UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Draft rules for roll-out of Ethanol 85 fuel to be notified soon

Q1. In India's ethanol-fuel nomenclature, the E85 grade is defined by an upper limit of ethanol content. What is this maximum ethanol proportion (by volume) in E85 fuel?

  • A. 20 per cent
  • B. 27 per cent
  • C. 85 per cent
  • D. 100 per cent

Q2. With reference to India's ethanol-blending programme, which one of the following best describes 'E27'?

  • A. Petrol blended with up to 27% ethanol, permitted as a higher-blend extension within the E20 fuel-grade framework
  • B. A wholly separate fuel grade meant only for dedicated flex-fuel vehicles
  • C. A near-pure ethanol fuel with an octane rating of 100–105
  • D. A blend of 27% ethanol in high-speed diesel for heavy vehicles

Q3. With reference to milestones in India's ethanol-blending trajectory, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. India achieved about 12% average ethanol blending in Ethanol Supply Year 2022-23.
  2. The NITI Aayog roadmap recommended availability of E10 fuel by April 2022.
  3. India crossed 25% average ethanol blending in Ethanol Supply Year 2023-24.
  4. The 20% (E20) blending milestone was reached in December 2025.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 1 and 3
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. In the context of India's ethanol-blending programme, which one of the following best describes the role of the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI)?

  • A. Conducting vehicle and engine compatibility studies for higher ethanol blends
  • B. Notifying fuel-quality standards and specifications for blended fuels
  • C. Acting as the nodal ministry for the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme
  • D. Fixing the procurement price of ethanol supplied to oil marketing companies

Q5. With reference to the roles of different bodies in India's ethanol-blending programme, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is the nodal ministry, whereas the Bureau of Indian Standards frames fuel-quality specifications.
  2. NITI Aayog authored the 'Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020-25', whereas ARAI studies engine compatibility for higher blends.
  3. The Bureau of Indian Standards carries out engine-compatibility testing, whereas ARAI notifies the fuel-quality specifications.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. As per the draft rules being finalised for E85 roll-out, E85 is best characterised as which one of the following?

  • A. A wholly separate fuel grade requiring dispensing infrastructure distinct from E20 pumps
  • B. A permissible higher blend within the existing E20 grade needing no separate infrastructure
  • C. A blended diesel grade intended for commercial freight vehicles
  • D. A near-pure ethanol grade identical in specification to E100

Q7. In the context of the 2026 E85 roll-out, the fuel was first launched at 48 retail outlets of 'Public Sector OMCs'. The term 'OMCs' here refers to which one of the following?

  • A. State-owned Oil Marketing Companies that retail petroleum products
  • B. Private ethanol distilleries supplying feedstock to refineries
  • C. Sugar-cooperative mills that produce molasses-based ethanol
  • D. Accredited laboratories that certify fuel quality

Q8. Which one of the following best describes a 'Flex-Fuel Vehicle' (FFV) in the Indian ethanol-blending context?

  • A. A vehicle whose engine can run on petrol as well as varying ethanol blends up to E85/E100
  • B. A vehicle that can run only on E85 fuel and no other blend
  • C. A vehicle combining an internal-combustion engine with a battery-electric drivetrain
  • D. A vehicle designed exclusively for a compressed natural gas and petrol bi-fuel system

Q9. With reference to ethanol blending in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) in India, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. India has a target of 1% ethanol blending in ATF for international flights.
  2. This aviation blending target is aligned with the ICAO framework.
  3. The target applies to Aviation Turbine Fuel (jet fuel) rather than to petrol.
  4. This ATF ethanol-blending target is administered under the World Trade Organization.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q10. With reference to the impact of high-ethanol E85 fuel relative to conventional petrol, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Flex-fuel vehicles running on E85 can cut lifecycle greenhouse-gas emissions by about 61% compared with conventional petrol vehicles.
  2. Unlike E20, E85 can be used in existing standard petrol-engine vehicles without any engine modification.
  3. Higher ethanol blending is expected to reduce crude-oil imports and save foreign exchange relative to conventional petrol.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3