RAS question
What level did Brent crude oil reach in April 2026 due to West Asia tensions?
Correct answer: (D) Above $100/barrel.
In April 2026, Brent crude rose above $100 per barrel, with Gulf News reporting it at about $111.2 as West Asia and Hormuz tensions rattled energy markets.
Explanation
Brent crude crossed the highest threshold in the options: above $100 per barrel. The cited Gulf News report says that, on April 29, 2026, oil prices kept rising because markets were worried about tanker risks around the Strait of Hormuz and the wider geopolitical deadlock in the Middle East. It reported Brent crude at about $111.2, nearly 3% higher, while WTI was close to $100. This fits the explanation that West Asia tensions damaged oil-supply sentiment and pushed Brent to multi-month highs. For India, such conflict-driven oil spikes matter because costlier crude can raise the import bill and add inflationary pressure.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Above $70/barrel understates the move, because the verified report placed Brent much higher, at about $111.2.
- (B) Above $80/barrel is also too low, since Brent had already crossed the $100 threshold in the cited April 2026 report.
- (C) Above $90/barrel misses the highest listed threshold crossed by Brent, which the source reported above $111.
Concept
This tests the Indian Economy link between global crude-oil shocks and domestic macroeconomic pressure. It recurs in RAS because West Asia supply risks directly affect India's import bill and inflation outlook.