UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Inter-Ministerial Briefing on Recent Developments in West Asia
Q1. With reference to the Strait of Hormuz, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- It connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, and lies between Iran and Oman.
- Roughly one-fifth of the world's total petroleum liquids consumption transits through the strait.
- No operational pipeline exists anywhere in the Gulf that can move crude to international markets while bypassing the strait.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q2. Approximately how many million barrels of oil per day flowed through the Strait of Hormuz in 2024, making it the world's most important oil transit chokepoint?
- A. About 5 million barrels per day
- B. About 10 million barrels per day
- C. About 20 million barrels per day
- D. About 35 million barrels per day
Q3. The Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution Order, 2026 derives its legal authority from which one of the following statutes?
- A. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006
- B. The Essential Commodities Act, 1955
- C. The Petroleum Act, 1934
- D. The Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- It is administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs.
- Its Section 3 empowers control over the production, supply and distribution of essential commodities.
- Powers to issue control orders under the Act may be delegated to State Governments and Union Territories.
- Petroleum and petroleum products fall entirely outside the scope of 'essential commodities' under the Act.
- A. 1 and 3
- B. 2 and 4
- C. 1 only
- D. 4 only
Q5. Consider the following countries with respect to India's crude oil imports in 2025. Which of the above is/are correctly identified as among India's leading crude oil suppliers?
- Russia — India's single largest crude oil supplier in 2025.
- Iraq — among India's top crude oil suppliers.
- Saudi Arabia — among India's top crude oil suppliers.
- Indonesia — among India's top crude oil suppliers.
- A. 1, 2 and 3 only
- B. 1 and 4 only
- C. 2, 3 and 4 only
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q6. India's Strategic Petroleum Reserves, built to cushion the country against crude supply disruptions, are constructed and managed by which one of the following entities?
- A. Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC)
- B. Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB)
- C. Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL)
- D. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)
Q7. The Inter-Ministerial Group (IGoM) constituted in 2026 to review the impact of West Asia developments on India's petroleum supply security was chaired by the Union Minister holding which portfolio?
- A. Defence
- B. Petroleum and Natural Gas
- C. External Affairs
- D. Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Q8. Operation Kaveri, frequently cited as a template for India's consular crisis response, refers to the evacuation of Indian nationals from which one of the following?
- A. Ukraine during the Russia–Ukraine war
- B. Sudan during clashes between rival military factions
- C. Israel during the Israel–Hamas conflict
- D. Yemen during the Saudi-led intervention
Q9. Operation Sankalp, the Indian Navy's maritime security operation to ensure safe passage of Indian-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, was commenced in which year?
- A. 2008
- B. 2017
- C. 2019
- D. 2023
Q10. As stated at the 5th Inter-Ministerial Group meeting on West Asia, India held how many days of LPG rolling stock?
- A. 15 days
- B. 30 days
- C. 45 days
- D. 60 days
Q11. Which Union Ministry notified the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution Order, 2026 in the Extraordinary Gazette?
- A. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
- B. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
- C. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
- D. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers