For aspirants preparing for the Civil Services Examination 2026, consistent answer writing practice is paramount. UPSC Essentials presents its dedicated initiative for Mains answer writing, focusing on critical topics from the static and dynamic portions of the General Studies syllabus. This week's practice centers on two pivotal questions from GS Paper 3, covering the economics of India's aviation sector and crucial internal security concerns related to regional connectivity.
Question 1: The Challenge of New Entrants in a Concentrated Sky
The Indian domestic aviation landscape has historically been characterized by the dominance of a limited number of major carriers. Recently, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to two new proposed airlines, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress. This move could potentially increase the number of upcoming regional carriers to four, signaling the government's intent to foster greater competition. However, this sector, especially the regional segment, is notoriously challenging, with a history of more failures than successes.
Potential Benefits of Introducing Regional Airlines
The entry of new regional players promises several advantages. Primarily, it can enhance connectivity to smaller towns and Tier-2 & Tier-3 cities, which are often underserved by major airlines. This improved access can stimulate local economies by drawing businesses, boosting tourism, and generating direct and indirect employment opportunities. For passengers, increased competition typically leads to lower fares, greater flight frequency, and more choices. From a network perspective, regional airlines can act as feeders, channeling traffic into major hub airports operated by larger carriers, thereby improving overall load factors and potentially reducing network costs.
Significant Limitations and Hurdles
Despite the potential, the path for regional airlines is fraught with obstacles. High operational costs, including dollar-denominated expenses for fuel and aircraft leases, coupled with typically low passenger volumes on short-haul routes, squeeze profit margins. Demand at smaller airports can be seasonal and unpredictable, making operations commercially risky. Infrastructure constraints, such as the lack of facilities for night landings, insufficient Air Traffic Control (ATC), and inadequate ground handling services at regional airports, further hamper efficiency.
Financially, most regional carriers lack the deep pockets needed to withstand market volatility and external shocks, a reality underscored by the recent operational issues faced by even the largest player, IndiGo. Furthermore, on many short-distance routes, cost-effective alternatives like trains and road transport present stiff competition, challenging the viability of regional air travel.
Question 2: The Siliguri Corridor - India's Strategic Lifeline
The Siliguri Corridor, often referred to as the "Chicken's Neck," is a slender stretch of land approximately 20 kilometers wide at its narrowest point. It serves as the crucial terrestrial link connecting India's northeastern states (the "Seven Sisters") to the rest of the country. Flanked by Nepal and Bhutan to the north and Bangladesh to the south, this corridor's strategic importance is immense, making it a focal point for both national security and regional connectivity.
Strategic Importance for Security and Connectivity
This corridor is India's gateway to the Northeast and, by extension, to Southeast Asia under the Act East Policy. Its proximity to the Chumbi Valley tri-junction (where India, Bhutan, and China meet) adds a critical geopolitical dimension. Over the past decade, enhanced cross-border engagements with Bangladesh have increased the corridor's significance for trade and mobility, with initiatives aimed at using Bangladeshi ports like Chattogram to improve access to the Northeast.
Vulnerabilities and Destabilisation Narratives
The very features that make the corridor vital also render it vulnerable. Its porous borders with Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh facilitate not just legitimate trade but also illicit activities. These include cross-border trafficking of humans, drugs, and fake currency, as well as the movement of elements hostile to India's national security. Recent narratives around political instability in Bangladesh have brought these vulnerabilities into sharp focus, highlighting how developments in a neighbouring country can directly impact the security of this crucial artery.
Any disruption or threat to the Siliguri Corridor could effectively isolate the northeastern region, underscoring why it is often termed an "Achilles' heel" for India. This necessitates robust, multi-layered security measures and sustained diplomatic efforts to ensure stability in the immediate neighbourhood.
Conclusion and Way Forward for Aspirants
For the aviation sector, the success of new regional airlines hinges on identifying truly underserved routes with sustainable demand, maintaining lean and cost-effective operations, and building resilience. The government's UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme aims to address some of these challenges by making regional connectivity financially viable.
Regarding the Siliguri Corridor, a comprehensive strategy involving enhanced physical and technological surveillance, coordinated efforts by border security forces like the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and deeper connectivity partnerships with Bangladesh is essential to mitigate risks.
UPSC aspirants should use these points as fodder to build structured, multidimensional answers. Incorporating relevant data, referring to government schemes, and mapping the geographical and strategic nuances will add depth to your responses in the Mains examination.
