UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — What happens to India’s Russian oil imports, $500-bn U.S. import goal?

Q1. Which one of the following became India's largest single source of crude oil imports in the period after the Russia–Ukraine war of 2022?

  • A. Iraq
  • B. Saudi Arabia
  • C. Russia
  • D. United Arab Emirates

Q2. Which one of the following is the nodal ministry on the Indian side leading bilateral negotiations with the United States for the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement under the 'Mission 500' framework?

  • A. Ministry of External Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • C. Ministry of Finance
  • D. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

Q3. With reference to the categories of American goods that India 'intends to purchase' under the USD 500 billion commitment within the 'Mission 500' framework (2025), consider the following: 1. U.S. energy products 2. Aircraft and aircraft parts 3. Coking coal 4. Precious metals Which of the above are correctly identified as categories listed in the India–U.S. joint statement?

  1. U.S. energy products
  2. Aircraft and aircraft parts
  3. Coking coal
  4. Precious metals
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. With reference to the two rounds of U.S. sanctions on Russian oil companies in 2025 and their bearing on India's crude sourcing, consider the following statements: 1. The January 2025 round targeted Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, whereas the October 2025 round targeted Rosneft and Lukoil. 2. Rosneft and Lukoil together account for nearly 90 per cent of India's Russian crude oil imports. 3. The October 2025 sanctions specified a wind-down compliance period that expired on 21 November 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The January 2025 round targeted Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, whereas the October 2025 round targeted Rosneft and Lukoil.
  2. Rosneft and Lukoil together account for nearly 90 per cent of India's Russian crude oil imports.
  3. The October 2025 sanctions specified a wind-down compliance period that expired on 21 November 2025.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3