UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — COAL GASIFICATION TARGETS

Q1. The National Coal Gasification Mission, led by the Ministry of Coal, sets a national target for the quantity of coal to be gasified by 2030. What is this target?

  • A. 50 million tonnes
  • B. 75 million tonnes
  • C. 100 million tonnes
  • D. 125 million tonnes

Q2. With reference to the current status of India's coal gasification programme, consider the following statements: 1. About 22.6 MTPA of gasification capacity is presently operational or under implementation. 2. Jindal Steel Limited accounts for the largest single operational share, at about 8 MTPA. 3. The capacity currently operational or under implementation already exceeds half of the 100 MT national target for 2030. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. About 22.6 MTPA of gasification capacity is presently operational or under implementation.
  2. Jindal Steel Limited accounts for the largest single operational share, at about 8 MTPA.
  3. The capacity currently operational or under implementation already exceeds half of the 100 MT national target for 2030.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. In the context of the ₹8,500 crore Financial Incentive Scheme for coal gasification, the 'CGPDPA' signed between the Ministry of Coal and selected applicants refers to which of the following?

  • A. Coal Gasification Project Development Agreement
  • B. Coal Gasification Production and Distribution Purchase Agreement
  • C. Coal Grade Pricing and Distribution Policy Agreement
  • D. Coal Gasification Public–Private Development Accord

Q4. With reference to the three categories of the ₹8,500 crore Financial Incentive Scheme (2024) for coal/lignite gasification, consider the following statements: 1. Category I is reserved for Government PSUs with a provision of ₹4,050 crore. 2. Category II is open to both the private sector and PSUs and provides a grant of ₹1,000 crore or 15% of capex, whichever is lower. 3. Category III, meant for demonstration/small-scale projects, carries the largest allocation among the three categories. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Category I is reserved for Government PSUs with a provision of ₹4,050 crore.
  2. Category II is open to both the private sector and PSUs and provides a grant of ₹1,000 crore or 15% of capex, whichever is lower.
  3. Category III, meant for demonstration/small-scale projects, carries the largest allocation among the three categories.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. The Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects, with an outlay of ₹37,500 crore, was approved in 2026 by which authority?

  • A. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister
  • B. The NITI Aayog Governing Council alone
  • C. The Ministry of Coal solely through an executive notification
  • D. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs headed by the Finance Minister

Q6. Under the ₹37,500 crore surface coal/lignite gasification scheme (2026), the financial incentive to a project is provided at a maximum of 20% of which of the following?

  • A. The cost of Plant and Machinery
  • B. The total project capital expenditure
  • C. The annual revenue from syngas and downstream product sales
  • D. The landed cost of the coal/lignite feedstock

Q7. With reference to syngas produced through coal gasification, consider the following statements: 1. It consists primarily of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. 2. It serves as an intermediate feedstock for producing ammonia, methanol and synthetic natural gas. 3. It has an energy density roughly equal to that of natural gas. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It consists primarily of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.
  2. It serves as an intermediate feedstock for producing ammonia, methanol and synthetic natural gas.
  3. It has an energy density roughly equal to that of natural gas.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. Consider the following products: 1. Methanol 2. Ammonia 3. Natural rubber 4. Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) Which of the above are correctly identified as products/import-substitutes obtainable from syngas derived through coal gasification?

  1. Methanol
  2. Ammonia
  3. Natural rubber
  4. Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG)
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q9. The National Coal Gasification Mission, projected to cut India's import dependence on LNG, methanol and fertilisers, is spearheaded by which Union Ministry as the nodal ministry?

  • A. Ministry of Coal
  • B. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
  • C. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
  • D. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Q10. Among the following products cited as the rationale for India's coal gasification push, which single one has the highest degree of import dependence, being almost entirely imported?

  • A. Ammonia
  • B. Methanol
  • C. LNG
  • D. Urea

Q11. India's first-ever pilot project for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG), initiated by the Ministry of Coal, is located in which State?

  • A. Jharkhand
  • B. Odisha
  • C. Chhattisgarh
  • D. West Bengal

Q12. The following are stated features associated with the Ministry of Coal's 2026 outreach on surface coal/lignite gasification: 1. Nodal ministry organising the roadshow — Ministry of Coal 2. Coal/lignite gasification target of the promoted scheme — about 75 million tonnes 3. Financial outlay of the promoted (2026) scheme — ₹8,500 crore 4. Expected employment from the scheme — about 50,000 direct and indirect jobs Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. Nodal ministry organising the roadshow — Ministry of Coal
  2. Coal/lignite gasification target of the promoted scheme — about 75 million tonnes
  3. Financial outlay of the promoted (2026) scheme — ₹8,500 crore
  4. Expected employment from the scheme — about 50,000 direct and indirect jobs
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 1 and 4