UPSC Mains Daily Questions » Daily Answer Writing Challenge-5th September

Daily Answer Writing Challenge-5th September

Q1. Petroleum plays an important role in constituting energy security which is the backbone of  a country. But over dependence on energy imports can be a challenge to the energy security  of India. In this context, discuss the initiatives that have been taken to cut down crude oil  imports. (250 Words, 15 Marks) 

Decoding the Question: 

  •  Introduction: Briefly discuss the importance of Petroleum. 
  •  Body: 
  • Discuss the initiatives have been taken to cut down Crude Oil Imports. ❺ Conclusion: 
  • Conclude addressing the significance of boosting petroleum industry. 

Answer: 

India, the world’s third biggest oil consuming and importing nation, spent USD 119.2 billion in 2021- 22, up from USD 62.2 billion in the previous fiscal year. India is 85.5 percent dependent on imports  to meet crude oil needs, has a surplus refining capacity and it exports some petroleum products  but is short on production of cooking gas LPG, which is imported from nations like Saudi Arabia. 

Initiatives Taken by India 

  •  With the vision of reducing hydrocarbon import dependency by 10% by 2022, Hydrocarbon  Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) was launched with the clear objective of boosting the  production of oil & gas in the Indian sedimentary basin. 
  •  Policy for Exploration and exploitation of Coal Bed Methane (CBM) from areas under coal mining  lease allotted to Coal India Limited (CIL) and its subsidiaries. 
  • NITI Aayog launched the India Energy Security Scenarios 2047 calculator (IESS 2047), as an  open source web based tool aimed to explore a range of potential future energy scenarios.
  • India has also built its strategic petroleum reserves in order to meet any supply shocks due to  any external exigencies like wars, natural disasters etc. 
  • The Indo-US Nuclear deal opened new vistas for India in the field of Nuclear energy facilitating  cutting edge technology and nuclear fuel. India has started to engage with China, Kazakhstan  and Australia for nuclear fuel. 
  • The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), or the National Solar Mission, is an  initiative of the Government of India and State Governments to promote solar power in India.
  • National Policy on Biofuels works on setting up of supply chain mechanisms for biodiesel  production from non-edible oilseeds, used cooking oil, short gestation crops in order to reduce  import dependence. 
  • The support provided to electric, hybrid as well as hydrogen fuelled vehicles will further cut  down petroleum dependency. 

India has one of the greatest energy requirements in the world, consuming over 5 million barrels  of oil per day, with a third-largest global refining capacity of 250 mmtpa. India must be self –  reliant in this field if it is to maintain energy security and achieve the goal of providing energy  justice to every one of its citizens.