Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme- Q&A

The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas clarified the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme, outlining its two‑decade evolution from a pilot in 2001 to a 20 % blend (E20) mandated from April 2026. Key milestones include the 2013 policy notification, the 2018 National Biofuels Policy, and the 2021 Expressions of Interest for Dedicated Ethanol Plants that secured long‑term purchase agreements and tripartite financing. Blending levels rose from ~8.1 % in ESY 2020‑21 to 20 % in ESY 2025‑26. The programme has saved about ₹1.97 lakh crore in foreign exchange, substituted ~316 lakh MT of crude, cut CO₂ emissions by ~952 lakh MT and transferred over ₹1.66 lakh crore to farmers.