UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC stays HC direction on ethanol allocation

Q1. The 2022 amendment to the National Policy on Biofuels 2018 advanced the deadline for achieving the 20% ethanol blending (E20) target. By how many years was the target brought forward from its original 2030 timeline?

  • A. 3 years
  • B. 4 years
  • C. 5 years
  • D. 8 years

Q2. Public sector Oil Marketing Companies reached the 10% ethanol blending milestone during ESY 2021-22. By how many months ahead of the scheduled target was this achieved?

  • A. 3 months
  • B. 5 months
  • C. 7 months
  • D. 10 months

Q3. In which year was India's Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme first launched?

  • A. 2001
  • B. 2003
  • C. 2018
  • D. 2022

Q4. With respect to the ethanol procurement mechanism for public sector OMCs for ESY 2024-25, consider the following statements: 1. OMCs are advised to accord procurement priority to ethanol from sugarcane juice/sugar/sugar syrup ahead of that from B-heavy molasses. 2. Among the permitted feedstocks, C-heavy molasses commands the highest administered ex-mill price. 3. The administered ethanol procurement prices are approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. OMCs are advised to accord procurement priority to ethanol from sugarcane juice/sugar/sugar syrup ahead of that from B-heavy molasses.
  2. Among the permitted feedstocks, C-heavy molasses commands the highest administered ex-mill price.
  3. The administered ethanol procurement prices are approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Which one of the following bodies approves the administered ex-mill price at which ethanol is procured by public sector Oil Marketing Companies under the EBP Programme?

  • A. National Biofuel Coordination Committee
  • B. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
  • C. Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas alone
  • D. NITI Aayog

Q6. The Supreme Court order of July 2026 directing status quo on ethanol allocation for ESY 2025-26 was passed by a Bench comprising how many judges?

  • A. One
  • B. Two
  • C. Three
  • D. Five

Q7. Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court's engagement with the E20 ethanol policy: 1. In an earlier proceeding the Supreme Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation that had challenged the mandatory rollout of E20 fuel. 2. The July 2026 status-quo order was passed on a Special Leave Petition filed by VINP Distilleries and Sugars. 3. The Karnataka High Court order under challenge had asked OMCs to reconsider ethanol allocation for ESY 2025-26. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. In an earlier proceeding the Supreme Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation that had challenged the mandatory rollout of E20 fuel.
  2. The July 2026 status-quo order was passed on a Special Leave Petition filed by VINP Distilleries and Sugars.
  3. The Karnataka High Court order under challenge had asked OMCs to reconsider ethanol allocation for ESY 2025-26.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. According to the government, what was the approximate cumulative foreign-exchange saving from ethanol blending in petrol between ESY 2014-15 and ESY 2024-25 (up to July 2025)?

  • A. Rs.43,000 crore
  • B. Rs.1,25,000 crore
  • C. Rs.1,44,087 crore
  • D. Rs.2,45,000 crore

Q9. Under the National Policy on Biofuels 2018, the conversion of surplus food grains (such as FCI rice) into ethanol during a period of projected over-supply requires the approval of which body?

  • A. Food Corporation of India
  • B. Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
  • C. National Biofuel Coordination Committee
  • D. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs

Q10. Consider the following statements about ethanol blending and farmer incomes: 1. At 20% blending, ethanol procurement is expected to channel about Rs.40,000 crore to farmers in the current year. 2. Since ESY 2014-15, the EBP Programme has enabled payments of over Rs.1,25,000 crore to farmers up to July 2025. 3. The administered ethanol procurement prices for OMCs are revised each ESY by the Reserve Bank of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. At 20% blending, ethanol procurement is expected to channel about Rs.40,000 crore to farmers in the current year.
  2. Since ESY 2014-15, the EBP Programme has enabled payments of over Rs.1,25,000 crore to farmers up to July 2025.
  3. The administered ethanol procurement prices for OMCs are revised each ESY by the Reserve Bank of India.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. With reference to the environmental effects of ethanol blending, consider the following: 1. A NITI Aayog study found GHG emissions from sugarcane-based ethanol are about 65% lower than petrol. 2. GHG emissions from maize-based ethanol are about 50% lower than petrol. 3. E20 reduces carbon monoxide emissions by roughly 30-50% compared to neat petrol. 4. Ethanol blending supports India's commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. A NITI Aayog study found GHG emissions from sugarcane-based ethanol are about 65% lower than petrol.
  2. GHG emissions from maize-based ethanol are about 50% lower than petrol.
  3. E20 reduces carbon monoxide emissions by roughly 30-50% compared to neat petrol.
  4. Ethanol blending supports India's commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4