Approximation using linear positive operators is a well-studied research area. Many operators and their generalizations are investigated for their better approximation properties. In the present paper, we construct and investigate a variant of modified (p,q)-Baskakov operators, which reproduce the test function x2. We have determined the order of approximation of the operators via K-functional and second order, the usual modulus of continuity, weighted and statistical approximation properties. In the end, some graphical results which depict the comparison with (p,q)-Baskakov operators are explained and a Voronovskaja type result is obtained. © 2020 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.