Infrastructure & Industry — UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions
69 questions from UPSC CSE Prelims GS Paper 1 on Infrastructure & Industry (Indian Economy). Spanning from 1997 to 2024. Practice with show/hide answers and detailed explanations.
Holding the highest question count—75 between 1997-2025—the Infrastructure & Industry segment blends physical economy facts with policy analysis. UPSC probes candidates on sectors like power, roads, railways, ports, telecom and civil aviation alongside industrial policies, IIP classification and Make-in-India offshoots such as PLI. Expect questions on National Infrastructure Pipeline, PM Gati Shakti, Sagarmala, Bharatmala, and Digital India logistics. The exam also tests PPP models (BOT, HAM, TOT), viability-gap funding, and industrial corridors (DMIC, BMEC). Be ready with energy mix percentages, renewable targets, and climate commitments linked to industry. Reading PIB, NIP Dashboard and Economic Survey chapters will equip you to tackle map-based, data-driven or statement-type questions that UPSC loves in this dynamic sub-topic.
Q: 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?
Q: Consider the following statements with reference to India :
1. According to the 'Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006', the 'medium enterprises' are those with investments in plant and machinery between ₹ 15 crore and ₹ 25 crore.
2. All bank loans to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises qualify under the priority sector.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Consider the following statements:
1. Coal sector was nationalised by the Government of India under Indira Gandhi.
2. Now, coal blocks are allocated on lottery basis.
3. Till recently, India imported coal to meet the shortages of domestic supply, but now India is self-sufficient in coal production.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: With reference to the management of minor minerals in India, consider the following statements:
1. Sand is a 'minor mineral' according to the prevailing law in the country.
2. State Governments have the power to grant mining leases of minor minerals, but the powers regarding the formation of rules related to the grant of minor minerals lie with the Central Government.
3. State Governments have the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Consider the following statements:
1. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the first regulatory body set up by the Government of India.
2. One of the tasks of PNGRB is to ensure competitive markets for gas.
3. Appeals against the decisions of PNGRB go before the Appellate Tribunals for Electricity.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Q: With reference to 'National Investment and Infrastructure Fund', which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is an organ of NITI Aayog.
2. It has a corpus of ₹ 4,00,000 crore at present.
Select the correct answer
using the code given below:
Q: What is/are the purpose/purposes of 'District Mineral Foundations' in India?
1. Promoting mineral exploration activities in mineral-rich districts
2. Protecting the interests of the persons affected by mining operations
3. Authorizing State Governments to issue licences for mineral exploration
Select the correct answer
using the code given below.
Q: With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called ‘coalbed methane’ and ‘shale gas’, consider the following statements :
1. Coalbed methane is the pure methane gas extracted from coal seams, while shale gas is a mixture of propane and butane only that can be extracted from fine-grained sedimentary rocks.
2. In India, abundant coalbed methane sources exist, but so far no shale gas sources have been found.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: What is/are the recent policy initiative(s) of Government of India to promote the growth of manufacturing sector?
1. Setting up of National Investment and Manufacturing Zones
2. Providing the benefit of ‘single window clearance’
3. Establishing the Technology Acquisition and Development Fund
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Q: In India, in the overall Index of Industrial Production, the Indices of Eight Core Industries have a combined weight of 37·90%. Which of the following are among those Eight Core Industries?
1. Cement
2. Fertilizers
3. Natural gas
4. Refinery products
5. Textiles
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
Q: Despite having large reserves of coal, why does India import millions of tonnes of coal?
1. It is the policy of India to save its own coal reserves for future, and import it from other countries for the present use.
2. Most of the power plants in India are coal-based and they are not able to get sufficient supplies of coal from within the country.
3. Steel companies need large quantity of coking coal which has to be imported.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: In the context of global oil prices, "Brent crude oil" is frequently referred to in the news. What does this term imply?
1. It is a major classification of crude oil.
2. It is sourced from North Sea.
3. It does not contain sulphur.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: With what purpose is the Government of India promoting the concept of "Mega Food Parks"?
1. To provide good infrastructure facilities for the food processing industry.
2. To increase the processing of perishable items and reduce wastage.
3. To provide emerging and eco-friendly food processing technologies to entrepreneurs.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Q: Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:
List I (Person)
A. Anil Agarwal
B. Gautam H. Singhania
C. Sanjay Dalmia
D. Venugopal Dhoot
List II (Organization)
1. Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Ltd.
2. Raymond Ltd.
3. Vedanta Resources
4. Videocon Group
Q: Consider the following statements:
1. MMTC Limited is India's largest international trading organisation.
2. Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited has been set up by MMTC jointly with the Government of Orissa.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Consider the following statements :
1. The first telegraph line in India was laid between Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) and Diamond Harbour.
2. The first Export Processing Zone in India was set up in Kandla.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q: Consider the following pairs :
1. Ashok Leyland : Hinduja Group
2. Hindalco Industries : A.V. Birla Group
3. Suzlon Energy : Punj Lloyd Group
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?
Q: In August 2006, the Government of India notified the Rural Electrification Policy. This policy aims at provision of access to all households by which year?
Q: Which of the following pairs in respect of current power generation in India is/are correctly matched? (Rounded Figure)
1. Installed electricity generation capacity : 100000 MW
2. Electricity generation : 660 billion kWh
Select the correct answer
using the code given below:
Q: Which of the following are the public sector undertakings of the Government of India?
1. Balmer Lawrie and Company Ltd.
2. Dredging Corporation of India
3. Educational Consultants of India Ltd.
Select the correct answer
using the code given below:
Q: Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:
List-I (Person)
A. Vishwapati Trivedi
B. Tulsi R. Tanti
C. Shashi Ruia
D. S. Bikachandani
List-II (Company)
1. Essar Group
2. Info Edge India (which runs naukri.com)
3. Indian Airlines
4. Suzlon Energy
Codes:
Q: With reference to the steel industry in India in recent times, consider the following statements:
1. Vizag Steel Plant (RINL) has been declared a Mini-Ratna.
2. Merger of IISCO with SAIL has been completed.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :
List-I (Aluminium Company)
A. BALCO
B. HINDALCO
C. Indian Aluminium Company
D. NALCO
List-II (Location)
1. Hirakud
2. Korba
3. Koraput
4. Renukoot
Q: Consider the following statements:
1. Appellate Tribunal for Electricity has been established by each State Government in India.
2. One of the components of the Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (APDRP) is upgradation of sub-transmission and distribution system for electricity in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Projects and Development India Limited is mainly engaged in design engineering, procurement and supervision of construction/commissioning in which area?
Q: Match items in the List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List I (Person)
(A) V.R.S. Natrajan
(B) A.K. Puri
(C)
V. Thulasidas
(D) Jogdish Khattar
List II (Organization)
1. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
2. Air India
3. Maruti Udyog Limited
4. Bharat Earth Movers Limited
5. Indian Space Research Organization
Q: Consider the following statements :
1. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is liquefied under extremely cold temperatures and high pressure to facilitate storage or transportation in specially designed vessels.
2. First LNG terminal in India was built in Hassan.
3. Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) are separated from LPG and these include ethane, propane, butane and natural gasoline.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Consider the following statements:
1. The number of post offices in India is in excess of 1.5 lakhs.
2. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) was formed in the year 1997.
3. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was established in the year 2000.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Consider the following statements:
1. The Oil Pool Account of Government of India was dismantled with effect from 1-4-2002.
2. Subsidies on PDS kerosene and domestic LPG are borne by Consolidated Fund of India.
3. An expert committee headed by Dr. R.A. Mashelkar to formulate a national auto fuel policy recommended that Bharat Stage-II Emission Norms should be applied throughout the country by 1 April, 2004.
Which of these statements given above are correct?
Q: Consider the following statements:
1. National Thermal Power Corporation has diversified into hydropower sector.
2. Power Grid Corporation of India has diversified into telecom sector.
Which of these statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Consider the following statements:
1. In the last five years, Indian software exports have increased at a compound annual growth rate of about 60%.
2. The software and service industry in India registered an overall growth of about 28% in rupee terms during the year 2001-2002.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
Q: Consider the following statements: The Draft Electricity Bill, 2001 seeks to replace
1. Indian Electricity Act, 1910
2. Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948
3. Electricity Regulatory Commission Act, 1998
4. State Electricity Boards
Which of these statements are correct?
Q: With reference to the public Sector Undertaking in India, consider the following statements:
1. Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation of India Limited is the largest non-oil importer of the country.
2. Project and Equipment Corporation of India Limited is under the Ministry of Industry.
3. One of the objectives of Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Limited is to enforce quality control and compulsory pre-shipment inspection of various exportable commodities
Which of these statements is/are correct?
Q: Consider the following statements:
1. NTPC is the largest power utility in India.
2. ONGC accounts for half of the LPG production in India.
3. Indian Oil Corporation operates all the oil refineries in India.
4. The Indian Ordinance Factory is the largest departmentally run industrial undertaking in the country.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
Q: With reference to power sector in India consider the following statements:
1. Rural electrification has been treated as a Basic Minimum Service under the Prime Minister’s Gramodaya Yojana.
2. 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment in power is allowed without upper limit
3. The Union Ministry of Power has signed a Memoranda of Understanding with 14 states.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
Q: Assertion (A): There was an increase in industrial production during 1999-2000.
Reason (R): The period witnessed a stable exchange rate and improved business sentiments.
(a)Both A and R are individually true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b)Both A and R are individually true, but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
Q: Consider the following statements regarding power sector in India:
I. The installed capacity of power generation is around 95000 MW.
II. Nuclear plants contribute nearly 15% of total power generation.
III. Hydroelectricity plants contribute nearly 40% of total power generation.
IV. Thermal plants at present account for nearly 80% of total power generation.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
Q: Consider the following factors regarding an industry:
I. Capital investments
II. Business turnover
III. Labour force
IV. Power consumption
Which of these determine the nature and size of the industry?
Q: Match List I with List II
and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists:
List I (Industrial Unit)
I. Atlas Cycle Company Ltd.
II. Bharat Earth Movers Ltd.
III. Indian Farmers Fertilisers Cooperative Ltd.
IV. National Aluminium Company Ltd.
List II (Centre)
A) Bangalore
B) Bhubaneswar
C) Kalol
D) Sonepat
Codes:
Q: Consider the following statements: Industrial development in India, to an extent, is constrained by
I. Lack of adequate entrepreneurship and leadership in business.
II. Lack of savings to invest.
III. Lack of technology, skills and infrastructure.
IV. Limited purchasing power among the larger masses.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Q: Tourism industry in India is quite small compared to many other countries in terms of India’s potential and size.
Which one of the following statements is correct in this regard?
(a)Distances in India are too far apart and its luxury hotels are too expensive for western tourists
(b)For most of the months India is too hot for western tourists to feel comfortable
(c)Most of the picturesque resorts in India such as in the Northeast and Kashmir are, for all practical purposes, out of bounds
(d)In India, the infrastructure required for attracting tourists is inadequate
Q: Consider the following statements: Small-scale industries are, in most cases, not as efficient and competitive as the large-scale ones. Yet the Government provides preferential treatment and reservations in a range of products to the small firms because small-scale industries
I. Provide higher employment on a per unit capital deployment basis.
II. Promote a regional dispersion of industries and economic activities.
III. Have performed better in export of manufactured products than the large-scale ones.
IV. Provide jobs to low skill workers, who otherwise may not find employment avenues elsewhere.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Q: The product life cycle from inception to demise is shown in the graph. Match List I with List II
and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists:
List I (Stage)
I. Product Development
II. Maturity
III. Growth
IV. Introduction
List II (Zone)
(1, 2, 3, 4 as marked in the graph)
Are detailed project lengths or capacities asked in Prelims?▼
UPSC rarely asks micro-details but loves benchmark numbers: India’s installed renewable capacity crossing 180 GW, or the target of 500 GW by 2030. Memorise such milestone figures rather than granular kilometre counts.
How important is the new IIP base year for Prelims?▼
Very important. Questions may compare old (2004-05) and new (2011-12) IIP series, weight changes for manufacturing or mining, and the core industries’ combined weight (40.27%).