National Highway Infrastructure Development
Indian Polity & Governance
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Critical for India's economic development, logistics, regional balance, and employment generation. Reflects government's focus on infrastructure as a growth driver and its project management capabilities.
National Highways form the backbone of India's road network, crucial for economic growth, inter-state connectivity, and logistics. Large-scale projects like high-speed corridors and greenfield expressways aim to enhance transportation efficiency and reduce travel times across the country.
Facts & tables
- Total Awarded Length
- 10,389 km of National High-Speed Corridors and Greenfield Expressways awarded.
- Completed Length
- 4,809 km of projects have been completed.
- Under Implementation
- 5,580 km of projects are currently under construction.
- Project Review Framework
- Government established a framework for regular review at project, State, and Central levels involving all stakeholders.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Executive & Council of Ministers |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Road Transport & Highways | Implements |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Factual recall
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
- National Highways are vital for economic growth and connectivity.
- Significant progress in High-Speed Corridors and Greenfield Expressways.
- Multi-level review framework involving Central and State Govts.
- Focus on expediting project execution through various initiatives.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2021 | Statement-based questions, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2018 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2017 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2016 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2013 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2013 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
Timeline
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Executive & Council of Ministers
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2013
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2013
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2016
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2017
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2018
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2021
Statement-based questions, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2025
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
CONSTRUCTION OF NATIONAL HIGH-SPEED CORRIDORS AND GREENFIELD EXPRESSWAYS
India is rapidly expanding its national highway network, including high-speed corridors and expressways, with significant lengths completed and under construction, supported by a multi-level review mechanism involving central and state governments.
See also
Past papers
2013–2025 · 8 questions
In the news
CONSTRUCTION OF NATIONAL HIGH-SPEED CORRIDORS AND GREENFIELD EXPRESSWAYS
India is rapidly expanding its national highway network, including high-speed corridors and expressways, with significant lengths completed and under construction, supported by a multi-level review mechanism involving central and state governments.
Try these PYQs
Who among the following constitute the National Development Council?
1. The Prime Minister
2. The Chairman, Finance Commission
3. Ministers of the Union Cabinet
4. Chief Ministers of the States
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
The National Development Council (NDC) in India is comprised of the following members: * The Prime Minister (who chairs the council)
* Ministers of the Union Cabinet
* Chief Ministers of the States The Chairman, Finance Commission - while the Finance Commission plays a crucial role in recommending the devolution of financial resources from the central government to the states, the Chairman is not a member of the NDC. _Note: While the NDC was proposed to be abolished, it has not been formally dissolved, although its powers have largely been transferred to the NITI Aayog's Governing Council._
Consider the following statements:
1. The Constitution of India classifies the ministers into four ranks viz. Cabinet Minister, Minister of State with Independent Charge, Minister of State and Deputy Minister.
2. The total number of ministers in the Union Government/including the Prime Minister, shall not exceed 15 percent of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Constitution of India does not classify ministers into four fixed ranks. There are broadly two categories based on parliamentary convention - Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State (with or without independent charge). The number of ranks can vary based on the specific structure chosen by the government. Statement 2 is correct: The 91st Amendment to the Constitution limits the size of the Council of Ministers. The total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, cannot exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.
Which of the following are not necessarily the consequences of the proclamation of the President’s rule in a State?
1. Dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly
2. Removal of the Council of Ministers in the State
3. Dissolution of the local bodies
Which of the above-given statements is correct?
Statement 1 is correct: The dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly is not mandatory. The Assembly may either be dissolved (leading to fresh elections) or kept under suspension (placing it in a state of dormancy until further decisions are made). Statement 2 is incorrect: When President’s Rule is imposed in a state under Article 356, the Council of Ministers is always dismissed, as the state government is suspended and the Governor takes over the executive powers on behalf of the President. Statement 3 is correct: The dissolution of local bodies is not a direct consequence of President’s Rule. Since municipalities and panchayats function independently under the State List (as per the 73rd and 74th Amendments), their existence remains unaffected unless the state government had already initiated their dissolution through legal provisions. Thus, while the removal of the Council of Ministers is automatic, the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly is conditional, and local bodies remain largely unaffected. Hence, the correct answer is option (B) 1 and 3 only.
Consider the following statements:
1. The Chief Secretary in a State is appointed by the Governor of that State.
2. The Chief Secretary in a State has a fixed tenure
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
The Chief Secretary (Mukhya Sachiv) is the highest-ranking civil servant in a state or union territory, responsible for coordinating the administration and implementing government policies. The Chief Secretary heads the state bureaucracy and acts as the principal advisor to the Chief Minister and the executive head of the state secretariat. Statement 1 is incorrect: The Chief Minister selects the Chief Secretary, typically from among the senior-most Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers of the state cadre. While the Chief Minister consults with relevant authorities, the final decision rests with them. The appointment is formally issued in the name of the Governor, as per established procedures. Statement 2 is incorrect: There is no fixed tenure for the Chief Secretary. The Chief Minister decides the length of service, and the officer may be transferred, extended, or replaced at the government’s discretion. Hence, both statements are incorrect.
With reference to India, consider the following statements:
1. There is only one citizenship and one domicile.
2. A citizen by birth only can become the Head of State.
3. A foreigner once granted the citizenship cannot be deprived of it under any circumstances.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is correct. India follows a single citizenship system, which means that every Indian is a citizen of India, irrespective of the place of his/her residence within the country. The concept of domicile does not exist in the Indian Constitution. Statement 2 is incorrect. In India, the Head of State is the President, and as per Article 58 of the Indian Constitution, any person who is a citizen of India and is 35 years of age or above is eligible to become the President. It does not matter whether the person is a citizen by birth or by naturalization. Statement 3 is also incorrect. As per the Citizenship Act 1955, the Central Government has the power to deprive a person of his/her citizenship under certain circumstances.
Show 3 more PYQs
Consider the following statements:
I. The Constitution of India explicitly mentions that in certain spheres the Governor of a State acts in his/her own discretion.
II. The President of India can, of his/her own, reserve a bill passed by a State Legislature for his/her consideration without it being forwarded by the Governor of the State concerned.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
The Constitution outlines specific roles where the Governor can act at his/her own discretion, but it does not allow the President to unilaterally intervene in State legislation without the Governor's involvement. ✅ Statement I: Correct
* The Governor can act in discretion in certain cases (e.g., reserving a bill for the President under Article 200, or appointing a CM in a hung assembly).
* Article 163(2) makes the Governor’s discretion final in such matters. ❌ Statement II: Incorrect
* The President cannot suo motu reserve a State bill. Only the Governor can do this under Article 200.
In the context of India, which of the following principles is/are implied institutionally in the parliamentary government?
1. Members of the Cabinet are Members of Parliament.
2. Ministers hold the office till they enjoy confidence in the Parliament.
3. Cabinet is headed by the Head of the State.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
In the context of India's parliamentary government, the following principles are implied institutionally: Statement 1 is correct. Close Link Between Legislature and Executive: By requiring Cabinet members to be MPs, a close connection is established between the legislative and executive branches. This ensures the government is accountable to the legislature, which represents the people. Statement 2 is correct: Collective Responsibility The principle of collective responsibility implies that the Cabinet functions as a unified body. If the Parliament loses faith in the government through a no-confidence motion, the entire Cabinet, including the Prime Minister, is expected to resign. Statement 3 is incorrect: Cabinet is not headed by the Head of State. In India, the President is the Head of State, but the Prime Minister leads the Cabinet. The Prime Minister is the head of government and wields significant executive power.
Consider the following statements:
1. No criminal proceedings shall be instituted against the Governor of a State in any court during his term of office.
2. The emoluments and allowances of the Governor of a State shall not be diminished during his term of office.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is correct: Under Article 361 of the Indian Constitution, a Governor enjoys immunity from criminal proceedings while in office. No court can initiate proceedings against a Governor during their tenure for acts done in the exercise of their official duties. This provision ensures that the Governor can perform their constitutional responsibilities without fear of legal harassment. However, civil proceedings can be initiated with a two-month prior notice.. Statement 2 is correct: As per Article 158, the salary and allowances of a Governor are determined by law and cannot be reduced during their tenure. This provision guarantees the Governor's financial independence, preventing any undue influence on their functioning. Hence, the correct answer is option (c) Both 1 and 2.