UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — DRAFT NATIONAL ELECTRICITY POLICY (NEP), 2026 RELEASED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS

Q1. With reference to the statutory basis of the National Electricity Policy, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The National Electricity Policy is notified by the Central Government under Section 3 of the Electricity Act, 2003.
  2. The Central Government is required to consult the State Governments before notifying the Policy.
  3. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is one of the bodies the Central Government must consult in preparing the Policy.
  4. The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) is the statutory body empowered to notify the National Electricity Policy.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 1, 3 and 4
  • D. 4 only

Q2. Under the framework of the Electricity Act, 2003, the 'National Electricity Plan' is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A plan prepared by the Central Electricity Authority in accordance with the National Electricity Policy
  • B. The tariff policy notified by the Central Government under Section 3
  • C. A statutory policy notified by the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions
  • D. A ten-year fiscal outlay prepared by the Ministry of Finance for the power sector

Q3. In the Draft National Electricity Policy, 2026, the newly proposed 'Distribution System Operator (DSO)' is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A new distribution-level coordination construct to enable integration of distributed renewable energy, storage and Vehicle-to-Grid
  • B. A central load-dispatch body created to replace the national grid operator
  • C. A regulatory commission created to replace the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions
  • D. A public-sector generation company set up exclusively for offshore wind

Q4. With reference to developments in India's power sector since the National Electricity Policy, 2005, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Installed generation capacity has grown roughly fourfold since NEP 2005.
  2. Universal household electrification was achieved by March 2021.
  3. A unified national grid has been operationalised.
  4. The Draft NEP 2026 was notified in January 2026 as the final replacement of NEP 2005.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q5. With reference to the timeline of the National Electricity Policy, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. NEP 2005 was first notified in February 2005, whereas the Draft NEP 2026 was released on 21 January 2026.
  2. The Draft NEP 2026 has been released by the Ministry of Power for public consultation with stakeholders.
  3. Unlike NEP 2005, the Draft NEP 2026 has already been notified and has legally replaced the earlier policy.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. Which one of the following authorities released the Draft National Electricity Policy, 2026, for public consultation with stakeholders?

  • A. Ministry of Power, Government of India
  • B. Central Electricity Authority
  • C. NITI Aayog
  • D. Central Electricity Regulatory Commission

Q7. With reference to the per-capita electricity consumption targets under the Draft NEP 2026, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Draft NEP 2026 targets per-capita electricity consumption of 2,000 kWh by 2030.
  2. It targets per-capita electricity consumption of over 4,000 kWh by 2047.
  3. The 2047 per-capita consumption target is set lower than the 2030 target.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. The Draft National Electricity Policy, 2026, sets explicit per-capita electricity consumption targets for how many distinct target years?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. One
  • D. Four

Q9. With reference to the climate-alignment goals embedded in the Draft NEP 2026, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. A 45% reduction in emissions intensity below 2005 levels by 2030.
  2. Achievement of net-zero by 2070.
  3. Alignment with the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.
  4. A 45% reduction in absolute emissions below 1990 levels by 2030.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q10. With reference to the emissions and net-zero targets under the Draft NEP 2026, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The emissions-intensity reduction target is benchmarked against 2005 levels.
  2. The net-zero target year under the Draft NEP 2026 is 2070.
  3. The Draft NEP 2026 commits to achieving net-zero entirely by 2047, in line with the Viksit Bharat vision year.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. The National Electricity Plan (Generation) notified by the Central Electricity Authority for the period 2022-32 is organised into how many distinct planning segments?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five

Q12. With reference to the SCADA and grid-modernisation provisions of the Draft NEP 2026, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It envisages a transition to an indigenously developed SCADA system by 2030.
  2. It seeks domestic software for critical power-system applications by 2030.
  3. It mandates that SCADA systems be fully procured from foreign vendors by 2030.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3