UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Government Notifies Landmark Order to Strengthen Natural Gas Infrastructure and Improve Ease of Doing Business

Q1. The Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution (Pipelines) Order, 2026 has been notified under which one of the following statutes?

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

Q2. Which one of the following best describes the statutory mandate of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) under the PNGRB Act, 2006?

  • A. It regulates the refining, processing, storage, transportation, distribution, marketing and sale of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas, but excludes the production (exploration) of crude oil and natural gas
  • B. It regulates the entire hydrocarbon value chain including the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas
  • C. It regulates only the retail selling price of petrol and diesel at fuel outlets
  • D. It awards exploration blocks and grants petroleum exploration licences

Q3. After completion of the 12/12A City Gas Distribution bidding round, approximately how many Geographical Areas (GAs) have been authorised by PNGRB?

  • A. 232
  • B. 295
  • C. 307
  • D. 407

Q4. In the context of City Gas Distribution, the term 'Geographical Area (GA)' most precisely refers to which one of the following?

  • A. A demarcated region authorised by PNGRB to an entity for laying and operating the city gas distribution network
  • B. Any district that has at least one operational CNG station, regardless of authorisation
  • C. A state-level zone in which only the State Government is permitted to lay gas pipelines
  • D. The exclusive service corridor of a natural gas trunk (cross-country) pipeline operator

Q5. City Gas Distribution bidding rounds and the authorisation of Geographical Areas are conducted by which one of the following?

  • A. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)
  • B. Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH)
  • C. GAIL (India) Limited
  • D. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (directly)

Q6. With reference to India's gas-based economy targets, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The target is to raise the share of natural gas in the primary energy mix to 15% by 2030.
  2. The current share of natural gas in the primary energy mix is about 6.3%.
  3. PNGRB's Minimum Work Programme envisages establishing about 18,336 CNG stations.
  4. The 15% target is to be reached from a current natural gas share of about 25%.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 4 only

Q7. Which Union ministry is the nodal authority pursuing the target of raising natural gas to 15% of the primary energy mix and driving City Gas Distribution expansion?

  • A. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
  • B. Ministry of Power
  • C. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • D. Ministry of Coal

Q8. With reference to the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution (Pipelines) Order, 2026, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It establishes a time-bound approval framework with deemed-approval provisions.
  2. It introduces 'dig and restore'/'dig and pay' compensation and restoration mechanisms.
  3. It derives its authority from the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
  4. It transfers the power to authorise CGD networks exclusively to the State Governments.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 4 only

Q9. Under the Pipelines Order, 2026, the harmonisation of right-of-user over land controlled by State, municipal and panchayat bodies is exercised through central powers by which Union ministry?

  • A. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
  • B. Ministry of Panchayati Raj
  • C. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
  • D. Ministry of Jal Shakti

Q10. As of 2025, the number of CNG stations operating in India had risen to approximately how many?

  • A. 738
  • B. 4,000
  • C. 7,720
  • D. 17,700

Q11. With reference to India's energy-security position amid the West Asia disruptions as assessed in 2026, which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. India maintained a rolling stock of about 60 days of crude oil.
  2. Non-Hormuz sourcing of crude oil rose to about 70% of imports.
  3. India is the world's third-largest oil refiner.
  4. India holds a rolling stock of about 45 days of natural gas.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 3 only