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

Q1. With reference to India's crude oil import profile as set out in official 2026 briefings on West Asia, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. India meets about 88% of its crude oil requirement through imports.
  2. Following the conflict, about 70% of India's crude imports are routed outside the Strait of Hormuz, compared with about 55% earlier.
  3. India imports crude oil from around 40 countries.
  4. Following the 2026 conflict, India suspended all crude oil imports from West Asian suppliers.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 4 only

Q2. In the context of India's energy imports during the 2026 West Asia crisis, which one of the following commodities has the HIGHEST proportion of its imports dependent on transit through the Strait of Hormuz?

  • A. Crude oil
  • B. LPG
  • C. Coking coal
  • D. Natural gas (LNG)

Q3. Which one of the following authorities grants authorisation for City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks and conducts the CGD bidding rounds in India?

  • A. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)
  • B. Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH)
  • C. Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB)
  • D. Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC)

Q4. With reference to City Gas Distribution coverage and the PNG drive, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. After the 11A CGD bidding round, the network potentially covers about 98% of India's population.
  2. After the 11A round, the CGD network covers about 88% of the country's geographical area.
  3. The 11A round spread CGD across around 630 districts in 28 States/UTs.
  4. The National PNG Drive 2.0 has been extended till 31 December 2026.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q5. The Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution (Through Laying, Building, Operation and Expansion of Pipelines and Other Facilities) Order, 2026 was notified under which one of the following statutes?

  • A. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006
  • B. Essential Commodities Act, 1955
  • C. Petroleum Act, 1934
  • D. Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948

Q6. As per the MoEFCC direction of 2026, within how many days are State Pollution Control Boards/PCCs to grant consent to establish or consent to operate for CGD network/infrastructure?

  • A. 7 days
  • B. 15 days
  • C. 30 days
  • D. 45 days

Q7. Which one of the following is the LARGEST among India's Phase-I Strategic Petroleum Reserve facilities by crude oil storage capacity?

  • A. Visakhapatnam
  • B. Mangaluru
  • C. Padur
  • D. Chandikhol

Q8. With reference to India's strategic petroleum reserves and buffer norms, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. India's Phase-I SPR facilities have a combined capacity of 5.33 MMT of crude oil.
  2. The Phase-I SPR facilities are located exclusively in the State of Karnataka.
  3. The SPR programme is managed by Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL), an SPV under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
  4. As reported at the 5th IGoM, India held 45 days of LPG rolling stock.
  • A. 1, 3 and 4
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. With reference to the Inter/Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) on West Asia, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The IGoM on West Asia is chaired by the Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister).
  2. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is a member of the IGoM.
  3. The Ministry of External Affairs is a member of the IGoM.
  4. The IGoM is a constitutional body established under Article 263 of the Constitution.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4

Q10. With reference to the institutional framework for protecting and repatriating Indian seafarers from the Gulf in 2026, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) has coordinated the repatriation of Indian seafarers from the Gulf region.
  2. DG Shipping has been coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Navy on seafarer safety.
  3. Indian missions abroad and foreign maritime authorities form part of the coordination for seafarer assistance.
  4. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the nodal agency for repatriating Indian seafarers.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q11. The Government's additional 20% allocation of commercial LPG to States (taking overall allocation to 50%) was directed on priority to certain categories. With reference to these priority categories, which of the following is/are NOT correctly identified?

  1. Restaurants, dhabas and hotels.
  2. Subsidised canteens run by State Governments or local bodies.
  3. 5 Kg FTL cylinders for migrant labourers.
  4. Subsidised LPG feedstock for export-oriented petrochemical units.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4

Q12. With reference to the impact of the West Asia conflict on India's shipping lanes and energy supplies in 2026, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly 20% of the world's LPG trade.
  2. The Government approved the RELIEF scheme under the Export Promotion Mission to support exporters facing West Asia logistics disruptions.
  3. Under the LPG Control Order, refineries were directed to channel their C3 and C4 streams to the three OMCs, raising LPG production by about 28%.
  4. India sources 100% of its crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
  • A. 1 and 4
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4