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

They may ask about the 'percentage of global oil' via Hormuz (one-fifth/20%) versus the 'daily volume' (15 mn barrels), or confuse it with the Suez Canal. They might also swap the roles of Oman and Yemen in the context of the straits.

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

1. Target this Data: 15 million barrels/day of oil transit the Strait of Hormuz. 2. Target this Nodal Body: US Energy Information Administration (EIA) - cited for Hormuz data. 3. Target this Geo-strategic Point: Bab el-Mandeb strait as a secondary chokepoint threatened by Iran's proxies.

International RelationsEconomy

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News 6 of 28

Strait of Hormuz: 15 Million Barrels/Day Oil Transit, 88% Import-Dependent India Faces Price Volatility Amid US-Israel-Iran Conflict

Q: Which U.S. government agency is described in the article as stating that the Strait of Hormuz is the world's most important oil transit chokepoint?

Energy Information Administration (EIA), The article explicitly mentions the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) as the source describing the Strait of Hormuz as the world's most important oil transit chokepoint.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz: 1. It handles approximately one-fifth of global liquid petroleum consumption. 2. Roughly 40% of crude oil imported by India transits through this strait. 3. It is a narrow waterway between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Only 1 and 2, Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is correct as the article states over 40% of India's crude oil imports transit the Strait. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Strait of Hormuz is between Iran and Oman, not Saudi Arabia.

Q: According to the article, what is the approximate daily volume of crude oil that passes through the Strait of Hormuz?

15 million barrels, The article states that roughly 15 million barrels of crude pass through the Strait of Hormuz every day. The other figures are either the capacity of bypass pipelines (9 million bpd) or a potential disruption scenario (18 million bpd).

Q: What is the primary economic concern for India, as highlighted in the article, arising from the conflict involving Iran?

Volatility in global oil prices increasing its import bill, The article's core concern for India is the risk of oil price volatility due to potential supply disruption, which would directly increase India's oil import bill by approximately $2 billion annually for every $1 per barrel increase.

Intl. Relations Economy Security & DefenceHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

28 Feb 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:15 million barrels/day crude via Hormuz20% global LNG via HormuzIndia imports 88% of crude oil40% of India's oil imports transit Hormuz$2 billion annual cost per $1 oil price rise

Bodies:US Energy Information Administration (EIA)INGCenter for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.Israel and US military strikes on Iran raise the risk of oil supply disruptions via the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for 15 million barrels/day of crude and 20% of global LNG.

2.India, importing 88% of its crude needs, faces significant economic exposure, with 40% of its oil imports transiting the Strait; every $1/barrel price rise adds ~$2 billion to its import bill.

3.Examiners can link this to India's energy security, global oil market dynamics, and the strategic importance of maritime chokepoints in international relations.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

US-Israel strikes on Iran escalate regional tensions, threatening oil flows through the critical Strait of Hormuz. For India, the world's third-largest oil consumer, this risks a $2 billion annual increase in import bills for every $1 rise in oil prices, highlighting acute energy security vulnerabilities.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Strait of Hormuz Daily Oil Flow15 million barrels

India's Oil Import Dependency88%

India's Oil Imports via Hormuz40%

Brent Crude Price (Week Ending)Over $72/barrel

1-Minute Revision

›Strait of Hormuz Daily Oil Flow: 15 million barrels
›India's Oil Import Dependency: 88%
›Target this Data: 15 million barrels/day of oil transit the Strait of Hormuz.
›Target this Nodal Body: US Energy Information Administration (EIA) - cited for Hormuz data.
›Target this Geo-strategic Point: Bab el-Mandeb strait as a secondary chokepoint threatened by Iran's proxies.

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News Snapshot

⚔️

Escalation Triggers

US-Israel military strikes on Iran mark a major escalation, threatening to spill over and disrupt critical oil supply routes from the Gulf region.

🛢️

India's Economic Exposure

Every $1 increase in oil prices could increase India's annual oil import bill by approximately $2 billion, given its import of around 2 billion barrels annually.

🚢

Chokepoint Vulnerability

The Strait of Hormuz, handling one-fifth of global petroleum consumption, is the focal point of anxiety, with Iran having repeatedly threatened its blockade.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Tensions between the US/Iran have simmered for years, centered on Iran's nuclear program. The Strait of Hormuz has long been a potential flashpoint, as Iran has threatened to close it in response to Western pressure, leveraging its strategic location to impact global energy markets.

Core Analysis & Implications

The immediate risk is a 'war premium' on oil prices. A full-scale regional conflict could see prices spike above $100/barrel. For India, this translates to higher inflation, a wider current account deficit, and pressure on fiscal management due to potential fuel subsidies. The situation exposes the structural risk of over-dependence on a single volatile region for energy.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The conflict's trajectory depends on Iran's response. Analysts outline four escalation scenarios with varying price impacts ($10-$130+/barrel). For India, the long-term imperative is to accelerate strategic petroleum reserve filling, diversify import sources, and invest in alternative energy and pipeline infrastructure to reduce Hormuz dependency.

Key Facts at a Glance

Strait of Hormuz Daily Oil Flow15 million barrels

India's Oil Import Dependency88%

India's Oil Imports via Hormuz40%

Brent Crude Price (Week Ending)Over $72/barrel

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

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, Banking

Which U.S. government agency is described in the article as stating that the Strait of Hormuz is the world's most important oil transit chokepoint?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz:

1. It handles approximately one-fifth of global liquid petroleum consumption.

2. Roughly 40% of crude oil imported by India transits through this strait.

3. It is a narrow waterway between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

According to the article, what is the approximate daily volume of crude oil that passes through the Strait of Hormuz?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

What is the primary economic concern for India, as highlighted in the article, arising from the conflict involving Iran?

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Strait of Hormuz: 15 Million Barrels/Day Oil Transit, 88% Import-Dependent India Faces Price Volatility Amid US-Israel-Iran Conflict

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Escalation Triggers

India's Economic Exposure

Chokepoint Vulnerability

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance