Parliament Question: Production and Sufficiency of Ethanol from Non-Sugarcane Sources

**Executive Summary** This document presents the response to Unstarred Question No. 2156 in Lok Sabha regarding the production and sufficiency of ethanol from non-sugarcane sources, addressed on February 12, 2026. The response outlines the government's initiatives to promote ethanol blending, its advancements, and current ethanol production status. It affirms that the country's ethanol production capacity is sufficient to meet the 20% blending target. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Government Initiatives & Targets:** * Government has been promoting ethanol blending in petrol under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme. * The National Policy on Biofuels – 2018 (amended in 2022) advanced the target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol from 2030 to Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025–26 (November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2026). * **Progress:** * The 20% blending target was achieved in December 2025 due to concerted government efforts. * Ethanol blending with petrol has increased significantly, from 38 crore litres in ESY 2013-14 to over 1000 crore litres in ESY 2024-25. * **Ethanol Production:** * The Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020-25, prepared by NITI Aayog, estimated the ethanol requirement for 20% blending in ESY 2025-26 to be about 1016 crore litres, with approximately 466 crore litres projected from non-sugar based sources. * Offers from non-sugar based ethanol producers have exceeded projections. * Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) floated tenders for approximately 1050 crore litres of ethanol. Eligible offers received aggregated to 1759 crore litres. * About 760 crore litres have been allocated from non-sugar based sources by OMCs. * **Sufficiency:** * The country's ethanol production capacity is sufficient to achieve and sustain the target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol. **Impact Analysis** **Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs)** * **Impact:** OMCs are involved in the procurement and allocation of ethanol for blending with petrol. They are floating tenders for procurement of approximately 1050 crore litres of ethanol for blending in petrol. * **Action Required:** OMCs need to continue procuring and allocating ethanol, especially from non-sugar based sources, to meet the 20% blending target. **Ethanol Producers (Especially Non-Sugar based)** * **Impact:** Non-sugar based ethanol producers are seeing increased demand for their product. Actual offers from them have exceeded projections. * **Action Required:** These producers need to ramp up their production capacity to meet the increasing demand. **Consumers** * **Impact:** The promotion of ethanol blending in petrol affects consumers directly. * **Action Required:** There is no direct action required from the consumers. **Government** * **Impact:** The document shows that government initiatives have been successful in promoting ethanol blending and achieving the 20% target. * **Action Required:** The government needs to continue supporting and monitoring the EBP program to ensure the sustained achievement of the blending target.

Key Entities Referenced