UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India Strengthens Energy Security: Historic First — Coal Mine Development Agreements with Underground Coal Gasification Provisions Signed

Q1. The Ministry of Coal describes the synthesis gas (syngas) recovered from Underground Coal Gasification as a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane. How many principal combustible gas species does this description identify?

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

Q2. Underground Coal Gasification provisions embedded in commercial coal blocks are administered by which one of the following nodal Union Ministries?

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

Q3. In the context of India's commercial coal mine auctions, the abbreviation 'CMDPA' precisely stands for which one of the following?

  • A. Coal Mine Development and Production Agreement
  • B. Coal Mine Distribution and Pricing Agreement
  • C. Commercial Mining Development and Production Accord
  • D. Coal Mining Data and Production Arrangement

Q4. With reference to the 14th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions, consider the following: 1. It was launched in October 2025. 2. A total of 41 coal mines were offered. 3. It was the first round to introduce provisions for Underground Coal Gasification. 4. All 41 coal mines offered possessed Underground Coal Gasification potential. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. It was launched in October 2025.
  2. A total of 41 coal mines were offered.
  3. It was the first round to introduce provisions for Underground Coal Gasification.
  4. All 41 coal mines offered possessed Underground Coal Gasification potential.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q5. India's first-ever tranche of commercial coal mines carrying embedded Underground Coal Gasification provisions covered how many coal blocks under the signed CMDPAs?

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

Q6. In the first UCG-linked CMDPA tranche, the flagship Recherla coal block (along with Chintalpudi Sector A1) was secured by which one of the following successful bidders?

  • A. Reliance Industries Limited
  • B. Axis Energy Ventures India Pvt Ltd
  • C. Coal India Limited
  • D. Adani Enterprises Limited

Q7. With reference to India's coal gasification programme, consider the following: 1. The Coal Gasification Mission targets gasification of 100 MT of coal by 2030. 2. The Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification carries a financial outlay of Rs.37,500 crore. 3. This Rs.37,500 crore scheme targets gasification of about 75 MT of coal/lignite. 4. The Coal Gasification Mission was launched in the year 2030. Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. The Coal Gasification Mission targets gasification of 100 MT of coal by 2030.
  2. The Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification carries a financial outlay of Rs.37,500 crore.
  3. This Rs.37,500 crore scheme targets gasification of about 75 MT of coal/lignite.
  4. The Coal Gasification Mission was launched in the year 2030.
  • A. 1 and 4 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q8. With reference to India's coal gasification initiatives, consider the following: 1. The flagship gasification target of 100 MT is set for the year 2030. 2. The Rs.37,500 crore surface gasification scheme was approved to advance this target. 3. An earlier Rs.8,500 crore scheme provided incentives under three categories. 4. The Coal Gasification Mission set its 100 MT target for the year 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correctly stated?

  1. The flagship gasification target of 100 MT is set for the year 2030.
  2. The Rs.37,500 crore surface gasification scheme was approved to advance this target.
  3. An earlier Rs.8,500 crore scheme provided incentives under three categories.
  4. The Coal Gasification Mission set its 100 MT target for the year 2025.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 4 only

Q9. India's first Underground Coal Gasification pilot project at the Kasta coal block, Jharkhand, is being executed under the authority of which one of the following Coal India subsidiaries?

  • A. Eastern Coalfields Limited
  • B. Central Coalfields Limited
  • C. Bharat Coking Coal Limited
  • D. Western Coalfields Limited

Q10. Under the Rs.8,500 crore Scheme for Promotion of Coal/Lignite Gasification structured across three categories, which single category received the largest financial provision?

  • A. Category I (Government PSUs)
  • B. Category II (private sector and PSUs)
  • C. Category III (demonstration/small-scale plants)
  • D. All three received equal provisions

Q11. Under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015, the conduct of auction/allotment and the vesting and transfer of rights in commercial coal mines to successful bidders is carried out by which one of the following?

  • A. Nominated Authority
  • B. Coal Controller's Organisation
  • C. Coal India Limited
  • D. Central Mine Planning and Design Institute

Q12. With reference to the end-uses of syngas produced through coal gasification, consider the following: 1. Production of urea and ammonia. 2. Manufacture of methanol and dimethyl ether (DME). 3. Replacement of imported natural gas and naphtha as feedstock. 4. Direct smelting of iron ore into pig iron in blast furnaces. Which of the above are correctly identified as applications of coal-gasification syngas?

  1. Production of urea and ammonia.
  2. Manufacture of methanol and dimethyl ether (DME).
  3. Replacement of imported natural gas and naphtha as feedstock.
  4. Direct smelting of iron ore into pig iron in blast furnaces.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4