UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Russian oil share in India’s imports rises

Q1. The widely-cited data point that 'Russia's share in India's crude oil imports crossed 40% in May 2026' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The proportion of India's imported crude oil, measured by volume, that was sourced from Russia
  • B. The proportion of India's total domestic crude oil consumption that was met by Russian supplies
  • C. The proportion of Russia's total crude oil exports that were purchased by India
  • D. The proportion of India's petroleum product exports refined from Russian-origin crude

Q2. The figures showing Russia's share in India's crude oil imports rising above 40% in May 2026 were drawn from official data published by which Union ministry?

  • A. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • B. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
  • C. Ministry of External Affairs
  • D. Ministry of Finance

Q3. It was reported that in May 2026 Russia charged India a 'premium' on crude oil. In this context, the term 'premium' most precisely means that:

  • A. Russian crude was sold to India at a price above the prevailing global benchmark (such as Brent), reversing the earlier discount
  • B. Russia imposed an additional export duty on crude cargoes destined for India
  • C. India paid an extra surcharge for insurance and freight on Russian cargoes
  • D. Russia supplied crude to India only under higher-priced long-term contracts

Q4. Whose crude pricing to India showed the most striking reversal by May 2026 — shifting from a discount, offered as recently as February 2026, to a premium over the benchmark?

  • A. Russia
  • B. United Arab Emirates
  • C. United States
  • D. Iraq

Q5. In April 2026, India resumed importing Iranian crude oil after a gap of how many years?

  • A. Three years
  • B. Five years
  • C. Seven years
  • D. Ten years

Q6. With reference to India's crude oil sourcing in 2026, consider the following statements: 1. India resumed importing Iranian crude in April 2026 after a seven-year gap. 2. Venezuela became India's third-largest crude supplier in May 2026, overtaking Saudi Arabia. 3. India's crude oil imports from Brazil roughly doubled between March and April 2026. 4. India halted all crude oil imports from Nigeria during 2026. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. India resumed importing Iranian crude in April 2026 after a seven-year gap.
  2. Venezuela became India's third-largest crude supplier in May 2026, overtaking Saudi Arabia.
  3. India's crude oil imports from Brazil roughly doubled between March and April 2026.
  4. India halted all crude oil imports from Nigeria during 2026.
  • A. 1 and 4
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4

Q7. According to CREA, approximately what value of Russian fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal combined) did India import in May 2026?

  • A. €4.8 billion
  • B. €5.8 billion
  • C. €7.0 billion
  • D. €0.55 billion

Q8. Immediately before the Russia-Ukraine war in early 2022, Russia's share in India's crude oil imports was closest to which of the following?

  • A. About 0.2%
  • B. About 12%
  • C. About 22%
  • D. About 35%

Q9. With reference to the evolution of India's Russian crude oil imports since 2022, consider the following statements: 1. Before February 2022, Russia accounted for well under 1% of India's crude oil imports. 2. Within a couple of years of the war's outbreak, Russia became India's single largest source of crude oil by volume. 3. During much of 2022-2023, India bought Russian crude at a premium of $25-30 per barrel over Brent. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Before February 2022, Russia accounted for well under 1% of India's crude oil imports.
  2. Within a couple of years of the war's outbreak, Russia became India's single largest source of crude oil by volume.
  3. During much of 2022-2023, India bought Russian crude at a premium of $25-30 per barrel over Brent.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. India's 'crude oil import dependence', reported at about 88% for FY 2024-25, most precisely refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The share of India's crude oil requirement that is met through imports rather than domestic production
  • B. The share of India's total merchandise import bill accounted for by crude oil
  • C. The proportion of India's crude imports that come from a single largest supplier
  • D. The ratio of India's strategic petroleum reserves to its annual crude consumption

Q11. The price cap on Russian seaborne crude oil, first introduced in December 2022 by the G7-led coalition, was originally set at which one of the following levels?

  • A. US$60 per barrel
  • B. US$47.60 per barrel
  • C. US$44.10 per barrel
  • D. US$30 per barrel