Updates on Key Sectors in View of Developments in West Asia

📌 Summary:

• India's Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas reports 100% domestic supply maintained despite Strait of Hormuz closure by Iran

• DAC-based LPG cylinder deliveries increased to over 94.5% to prevent diversion; PSU OMCs organised 8,770+ awareness camps for 5 Kg FTL cylinders

• Over 7,000 MT of propylene sold by Mumbai, Kochi, Vizag, Chennai and Mathura refineries to Chemical & Pharma Industry since April 9

• All Indian seafarers in the region are safe; no incident involving Indian-flagged vessels reported in the past 24 hours

• Indian nationals advised to avoid travelling to Iran; 2,443 Indian nationals evacuated from Iran through land border routes with Indian Embassy's support

• Citizens advised: no panic-buying of petrol/diesel/LPG; use digital booking platforms; conserve energy; use alternate fuels (PNG, electric/induction cooktops)

• Government preparedness measures include strategic petroleum reserve deployment and enhanced coordination among PSU OMCs

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 — Energy Security; GS2 — Diaspora Protection (Indian nationals abroad). Also relevant for essay on geopolitical risks to energy security.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• DAC: Delivery at Customer's doorstep for LPG

• PSU OMCs: Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum

• Strait of Hormuz: ~20% of global oil trade passes through it; Iran closed it following US-Israeli attack

🔑 Key Term: Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) — emergency crude oil stockpiles maintained by governments to cushion supply disruptions; India has SPRs at Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru, and Padur.