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India's Strategic Petroleum Reserve at 5.3 MMT, Aims for 6.5 MMT Amid West Asia Crisis; Oil Imports Diversified to 41 Countries

EconomyIntl. RelationsInfrastructureHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
24 Mar 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:5.3 million metric tonnes6.5 million metric tonnes41 countries27 countries3.75 lakh Indians1 crore Indians
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What This Article Covers

1.PM Modi informed the Rajya Sabha that India has built a strategic petroleum reserve of 5.3 million metric tonnes (MMT) and is working towards 6.5 MMT to mitigate the energy crisis caused by the West Asia conflict.

2.India has diversified its energy import sources from 27 to 41 countries and is using diplomacy to ensure the safe passage of oil and gas vessels, particularly through the critical Strait of Hormuz.

3.The government has formed seven new empowered inter-ministerial groups on supply chains, fuel, inflation, energy, and long-term strategy, mirroring the pandemic response structure, to manage the economic impact.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Rajya Sabha on India's energy security strategy amidst the West Asia conflict. He detailed the expansion of strategic petroleum reserves to 5.3 million metric tonnes (MMT) and plans to reach 6.5 MMT, alongside diversifying crude oil imports from 27 to 41 countries to ensure supply continuity.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Current Strategic Petroleum Reserve5.3 million metric tonnes (MMT)
Target Strategic Petroleum ReserveMore than 6.5 MMT
Oil Import Source Countries (Now vs Past)41 countries (up from 27)
Indians Returned from Gulf3.75 lakh (since conflict began)
Indians in Gulf Countries1 crore (approx.)
New Empowered Groups Formed7 groups

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Current Strategic Petroleum Reserve: 5.3 million metric tonnes (MMT)
  • ›Target Strategic Petroleum Reserve: More than 6.5 MMT
  • ›Target this Data: Current SPR capacity (5.3 MMT) and target (6.5+ MMT).
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: The inter-ministerial empowered groups formed for crisis management.
  • ›Target this Geo-strategic Point: The Strait of Hormuz as a critical global oil chokepoint.

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Q1Static LinkageMedium

Which of the following bodies is primarily responsible for building and managing India's Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR)?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding India's energy security as mentioned in the news:

1. India's strategic petroleum reserve capacity has been developed to over 5.3 million metric tonnes in the last 11 years.

2. India currently imports crude oil and LNG from 27 different countries, down from 41 countries previously.

3. The government has constituted seven new empowered groups to manage the impact of the West Asia crisis on supply chains and inflation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricEasy

According to Prime Minister Modi's statement in the Rajya Sabha, what is the current capacity of India's strategic petroleum reserves that has been developed?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What was the primary objective of India's diplomatic outreach regarding the West Asia conflict, as highlighted by PM Modi?

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