UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — As West Asia war threatens gas supply, remembering a gas grid India never built

Q1. With reference to the Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects approved by the Cabinet in 2025-26 (Rs.37,500 crore) as compared with the earlier Rs.8,500 crore coal gasification scheme of January 2024, consider the following statements: 1. Unlike the 2024 scheme which had three categories covering both PSU and private projects, the 2025-26 scheme is restricted to surface coal/lignite gasification. 2. The financial incentive under the 2025-26 scheme is capped at a maximum of 20% of the cost of Plant and Machinery. 3. The 2025-26 scheme targets gasification of about 100 million tonnes of coal/lignite, the same as the overall National Coal Gasification Mission target for 2030. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike the 2024 scheme which had three categories covering both PSU and private projects, the 2025-26 scheme is restricted to surface coal/lignite gasification.
  2. The financial incentive under the 2025-26 scheme is capped at a maximum of 20% of the cost of Plant and Machinery.
  3. The 2025-26 scheme targets gasification of about 100 million tonnes of coal/lignite, the same as the overall National Coal Gasification Mission target for 2030.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. In which year was India's National Coal Gasification Mission, with the target of gasifying 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030, launched?

  • A. 2014
  • B. 2020
  • C. 2022
  • D. 2024

Q3. India's first-ever pilot project for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) at the Kasta coal block in Jharkhand is being implemented by which of the following entities?

  • A. Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL)
  • B. Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL)
  • C. Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL)
  • D. Central Mine Planning & Design Institute (CMPDI)

Q4. In the context of India's coal gasification programme, the term 'syngas' refers to:

  • A. A mixture composed primarily of carbon monoxide and hydrogen produced by partial oxidation of coal
  • B. Methane recovered from virgin coal seams before mining, commonly known as coal bed methane
  • C. Liquefied natural gas regasified at coastal terminals and blended with hydrogen for industrial use
  • D. A blend of propane and butane recovered as a by-product of coal tar distillation
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