UPSC Notes

India's Energy Security

PYQs

15

Articles

3

Momentum

33

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

India's energy needs are fundamental to its growth and development. UPSC frequently asks about India's energy policy, its challenges, and its implications for foreign policy, economy, and environment.

Energy security refers to the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price. For India, a rapidly developing economy, ensuring energy security is critical for sustained economic growth, industrialization, and the welfare of its large population, given its high dependence on crude oil imports.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Import Dependence

India imports nearly 90% of its crude oil.

Global Position

World's third-largest oil importer and one of the fastest-growing energy consumers.

Economic Impact

Energy affordability directly impacts transport costs, food inflation, fertilizer subsidies, and manufacturing competitiveness.

Strategic Vulnerability

The Strait of Hormuz is a major strategic vulnerability for India's crude oil and LPG imports.

Economic Vulnerability

High import dependence makes the economy vulnerable to global oil price volatility, impacting the current account deficit and inflation.

Policy Responses

Government initiatives like ethanol blending, promotion of renewable energy, and strategic petroleum reserves aim to reduce this dependence.

Geopolitical Impact

Geopolitical factors, such as international sanctions or tariffs on specific oil sources (e.g., Russian oil), directly impact India's energy procurement strategies and costs.

Diversification Strategy

India seeks to diversify its energy import sources to reduce geopolitical risks and ensure stable supplies.

Related topics

Current topic

India's Energy Security

Often confused with

Strategic Petroleum Reserves

Open notes
Often confused with

Energy Mix

Coming soon
Often confused with

Crude Oil Imports

Coming soon
Often confused with

Natural Gas Infrastructure

Coming soon
Often confused with

India's Energy Transition Challenges

Open notes
Often confused with

External Sector & Capital Flows

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 15 linked questions on India's Energy Security in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

UPSC Prelims PYQs on India's Energy Security

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Consider the following statements: 1. CoaI sector was nationalized by the Government of India under Indira Gandhi. 2. Now, coal blocks are allocated on a lot...

2019·Economy
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. Vietnam has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world in recent years. 2. Vietnam is led by a multi-par...

2022·International Relations
Solve

The term 'West Texas Intermediate', sometimes found in news, refers to a grade of

2020·Economy
Solve

Which of the following has/have occurred in India after its liberalization of economic policies in 1991? 1. The share of agriculture in GDP increased enormo...

2017·Economy
Solve

Consider the following statements: I. India has joined the Minerals Security Partnership as a member. II. India is a resource-rich country in all the 30 cri...

2025·Economy
Solve

With reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India, consider the following statements : 1. None of them uses seawater. 2. None of them is set up in w...

2023·Geography
Solve

In what way(s) does the Vizhinjam International Seaport represent a structural shift in India's maritime trade and logistics policy? 1. By functioning exclu...

2026·Economy
Solve

What is/are the purpose/purposes of Government’s ‘Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme’ and 'Gold Monetization Scheme'? 1. To bring the idle gold lying with India hous...

2016·Economy
Solve

Among the agricultural commodities imported by India, which one of the following accounts for the highest imports in terms of value in the last five years?

2019·Economy
Solve

Consider the following Statements : Statement-I: Switzerland is one of the leading exporters of gold in terms of value. Statement-II: Switzerland has the se...

2023·Economy
Solve

In India the steel production industry requires the import of

2015·Geography
Solve

With reference to the ‘Trans-Pacific Partnership’, consider the following statements: 1. It is an agreement among all the Pacific Rim countries except China...

2016·International Relations
Solve

The term ‘Domestic Content Requirement’ is sometimes seen in the news with reference to -

2017·Economy
Solve

Consider the following statements : Statement-I : India accounts for 3.2% of global export of goods. Statement-II :Many local companies and some foreign com...

2023·Economy
Solve

Which of the following best describes the term “import cover”, sometimes seen in the news?

2016·Economy
Solve

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