UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Centre raises prices of premium petrol and industrial diesel

Q1. In the context of the March 2026 fuel price revision by public-sector Oil Marketing Companies, the term 'XP-95' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. A high-octane premium grade of petrol
  • B. A low-sulphur premium grade of diesel sold at retail outlets
  • C. A blend of bio-ethanol and petrol mandated under the EBP programme
  • D. An aviation turbine fuel variant supplied to domestic carriers

Q2. The 'XP' series of high-octane premium petrol, whose retail price was revised upward in March 2026, is marketed as the flagship premium petrol brand of which one of the following Oil Marketing Companies?

  • A. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)
  • B. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)
  • C. Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)
  • D. Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL)

Q3. The public-sector Oil Marketing Companies that revised premium petrol and industrial diesel prices in March 2026 function as Central Public Sector Enterprises under which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • B. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
  • C. Ministry of Heavy Industries
  • D. Department of Public Enterprises under the Ministry of Finance

Q4. With reference to typical bulk consumers of 'industrial diesel' in India whose costs were affected by the March 2026 price revision, consider the following: 1. Indian Railways 2. State road transport undertakings 3. Telecom tower operators 4. Mining and infrastructure construction firms Which of the above is/are correctly identified as bulk consumers of industrial diesel?

  1. Indian Railways
  2. State road transport undertakings
  3. Telecom tower operators
  4. Mining and infrastructure construction firms
  • A. 1 and 4 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
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