Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme- Q&A

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas had already issued a detailed clarification on the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme through a press release on 23rd June, 2026, addressing the misinformation and providing factual clarifications. Automobile manufacturers also issued clarifications regarding the programme during a press conference held on 4th July, 2026. Despite these clarifications, certain concerns have continued to be raised regarding the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme.

Source

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Quick Revision

Prelims-testable facts

01The Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme aims to integrate up to 20% ethanol in petrol.
02The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued a clarification on the programme through a press release on 23rd June, 2026.
03A landmark step came in August 2021 when India's Oil Marketing Companies issued Expressions of Interest for establishing Dedicated Ethanol Plants (DEPs).
04India's Oil Marketing Companies IOCL, BPCL and HPCL are involved in the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme.
05The central government has exempted petrol blended with 22% to 30% ethanol from central excise duty to promote biofuel adoption.
06The Indian government increased the allocation of surplus broken rice from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for the ethanol blending programme.
07Automobile manufacturers issued clarifications regarding the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme during a press conference on 4th July, 2026.

Trap alerts

Most people think that India's ethanol blending targets were set to match those of Brazil, but actually, India's Oil Marketing Companies took a landmark step in August 2021 to establish Dedicated Ethanol Plants (DEPs).
Most people think that consumers can buy pure petrol or E10/E20 blends, but actually, the current programme integrates up to 20% ethanol in petrol without offering separate options.
Most people think that older vehicles are incompatible with higher ethanol blends, but actually, the central government has exempted petrol blended with 22-30% ethanol from central excise duty.

Prelims Practice MCQs

Single facteasy

When did India's Oil Marketing Companies issue Expressions of Interest for establishing Dedicated Ethanol Plants (DEPs)?

A.August 2020
B.August 2021
C.September 2022
D.July 2023

India's Oil Marketing Companies issued Expressions of Interest for establishing Dedicated Ethanol Plants (DEPs) in August 2021, transforming the investment landscape.

Multiple statementsmedium

Consider the following statements regarding Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme: 1. India's Oil Marketing Companies (IOCL, BPCL and HPCL) issued Expressions of Interest for establishing Dedicated Ethanol Plants (DEPs) in ethanol-deficit regions in August 2021. 2. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued a clarification on the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme through a press release on 23rd June, 2025. 3. Automobile manufacturers issued clarifications regarding the programme during a press conference held on 4th July, 2027. How many of the above statements are correct?

A.Only one
B.Only two
C.All three
D.None

The first statement is true because it accurately reports that IOCL, BPCL and HPCL issued Expressions of Interest for establishing Dedicated Ethanol Plants (DEPs) in August 2021. The second statement is false because the press release was actually issued on 23rd June, 2026, not 2025. The third statement is false because the press conference was held on 4th July, 2026, not 2027.

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