IGoM on West Asia: India has 60 days of crude and gas, 45 days of LPG stock

India’s energy and fertiliser stock position during the West Asia conflict: what happened?

The West Asia conflict has pushed crude prices very high for over 70 days. India has kept retail fuel prices steady, but someone pays. The IGoM is the ministers’ group that tracks stocks and supply lines.

• India is the world’s third largest oil refiner and fourth largest exporter of petroleum products, to over 150 countries.
• In many nations fuel prices rose 30 to 70 per cent.
• The PM’s appeal of 10 May: use public transport, car-pool, avoid non-essential foreign travel and gold buying for a year, cut chemical fertiliser use by 50 per cent.
• Finance Ministry: the crisis can be treated as war for force majeure; deadlines extendable by 2 to 4 months from 28 February 2026.

What is ECLGS 5.0?

• The Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme 5.0, approved on 5 May 2026, targets additional credit of ₹2,55,000 crore with 100% guarantee cover for MSMEs and 90% for non-MSMEs and airlines.

What is the fertiliser stock position?

Kharif 2026 requirement: 390.54 LMT; current stock is more than 51% of it, against a usual level of about 33%.

Why does India’s energy and fertiliser stock position during the West Asia conflict matter?

What are the challenges in India’s energy and fertiliser stock position during the West Asia conflict?

• Domestic urea production after the crisis (46.28 LT) is below last year’s 54.98 LT.
• Holding retail prices steady piles up OMC losses.
• Stock cover in days falls fast if the conflict drags on.

What should be done next on India’s energy and fertiliser stock position during the West Asia conflict?

• Re-evaluate strategic reserve needs and diversify suppliers.
• Speed up renewables and energy efficiency to cut oil dependence.
• Build crisis anticipation and scenario planning across ministries.

What can Prelims ask on India’s energy and fertiliser stock position during the West Asia conflict?

• IGoM: 60 days crude, 60 days gas, 45 days LPG; forex $703 billion.
• India: third largest oil refiner, fourth largest exporter of petroleum products.
• ECLGS 5.0: ₹2,55,000 crore; 100% cover for MSMEs.

How to write about India’s energy and fertiliser stock position during the West Asia conflict in Mains

Practice question (15 marks, 250 words): What does the West Asia crisis of 2026 reveal about India’s energy security buffers? Suggest measures to strengthen them.

• Intro: IGoM stock figures.
• Buffers: stock days, forex, refining strength.
• Costs: OMC losses, fertiliser output dip.
• Measures: SPR, diversification, renewables, demand-side conservation.
• Conclusion.