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

Examiners may swap the shares: e.g., say India's exit share is 21% (but it's 20%) or claim China has the highest entry share (but India has 21% for entry, China 19%). Also, the term 'PGSA' could be confused with other maritime bodies like 'IMT' or 'STRAITFOR'. Remember PGSA is Iranian, not multilateral.

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

1. Target this Data: India's share of exit transit requests through Strait of Hormuz: 20% (second to China's 21%). 2. Target this Data: India's share of entry transit requests: 21% (highest). 3. Target this Data: Percentage of India's crude oil imports from West Asia through the strait: 40%. 4. Target this Nodal Body: Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) – set up by Iran to regulate strait traffic.

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India Accounts for 20-21% of Strait of Hormuz Transit Requests; PGSA Regulates Passage

Q: Which country established the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) to regulate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz?

Iran, The article clearly states that the PGSA was set up by Iran to regulate the flow of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. This is a static fact about a regulatory body created by a sovereign state.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz transit data: 1. India had the highest share of entry transit requests at 21%. 2. China had the highest share of exit transit requests at 21%. 3. The PGSA approved 79% of the transit applications received. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

All three, Statement 1 is correct: India topped the list of origins for entry requests with 21% share. Statement 2 is correct: China had 21% share of exit requests, second only to India's 20%? Wait, check: 'those bound for India had a 20% share, second only to China’s 21%' for exit. So China is highest for exit. Statement 3 is correct: PGSA approved 79% of applications. Therefore all three statements are correct.

Q: According to the article, what was the share of tankers among the transit requests received by PGSA?

41%, The article explicitly states: 'As for requests by type of vessels, tankers had the highest share at 41%'. This is a direct data point that can be tested in prelims. The other options are for bulk carriers (27%), container ships (18%), and exit requests (53%).

Q: Why is the Strait of Hormuz critical for India's energy security, based on the data in the article?

India's LPG imports from West Asia account for 90% of total LPG imports., The article states: 'Around 40% of India’s crude oil imports, 60% of its LNG imports, and a whopping 90% of its LPG imports came from West Asia through the strait.' Option A is incorrect because it says 90% of crude, but it's actually 40%. Option C is about global flows, not India-specific. Option D is false. Option B is correct and highlights the extreme dependence on LPG, making the strait vital for household energy supply.

Intl. Relations Economy Security & DefenceHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link

16 Jul 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:India exit share 20%India entry share 21%China exit share 21%China entry share 19%PGSA approval rate 79%Average processing time 50 hours

Bodies:Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA)IranUnited StatesIndiaChinaKplerS&P Global

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.India accounts for 20% of exit and 21% of entry transit requests through the Strait of Hormuz, second only to China in exit requests.

2.The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), set up by Iran, processed over 200 non-Iranian vessel applications in three weeks after the June 17 US-Iran peace MoU, with 79% approved.

3.India's high dependence on energy imports via the strait (88% oil, 60% LPG, 50% natural gas) makes this a critical issue for energy security and geopolitical strategy.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · Medium

India's vessels are among the top applicants for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, with 20% of exit requests and 21% of entry requests. This highlights India's heavy dependence on West Asian energy imports (40% crude, 60% LNG, 90% LPG) and the strategic vulnerability of this maritime chokepoint amid US-Iran tensions.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

India's exit share20%

India's entry share21%

PGSA approval rate79%

Avg. processing time50 hours

Tanker share of requests41%

1-Minute Revision

›India's exit share: 20%
›India's entry share: 21%
›Target this Data: India's share of exit transit requests through Strait of Hormuz: 20% (second to China's 21%).
›Target this Data: India's share of entry transit requests: 21% (highest).
›Target this Data: Percentage of India's crude oil imports from West Asia through the strait: 40%.
›Target this Nodal Body: Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) – set up by Iran to regulate strait traffic.

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News Snapshot

🚢

India's Strategic Stake

India's 20-21% share of Strait of Hormuz transit requests reflects its status as a major energy importer, with 40% crude, 60% LNG, and 90% LPG imports coming through this chokepoint.

⚖️

PGSA Regulation

Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) processed over 200 non-Iranian vessel applications in three weeks, approving 79% and mandating use of Iran-designated routes.

🔥

Post-MoU Tensions

After the June 17 US-Iran peace MoU, tensions resurfaced, causing vessel movements to drop sharply from pre-war levels of 140 daily transits to as low as 14 on July 12.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint through which about 20% of global oil and LNG flows. India depends heavily on West Asia for energy: 40% of crude oil, 60% of LNG, and 90% of LPG imports transit this strait. The US-Iran peace MoU on June 17 temporarily eased tensions, but Iran insisted on maintaining control through the newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA).

Core Analysis & Implications

India's 20-21% share of transit requests underscores its vulnerability to any disruption. The PGSA's requirement for permission and designated routes gives Iran significant leverage. The drop from 140 daily transits (pre-war) to 14 on July 12 indicates how quickly conflict can choke supply. India's alternatives (e.g., Oman's route) are limited, and the US proposal for a 20% Navy transit fee was quickly withdrawn, showing the lack of a consensus solution.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The stalemate between Iran and the US over strait governance is likely to persist, with Iran continuing to enforce its routing system. India must diversify energy sources (e.g., Russian oil, domestic renewables) and invest in strategic reserves. The MoU's vagueness and Iran's targeting of vessels using the Omani route suggest that diplomatic and military hedging will be critical for energy security.

Key Facts at a Glance

India's exit share20%

India's entry share21%

PGSA approval rate79%

Avg. processing time50 hours

Tanker share of requests41%

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

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, Banking

Which country established the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) to regulate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC, Banking

Consider the following statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz transit data:

1. India had the highest share of entry transit requests at 21%.

2. China had the highest share of exit transit requests at 21%.

3. The PGSA approved 79% of the transit applications received.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

According to the article, what was the share of tankers among the transit requests received by PGSA?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

Why is the Strait of Hormuz critical for India's energy security, based on the data in the article?

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India Accounts for 20-21% of Strait of Hormuz Transit Requests; PGSA Regulates Passage

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

India's Strategic Stake

PGSA Regulation

Post-MoU Tensions

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance