UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Hardeep Singh Puri launches GOBARdhan Scheme to accelerate development of India’s Compressed Biogas sector

Q1. With reference to the production of Compressed Biogas (CBG), consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Raw biogas leaving a digester already has a methane content comparable to that of CBG, so upgrading it consists mainly of compression.
  2. The organic matter is broken down by microbes in the absence of oxygen.
  3. Being derived from biomass, CBG differs chemically from fossil natural gas and must therefore be carried in separate pipelines.
  4. Cattle dung, crop residue and municipal solid waste can all serve as feedstock.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4 only

Q2. Consider the following statements in the context of India's Compressed Biogas (CBG) sector: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Compressed Biogas can be fed into existing City Gas Distribution networks and sold as CNG without building a separate distribution infrastructure for it.
  2. India imports about half of the natural gas it consumes.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. With reference to Central Sector Schemes and Centrally Sponsored Schemes in India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A Central Sector Scheme is implemented directly by Union Ministries or their agencies, and only the Union bears its cost.
  2. Whether a scheme is Centrally Sponsored depends solely on cost-sharing, so a scheme fully funded by the Centre cannot be a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
  3. Centrally Sponsored Schemes generally operate in sectors in the State or Concurrent Lists and are implemented through State Governments.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1 only

Q4. Consider the following statements in the context of GOBARdhan (2026), India's scheme for Compressed Biogas: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Although the scheme is a Central Sector Scheme, States are expected to frame State CBG policies, assess feedstock, create land banks and speed up approvals for it to succeed.
  2. Under a Central Sector Scheme, the States are required to bear a share of scheme expenditure in a predefined ratio with the Centre.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q5. Under the CBG Blending Obligation, City Gas Distribution entities must ensure that a rising percentage of the gas they sell in the CNG (Transport) and PNG (Domestic) segments is Compressed Biogas. Consider the following statements about the likely consequences of raising this percentage: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Because the obligation is expressed as a percentage, the absolute quantity of CBG demanded stays fixed even if consumption of CNG and domestic PNG grows.
  2. CBG producers gain more assured demand, which can make it easier to finance new plants.
  3. Other things being equal, CGD entities need to source less imported LNG for the same volume of sales.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 2 only

Q6. With reference to methane as a greenhouse gas, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Methane persists in the atmosphere for a much shorter period than carbon dioxide.
  2. Over a 20-year horizon, a tonne of methane traps less heat than a tonne of carbon dioxide, which is why cutting methane yields slower climate benefits.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. Both 1 and 2
  • D. Neither 1 nor 2

Q7. With reference to Fermented Organic Manure (FOM) in India's biogas and CBG ecosystem, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. FOM is derived from the digestate left after organic matter has been broken down in a biogas or CBG plant.
  2. Market Development Assistance for such manure is linked to the quantity sold, and the manure must meet the specifications for organic fertilisers under the Fertilizer Control Order.
  3. Because manure is a second saleable output, weak demand for it can hurt the economics of a CBG plant even when the plant's gas sales are assured.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q8. Consider the following facts: India imports about half of the natural gas it consumes; nearly 55–60% of its LNG imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz; and a national scheme aims to raise domestic CBG output about ten-fold, to around 5 MMSCMD. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above?

  1. A disruption at a single maritime chokepoint could affect a substantial part of India's total gas supply.
  2. Replacing imported gas with domestically produced gas would, other things being equal, reduce India's foreign-exchange outgo on energy.
  3. Once the CBG target is achieved, India's LNG imports will fall roughly ten-fold.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3