ECONOMY & INFRASTRUCTURE
Ports & Airports
Varanasi Selected as India's First Spoke City Under the Easy Connect Hub-and-Spoke Aviation Initiative
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced the integration of Varanasi as the inaugural spoke city under the Centre's 'Easy Connect' hub-and-spoke aviation framework.
The initiative enables international flyers departing from spoke cities to complete all customs, immigration, and baggage clearances locally before connecting seamlessly through domestic hubs.
Air India (a Tata Group entity) will spearhead the initial operations beginning June 25, 2026, linking Varanasi to Delhi, which serves as the primary hub airport for Phase-1.
Other designated Phase-1 hub airports under the plan include Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Rajkot, enabling transit to 18 key global destinations.
The initiative enables international flyers departing from spoke cities to complete all customs, immigration, and baggage clearances locally before connecting seamlessly through domestic hubs.
Air India (a Tata Group entity) will spearhead the initial operations beginning June 25, 2026, linking Varanasi to Delhi, which serves as the primary hub airport for Phase-1.
Other designated Phase-1 hub airports under the plan include Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Rajkot, enabling transit to 18 key global destinations.
Key Facts / Static GK
Union Minister of Civil Aviation: Ram Mohan Naidu
Air India MD and CEO: Campbell Wilson
Headquarters of Air India: New Delhi
Air India MD and CEO: Campbell Wilson
Headquarters of Air India: New Delhi
Practice Quiz — 11 June 2026
Q1. Who holds the record for the longest overall tenure (including interim governments) as the Prime Minister of India?
Answer: (B) Jawaharlal Nehru — Jawaharlal Nehru holds the absolute record for the longest overall tenure of 6,131 days as Prime Minister, although Narendra Modi has surpassed his record for the longest continuous, uninterrupted tenure in office.
Q2. In June 2026, which Indian entity secured a 10-year marine services contract worth USD 70 million, marking its entry into South America?
Answer: (B) Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) — Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) secured the 10-year contract worth USD 70 million for Argentina's first LNG export project, marking its entry into South America.
Q3. Which city has been integrated as the first 'spoke' city under India's newly introduced 'Easy Connect' aviation model?
Answer: (C) Varanasi — Varanasi is the first spoke city under the 'Easy Connect' model, allowing international passengers to complete immigration and baggage formalities locally before transiting through hubs like Delhi.
Q4. According to the SIPRI Yearbook 2026, which country was the world's largest military spender in 2025 with an expenditure of USD 954 billion?
Answer: (C) United States — The United States was the world's largest military spender in 2025, spending USD 954 billion, according to the SIPRI Yearbook 2026.
Q5. The President of India recently approved the merger of REC Limited with which Maharatna PSU?
Answer: (B) Power Finance Corporation (PFC) — The President has approved the merger of REC Ltd with its parent organization, the Power Finance Corporation (PFC).
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