India Holds Less Than 10 Days’ Worth of Strategic Oil Reserves! RTI Reveals Details

New Delhi: Amidst ongoing conflicts, significant information has come to light. In a response to an RTI query directed at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, it was stated that due to disruptions in imports, India’s strategic crude oil reserves are currently sufficient to meet the country’s requirements for “approximately 9.5 days” only.

The RTI response further notes that the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) program was first approved on January 7, 2004, and the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) was established on June 16, 2004, to implement it. Currently, India possesses a total SPR storage capacity of 5.33 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) across three locations: Visakhapatnam (1.33 MMT), Mangaluru (1.5 MMT), and Padur (2.5 MMT).

What Did the Government Say Regarding Strategic Petroleum Reserves?
In a statement delivered in the Rajya Sabha on March 23, 2026, the government stated that ISPRL currently holds a crude oil stock of approximately 3.372 MMT, which constitutes about 64% of the total storage capacity. The RTI report further adds that figures regarding general oil reserves fluctuate continuously, depending on the prevailing levels of stock and consumption.

The RTI response also reveals that in July 2021, the government approved the expansion of the SPR network, authorizing the development of two additional facilities for emergency oil reserves: one at Chandikhol (Odisha) with a capacity of 4 MMT, and another at Padur (Karnataka) with a capacity of 2.5 MMT.

How ​​Do Strategic Oil Reserves Differ from General Oil Reserves?
Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) consist of oil stocks stored underground by the government specifically to address emergency situations—such as war, natural disasters, or disruptions in supply. This ensures the country’s energy security. Simply put, it serves as an emergency oil reserve for India. In contrast, standard crude oil inventories are maintained by refineries for commercial purposes (such as the production of petrol and diesel).

What is India’s Total Crude Oil Reserve?
According to media reports, India possesses a combined total of 60 to 70 days’ worth of petroleum, unrefined crude oil, and emergency reserves. Furthermore, speaking in Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed that India holds adequate oil reserves. On Monday, Junior Petroleum Minister Suresh Gopi stated that, taking all fuel types into account, India currently possesses a total energy reserve equivalent to 74 days.