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India's Energy Security and Import Dependence

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Crucial for understanding India's economic resilience, foreign policy choices, and the impact of global events on domestic welfare and industrial activity. It highlights vulnerabilities and strategic responses to maintain national stability.

India is highly dependent on imports for its energy needs, with significant reliance on crude oil (over 88%), LPG (60%), and natural gas (50%). This dependence makes the country vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions and supply chain shocks, particularly from critical chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

High Import Dependency

Over 88% for crude oil, 60% for LPG, 50% for natural gas.

Primary Source Region

Historically, 40% of crude, 60% of LNG, and 90% of LPG imports came from West Asia.

Impact of Geopolitical Conflicts

West Asia conflict disrupted supplies, leading to a 43.1% decline in overall LPG imports in 6 months.

Diversification Strategy

Shifted LPG imports to the US, increasing its share from less than 10% to over 50%.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaIndian Economy
Conceptual areaInternational Relations

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural GasRegulates and formulates policy
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

Quick revision

  • India's high import dependence for crude oil, LPG, and natural gas.
  • Vulnerability to geopolitical conflicts in major supply regions (e.g., West Asia).
  • Strategic importance of maritime chokepoints (e.g., Strait of Hormuz).
  • Policy response: Diversification of energy import sources (e.g., shift to US for LPG).
  • Impact on domestic consumers and industrial supply.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

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...

EconomyOpen question

Which of the following is/are the most significant implication(s) of obtaining Oeko-Tex certification for Eri Silk in the global textile industry? 1. It all...

EconomyOpen question
2026Cause and effect relationships, Multi-statement analysis

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...

EconomyOpen question

Which of the following is/are the most significant implication(s) of obtaining Oeko-Tex certification for Eri Silk in the global textile industry? 1. It all...

EconomyOpen question
2025Statement-based questions, Factual recall

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...

EconomyOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements: 1. If the inflation is too high, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to buy gover...

EconomyOpen question
2020Conceptual understanding, Definition-based questions

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

EconomyOpen question

With reference to Foreign Direct Investment in India, which one of the following is considered its major characteristic?

EconomyOpen question
2020Factual recall, Terminology-based question

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

EconomyOpen question

With reference to Foreign Direct Investment in India, which one of the following is considered its major characteristic?

EconomyOpen question
2019Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

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?

EconomyOpen question

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...

EconomyOpen question
2019Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

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?

EconomyOpen question

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...

EconomyOpen question

Topic timeline

Indian EconomyInternational Relations
Prelims 2019· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

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?

Open question

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...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

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?

Open question

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...

Open question
Prelims 2020· Conceptual understanding, Definition-based questions

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

Open question

With reference to Foreign Direct Investment in India, which one of the following is considered its major characteristic?

Open question
Prelims 2020· Factual recall, Terminology-based question

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

Open question

With reference to Foreign Direct Investment in India, which one of the following is considered its major characteristic?

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements: 1. If the inflation is too high, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to buy gover...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

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...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

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...

Open question

Which of the following is/are the most significant implication(s) of obtaining Oeko-Tex certification for Eri Silk in the global textile industry? 1. It all...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Cause and effect relationships, Multi-statement analysis

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...

Open question

Which of the following is/are the most significant implication(s) of obtaining Oeko-Tex certification for Eri Silk in the global textile industry? 1. It all...

Open question

How US share in India’s LPG imports surged to over 50% in 6 months

08 Sep 2026 · India's significant reliance on imported energy, particularly from geopolitically sensitive regions, poses major energy security challenges, necessitating diversification and strategic reserves to ensure stable supply.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

India's Energy Security and Import Dependence

Often confused with

Energy Security and Geopolitical Impact on Trade Routes

Open notesOften confused with

Strategic Chokepoints (Strait of Hormuz)

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on India's Energy Security and Import Dependence in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on India's Energy Security and Import Dependence

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

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

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

2020·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

With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements: 1. If the inflation is too high, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to buy gover...

2022·Economy
Solve

Which of the following is/are the most significant implication(s) of obtaining Oeko-Tex certification for Eri Silk in the global textile industry? 1. It all...

2026·Economy
Solve

With reference to Foreign Direct Investment in India, which one of the following is considered its major characteristic?

2020·Economy
Solve

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: 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

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