UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — TWO-DAY CHINTAN SHIVIR-2026 OF POWER MINISTRY CONCLUDES

Q1. With reference to the Power Ministry's Chintan Shivir-2026 held at Parwanoo, consider the following bodies as officially listed participants: 1. Central Electricity Authority (CEA) 2. Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) 3. NITI Aayog 4. State Governments and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Central Electricity Authority (CEA)
  2. Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC)
  3. NITI Aayog
  4. State Governments and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs)
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q2. In the context of Union Ministries, the term 'Chintan Shivir' is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A brainstorming-cum-policy retreat that brings together the Centre, States and industry to chart a sectoral roadmap
  • B. A statutory tribunal constituted to adjudicate disputes between distribution licensees
  • C. A permanent constitutional body that determines electricity tariffs at the national level
  • D. A standing committee of Parliament that scrutinises the demands for grants of the Power Ministry

Q3. The 'Roadmap to 100 GW of Hydro Pumped Storage Projects by 2035-36', released at the Chintan Shivir-2026, was prepared by which one of the following?

  • A. Central Electricity Authority (CEA)
  • B. Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC)
  • C. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
  • D. NTPC Limited

Q4. According to the CEA roadmap released at the Chintan Shivir-2026, what is the targeted pumped storage capacity to be achieved by 2035-36?

  • A. 62 GW
  • B. 100 GW
  • C. 161 GW
  • D. 701 GW

Q5. The annual Integrated Rating & Ranking of Distribution Utilities, whose 14th edition was released in 2026, is conducted under which one of the following?

  • A. Ministry of Power
  • B. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • C. Ministry of Finance
  • D. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

Q6. Consider the following statements comparing editions of the Integrated Rating & Ranking of Distribution Utilities: 1. The 12th edition rated 55 utilities, whereas the 14th edition rated 65 utilities. 2. In the 14th edition (FY 2024-25), 31 utilities secured an A+ or A grade. 3. The integrated rating of DISCOMs was carried out for the first time in the 14th edition. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The 12th edition rated 55 utilities, whereas the 14th edition rated 65 utilities.
  2. In the 14th edition (FY 2024-25), 31 utilities secured an A+ or A grade.
  3. The integrated rating of DISCOMs was carried out for the first time in the 14th edition.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. Under the Draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill discussed at the Chintan Shivir, the determination of electricity tariff continues to vest primarily in which one of the following?

  • A. The appropriate Electricity Regulatory Commission
  • B. The distribution licensee (discom) supplying electricity
  • C. The Central Government through executive order
  • D. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA)

Q8. The policy discussions at the Chintan Shivir were premised on non-fossil-based installed capacity reaching how many gigawatts (GW) by 2030?

  • A. 100 GW
  • B. 161 GW
  • C. 500 GW
  • D. 701 GW

Q9. As used across ministries such as Home Affairs, New & Renewable Energy and Power, the Chintan Shivir is most accurately characterised as which one of the following?

  • A. A non-statutory, periodic deliberative retreat convened by a ministry to build sectoral consensus with States and stakeholders
  • B. A body established under the Inter-State Council provisions of the Constitution
  • C. A statutory annual conference mandated by the Electricity Act, 2003
  • D. A permanent secretariat that coordinates centrally sponsored schemes across ministries

Q10. Consider the following pairings of a Chintan Shivir edition with the ministry and venue: 1. Ministry of Home Affairs — Surajkund, Haryana (2022) 2. Ministry of New & Renewable Energy — Bhubaneswar, Odisha (2024) 3. Ministry of Power — Parwanoo, Himachal Pradesh (2026) 4. Ministry of Power — Bhubaneswar, Odisha (2024) Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Ministry of Home Affairs — Surajkund, Haryana (2022)
  2. Ministry of New & Renewable Energy — Bhubaneswar, Odisha (2024)
  3. Ministry of Power — Parwanoo, Himachal Pradesh (2026)
  4. Ministry of Power — Bhubaneswar, Odisha (2024)
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q11. Under the Electricity Act, 2003, the regulation of inter-State transmission and the tariffs of centrally-owned generating companies is the responsibility of which one of the following?

  • A. Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC)
  • B. State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC)
  • C. Central Electricity Authority (CEA)
  • D. Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL)

Q12. With reference to pumped storage hydro projects (PSPs) as promoted in the CEA roadmap, consider the following characteristics: 1. It is a long-duration, long-life storage technology. 2. It typically uses two water reservoirs at different elevations. 3. It stores energy in lithium-ion electrochemical cells. 4. It provides clean storage that helps firm up variable renewable generation. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It is a long-duration, long-life storage technology.
  2. It typically uses two water reservoirs at different elevations.
  3. It stores energy in lithium-ion electrochemical cells.
  4. It provides clean storage that helps firm up variable renewable generation.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 4