12.08.2026

Statement I: India imports around 60% of its LPG consumption, with nearly 90% of its traditional imports passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Statement II: In response to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, India increased LPG sourcing from the United States, with U.S. imports reaching 0.77 million metric tonnes in June 2026.

Statement III: In Q1 FY27, India’s domestic LPG production was 4.3 million metric tonnes against consumption of 6.5 million metric tonnes, indicating a persistent domestic supply gap.

Consider the following inferences:

1. India’s dependence on a strategically sensitive maritime chokepoint creates a significant vulnerability to disruptions in its LPG supply chain.
2. The increase in U.S. LPG imports demonstrates that India can completely eliminate its dependence on imported LPG during periods of geopolitical disruption.
3. The domestic production-consumption gap indicates that strengthening domestic LPG production is important for reducing India’s vulnerability to external supply disruptions.

Which one of the following is correct?

Statement I: The SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 provides for Special and Exclusive Special Courts, Special Public Prosecutors, victim rehabilitation and preventive measures by governments and district authorities.

Statement II: The 2015 amendment to the Act primarily dealt with restricting arrests under the Act by introducing a requirement of prior approval before arresting an accused person.

Which of the following is/are correctly associated with the above statements?

1. Institutional and procedural safeguards under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
2. Arrest safeguards introduced through the 2015 amendment

Options

1. The Act provides for establishment of Special Courts for the trial of offences under the Act.
2. The Act applies only to offences committed against members of Scheduled Castes and does not cover Scheduled Tribes.
3. The Act empowers the Central Government to make rules for carrying out its provisions.

Which of the statements given above are correct?