What is the common examiner trap about Infrastructure in UPSC exams?

Examiners may ask about the 'radius' (500m) or the 'percentage' (65%) in a factual MCQ. They might also confuse the implementing agency as 'DDA' (which drafts the policy) with 'MoHUA' (which notifies it). Another trap could be swapping the 'base FAR' (400) with the 'higher FAR' (500).

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Infrastructure for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: Mandatory 65% FAR for residential units under 100 sq.m. 2. Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) notifies the policy. 3. Target this Legal Point: Policy is an amendment under Master Plan of Delhi-2021.

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News 29 of 36

MoHUA Notifies Delhi TOD Policy, Mandates 65% FAR for Sub-100 Sq.M. Affordable Housing Units

Q: The new Transit Oriented Development (TOD) policy for Delhi was notified by which Union Ministry?

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), The article explicitly states that 'The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) on Tuesday notified the new Transit Oriented Development (TOD) policy for Delhi...'. MoHUA is the nodal ministry for urban development and housing policies in India.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the new Transit Oriented Development (TOD) policy notified for Delhi: 1. The policy mandates that developers must use at least 65% of the total permissible FAR for residential units of less than 100 sq.m. area. 2. The policy applies to highrises within a 1-kilometre radius of Metro or regional transit corridors. 3. The policy is a part of the Master Plan of Delhi-2041 and has been implemented across all 12 identified TOD nodes. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Only 1, Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect because the policy applies within a 500-metre radius, not 1 kilometre. Statement 3 is incorrect; while the policy is part of the Master Plan of Delhi-2021 framework (and was expected to be part of MPD-2041), construction has started at only one node (Karkardooma), not all 12.

Q: According to the new TOD policy for Delhi, what is the base Floor Area Ratio (FAR) allowed for developers?

400, The article clearly states: 'Under the new policy, developers are allowed a base FAR of 400.' This means they can build on four times the plot area. The other options are distractors close to the correct figure.

Q: What is the primary urban planning objective of linking higher Floor Area Ratio (FAR) to the construction of smaller residential units under Delhi's new TOD policy?

To incentivize developers to build affordable housing units, The core objective, as stated in the article, is to make 'smaller, more affordable housing units available in Delhi.' The policy uses the carrot of higher FAR (500 instead of 400) to mandate that a significant portion (65%) of the built-up area must be for small, affordable units. This is a direct incentive mechanism to address the housing shortage.

Infrastructure Polity Social IssuesHIGH

Target:UPSCMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link

07 Apr 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:65% FAR for sub-100 sq.m. unitsBase FAR: 400Higher FAR: 500500m radius from transit10% for commercial/amenities

Bodies:MoHUADDA

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.MoHUA notified a new Transit Oriented Development (TOD) policy for Delhi to unlock high-density development near Metro corridors.

2.Developers seeking higher Floor Area Ratio (FAR) within a 500m radius of transit must allocate at least 65% of FAR to residential units under 100 sq.m.

3.This policy is an amendment under the Master Plan Delhi-2021 framework and aims to tackle affordable housing scarcity through strategic urban planning.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has notified a new Transit Oriented Development (TOD) policy for Delhi, linking higher building density (FAR) near Metro corridors to mandatory construction of affordable housing units. This policy aims to address Delhi's housing shortage by incentivizing developers to build smaller, more affordable homes within walking distance of mass transit.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Mandatory FAR Allocation65% for sub-100 sq.m. residential units

Policy Notified ByMinistry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)

Base FAR400

Higher FAR500 (with additional charges)

TOD Influence Radius500m from Metro/RRTS corridors

1-Minute Revision

›Mandatory FAR Allocation: 65% for sub-100 sq.m. residential units
›Policy Notified By: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
›Target this Data: Mandatory 65% FAR for residential units under 100 sq.m.
›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) notifies the policy.
›Target this Legal Point: Policy is an amendment under Master Plan of Delhi-2021.

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News Snapshot

🏙️

Affordable Housing Mandate

The policy mandates that 65% of the total permissible FAR must be used for residential units smaller than 100 sq.m. to avail of higher density.

🚇

Transit-Oriented Development

TOD is an urban planning model focusing on high-density, mixed-use development within walking distance of public transport hubs.

⚠️

Implementation Concerns

Experts have flagged concerns over the removal of Local Area Planning (LAP) provisions and ensuring infrastructure matches population growth.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is a globally recognized urban planning paradigm aimed at reducing dependency on private vehicles, curbing urban sprawl, and promoting sustainable, compact cities. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) had previously released TOD policies in 2015, 2019, and 2021, identifying 12 TOD nodes, but implementation has been slow, with only the East Delhi Hub in Karkardooma seeing construction.

Core Analysis & Implications

The policy's core mechanism is a trade-off: developers get higher Floor Area Ratio (FAR) – increasing from a base of 400 to 500 – in exchange for dedicating 65% of that built-up area to affordable, small-sized housing (<100 sq.m.). This directly targets Delhi's acute affordable housing shortage. However, the removal of Local Area Planning (LAP) clauses, present in earlier drafts, raises valid concerns about haphazard development and inadequate provisioning of civic infrastructure like water, sewage, and roads to support the increased density.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The success of this policy hinges on strict enforcement and monitoring by DDA. The upcoming Master Plan of Delhi-2041, awaiting central approval, is expected to integrate this TOD framework more comprehensively. The completion of the initial phase at Karkardooma in mid-2026 will serve as a crucial test case for the viability and challenges of implementing TOD at scale in Delhi.

Key Facts at a Glance

Mandatory FAR Allocation65% for sub-100 sq.m. residential units

Policy Notified ByMinistry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)

Base FAR400

Higher FAR500 (with additional charges)

TOD Influence Radius500m from Metro/RRTS corridors

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

The new Transit Oriented Development (TOD) policy for Delhi was notified by which Union Ministry?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, MPSC

Consider the following statements regarding the new Transit Oriented Development (TOD) policy notified for Delhi:

1. The policy mandates that developers must use at least 65% of the total permissible FAR for residential units of less than 100 sq.m. area.

2. The policy applies to highrises within a 1-kilometre radius of Metro or regional transit corridors.

3. The policy is a part of the Master Plan of Delhi-2041 and has been implemented across all 12 identified TOD nodes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC

According to the new TOD policy for Delhi, what is the base Floor Area Ratio (FAR) allowed for developers?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, MPSC, State PSC

What is the primary urban planning objective of linking higher Floor Area Ratio (FAR) to the construction of smaller residential units under Delhi's new TOD policy?

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MoHUA Notifies Delhi TOD Policy, Mandates 65% FAR for Sub-100 Sq.M. Affordable Housing Units

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Affordable Housing Mandate

Transit-Oriented Development

Implementation Concerns

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance