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GS Paper III · Infrastructure

Energy Security Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper III)

From the syllabus: Infrastructure: energy, ports, roads, airports, railways etc.

Why it matters: Examiners test your knowledge regarding import dependency, diversification of supply sources, and strategic reserves necessary to protect the domestic economy against global shocks.

88 news stories105 quiz questions15 Mains questions

In the news

October 2026

  • 13 Oct 2026

    Escalation in Strait of Hormuz as Tanker Attacked Amid Regional Tensions

    Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for striking a commercial supertanker navigating the Strait of Hormuz, causing an on-board fire. The maritime strike coincides with escalating clashes in Yemen and...

  • 12 Oct 2026

    AI data center boom strains India's power grid

    The rapid expansion of Artificial Intelligence infrastructure is placing significant pressure on India's power transmission dynamics. Electricity officials report that the high energy demands of data centers are driving up the costs of...

  • 11 Oct 2026

    Riyadh Airport Struck by Missile Amid Regional Tensions

    A missile struck a civilian passenger terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, injuring multiple individuals and aggravating security tensions across the Arabian Peninsula. The incident has raised fresh concerns...

  • 10 Oct 2026

    US Eases Sanctions on Russian Diesel Following Bilateral Talks

    The United States Department of the Treasury lifted restrictions on the sale of Russian diesel in global markets following direct talks between the US and Russian leadership. The agreement aims to curb escalating fuel prices and...

  • 09 Oct 2026

    Strait of Hormuz transits fall to two-month low

    Shipping data shows that commodity vessel transits through the critical Strait of Hormuz dropped to their lowest levels in over two months following regional security threats and attacks. Only seven major commodity vessels passed...

  • 06 Oct 2026

    PNGRB launches National PNG Drive 3.0 for piped gas

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has launched the National PNG Drive 3.0 to expand domestic piped natural gas networks. The initiative aims to secure 50 lakh new piped gas connections and convert 40 lakh unbilled...

  • 04 Oct 2026

    Centre moves ahead with Sawalkot project on Chenab basin

    The Union Power Ministry announced plans to fast-track new hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir, notably the 1,856 MW Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project on the Chenab River. The move comes despite diplomatic objections raised by...

  • 04 Oct 2026

    Petroleum regulator rolls out National PNG Drive 3.0

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) launched the third phase of the National Piped Natural Gas (PNG) Drive, set to run until the end of fiscal year 2027. The initiative aims to connect 50 lakh new households,...

  • 03 Oct 2026

    Government Warns Private Fuel Retailers Against Arbitrary Sales Caps

    The Union Petroleum Ministry has issued a stern warning to private oil-marketing companies against placing artificial sales caps on petrol and diesel. Private fuel retailers, faced with rising international crude prices, had attempted...

  • 02 Oct 2026

    Scientists Introduce Carbon Impacts Tracer to Quantify Fossil Fuel Damage

    Researchers have developed the Carbon Impacts Tracer, a scientific tool capable of measuring the specific environmental, ecological, and socio-economic damages attributable to individual new coal mining projects. The tool establishes...

  • 01 Oct 2026

    Bihar Approves Green Hydrogen Policy 2026 Aligned with National Mission

    The Bihar Cabinet has approved the Bihar Green Hydrogen Policy, 2026, aimed at promoting renewable energy production and reducing dependence on imported natural gas. The policy aligns with the National Green Hydrogen Mission 2023 to...

September 2026

Show 63 older stories

September 2026

August 2026

  • 31 Aug 2026

    CAFE Norms and Biofuel Economics Drive Energy Transition

    The interplay between Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) norms, ethanol blending targets (E20), and sugarcane economics is reshaping India's automotive sector. CAFE regulations require manufacturers to reduce average carbon dioxide...

  • 26 Aug 2026

    Debate brews over ethanol blending targets and sugar price fluctuations

    Ex-mill sugar prices dropped 18 percent to 55 rupees per kilogram following government measures including import adjustments and strict anti-hoarding controls. Simultaneously, policy debates have surfaced regarding whether diversion of...

  • 25 Aug 2026

    PNGRB Authorises 1,800-km LPG Pipeline Network Expansion

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) authorized the construction of approximately 1,800 kilometers of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) pipeline infrastructure with an estimated capital investment of 7,000 crore rupees....

  • 22 Aug 2026

    Sustainability and Economic Impact of India's E20 Ethanol Blending Drive

    India's E20 initiative, targeting 20 percent ethanol blending with petrol, has reportedly saved around 2 lakh crore rupees in foreign exchange according to official disclosures. However, debate has intensified regarding its potential...

  • 21 Aug 2026

    West Asian Volatility Escalates India's Crude Import Bill

    India's crude oil import bill surged by 41% year on year in July 2026, driven by volatile global prices amid heightened geopolitical friction in West Asia. Total import volumes also expanded by 13%, reflecting strong domestic energy...

  • 20 Aug 2026

    Growth in Core Sectors Decelerates to 5.4% in July 2026

    Growth in India's eight core infrastructure sectors slowed to 5.4% in July 2026 according to the Index of Core Industries released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Despite the moderation, it represents the second fastest growth...

  • 20 Aug 2026

    Transition to E20 Ethanol Blended Petrol Faces Vehicle Compatibility Issues

    India's rapid shift towards E20 fuel has triggered debate regarding potential mileage loss and mechanical wear on older vehicles. Concerns persist over moisture contamination and the unavailability of unblended petrol options for...

  • 19 Aug 2026

    West Asia Escalation Drives Up India's Oil Import Bill

    Fresh military escalations in West Asia, including drone strikes on energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and missile alerts in the Gulf, have stoked energy price volatility. India's crude import bill surged by 41% year-on-year in July,...

  • 19 Aug 2026

    Transition to E20 Fuel Raises Mechanical and Policy Concerns

    India's push to achieve 20% ethanol blending in petrol (E20) by 2025-26 has brought forward technical and consumer challenges. Automotive experts have flagged mileage drops, accelerated corrosion in older non-compliant engines, and...

  • 18 Aug 2026

    States Shift to Solar Subsidies to Reduce Discom Burden

    Several state governments are redirecting funds from traditional electricity subsidies toward capital subsidies for rooftop solar installations. This strategic shift aims to lower overall financial losses incurred by state power...

  • 17 Aug 2026

    States Redirect Power Subsidies Toward Rooftop Solar Capital Expenditure

    Multiple state governments are shifting their strategy on power subsidies by redirecting funds toward capital expenditure for rooftop solar systems. By subsidizing home solar installations, states aim to reduce the recurring burden of...

  • 16 Aug 2026

    Kudankulam Nuclear Plant Sets Carbon Mitigation Milestone

    The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu has achieved a cumulative generation of 130.63 billion units of power. The plant's site director announced that the high capacity factor of over 101.5% in Reactors 1 and 2 has...

  • 16 Aug 2026

    Government Eliminates Export Duty on Petrol

    In a bid to balance domestic supplies with international trade dynamics, the Indian government has reduced the export duty on petrol to nil. Additionally, export duties on diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) have been significantly...

  • 16 Aug 2026

    ONGC Resumes Operations in Venezuela Post US Licence

    The United States has granted a licence to India's state-run explorer Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to resume full operations in Venezuela. This regulatory clearance removes a major barrier for ONGC's investments in the Latin...

  • 16 Aug 2026

    Small Modular Reactors to Power India's Energy Transition

    Under new nuclear rules and a targeted 100 GW nuclear capacity goal, India is exploring collaborations that could favour Moscow's Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology. The push for clean, reliable power is driven by the soaring...

  • 02 Aug 2026

    Union Cabinet Approves Samudra Manthan Scheme for Deepwater Exploration

    The Union Cabinet approved the Samudra Manthan scheme with an allocation of 84,084 crore rupees to boost India's deepwater hydrocarbon exploration and energy security. The scheme earmarks 43,200 crore rupees specifically for drilling 60...

  • 01 Aug 2026

    Impact of E20 Fuel on Indian Vehicles

    As India pushes for 20% ethanol blending in petrol (E20), experts have flagged concerns regarding fuel efficiency and engine wear. While newer vehicles are E20 compliant, older models face risks of corrosion in fuel systems and rubber...

July 2026

Practise Energy Security

10 of our latest questions on this topic (out of 105).

Question 1 of 10

According to recent reports, which infrastructure sector is facing the most significant upgrade pressure due to the boom in Artificial Intelligence?

Mains practice

Sustaining India's economic growth trajectory requires harmonizing national fiscal and regulatory reforms with the demands of capital-intensive, high-technology sectors. In light of rising greenfield foreign investments, emerging pressures on energy grids, and skilled workforce vulnerabilities, analyze how India can align industrial infrastructure development with sustainable resource governance.

15 marks

Achieving sustainable development in the 21st century requires India to balance ambitious industrial growth and technological self-reliance with robust environmental conservation and climate-resilience strategies. Discuss, with relevant examples, how technological innovations and policy drives in the energy and environment sectors can help achieve this dual objective.

15 marks

India's pursuit of high economic growth, driven by industrial initiatives and international trade agreements, must be reconciled with the critical demands of ecological conservation and resource sustainability. Analyze this statement in the light of current challenges in groundwater depletion, energy security, and ecological conservation of fragile habitats like the Western Ghats.

15 marks

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Previous years' questions

Past exam questions sorted by topic are coming here. Until then, the full papers are in our previous papers library.

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