UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Why is India pushing for coal gasification?

Q1. With reference to India's coal gasification programme, consider the following statements comparing the country's import dependence and the nature of syngas: 1. Ammonia is nearly 100% import-dependent, whereas urea is only about 20% imported. 2. Methanol's import dependence (about 80–90%) is higher than that of LNG (more than 50% imported). 3. The syngas produced by coal gasification is primarily a mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Ammonia is nearly 100% import-dependent, whereas urea is only about 20% imported.
  2. Methanol's import dependence (about 80–90%) is higher than that of LNG (more than 50% imported).
  3. The syngas produced by coal gasification is primarily a mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. India's first indigenously designed high-ash coal gasification-based methanol production plant was set up at the Research & Development centre of which one of the following organisations?

  • A. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)
  • B. Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL)
  • C. NLC India Limited (formerly Neyveli Lignite Corporation)
  • D. Coal India Limited (CIL)

Q3. The stipulation that coal-based thermal power plants located beyond 500 km from the pit-head must be supplied coal with ash content not exceeding 34% (on a quarterly average) is a requirement laid down by which one of the following?

  • A. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • B. Ministry of Coal
  • C. Ministry of Power
  • D. Central Pollution Control Board only

Q4. As per the Ministry of Coal, the estimated lignite resource of India (as on 01.04.2024) is approximately how much?

  • A. About 47 billion tonnes
  • B. About 389 billion tonnes
  • C. About 101 billion tonnes
  • D. About 25 billion tonnes

Q5. Consider the following statements about India's coal gasification targets: 1. The National Coal Gasification Mission aims to gasify 100 MT of coal by 2030. 2. The 2026 Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification scheme targets gasification of about 75 MT, forming a part of the larger national target. 3. The 100 MT gasification goal is positioned under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The National Coal Gasification Mission aims to gasify 100 MT of coal by 2030.
  2. The 2026 Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification scheme targets gasification of about 75 MT, forming a part of the larger national target.
  3. The 100 MT gasification goal is positioned under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. The National Coal Gasification Mission sets a target of gasifying how much coal by the year 2030?

  • A. 75 million tonnes
  • B. 100 million tonnes
  • C. 50 million tonnes
  • D. 150 million tonnes

Q7. Under the 2026 Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects (outlay Rs 37,500 crore), the financial incentive available to a single project is capped at which amount?

  • A. Rs 5,000 crore
  • B. Rs 9,000 crore
  • C. Rs 12,000 crore
  • D. Rs 1,350 crore

Q8. With reference to the 2024 Rs 8,500 crore scheme for promotion of coal/lignite gasification, consider the following funding categories: 1. Category I – projects of Government PSUs – Rs 4,050 crore 2. Category II – projects of private sector and Government PSUs – Rs 3,850 crore 3. Category III – demonstration/indigenous-technology and small-scale plants – Rs 600 crore 4. Category IV – projects of foreign joint ventures – Rs 2,000 crore Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. Category I – projects of Government PSUs – Rs 4,050 crore
  2. Category II – projects of private sector and Government PSUs – Rs 3,850 crore
  3. Category III – demonstration/indigenous-technology and small-scale plants – Rs 600 crore
  4. Category IV – projects of foreign joint ventures – Rs 2,000 crore
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. In the context of India's coal gasification push, the term 'import substitution' most precisely refers to which one of the following?

  • A. Replacing imported urea, ammonia and methanol with products derived domestically from gasified coal
  • B. Completely banning all imports of chemicals to protect domestic manufacturers
  • C. Exporting surplus syngas-derived products to earn foreign exchange
  • D. Substituting imported coal entirely with imported LNG

Q10. The projection that domestic coal gasification could substitute imports worth up to about Rs 3 lakh crore is attributed to the Union Minister holding which portfolio?

  • A. Coal and Mines
  • B. Petroleum and Natural Gas
  • C. Chemicals and Fertilizers
  • D. Heavy Industries

Q11. The September 2025 workshop that evaluated coal gasification technologies specifically suited to India's high-ash coal — as distinct from technologies designed for low-ash imported coal — was organised by which one of the following bodies?

  • A. NITI Aayog
  • B. Ministry of Coal
  • C. Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR)
  • D. Bureau of Energy Efficiency

Q12. The 2026 roadshow held in New Delhi to attract investors and technology providers for Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects under the Rs 37,500 crore scheme was organised by which Ministry?

  • A. Ministry of Coal
  • B. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
  • C. Ministry of Power
  • D. Ministry of Heavy Industries