UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Opposition targets Centre on LPG crisis, foreign policy

Q1. Amid the 2025 West Asia/Strait of Hormuz disruption, the Government constituted a high-level Inter-Ministerial Group of Ministers (IGoM) to monitor the security of India's petroleum and LPG supplies. This IGoM is chaired by which Union Minister?

• A. Minister of Defence (Raksha Mantri)
• B. Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas
• C. Minister of External Affairs
• D. Minister of Finance

Q2. Which one of the following statements correctly describes the Strait of Hormuz?

• A. It is the only sea channel linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, bounded by Iran to the north and Oman and the UAE to the south.
• B. It is the narrow passage linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, bounded by Yemen and Djibouti.
• C. It is the man-made channel connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea through Egyptian territory.
• D. It is the strait separating the Arabian Sea from the Bay of Bengal, controlled jointly by India and Sri Lanka.

Q3. With reference to India's LPG supply position as of 2025, consider the following statements: 1. India imports roughly 60% of its LPG requirement, mostly from West Asia. 2. About 90% of India's LPG imports transit the Strait of Hormuz. 3. In 2025 India concluded its first-ever major LPG import deal with the United States. 4. India's domestic LPG production exceeds its LPG imports. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

1. India imports roughly 60% of its LPG requirement, mostly from West Asia.
2. About 90% of India's LPG imports transit the Strait of Hormuz.
3. In 2025 India concluded its first-ever major LPG import deal with the United States.
4. India's domestic LPG production exceeds its LPG imports.

• A. 1 and 2
• B. 2 and 3
• C. 1 and 4
• D. 4 only

Q4. India's first-ever major LPG import contract with the United States (2025) was negotiated and operationalised by public-sector oil marketing companies (IndianOil, BPCL and HPCL). These companies function under which Union Ministry?

• A. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
• B. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• C. Ministry of External Affairs
• D. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

Q5. With reference to the Appropriation Bill and other financial legislation, consider the following statements: 1. An Appropriation Bill authorises withdrawal of money from the Consolidated Fund of India, whereas a Finance Bill chiefly gives effect to the Government's taxation proposals. 2. Like a Money Bill, an Appropriation Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha. 3. The Rajya Sabha has the power to reject or amend an Appropriation Bill, subject to being overridden by the Lok Sabha. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. An Appropriation Bill authorises withdrawal of money from the Consolidated Fund of India, whereas a Finance Bill chiefly gives effect to the Government's taxation proposals.
2. Like a Money Bill, an Appropriation Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha.
3. The Rajya Sabha has the power to reject or amend an Appropriation Bill, subject to being overridden by the Lok Sabha.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. Consider the following statements regarding the constitutional treatment of a Money Bill (such as an Appropriation Bill) in India: 1. It can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha. 2. It can be introduced only on the recommendation of the President. 3. The Rajya Sabha must return it to the Lok Sabha within 14 days. 4. If the two Houses disagree over it, the President summons a joint sitting to resolve the deadlock. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

1. It can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha.
2. It can be introduced only on the recommendation of the President.
3. The Rajya Sabha must return it to the Lok Sabha within 14 days.
4. If the two Houses disagree over it, the President summons a joint sitting to resolve the deadlock.

• A. 1, 2 and 3
• B. 2, 3 and 4
• C. 1 and 4
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. Consider the following leaders associated with the founding of the Non-Aligned Movement (1961): 1. Jawaharlal Nehru — India 2. Gamal Abdel Nasser — Egypt 3. Josip Broz Tito — Yugoslavia 4. Sukarno — Sri Lanka Which of the above pairs is/are correctly identified?

1. Jawaharlal Nehru — India
2. Gamal Abdel Nasser — Egypt
3. Josip Broz Tito — Yugoslavia
4. Sukarno — Sri Lanka

• A. 1, 2 and 4
• B. 2, 3 and 4
• C. 1, 2 and 3
• D. 1, 3 and 4

Q8. India is often described as maintaining 'formal strategic partnerships' with several West Asian states as an expression of its strategic autonomy. Consider the following countries listed as such partners: 1. United Arab Emirates 2. Saudi Arabia 3. Qatar 4. Iran Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as one of India's seven formal strategic partners in West Asia?

1. United Arab Emirates
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Qatar
4. Iran

• A. 1 only
• B. 2 and 3
• C. 4 only
• D. 1 and 4