← 20 October 2026's Current Affairs · Economy GA Prelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★★☆☆
Government halts sugarcane-based ethanol diversion
ଖବରରେ କାହିଁକି?
Sugar diverted to fuel, then halted: the ethanol blending feedstock list GS-III Agriculture tests
Oil marketing companies told to cut sugar diversion for ethanol, pausing sugarcane-based supplies.
Why it matters: factual, Prelims-type
What you need to know
2 ମିନିଟ
The government has directed oil marketing companies to cut the diversion of sugar to ethanol, effectively halting sugarcane-based ethanol diversion for now.
The step bears on the ethanol blending programme, which draws on sugarcane juice, syrup and molasses as feedstock, and on sugar availability in the domestic market.
ଉତ୍ସ: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
ମୁଖ୍ୟ ତଥ୍ୟ
Remember these
- Oil marketing companies (OMCs) have been told to cut the diversion of sugar to ethanol, pausing sugarcane-based supplies for now.
- Ethanol blending programme feedstocks include sugarcane juice, sugar syrup and molasses (B-heavy and C-heavy).
- Ethanol is blended with petrol under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme; India's target was 20% blending (E20).
- Sugar diverted to ethanol reduces domestic sugar availability, linking energy policy with food security.
- The National Policy on Biofuels (2018) allows ethanol production from sugarcane juice, molasses and surplus food grains.
ପ୍ରିଲିମ୍ସ · ମେନ୍ସ
How the exam will ask it
ପ୍ରିଲିମ୍ସ
- Ethanol for blending in India can be produced from sugarcane juice, sugar syrup and molasses, as well as grains such as maize and damaged foodgrains.
- Molasses is a by-product of sugar manufacturing and is a major feedstock for ethanol production.
- Oil marketing companies procure ethanol for blending with petrol under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme.
- The National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 provides for the Ethanol Blended Petrol programme and expands feedstock options.
ମେନ୍ସ
GS-III (Agriculture, bio-energy, food security): diverting sugarcane to ethanol supports energy security and farmer incomes, but it competes with domestic sugar supply and prices. The EBP programme and National Policy on Biofuels 2018 promote multiple feedstocks, so the way forward is a calibrated diversion policy, a shift towards grain and surplus-based ethanol, and better water-efficient cane management.
Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
The Sumatran orangutan, a rescued juvenile of which was repatriated by India to Indonesia, is categorised on the IUCN Red List as:
- Categorised as Endangered
- Categorised as Critically Endangered
- Categorised as Vulnerable
- Categorised as Near Threatened
ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଖନ୍ତୁ
ଉତ୍ତର: B — The correct answer is Categorised as Critically Endangered. The Sumatran orangutan is listed as Critically Endangered because of habitat loss and poaching.
Convert this topic into marks
Today's 10-MCQ test · instant analysis · Powered by AdaptIQ