UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India’s Expanding Role in the Global Energy Transition

Q1. With reference to how India officially classifies its installed electricity generation capacity, consider the following sources. Which of the above is/are correctly identified as 'non-fossil-fuel' sources?

  1. Large hydro power
  2. Nuclear power
  3. Bio-energy (biomass)
  4. Natural gas-based generation
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. Consider the following statements comparing India's non-fossil-fuel capacity commitment with its actual achievement. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. India's first NDC (2015) targeted 40% non-fossil-fuel installed capacity by 2030, a figure later raised to 50%.
  2. India achieved 50% non-fossil-fuel installed capacity in June 2025, about five years ahead of the 2030 target.
  3. This 50% milestone refers to the share of electricity generated from non-fossil sources, not to installed capacity.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. The International Solar Alliance is regarded as the first treaty-based international intergovernmental organisation to be headquartered in India. In which city is its headquarters located?

  • A. Gurugram (Haryana)
  • B. New Delhi
  • C. Jaipur
  • D. Bhopal

Q4. The International Solar Alliance was jointly launched by India and France on the sidelines of which of the following?

  • A. 21st UN Climate Change Conference (COP-21), Paris, 2015
  • B. 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP-26), Glasgow, 2021
  • C. G20 Summit, New Delhi, 2023
  • D. Rio+20 Earth Summit, 2012

Q5. The Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, under which public sector Oil Marketing Companies blend ethanol with petrol, is administered by which of the following ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
  • B. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • C. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare
  • D. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

Q6. Consider the following statements about India's ethanol-blending trajectory. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Under the National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 (as amended in 2022), the 20% ethanol-blending target was advanced to Ethanol Supply Year 2025-26 from the earlier 2030 timeline.
  2. Average ethanol blending under the EBP Programme rose from 14.60% in ESY 2023-24 to 19.05% in ESY 2024-25 (as on 31 July 2025).
  3. The administered price at which OMCs procure ethanol is fixed by the Reserve Bank of India.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. In which year did the Union Cabinet approve the National Green Hydrogen Mission?

  • A. 2021
  • B. 2022
  • C. 2023
  • D. 2024

Q8. Consider the following statements about the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. PMUY was launched in 2016 to provide deposit-free LPG connections in the name of an adult woman of poor households.
  2. The number of PMUY connections crossed 10 crore by 2025, well above the scheme's initial target.
  3. Under PMUY, beneficiaries receive LPG refills free of cost for the lifetime of the connection.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. The authorisation of Geographical Areas for the development of City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks in India is carried out by which of the following?

  • A. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)
  • B. GAIL (India) Limited
  • C. Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC)
  • D. NITI Aayog

Q10. Consider the following statements about India's position in the global crude-oil and petroleum sector. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. India is the world's third-largest consumer of crude oil.
  2. India is the world's fourth-largest refiner of crude oil.
  3. India's strategic petroleum reserves are managed by Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL).
  4. India is the world's largest producer of crude oil.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 4 only

Q11. Consider the following statements about India's 'Panchamrit' pledges announced at COP-26 (Glasgow, 2021). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. India committed to reach 500 GW of non-fossil-fuel energy capacity by 2030.
  2. India committed to reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by 45% by 2030 over 2005 levels.
  3. India committed to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3