indian Polity
Solve

With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements : 1. Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards act and Rules of the Central Government. 2...

2023·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements 1. An amendment to the Constitution of India can be initiated by the introduction of a bill in the Lok Sabha only. 2. If su...

2013·Indian Polity
Solve

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

2014·Indian Polity
Solve

With reference to India, consider the following: I. The Inter-State Council II. The National Security Council III. Zonal Councils How many of the above wer...

2025·Indian Polity
Solve

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