CURRENT AFFAIRS | MARCH 29, 2026
CLAT GK + CONSTITUTIONAL LAW & INFRASTRUCTURE
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase 1 of the Noida International Airport (DXN) at Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, on March 28, 2026, making Delhi-NCR India’s first two-airport metropolitan region — joining the ranks of Mumbai, London, and Paris. The airport, developed at a cost of Rs 11,200 crore under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model by Zurich Airport International AG, represents a landmark in India’s infrastructure development and raises important constitutional questions about the division of powers between the Centre and States under the 7th Schedule.
What Happened?
The Noida International Airport is located in Jewar, Gautam Buddha Nagar district, along the Yamuna Expressway. Phase 1 features a 3,900-metre runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 777-300ER, with an initial capacity of 12 million passengers per annum. The airport is scalable to 70 million passengers with five runways at full development by 2040.
PM Modi said the airport would eventually handle a flight every two minutes, positioning it as one of India’s busiest aviation hubs. UP CM Yogi Adityanath called it a “launchpad for UP’s bright future.” The on-site cargo hub can process over 2.5 lakh metric tonnes annually, with plans for a 40-acre Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility. The airport will serve key UP cities including Noida, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Mathura, and Agra.
Legal Framework
- Article 73: The executive power of the Union extends to matters with respect to which Parliament has power to make laws — including aviation under Entry 29, List I.
- 7th Schedule, Entry 29 (Union List): “Airways; aircraft and air navigation; provision of aerodromes” — this places aviation firmly under Central jurisdiction.
- Airports Authority of India Act, 1994: Establishes the AAI for the management and development of airports. The Jewar airport operates under PPP framework alongside AAI regulation.
- Land Acquisition Act, 2013 (RFCTLARR Act): Governs the acquisition of land for public purposes including infrastructure projects, with provisions for fair compensation and rehabilitation.
- UDAN Scheme (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik): Launched in 2016 to provide affordable regional air connectivity — Jewar expands this vision for the NCR region.
CLAT Exam Angle
- Federalism: Aviation is a Union subject (Entry 29, List I), but state cooperation is essential for land acquisition, connectivity, and local infrastructure — a classic Centre-State coordination question.
- PPP Models: The Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) and similar PPP frameworks are frequently tested in CLAT GK. Zurich Airport International AG developing Jewar is a key example.
- Constitutional Provisions: Art. 73 (executive power of Union), Art. 246 (distribution of legislative powers), and the 7th Schedule entries are high-frequency CLAT topics.
- Infrastructure Development: Questions on flagship schemes (UDAN, Sagarmala, Bharatmala) and their constitutional/statutory basis are common.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Airport Name | Noida International Airport (IATA: DXN) |
| Location | Jewar, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh |
| Developer | Zurich Airport International AG (PPP model) |
| Investment (Phase 1) | Rs 11,200 crore |
| Phase 1 Capacity | 12 million passengers/year |
| Full Capacity (by 2040) | 70 million passengers/year, 5 runways |
| Runway Length | 3,900 metres |
| Inaugurated By | PM Modi (March 28, 2026) |
Mnemonic: JEWAR
Remember the constitutional framework for aviation infrastructure:
- J — Jurisdiction: Union List, Entry 29 (airways)
- E — Executive power: Art. 73 (Union executive extends to Union List)
- W — Welfare PPP: Public-Private Partnership model
- A — AAI Act 1994 (regulatory framework)
- R — RFCTLARR Act 2013 (land acquisition)
Practice Quiz
Practice Quiz — 10 CLAT-Style Questions
Click an option to reveal the answer and explanation.
