UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Samudra Manthan – National Offshore Exploration Scheme

Question 1

Consider the following statements comparing the Samudra Manthan – National Offshore Exploration Scheme with other instruments of India's upstream hydrocarbon framework:
1. Samudra Manthan is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, whereas the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act, 2025 is the legislative reform that provides contractual stability and recognises integrated petroleum operations.
2. Unlike the Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025, which operationalise ease-of-doing-business reforms, Samudra Manthan extends direct fiscal support towards the cost of drilling deepwater exploration wells.
3. The Data Driven Exploration Conference held under Samudra Manthan was convened by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, whereas the National Data Repository is maintained by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

1 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 2

With reference to the Samudra Manthan – National Offshore Exploration Scheme approved by the Union Cabinet, consider the following:
1. Acquisition and processing of modern offshore seismic data
2. Drilling of deepwater exploration wells with partial government funding
3. Establishment of Oil and Gas Manufacturing and Services Zones
4. Construction of underground strategic petroleum reserve caverns at Chandikhol and Padur
Which of the above is/are correctly identified as key components of the scheme?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

1, 2 and 4

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

3 and 4

Question 3

The ₹43,200 crore exploration-acceleration component of the Samudra Manthan scheme provides government funding support for the drilling of how many deepwater exploration wells?

Accepted Answer

60 deepwater exploration wells

Answer

40 deepwater exploration wells

Answer

75 deepwater exploration wells

Answer

90 deepwater exploration wells

Question 4

Consider the following in respect of the financial architecture of Phase-I of the Samudra Manthan scheme:
1. The approved outlay of the scheme is ₹84,084 crore.
2. The scheme is to be implemented up to FY 2030-31.
3. Government support for a deepwater exploration well is capped at ₹675 crore per well or 50% of eligible drilling cost, whichever is lower.
4. The scheme draws its funding mandate from the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act, 2015.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

1 and 4

Answer

2, 3 and 4

Answer

1 and 3 only

Question 5

Samudra Manthan seeks to expand India's hydrocarbon resource base from the existing level of 1.6 billion tonnes of oil equivalent to which one of the following levels?

Accepted Answer

2.2 billion tonnes of oil equivalent

Answer

2.0 billion tonnes of oil equivalent

Answer

2.6 billion tonnes of oil equivalent

Answer

3.0 billion tonnes of oil equivalent

Question 6

Which one of the following is the upstream technical body that monitors hydrocarbon reserves and production from India's exploration blocks and maintains the National Data Repository?

Accepted Answer

The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons, under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

Answer

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board, a statutory body regulating the sector

Answer

The Oil Industry Development Board, constituted under the Oil Industry (Development) Act

Answer

The Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell, an attached office dealing with sectoral data

Question 7

Consider the following statements regarding the rationale for India's focus on deepwater and ultra-deepwater exploration:
1. A single deepwater exploratory well is estimated to cost USD 125–150 million, and Samudra Manthan meets up to half of the eligible drilling cost subject to a per-well ceiling.
2. India's future hydrocarbon potential is assessed to lie largely in deepwater and ultra-deepwater basins, among them Krishna-Godavari, Cauvery, Mahanadi and the Andaman region.
3. Under the scheme the Government bears the entire drilling cost of ultra-deepwater wells, while operators bear only the cost of seismic data acquisition.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 8

Under Samudra Manthan, the manner in which the Government extends financial support for drilling a deepwater exploration well is best described as which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Up to 50% of eligible drilling cost, or ₹675 crore per well, whichever is lower

Answer

Up to 75% of eligible drilling cost, or ₹675 crore per well, whichever is higher

Answer

Full reimbursement of drilling cost for every ultra-deepwater well located in a Category-I basin

Answer

A flat grant of ₹720 crore for each well, irrespective of the actual cost of drilling incurred

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Samudra Manthan – National Offshore Exploration Scheme

Q3. The ₹43,200 crore exploration-acceleration component of the Samudra Manthan scheme provides government funding support for the drilling of how many deepwater exploration wells?

Q5. Samudra Manthan seeks to expand India's hydrocarbon resource base from the existing level of 1.6 billion tonnes of oil equivalent to which one of the following levels?

Q6. Which one of the following is the upstream technical body that monitors hydrocarbon reserves and production from India's exploration blocks and maintains the National Data Repository?

Q8. Under Samudra Manthan, the manner in which the Government extends financial support for drilling a deepwater exploration well is best described as which one of the following?