UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India’s Russian oil imports at six-month high in Nov.

Question 1

In which year did Russia first emerge as India's single largest source of crude oil imports, displacing the long-standing top suppliers from West Asia?

Accepted Answer

2023

Answer

2021

Answer

2022

Answer

2024

Question 2

With reference to India's crude oil import basket in November 2025, consider the following statements about refiners reported to have stopped purchasing Russian crude after the late-November 2025 US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil:
1. Reliance Industries Ltd.
2. Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. (MRPL)
3. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL)
4. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL)
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3 only

Answer

2 and 4 only

Answer

1, 3 and 4

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 3

With reference to India's crude oil imports in November 2025 as compared to immediately preceding months in 2025, consider the following statements:
1. Russia's share in India's crude oil import basket rose from about 31% in September 2025 to about 35% in November 2025.
2. The volume of Russian crude imported in November 2025 was the highest since May 2025.
3. India's crude oil imports from the United States in November 2025 fell to a seven-month low.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 4

Monthly merchandise trade data on India's crude oil imports by source country — including the country-wise volume and value figures used to track shipments from Russia and the United States — is officially compiled and released by which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Answer

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

Answer

Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue)

Answer

Ministry of External Affairs

Question 5

In August 2025, citing India's continued purchases of Russian crude oil, the United States raised the total tariff on Indian goods to which one of the following levels?

Accepted Answer

50%

Answer

25%

Answer

35%

Answer

100%

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India’s Russian oil imports at six-month high in Nov.

Q1. In which year did Russia first emerge as India's single largest source of crude oil imports, displacing the long-standing top suppliers from West Asia?

Q4. Monthly merchandise trade data on India's crude oil imports by source country — including the country-wise volume and value figures used to track shipments from Russia and the United States — is officially compiled and released by which one of the following?

Q5. In August 2025, citing India's continued purchases of Russian crude oil, the United States raised the total tariff on Indian goods to which one of the following levels?