UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Gone in a flash fire

Q1. Which one of the following is the foundational/parent statute governing the manufacture, possession, storage, sale and use of explosives in India?

  • A. The Explosives Act, 1884
  • B. The Explosive Substances Act, 1908
  • C. The Explosives Rules, 2008
  • D. The Inflammable Substances Act, 1952

Q2. With reference to the laws administered/enforced by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), consider the following: 1. The Explosives Act, 1884 2. The Explosive Substances Act, 1908 3. The Petroleum Act, 1934 4. The Mines Act, 1952 Which of the above are correctly identified as administered by PESO?

  1. The Explosives Act, 1884
  2. The Explosive Substances Act, 1908
  3. The Petroleum Act, 1934
  4. The Mines Act, 1952
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), the national licensing authority for explosives, functions under which one of the following?

  • A. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • B. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • C. Ministry of Labour and Employment
  • D. Ministry of Mines

Q4. The statutory head of PESO, who heads the licensing and enforcement machinery under the Explosives Rules, 2008, holds which designation?

  • A. Chief Controller of Explosives
  • B. Director General of Mines Safety
  • C. Chief Inspector of Factories
  • D. Controller General of Petroleum and Natural Gas

Q5. Under the Explosives Rules, 2008, a 'Form LE-1' licence authorises which one of the following?

  • A. Manufacture of fireworks or gunpowder (or both) not exceeding 15 kilogrammes at any one time
  • B. Bulk storage of any quantity of high explosives in a licensed magazine
  • C. Road transport of explosives across State boundaries
  • D. Import and export of explosives and detonators

Q6. Consider the following statements about India's firecracker manufacturing sector and its regulation: 1. The Sivakasi cluster (Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu) accounts for nearly 90% of India's firecracker production. 2. Firecracker units are licensed by PESO, a central body under DPIIT, rather than solely by State authorities. 3. In 2025, the Supreme Court allowed the manufacturers' association's (TANFAMA) appeal against the National Green Tribunal's ruling. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Sivakasi cluster (Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu) accounts for nearly 90% of India's firecracker production.
  2. Firecracker units are licensed by PESO, a central body under DPIIT, rather than solely by State authorities.
  3. In 2025, the Supreme Court allowed the manufacturers' association's (TANFAMA) appeal against the National Green Tribunal's ruling.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. With reference to the February 2026 firecracker-unit explosion at Vetlapalem, consider the following: 1. The unit was located in Vetlapalem village, Kakinada district, Andhra Pradesh. 2. The Prime Minister announced Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased worker. 3. Each injured person was provided Rs 50,000. 4. The explosion occurred in October 2025. Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. The unit was located in Vetlapalem village, Kakinada district, Andhra Pradesh.
  2. The Prime Minister announced Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased worker.
  3. Each injured person was provided Rs 50,000.
  4. The explosion occurred in October 2025.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q8. With reference to the February 2026 Kakinada firecracker-unit explosion, consider the following: 1. Date of the incident — 28 February 2026. 2. Name of the unit — Surya Fireworks. 3. State — Andhra Pradesh. 4. Relief from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased — Rs 20 lakh. Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified?

  1. Date of the incident — 28 February 2026.
  2. Name of the unit — Surya Fireworks.
  3. State — Andhra Pradesh.
  4. Relief from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased — Rs 20 lakh.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 4 only

Q9. Consider the following statements on the regulation of hazardous manufacturing units in India: 1. Under the Factories Act, 1948, premises using power become a 'factory' when 10 or more workers are employed. 2. Manufacture and storage of explosives is licensed under the Explosives Act, 1884, administered by PESO. 3. 'Hazardous process' is defined with reference to the First Schedule of the Factories Act, 1948. 4. The Factories Act, 1948 is administered and its licences issued by PESO. Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. Under the Factories Act, 1948, premises using power become a 'factory' when 10 or more workers are employed.
  2. Manufacture and storage of explosives is licensed under the Explosives Act, 1884, administered by PESO.
  3. 'Hazardous process' is defined with reference to the First Schedule of the Factories Act, 1948.
  4. The Factories Act, 1948 is administered and its licences issued by PESO.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q10. With reference to the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and the response architecture for industrial/chemical disasters, consider the following: 1. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is chaired by the Prime Minister. 2. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. 3. For general-category States, the Centre contributes 75% of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) allocation. 4. The Act's definition of 'disaster' excludes man-made/industrial accidents. Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is chaired by the Prime Minister.
  2. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
  3. For general-category States, the Centre contributes 75% of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) allocation.
  4. The Act's definition of 'disaster' excludes man-made/industrial accidents.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q11. Which one of the following statements correctly describes the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF)?

  • A. A fund made up entirely of voluntary public contributions, outside the Consolidated Fund of India, audited by an independent chartered accountant
  • B. A statutory fund created under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General
  • C. A budgetary fund forming part of the Consolidated Fund of India, drawn upon with parliamentary approval
  • D. A fund financed mainly by contributions from public sector undertakings' balance sheets

Q12. Under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, which one of the following is brought under coverage regardless of the number of workers employed?

  • A. An establishment carrying on a hazardous or life-threatening activity
  • B. Any establishment employing 20 or more workers with the aid of power
  • C. Any plantation exceeding five hectares
  • D. Any establishment employing 40 or more workers without the aid of power