UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Government Brings SAF-Blended Aviation Fuel Under ATF Control Order

Q1. With reference to the Aviation Turbine Fuel (Regulation of Marketing) Amendment Order, 2026, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It was issued under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
  2. It brings SAF-blended aviation turbine fuel within the regulatory ambit of the ATF Control Order, 2001.
  3. It was notified by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
  4. It updates enforcement provisions to align with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 3 and 4

Q2. How many distinct Bureau of Indian Standards (IS) specifications are referenced in the amended definition of aviation turbine fuel under the 2026 Amendment Order to the ATF Control Order?

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

Q3. The SAF blending targets announced by the Government (1% in 2027, 2% in 2028 and 5% in 2030) are best described as which one of the following?

  • A. Mandatory volumetric blending percentages applicable to all flights operating in Indian airspace
  • B. Indicative blending targets applicable initially to international flights
  • C. Mandatory targets applicable only to domestic scheduled flights
  • D. Voluntary targets applicable only to cargo aircraft

Q4. As per India's indicative SAF blending roadmap for international flights, the 5% SAF blending target is set to be achieved by which year?

  • A. 2027
  • B. 2028
  • C. 2030
  • D. 2035

Q5. With reference to the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It was adopted under the aegis of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
  2. Its pilot and first phases are voluntary, while the phase beginning in 2027 is mandatory for member states.
  3. Under it, airlines may meet their obligations either by using SAF or by purchasing carbon credits from ICAO-approved Emissions Unit Programmes.
  4. India participated in both the pilot and voluntary phases of CORSIA.
  • A. 1 and 4
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 3 and 4

Q6. CORSIA, as implemented by ICAO, is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A global market-based measure to offset CO2 emissions from international aviation
  • B. A treaty that completely bans the use of all fossil-based jet fuel worldwide
  • C. A scheme that mandates electric propulsion for every new commercial aircraft
  • D. A multilateral fund exclusively financing domestic airport infrastructure

Q7. Consider the following statements comparing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) with conventional aviation turbine fuel (ATF). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. SAF is chemically similar to conventional ATF and is drop-in compatible with existing aircraft engines.
  2. SAF can be produced from feedstocks such as used cooking oil, agricultural waste and municipal solid waste, unlike petroleum-based ATF.
  3. SAF offers no reduction in lifecycle greenhouse-gas emissions compared with conventional ATF.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. The Indian Standard specifications (such as IS 17081 for SAF and IS 1571 for ATF) to which aviation turbine fuel must conform are laid down by which of the following bodies?

  • A. Bureau of Indian Standards
  • B. Directorate General of Civil Aviation
  • C. International Civil Aviation Organization
  • D. ASTM International

Q9. IndianOil's Panipat Refinery became the first in India to secure 'ISCC CORSIA certification' for SAF. This certification essentially attests that the SAF produced meets which of the following?

  • A. International sustainability and lifecycle carbon-emission criteria recognised under ICAO's CORSIA
  • B. An exemption from all Bureau of Indian Standards specifications
  • C. A requirement that it be used only in military aircraft
  • D. A confirmation that it is chemically different from ATF and not drop-in compatible

Q10. Which one of the following became India's first producer of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, securing SAF certification at its refinery?

  • A. Bharat Petroleum Corporation, Mumbai Refinery
  • B. IndianOil Corporation, Panipat Refinery
  • C. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, Visakhapatnam Refinery
  • D. Reliance Industries, Jamnagar Refinery

Q11. Consider the following statements regarding the regulation of aviation turbine fuel in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The marketing, quality and supply of aviation turbine fuel is regulated by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, not the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
  2. The ATF (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001 derives its statutory authority from the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
  3. Aviation turbine fuel, being a petroleum product, falls outside the list of essential commodities under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q12. Which of the following are correctly identified as essential commodities under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955?

  1. Petroleum and petroleum products
  2. Fertilisers
  3. Drugs
  4. Precious metals such as gold
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4