For Prelims: National Highways (NH), Expressways, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
For Mains: Performance-based infrastructure governance; Data-driven policy for road safety; Holistic asset management
Source:
Hindustan
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- MoRTH introduced a new rating system for National Highways.
- Two separate criteria are used for expressways and regular highways.
- The rating system has three categories: functionality, safety, user experience.
- All executive agencies under MoRTH must adopt this system.
- The system aims to identify deficiencies and prioritize improvements.
Why in the news?
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has introduced a new rating system to assess National Highways based on their functionality, safety, and user experience. The system employs two separate criteria: one for controlled-access expressways/high-speed corridors and another for regular national highways. Its objective is to identify deficiencies and prioritize improvements for safer and better roads.
Summary
- MoRTH introduces a new rating system for National Highways with two distinct criteria for expressways and regular highways.
- The rating is based on three main categories: highway functionality, road safety, and user experience.
- All executive agencies under MoRTH are mandated to adopt this system to conduct comprehensive assessments and prioritize corrective works.
Background
India's National Highway network is a critical component of its infrastructure, supporting economic growth and connectivity. Historically, assessment has been fragmented. This new rating system represents a structured, data-driven approach to move beyond mere construction metrics to holistic performance evaluation, aligning with the government's focus on quality infrastructure under initiatives like PM Gati Shakti.
Key Analysis and Impact
The dual-criteria approach recognizes the differing operational needs of high-speed expressways and conventional highways. By mandating categories like safety and user experience, the system shifts focus from just engineering to human-centric outcomes. This can lead to targeted investments, improved maintenance prioritization, and potentially lower accident rates. It also creates a benchmark for public accountability of highway agencies.
Way Forward
Successful implementation depends on developing robust data collection mechanisms and ensuring agency compliance. The ratings could be linked to performance-based funding or contractor evaluations. Over time, this could evolve into a public-facing star-rating system, influencing travel decisions and pushing states and agencies to compete on quality and safety parameters.
Two rating criteria for expressways vs regular highways
| Feature | Expressways | Regular Highways |
|---|---|---|
| Access control | Controlled entry and exit | Open access |
| Speed | High-speed corridors | Normal speed limits |
| Rating criteria | Separate set of parameters | Separate set of parameters |
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- National Highways (NH)
- Highways constructed and maintained by the Central Government (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways). They form the primary network connecting major cities, ports, and border areas across the country.
- Expressways
- Controlled-access highways designed for high-speed vehicular traffic, with no at-grade crossings (all intersections via flyovers or underpasses). Entry and exit are regulated via ramps. Examples: Yamuna Expressway, Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
- Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
- The nodal central ministry responsible for the development and regulation of road transport, national highways, and motor vehicle legislation in India. Key agencies under it include NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) and NHIDCL (National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd).
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Nodal Body: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
- Data: Three rating categories - Functionality, Safety, User Experience
- Policy: Dual criteria for Expressways vs. Regular National Highways
Common mistake:
Examiners may swap the criteria: asking which category is NOT part of the rating (e.g., 'construction cost') or confuse which type of highway (Expressway or State Highway) falls under which rating criterion.
Write these in mains answers
- Performance-based infrastructure governance
- Data-driven policy for road safety
- Holistic asset management
Stuck? Get it in one tap
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has created a new way to rate National Highways. It uses different rules for fast expressways and for normal highways. The rating checks how well the road works, how safe it is, and how drivers feel using it. This helps find problems and fix the most important ones first.
- Governance: Government policies and interventions
- Background GK: Ministries and departments
Related concepts: National Highways (NH), Expressways, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which ministry has introduced the new rating system for National Highways?
Explanation: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has prepared the new rating system. MoRTH is the nodal ministry for the development and regulation of National Highways in India.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the new National Highway rating system:
- 1.It employs a single uniform criterion for all types of national highways.
- 2.The rating categories include highway functionality, road safety, and environmental impact.
- 3.All executive agencies working under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways are required to adopt this system.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because the system uses two separate criteria: one for expressways/controlled-access highways and another for regular national highways. Statement 2 is incorrect as the three categories are functionality, safety, and user experience (not environmental impact). Statement 3 is correct as the news clarifies the system is mandatory for all MoRTH's executive agencies.
- Q3Medium
How many main categories form the basis of the new National Highway rating system?
Explanation: The rating system has three main categories: highway functionality, road safety, and user experience. These categories are used to evaluate the highways under the different criteria.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary objective of introducing the new rating system for National Highways?
Explanation: , the system aims to conduct a comprehensive assessment of highway conditions, identify shortcomings, and prioritize necessary corrective steps to make roads better and safer.
Frequently asked questions
1. Which ministry introduced the new rating system for National Highways?
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) introduced the new rating system for National Highways.
2. How many rating criteria are used under the new National Highway rating system?
The system uses two separate criteria: one for controlled-access expressways/high-speed corridors and another for regular national highways.
3. What are the three categories on which National Highways are rated?
The three rating categories are highway functionality, road safety, and user experience.
4. Is the new rating system mandatory for all executive agencies under MoRTH?
Yes, all executive agencies under MoRTH are mandated to adopt this system for comprehensive assessments and prioritization of corrective works.
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- Original29 October 2026 · Read story
