Prelims · Economy & social development · 32 questions

Industry, infrastructure & investment

Every UPSC Prelims question on this topic, 2016–2026, newest first. Tap an option to check yourself; the answer and explanation open below it.

Asked in 9 of 11 years · most in 2017 (5)

UPSC syllabus: “Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.” See the full syllabus →

Prelims 2024 · Q11

Medium

Consider the following airports:

1.Donyi Polo Airport
2.Kushinagar International Airport
3.Vijayawada International Airport

In the recent past, which of the above have been constructed as Greenfield projects?

Answer & explanation

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

A greenfield airport is built on a fresh site. Donyi Polo (Hollongi, Itanagar) and Kushinagar are among the greenfield airports approved under the Greenfield Airports Policy and operationalised in recent years. Vijayawada is an older Airports Authority of India airport at Gannavaram that has been expanded with a new terminal, which makes it a brownfield upgrade.

✓ 1. Donyi Polo Airport is the greenfield airport at Hollongi, Itanagar; the Union Cabinet approved the name in November 2022.
✓ 2. Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh is one of the greenfield airports given 'in-principle' approval and later operationalised, as an international airport.
✗ 3. Vijayawada is an existing AAI airport at Gannavaram; it is not on the list of 21 approved greenfield airports. Recent work there is a new integrated terminal building at the old site.

Remember · Greenfield = new site. Recent greenfield airports include Donyi Polo (Itanagar), Kushinagar, Mopa, Shivamogga, Sindhudurg, Kalaburagi, Orvakal.

Sources

PIB (Ministry of Civil Aviation): 21 Greenfield Airports are to be set up in the country, 11 are operationalized ↗ “Out of these, 11 Greenfield airports viz. Durgapur, Shirdi, Kannur, Pakyong, Kalaburagi, Orvakal (Kurnool), Sindhudurg, Kushinagar, Itanagar, Mopa and Shivamogga have been operationalised.”
PIB: Cabinet approves naming of Greenfield Airport at Hollongi, Itanagar as Donyi Polo Airport ↗ “The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the naming of Greenfield Airport at Hollongi, Itanagar as “Donyi Polo Airport, Itanagar”.”
PIB (Ministry of Civil Aviation): AAI capital outlay for expansion and modernising of existing terminals ↗ “Vijayawada Construction of NITB including associated works at Vijayawada Airport.”

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2024, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). Permalink ·

Prelims 2024 · Q50

Medium

With reference to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) rules in India, consider the following statements:

1.CSR rules specify that expenditures that benefit the company directly or its employees will not be considered as CSR activities.
2.CSR rules do not specify minimum spending on CSR activities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Answer & explanation

Answer: (a) 1 only

Statement 1 is right: the CSR Rules leave out activities that benefit the company's own employees, that are part of its normal business, or that are sponsorship for marketing benefit. Statement 2 is wrong: under section 135 the Board must ensure the company spends at least two per cent of its average net profit of the three preceding years on CSR.

✓ 1. Rule 2(1)(d) of the Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014 excludes activities in the normal course of business, activities benefitting employees, and sponsorship done to gain marketing benefit. CSR money has to serve society, not the company or its staff.
✗ 2. The law does set a floor. The Board must ensure the company spends at least two per cent of the average net profits made in the three immediately preceding financial years.

Remember · CSR floor: at least 2% of average net profit of the preceding three years. Activities benefitting employees, done as normal business, or sponsored for marketing do not count.