UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Government notifies control order to curb black marketing and hoarding of diesel by unscrupulous elements

Q1. The Essential Commodities Act, 1955 was enacted by Parliament drawing its legislative competence primarily from which one of the following entries of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India?

  • A. Entry 33 of the Concurrent List (List III)
  • B. Entry 52 of the Union List (List I)
  • C. Entry 26 of the State List (List II)
  • D. Entry 42 of the Concurrent List (List III)

Q2. The 'Motor Spirit and High-Speed Diesel (Temporary Regulation of Supply through Retail Outlets) Order, 2026', notified in June 2026 to curb diversion of diesel by bulk consumers to retail pumps, was issued by which one of the following Union ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
  • B. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
  • C. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • D. Ministry of Heavy Industries

Q3. Under the 2026 Diesel Control Order, retail outlets may dispense high-speed diesel only into vehicle tanks or into 'PESO-approved containers' (subject to the 200-litre per day cap). In this context, 'PESO' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation
  • B. Petroleum Engineering and Storage Office
  • C. Public Enterprises Supply Organisation
  • D. Petroleum Exploration and Safety Office

Q4. With reference to the marketing of petrol and high-speed diesel in India, which of the following is/are correctly identified as a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) Oil Marketing Company (OMC)?

  1. Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)
  2. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)
  3. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)
  4. Nayara Energy Limited
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q5. With reference to the simplified guidelines for grant of authorisation for retail marketing of motor spirit (petrol) and high-speed diesel notified by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (2019/2020), as compared to the earlier framework, consider the following statements: 1. An entity seeking authorisation for retail marketing of petrol and diesel must have a minimum net worth of Rs. 250 crore at the time of application. 2. An entity authorised under the new guidelines is required to set up at least 500 retail outlets within five years of authorisation. 3. Authorised entities are required to install facilities for marketing at least one new-generation alternate fuel (such as CNG, LNG, biofuels or EV charging) at their proposed retail outlets within three years of operationalisation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. An entity seeking authorisation for retail marketing of petrol and diesel must have a minimum net worth of Rs. 250 crore at the time of application.
  2. An entity authorised under the new guidelines is required to set up at least 500 retail outlets within five years of authorisation.
  3. Authorised entities are required to install facilities for marketing at least one new-generation alternate fuel (such as CNG, LNG, biofuels or EV charging) at their proposed retail outlets within three years of operationalisation.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. As per the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas communications of 2026 on curbing diesel hoarding, how many States/UTs were specifically named as having already set up District Level Monitoring Committees under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 enforcement framework?

  • A. Six
  • B. Seven
  • C. Eight
  • D. Ten

Q7. Under the Centre's 13 March 2026 communication to operationalise district-level enforcement against diesel hoarding under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, which state-level functionary is the primary addressee tasked with directing DMs/Collectors and enforcement agencies?

  • A. Director General of Police of the State
  • B. Principal Secretary, Food & Civil Supplies
  • C. Chief Secretary of the State/UT
  • D. State Chief Information Commissioner

Q8. The Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply, Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, 2005 — the standing sectoral control order governing retailing of petrol and diesel in India — is notified and administered by which one of the following Ministries of the Government of India?

  • 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 Mines

Q9. With reference to the Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply, Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, 2005 in comparison with its earlier framework, consider the following statements: 1. The 2005 Order superseded the corresponding Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel Order of 1998. 2. The 2005 Order was issued by the Central Government exclusively under powers conferred by the Petroleum Act, 1934, and not under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. 3. A subsequent amendment to the 2005 Order permitted direct sale of bio-ethanol (E100) by oil companies to consumers for use as a standalone fuel or for blending with motor spirit. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The 2005 Order superseded the corresponding Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel Order of 1998.
  2. The 2005 Order was issued by the Central Government exclusively under powers conferred by the Petroleum Act, 1934, and not under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
  3. A subsequent amendment to the 2005 Order permitted direct sale of bio-ethanol (E100) by oil companies to consumers for use as a standalone fuel or for blending with motor spirit.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. Which one of the following is the technical arm of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas entrusted with monitoring upstream exploration and production activities and overseeing Production Sharing Contracts in India?

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

Q11. With reference to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), which one of the following most accurately describes the scope of activities it is mandated to regulate under its parent Act?

  • A. Refining, processing, storage, transportation, distribution, marketing and sale of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas, excluding production of crude oil and natural gas
  • B. Exploration, production, refining and marketing of crude oil and natural gas across the entire hydrocarbon value chain
  • C. Pricing of petrol and diesel at retail outlets and administration of LPG subsidies under direct benefit transfer
  • D. Award of exploration blocks and monitoring of Production Sharing Contracts for discovered fields

Q12. Under the Prevention of Blackmarketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980, what is the maximum period for which a person may be detained, from the date of detention, in pursuance of a detention order which has been duly confirmed under the Act?

  • A. Three months
  • B. Six months
  • C. One year
  • D. Two years