UPSC Prelims 2003 · General Studies

Question 65: Economy and Social Development

Which one of the following statements is correct?

aAlliance Air is a wholly owned subsidiary of Indian Airlines

bThe Airports Authority of India manages seven of the country's international airports

cThe Airports Authority of India is the regulatory organisation for enforcing civil air regulations in India

dIt is the function of Directorate General of Civil Aviation to plan and construct runways and terminal buildings and to provide air safety services

AnswerThe answer is (a).

Alliance Air was set up as a wholly owned subsidiary of Indian Airlines, which is the statement the key accepts. The other options mix up the roles of aviation bodies: the Airports Authority of India builds and manages airports, while safety and regulation of civil aviation is the job of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Options (c) and (d) reverse these roles.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Correct: Alliance Air was a wholly owned subsidiary of Indian Airlines.
(b) The key rejects this statement about the airports the AAI manages.
(c) The regulator is the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, not the AAI.
(d) The DGCA regulates; planning and building runways and terminals is the AAI's task, so the roles are reversed.

Worth knowing: Indian Airlines merged into Air India in 2007 and Alliance Air is now a separate government-owned airline, so the statement is dated.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2003, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.