UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Ethanol Blending in India

Q1. With reference to India's Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme and its blending targets, consider the following: 1. The programme was launched in 2003. 2. The 20% ethanol blending (E20) target was achieved in Ethanol Supply Year 2025-26. 3. The original deadline for the 20% blending target was 2030. 4. The nodal ministry for the programme is the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The programme was launched in 2003.
  2. The 20% ethanol blending (E20) target was achieved in Ethanol Supply Year 2025-26.
  3. The original deadline for the 20% blending target was 2030.
  4. The nodal ministry for the programme is the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
  • A. 1 and 4 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. With reference to the progress of ethanol blending in India between Ethanol Supply Year 2013-14 and ESY 2025-26, consider the following statements: 1. Ethanol blending in petrol rose from below 1.5% to 20% between these two periods. 2. Ethanol procurement rose from about 38 crore litres to over 1,200 crore litres (projected) between these two periods. 3. The E20 target was achieved a full decade ahead of the schedule fixed by the amended National Policy on Biofuels. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Ethanol blending in petrol rose from below 1.5% to 20% between these two periods.
  2. Ethanol procurement rose from about 38 crore litres to over 1,200 crore litres (projected) between these two periods.
  3. The E20 target was achieved a full decade ahead of the schedule fixed by the amended National Policy on Biofuels.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. The Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme in India is administered under the authority of which one of the following nodal ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
  • B. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • C. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
  • D. Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

Q4. Under the EBP Programme, which one of the following is the primary body responsible for procuring ethanol and undertaking its blending and retail sale as ethanol-blended petrol?

  • A. Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies
  • B. Food Corporation of India
  • C. National Biofuel Coordination Committee
  • D. Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI)

Q5. With reference to the feedstocks approved for producing ethanol for India's blending programme, consider the following: 1. Sugarcane-based B-heavy molasses 2. Jatropha seeds 3. Surplus rice available with the Food Corporation of India 4. Maize Which of the above is/are correctly identified as approved ethanol feedstocks?

  1. Sugarcane-based B-heavy molasses
  2. Jatropha seeds
  3. Surplus rice available with the Food Corporation of India
  4. Maize
  • A. 1 and 4 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. According to the PIB backgrounder on ethanol blending, ethanol for the EBP Programme is primarily produced from how many principal feedstock crops?

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

Q7. With reference to E85 fuel and flex-fuel vehicles in India, consider the following: 1. E85 comprises about 80–85% ethanol. 2. Flex-fuel vehicles can operate on blends ranging from E20 to E100. 3. E85 was rolled out at 48 retail outlets of public sector Oil Marketing Companies. 4. E85 is priced nearly ₹20 per litre higher than conventional petrol. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. E85 comprises about 80–85% ethanol.
  2. Flex-fuel vehicles can operate on blends ranging from E20 to E100.
  3. E85 was rolled out at 48 retail outlets of public sector Oil Marketing Companies.
  4. E85 is priced nearly ₹20 per litre higher than conventional petrol.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 4 only

Q8. With reference to the vehicle-compliance timeline recommended in India's ethanol blending roadmap, consider the following: 1. E20-tuned vehicles were to be rolled out across the country from April 2025. 2. E10 was to be made available pan-India as a 'protection fuel' from April 2022. 3. A gradual rollout of E20 was recommended from April 2023 onwards. 4. E20-tuned vehicles were mandated nationwide from April 2020. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. E20-tuned vehicles were to be rolled out across the country from April 2025.
  2. E10 was to be made available pan-India as a 'protection fuel' from April 2022.
  3. A gradual rollout of E20 was recommended from April 2023 onwards.
  4. E20-tuned vehicles were mandated nationwide from April 2020.
  • A. 1 and 4 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. With reference to the 'Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020-25', consider the following: 1. It was prepared by an Expert Committee of NITI Aayog. 2. It recommended that ethanol blending must never, under any circumstances, exceed 10%. 3. It was released in June 2021. 4. It projected ethanol demand for petrol blending in the range of 722–921 crore litres in 2025. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It was prepared by an Expert Committee of NITI Aayog.
  2. It recommended that ethanol blending must never, under any circumstances, exceed 10%.
  3. It was released in June 2021.
  4. It projected ethanol demand for petrol blending in the range of 722–921 crore litres in 2025.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q10. With reference to the growth and economic impact of India's ethanol programme (up to ESY 2025-26), consider the following: 1. Ethanol production capacity grew from 421 crore litres in 2014 to about 2,000 crore litres in 2026. 2. Foreign exchange worth over ₹1.90 lakh crore has been saved since ESY 2014-15. 3. Additional farmer earnings under the programme exceed ₹1.60 lakh crore. 4. Crude oil substituted under the programme stands at over 310 crore metric tonnes. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Ethanol production capacity grew from 421 crore litres in 2014 to about 2,000 crore litres in 2026.
  2. Foreign exchange worth over ₹1.90 lakh crore has been saved since ESY 2014-15.
  3. Additional farmer earnings under the programme exceed ₹1.60 lakh crore.
  4. Crude oil substituted under the programme stands at over 310 crore metric tonnes.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 4 only

Q11. With reference to clarifications issued in the PIB backgrounder addressing concerns about 20% ethanol blending, consider the following: 1. Use of E20 fuel has no impact on the validity of a vehicle's insurance in India. 2. E20 fuel damages the metal and plastic components of all categories of vehicles. 3. E20 lowers carbon emissions by approximately 30% compared to E10 fuel. 4. Ethanol testing and validation involves agencies such as SIAM, ARAI and IOCL. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Use of E20 fuel has no impact on the validity of a vehicle's insurance in India.
  2. E20 fuel damages the metal and plastic components of all categories of vehicles.
  3. E20 lowers carbon emissions by approximately 30% compared to E10 fuel.
  4. Ethanol testing and validation involves agencies such as SIAM, ARAI and IOCL.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4