UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Biometric Aadhaar Authentication Mandatory for Subsidised Domestic LPG Refills from 1 October 2026

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the roll-out of the PAHAL (DBTL) scheme as compared with its earlier phase: 1. In its first phase the scheme was re-launched in 54 districts in November 2014, while the remaining 622 districts of the country were covered from 1 January 2015. 2. At the time of the nationwide launch, the scheme was expected to cover over 15.3 crore LPG consumers across 676 districts. 3. Unlike the earlier arrangement, the relaunched scheme dispensed with the requirement of a bank account, the subsidy being adjusted by the distributor against the 17-digit LPG consumer ID at the time of delivery. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. In its first phase the scheme was re-launched in 54 districts in November 2014, while the remaining 622 districts of the country were covered from 1 January 2015.
  2. At the time of the nationwide launch, the scheme was expected to cover over 15.3 crore LPG consumers across 676 districts.
  3. Unlike the earlier arrangement, the relaunched scheme dispensed with the requirement of a bank account, the subsidy being adjusted by the distributor against the 17-digit LPG consumer ID at the time of delivery.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. As on 1 July 2025, how many duplicate, fake/non-existent and inactive domestic LPG connections had been blocked, suspended or deactivated under the PAHAL (DBTL) mechanism?

  • A. About 2.76 crore connections
  • B. About 3.34 crore connections
  • C. About 4.08 crore connections
  • D. About 5.12 crore connections

Q3. The very first connection under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana was handed over by the Prime Minister at which one of the following places?

  • A. Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh, in a function attended by the Petroleum Minister
  • B. Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, at the formal launch of the scheme in May 2016
  • C. Aurangabad, Bihar, during a national clean-cooking-fuel campaign
  • D. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, along with a package of rural energy projects

Q4. Under the targeted subsidy approved for PMUY consumers for the financial year 2025-26, the subsidy of Rs 300 per 14.2 kg cylinder is admissible for up to how many refills in a year?

  • A. Up to 6 refills
  • B. Up to 9 refills
  • C. Up to 12 refills
  • D. Up to 14 refills

Q5. Biometric Aadhaar authentication of existing domestic LPG consumers is operationalised at the field level through which one of the following?

  • A. Aadhaar Seva Kendras operated by the Unique Identification Authority of India
  • B. Common Service Centres run by CSC e-Governance Services India Limited
  • C. The Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell, the data wing of the petroleum ministry
  • D. Public-sector Oil Marketing Companies, through their distributors and mobile apps

Q6. With reference to biometric Aadhaar authentication of domestic LPG consumers, consider the following: 1. It can be completed at the consumer's doorstep at the time of delivery of an LPG refill. 2. It can be completed by the consumer visiting the LPG distributor's showroom at her convenience. 3. It can be completed through the mobile applications provided by the Oil Marketing Companies. 4. Refill supply to a consumer is kept in abeyance from the date the authentication falls due until it is completed. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It can be completed at the consumer's doorstep at the time of delivery of an LPG refill.
  2. It can be completed by the consumer visiting the LPG distributor's showroom at her convenience.
  3. It can be completed through the mobile applications provided by the Oil Marketing Companies.
  4. Refill supply to a consumer is kept in abeyance from the date the authentication falls due until it is completed.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. Consider the following statements about Section 7 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016: 1. It permits Aadhaar authentication to be made a condition for receipt of a subsidy, benefit or service only where the expenditure is incurred from, or the receipt therefrom forms part of, the Consolidated Fund of India. 2. Where an Aadhaar number has not been assigned to an individual, that individual is to be offered alternate and viable means of identification for delivery of the subsidy, benefit or service. 3. Unlike the schemes notified by States under their own enactments, the power under Section 7 vests in the Central Government alone, State Governments having no power to impose such a requirement. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It permits Aadhaar authentication to be made a condition for receipt of a subsidy, benefit or service only where the expenditure is incurred from, or the receipt therefrom forms part of, the Consolidated Fund of India.
  2. Where an Aadhaar number has not been assigned to an individual, that individual is to be offered alternate and viable means of identification for delivery of the subsidy, benefit or service.
  3. Unlike the schemes notified by States under their own enactments, the power under Section 7 vests in the Central Government alone, State Governments having no power to impose such a requirement.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. Which one of the following routes accounts for the largest share of DBTL consumers for the transfer of LPG subsidy?

  • A. Bank Transfer Compliant mode, the subsidy being credited against the 17-digit LPG consumer ID
  • B. Adjustment of the subsidy in the invoice price charged by the distributor at the time of delivery
  • C. Aadhaar Transfer Compliant mode, the subsidy being credited to the Aadhaar-seeded bank account
  • D. Credit through a National Automated Clearing House mandate registered by the distributor

Q9. Consider the following pairs of organisations and their roles in the domestic LPG ecosystem: 1. Indian Oil Corporation Limited — a public-sector Oil Marketing Company that markets domestic LPG under the 'Indane' brand. 2. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited — a public-sector Oil Marketing Company that markets domestic LPG under the 'Bharatgas' brand. 3. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited — a public-sector Oil Marketing Company that markets domestic LPG under the 'HP Gas' brand. 4. Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell — the statutory downstream regulator that fixes the retail selling price of domestic LPG. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Indian Oil Corporation Limited — a public-sector Oil Marketing Company that markets domestic LPG under the 'Indane' brand.
  2. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited — a public-sector Oil Marketing Company that markets domestic LPG under the 'Bharatgas' brand.
  3. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited — a public-sector Oil Marketing Company that markets domestic LPG under the 'HP Gas' brand.
  4. Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell — the statutory downstream regulator that fixes the retail selling price of domestic LPG.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2 and 3 only

Q10. Which one of the following bodies functions as the principal data repository of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, maintaining the oil and gas data bank and analysing domestic and international price trends?

  • A. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board, set up under a 2006 Act of Parliament
  • B. Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell, which observed its 22nd Foundation Day in 2023
  • C. Oil Industry Development Board, constituted under the Oil Industry (Development) Act
  • D. Centre for High Technology, which coordinates refinery technology efforts in the sector

Q11. The directive requiring public-sector Oil Marketing Companies to undertake and complete biometric Aadhaar authentication of PMUY and PAHAL beneficiaries was issued in:

  • A. January 2015, together with the nationwide relaunch of the PAHAL (DBTL) scheme
  • B. August 2021, together with the launch of Ujjwala 2.0 from Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh
  • C. October 2023, ahead of the authentication camps held during Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra
  • D. March 2024, when the petroleum ministry issued its clarification on the subject

Q12. Consider the following statements regarding Aadhaar-linked delivery of benefits under different schemes: 1. The Aadhaar Based Payment Bridge System was made mandatory for the payment of MGNREGA wages with effect from 1 January 2024. 2. Under MGNREGA, a worker who is unable to furnish an Aadhaar number may be refused work at the worksite until the number is furnished. 3. For domestic LPG consumers, no service or benefit has been stopped merely because biometric Aadhaar authentication is pending. 4. Under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016, an individual to whom no Aadhaar number has been assigned must be denied the subsidy until enrolment is completed. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Aadhaar Based Payment Bridge System was made mandatory for the payment of MGNREGA wages with effect from 1 January 2024.
  2. Under MGNREGA, a worker who is unable to furnish an Aadhaar number may be refused work at the worksite until the number is furnished.
  3. For domestic LPG consumers, no service or benefit has been stopped merely because biometric Aadhaar authentication is pending.
  4. Under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016, an individual to whom no Aadhaar number has been assigned must be denied the subsidy until enrolment is completed.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only