What is the common examiner trap about Intl. Relations in UPSC exams?

They may ask which country is the largest oil producer (US at 13.6 mbd) versus the largest OPEC producer (Saudi Arabia). They may also confuse the UAE's OPEC entry year (1967) with OPEC's founding year (1960).

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Intl. Relations for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: UAE was OPEC's 4th largest producer in 2025 (3.12 mbd). 2. Target this Nodal Body: Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). 3. Target this Geopolitical Point: Strait of Hormuz blockade as the largest disruption to oil supply.

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News 8 of 27

UAE Exits OPEC After 59 Years, Was 4th Largest Producer (3.12 mbd) in 2025, Seeks Autonomy Amid Hormuz Crisis

Q: The UAE has withdrawn from which major intergovernmental organization, as per the news?

Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), The article explicitly states the UAE has withdrawn from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which it joined in 1967. The other organizations are not mentioned in the context of this withdrawal.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the UAE's exit from OPEC: 1. The UAE was the fourth-largest producer within OPEC in 2025. 2. The primary reason for its exit was a disagreement over climate change targets. 3. The UAE's exit is expected to immediately cause a sharp increase in global Brent crude prices. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Only 1, Statement 1 is correct as the article states the UAE was OPEC's fourth-largest producer (3.12 mbd) in 2025. Statement 2 is incorrect; the primary reasons were production constraints and geopolitical differences with Saudi Arabia, not climate targets. Statement 3 is incorrect; the article notes 'Brent crude prices barely budged on the announcement' due to the larger Strait of Hormuz crisis.

Q: According to the article, what was OPEC's share of global crude production in 2025?

36.7%, The article specifically states: 'OPEC’s share of global crude dropped to 36.7% in 2025.' The other options are plausible but incorrect distractors.

Q: What is the most significant immediate threat to energy security for net oil-importing countries like India, as highlighted in the article?

The 'double blockade' in the Strait of Hormuz and the fragile Iran-U.S. ceasefire., The article concludes that for countries like India, 'the immediate threat is not the cartel’s unravelling but the “double blockade” in the Strait of Hormuz and the fragile Iran-U.S. ceasefire.' This directly addresses the primary risk to supply and price stability.

Intl. Relations EconomyHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

30 Apr 2026

~2 min

Source: The Hindu

Key Data:19673.12 mbd2.88 mbd36.7%13.6 mbd

Bodies:OPEC

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.UAE withdraws from OPEC (joined 1967) and OPEC+ in 2026, citing production constraints and strategic autonomy.

2.It was OPEC's 4th largest producer (3.12 mbd) and 3rd largest exporter (2.88 mbd) in 2025, with spare capacity to increase output by ~1 mbd.

3.Exit highlights geopolitical fissures with Saudi Arabia over Iran policy, Yemen/Sudan interventions, and UAE's closer ties with Israel, impacting global energy security.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

The UAE has withdrawn from OPEC after 59 years, seeking freedom from Saudi-led production quotas to boost revenues for AI and diversification. This reflects deep geopolitical rifts within the Gulf, including differences over Iran and Israel, and shifts global oil pricing power amid the Strait of Hormuz blockade.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

UAE's OPEC Entry Year1967

UAE's 2025 OPEC Production Rank4th largest producer (3.12 million barrels per day)

UAE's 2025 OPEC Export Rank3rd largest exporter (2.88 mbd)

OPEC's 2025 Global Crude Share36.7%

World's Largest Oil Producer (2026)United States (13.6 mbd)

1-Minute Revision

›UAE's OPEC Entry Year: 1967
›UAE's 2025 OPEC Production Rank: 4th largest producer (3.12 million barrels per day)
›Target this Data: UAE was OPEC's 4th largest producer in 2025 (3.12 mbd).
›Target this Nodal Body: Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
›Target this Geopolitical Point: Strait of Hormuz blockade as the largest disruption to oil supply.

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News Snapshot

🛢️

Historic OPEC Exit

The UAE withdraws from OPEC after 59 years, seeking autonomy from Saudi-led production quotas to fund AI and diversification projects.

⚔️

Geopolitical Rift

Exit driven by differences with Saudi Arabia over Iran policy, interventions in Yemen/Sudan, and UAE's closer ties with Israel.

🌍

Global Energy Shift

OPEC's pricing power declines as its share of global crude drops to 36.7%, with the Strait of Hormuz crisis shifting influence to US producers.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

OPEC, founded in 1960, is a cartel coordinating oil production and pricing among member states. The UAE joined in 1967. Recent tensions stem from Saudi Arabia's dominant role in setting production quotas, which the UAE views as constraining its economic ambitions, especially its plans to invest oil revenues into AI and economic diversification.

Core Analysis & Implications

The UAE's exit is a structural blow to OPEC, reducing its collective market share (36.7% in 2025) and pricing power. The immediate market impact was muted due to the larger crisis of the Strait of Hormuz blockade. However, the move signals a fragmentation of Gulf unity, with the UAE pursuing an independent foreign policy (closer to Israel and the US) and economic strategy, challenging Saudi leadership. For India, a net importer, the primary threat is energy supply volatility from the 'double blockade' in Hormuz and a fragile Iran-US ceasefire, not OPEC's internal dynamics.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

OPEC will continue but with diminished influence. The UAE aims to increase production by ~1 mbd once it bypasses the Hormuz Strait via pipeline or the strait reopens. The long-term trend is a shift in oil market influence towards non-OPEC producers like the US. Stability hinges on a geopolitical détente between Iran and the Gulf states, which currently seems distant.

Key Facts at a Glance

UAE's OPEC Entry Year1967

UAE's 2025 OPEC Production Rank4th largest producer (3.12 million barrels per day)

UAE's 2025 OPEC Export Rank3rd largest exporter (2.88 mbd)

OPEC's 2025 Global Crude Share36.7%

World's Largest Oil Producer (2026)United States (13.6 mbd)

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, Banking

The UAE has withdrawn from which major intergovernmental organization, as per the news?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the UAE's exit from OPEC:

1. The UAE was the fourth-largest producer within OPEC in 2025.

2. The primary reason for its exit was a disagreement over climate change targets.

3. The UAE's exit is expected to immediately cause a sharp increase in global Brent crude prices.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, Banking, SSC

According to the article, what was OPEC's share of global crude production in 2025?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC

What is the most significant immediate threat to energy security for net oil-importing countries like India, as highlighted in the article?

All 25 MCQs ▸

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UAE Exits OPEC After 59 Years, Was 4th Largest Producer (3.12 mbd) in 2025, Seeks Autonomy Amid Hormuz Crisis

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Historic OPEC Exit

Geopolitical Rift

Global Energy Shift

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance