Economy · 28 Aug 2026

Strategic Petroleum Reserve Strait of Hormuz

Consider the following statements:

  1. The Strait of Hormuz normally carries about one-fifth of global maritime oil trade.
  2. India's Strategic Petroleum Reserve, managed by ISPRL, has a capacity sufficient for roughly nine days of crude oil consumption.
  3. India's Strategic Petroleum Reserve maintains dedicated reserves for crude oil and LPG in equal proportion.
A1 only
B2 only
C1 and 2 only
D1, 2 and 3
This question is based on: Two-Thirds of a Cylinder's Journey, Rerouted Overnight
Take this in full test mode → Instructions for 28 Aug 2026
About this question

Why in news

Six months into the Hormuz disruption from the U.S.-Iran conflict, India has pivoted toward U.S. LPG and Russian crude, keeping supplies flowing but tripling per-cylinder LPG under-recoveries for oil marketing companies.

Why for UPSC

UPSC likes testing whether aspirants understand the actual composition and limits of India's strategic reserves rather than just knowing the reserve exists - the crude-only nature of the cushion is the exam-relevant nuance here.

Prelims summary

The Strait of Hormuz carries ~20% of global maritime oil trade. India's ISPRL-managed Strategic Petroleum Reserve (5.33 MMT) covers ~9 days of crude consumption but provides no dedicated cushion for LPG, exposing a real gap during the current crisis.

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