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FASTag Annual Pass: ₹3,000 Toll Plan for Cars Explained | SSC, PSC Current Affairs

India’s new FASTag Annual Pass offers private vehicles unlimited highway access for ₹3,000/year. This scheme impacts transport policy and exam syllabi like SSC/PSC Current Affairs and GS-III (Infrastructure/Tech).

The FASTag Annual Pass: What You Need to Know
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s announcement of a ₹3,000 FASTag Annual Pass marks a major shift in India’s toll system. Starting August 15, 2024, private car, jeep, and van owners can enjoy 200 toll-free trips annually on National Highways (NH) and Expressways (NE). Here’s how it works:

Key Features:
Savings Guaranteed: Users save ₹7,000/year vs. regular tolls (avg. ₹15/trip vs. ₹75-150).
Trip Limits: Valid for 200 crossings OR 1 year (whichever comes first). Round trips count as 2 journeys.
Auto-Renewal: Post-200 trips, FASTag reverts to pay-per-use; users can repurchase the pass.
Non-Transferable: Linked to one vehicle’s registration.

Activation & Eligibility:
Exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles (cars/jeeps/vans).
Activate via FASTag-linked bank/NHAI prepaid wallet.
Not mandatory – opt-in via NHAI partner apps/banks.

Exam-Critical Insights:
Tech Backbone: Uses RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) – a wireless tracking system using radio waves.
Toll Counting:
Closed tolls: Entry + exit = 1 trip.
Point-based plazas: Each crossing = 1 trip.
Coverage: All NH/NE tolls under NHAI. State highways excluded.
Fee Revision: Govt. may adjust pricing based on usage patterns.

Why Aspirants Should Care:
Current Affairs (Prelims): Scheme launch date, cost, tech used (RFID).
Mains (GS III): Infrastructure funding models, digital governance, and intellectual property in RFID tech.

Sample Q&A for Exam Prep
1. SSC Current Affairs (Prelims)
Q: What is the maximum annual trips allowed under the new FASTag Annual Pass?
A: 200 trips
2. PSC General Studies
Q: Which technology enables FASTag’s contactless toll collection?
A: RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)
3. Mains GS III (Infrastructure)
Q: How might the FASTag Annual Pass impact NHAI’s revenue model?
A: It shifts revenue from per-trip fees to fixed annual sums, ensuring predictable cash flow but requiring volume-based break-even analysis.
4. Current Affairs (Factual)
Q: The FASTag Annual Pass is valid on which types of roads?
A: National Highways (NH) and National Expressways (NE) only.
5. Applied Reasoning
Q: If a car completes 200 toll crossings in 8 months, what happens to its FASTag?
A: The Annual Pass expires immediately, reverting to regular pay-per-use mode.