UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Updates on Key Sectors in View of Developments in West Asia

Q1. The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000 — recently amended in 2026 to enable domestic consumers shifting to piped natural gas (PNG) to surrender their LPG connection — derives its statutory force primarily from which one of the following parent enactments?

  • A. The Essential Commodities Act, 1955
  • B. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006
  • C. The Petroleum Act, 1934
  • D. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019

Q2. The following are cited as categories of households eligible for an LPG connection under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. Which of the above is NOT correctly identified as an eligible category?

  1. Scheduled Tribe households
  2. Beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin)
  3. Any urban household paying income tax
  4. Tea garden and ex-tea garden tribe households
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1 and 4
  • D. 3 only

Q3. With reference to Operation Sindhu, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It was launched in June 2025 to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran amid the West Asia conflict.
  2. It is coordinated by the Ministry of External Affairs.
  3. Its scope was extended to bring back Indian nationals from Israel as well.
  4. It was conducted primarily by moving evacuees overland across the direct India–Iran land border.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. India's first dedicated Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) terminal, inaugurated in 2026, came up at Mundra Port in Gujarat. Under whose ownership/operation does Mundra Port function?

  • A. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd.
  • B. Deendayal Port Authority
  • C. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority
  • D. Shipping Corporation of India Ltd.

Q5. With reference to Mundra Port and India's crude-import logistics, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Mundra Port lies on the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat.
  2. It is India's first private port.
  3. India's first dedicated VLCC terminal at Mundra is linked by pipeline to the HPCL Rajasthan Refinery at Barmer.
  4. Mundra Port is located on India's eastern coast along the Bay of Bengal.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. As emphasised in 2025-26 official statements on energy security amid West Asia developments, approximately what share of India's crude oil imports is now routed OUTSIDE the Strait of Hormuz, reflecting supply diversification?

  • A. About 55%
  • B. About 70%
  • C. About 40%
  • D. About 88%

Q7. In the whole-of-government contingency response to the 2026 West Asia developments — involving inter-ministerial briefings with the MEA, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and the MHA — which Ministry acts as the nodal authority for energy-supply (LPG and crude) measures?

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

Q8. With reference to Murban crude oil, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Murban is produced from onshore fields in Abu Dhabi (UAE) and is marketed by ADNOC.
  2. Murban is classified as a heavy, high-sulphur (sour) crude with an API gravity below 25°.
  3. Murban is the underlying grade for futures traded on ICE Futures Abu Dhabi, with physical delivery FOB Fujairah.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3