UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC rejects petition for mandatory ethanol disclosure at pumps

Q1. The National Biofuel Coordination Committee, constituted for overall coordination, effective end-to-end implementation and monitoring of India's biofuel programme, functions under the chairmanship of which one of the following?

  • A. The Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India
  • B. The Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India
  • C. The Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India
  • D. The Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, Government of India

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 as amended in 2022: 1. It advanced the target of 20% blending of ethanol in petrol to Ethanol Supply Year 2025-26 from 2030. 2. It retains a target of 5% blending of biodiesel in diesel by 2030. 3. It permits the use of food grains during a surplus phase, as declared by the National Biofuel Coordination Committee, as feedstock for ethanol. 4. It bars units located in Special Economic Zones and Export Oriented Units from exporting biofuels under any circumstances. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It advanced the target of 20% blending of ethanol in petrol to Ethanol Supply Year 2025-26 from 2030.
  2. It retains a target of 5% blending of biodiesel in diesel by 2030.
  3. It permits the use of food grains during a surplus phase, as declared by the National Biofuel Coordination Committee, as feedstock for ethanol.
  4. It bars units located in Special Economic Zones and Export Oriented Units from exporting biofuels under any circumstances.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1, 2 and 4

Q3. E20 fuel was first launched for retail sale to consumers in India by the Prime Minister at which one of the following events?

  • A. The World Biofuel Day observance held at New Delhi in 2022
  • B. India Energy Week held at Bengaluru in February 2023
  • C. India Energy Week held at New Delhi in February 2025
  • D. Petrotech held at Greater Noida in February 2019

Q4. The Green Mobility Rally flagged off alongside the launch of E20 fuel in 2023, in which 57 vehicles running on E20, E85, flex fuel, hydrogen and electricity participated, was organised on behalf of the oil and gas PSUs by which one of the following?

  • A. Indian Oil Corporation Limited, the country's largest fuel retailer
  • B. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, a Maharatna refining and marketing company
  • C. Engineers India Limited, a Navratna consultancy under the petroleum ministry
  • D. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, a refining and marketing company

Q5. The plea seeking mandatory disclosure of ethanol content at fuel pumps was filed invoking Article 32 of the Constitution, which the Bench declined to entertain. Article 32 provides for which one of the following?

  • A. The power of the High Courts to issue writs for the enforcement of fundamental rights and for other purposes
  • B. The discretionary power to grant special leave to appeal from any judgment or order of any court or tribunal
  • C. The right to move the Supreme Court by appropriate proceedings for the enforcement of fundamental rights
  • D. The power to transfer a case pending before one High Court to another High Court

Q6. With reference to the 2026 petition before the Supreme Court seeking mandatory disclosure of ethanol content in petrol sold at fuel stations, consider the following: 1. The matter was heard by a Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Prasanna B. Varale. 2. The reliefs sought included mandatory and uniform labelling on every dispensing nozzle at fuel stations disclosing the exact percentage of ethanol. 3. The reliefs sought included constitution of an independent expert committee to examine E20 compatibility and its environmental and food-security impacts. 4. Declining to grant relief itself, the Bench transferred the matter to the National Green Tribunal for adjudication. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The matter was heard by a Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Prasanna B. Varale.
  2. The reliefs sought included mandatory and uniform labelling on every dispensing nozzle at fuel stations disclosing the exact percentage of ethanol.
  3. The reliefs sought included constitution of an independent expert committee to examine E20 compatibility and its environmental and food-security impacts.
  4. Declining to grant relief itself, the Bench transferred the matter to the National Green Tribunal for adjudication.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q7. Which one of the following statutes both enumerates a consumer's right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods and services, and provides for a central regulatory authority to act against unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements?

  • A. The Legal Metrology Act, 2009, administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs
  • B. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019, administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs
  • C. The Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs
  • D. The Essential Commodities Act, 1955, administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs

Q8. Consider the following statements about 20% ethanol-blended petrol (E20) in India: 1. The calorific value of E20 is lower than that of E10 by about 3 to 3.5 per cent, and the mileage impact is limited to that extent. 2. Damaged grain, broken rice and food grains unfit for human consumption are among the feedstocks used for ethanol under the programme. 3. E20 is retailed only in metropolitan centres, rural retail outlets having been kept outside the programme. 4. All vehicles manufactured and sold in India since the year 2000 were certified E20-compatible by their manufacturers at the time of sale. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The calorific value of E20 is lower than that of E10 by about 3 to 3.5 per cent, and the mileage impact is limited to that extent.
  2. Damaged grain, broken rice and food grains unfit for human consumption are among the feedstocks used for ethanol under the programme.
  3. E20 is retailed only in metropolitan centres, rural retail outlets having been kept outside the programme.
  4. All vehicles manufactured and sold in India since the year 2000 were certified E20-compatible by their manufacturers at the time of sale.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 1 and 4
  • D. 3 and 4