UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — POWER GENERATION AND DEMAND-SUPPLY GAP

Q1. Consider the following statements about the constitutional and statutory framework governing electricity in India. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Electricity is enumerated in the Concurrent List (Entry 38, List III) of the Constitution.
  2. The Electricity Act, 2003 governs the generation, transmission, distribution and trading of electricity.
  3. The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022 introduced provisions for a carbon credit trading scheme.
  4. The Energy Conservation Act was first enacted in the year 2010.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q2. Which one of the following statutes provides the primary legal basis for the constitution of Load Despatch Centres and the regulation of generation, transmission, distribution and trading of electricity in India?

  • A. The Electricity Act, 2003
  • B. The Energy Conservation Act, 2001
  • C. The Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948
  • D. The Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998

Q3. With reference to grid operation institutions in India, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Grid-India (formerly POSOCO) operates the National Load Despatch Centre and the five Regional Load Despatch Centres.
  2. Power System Operation Corporation (POSOCO) was renamed Grid Controller of India Limited (Grid-India) in 2022.
  3. The Load Despatch Centres were constituted under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. In the context of India's power system, what is the primary function of the National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC)?

  • A. Real-time scheduling, despatch and integrated operation of the national grid
  • B. Fixing retail electricity tariffs payable by domestic consumers
  • C. Sanctioning and clearing new thermal power generation projects
  • D. Disbursing UDAY financial assistance to distribution companies

Q5. As per the mid-term review of the 20th Electric Power Survey, the All-India peak electricity demand is projected to be approximately how much in 2025-26?

  • A. 250 GW
  • B. 277 GW
  • C. 256 GW
  • D. 458 GW

Q6. In India's power supply position statistics, the term 'peak demand met' most accurately refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The maximum instantaneous power (in MW/GW) actually supplied to meet the highest demand in a period
  • B. The total energy in units (kWh) consumed across the country over a full year
  • C. The average daily electricity consumption of a typical household
  • D. The total installed generation capacity available on a given day

Q7. The record addition of about 52,537 MW of generation capacity — the highest ever in a single year — was achieved in which financial year?

  • A. FY 2022-23
  • B. FY 2023-24
  • C. FY 2024-25
  • D. FY 2025-26

Q8. Consider the following statements regarding India's electricity policy milestones. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The National Electricity Plan (2023-32) targets meeting a peak demand of 458 GW by 2032.
  2. The National Electricity Plan is prepared by the Central Electricity Authority.
  3. UDAY (Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana) was launched to financially turn around electricity distribution companies.
  4. India's total installed generation capacity first crossed the 500 GW mark in the year 2018.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 1 only

Q9. On 29 July 2025, India recorded its highest-ever share of renewable energy in electricity generation. Approximately what share of the total demand did renewables meet on that occasion?

  • A. 51.5%
  • B. 39%
  • C. 25%
  • D. 75%

Q10. With reference to the ministerial jurisdiction over India's power sector, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the nodal ministry for renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.
  2. The Ministry of Power is the nodal ministry for conventional generation and overall power sector coordination.
  3. Nuclear power generation falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3