GOVERNMENT / POLITY
Rules & Regulations
Bureau of Indian Standards Formalizes E30 Petrol Norms to Propel Higher Ethanol Blending
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has officially notified the new fuel standards for E22, E25, E27, and E30 petrol, laying down the regulatory pathway for up to 30% ethanol-blended motor fuel.
The new standard, designated as IS 19850:2026, details the specific parameters required for petrol engine vehicles to run safely on higher eco-friendly fuel blends.
E30 fuel specifies a composition of 30% clean ethanol mixed with 70% conventional fossil gasoline, significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
While India's original target was to achieve 20% ethanol blending by 2030, rapid operational progress has advanced the target timeline to the 2025–26 fiscal year.
The new standard, designated as IS 19850:2026, details the specific parameters required for petrol engine vehicles to run safely on higher eco-friendly fuel blends.
E30 fuel specifies a composition of 30% clean ethanol mixed with 70% conventional fossil gasoline, significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
While India's original target was to achieve 20% ethanol blending by 2030, rapid operational progress has advanced the target timeline to the 2025–26 fiscal year.
Key Facts / Static GK
BIS Director General: Pramod Kumar Tiwari
BIS Headquarters: New Delhi
Ethanol is commonly produced from: Sugarcane, maize, and agricultural biomass
BIS Headquarters: New Delhi
Ethanol is commonly produced from: Sugarcane, maize, and agricultural biomass
Practice Quiz — 22 May 2026
Q1. Which of the following statements is correct regarding the newly approved Maritime Investment Fund (MIF)?
Answer: (C) It is a sub-segment of the broader ₹25,000-crore Maritime Development Fund (MDF) managed by SBI Ventures. — The Maritime Investment Fund (MIF) is a ₹20,000 crore fund which is a key component of the broader ₹25,000-crore Maritime Development Fund (MDF) and will be managed by SBI Ventures as a closed-end Category I/II AIF.
Q2. What is the minimum bid size required for banks participating in the RBI's USD-INR buy/sell swap auction?
Answer: (C) USD 10 million — According to the bidding conditions announced by the RBI for the USD-INR swap auction, the minimum bid size must be USD 10 million, with additional bids in multiples of USD 1 million.
Q3. Which crop received the highest absolute Minimum Support Price (MSP) increase for the 2026–27 marketing season?
Answer: (D) Sunflower Seed — Sunflower seed registered the highest absolute increase of ₹622 per quintal, followed by cotton at ₹557 per quintal and sesamum at ₹500 per quintal.
Q4. Who has been assigned the charge of the newly created, first-of-its-kind Cabinet-Level AI portfolio in Kerala?
Answer: (A) P. K. Kunhalikutty — The newly created Artificial Intelligence portfolio in Kerala has been assigned to senior leader P. K. Kunhalikutty as part of the cabinet restructuring under the state government.
Q5. Where is India's first SME-led semiconductor ATMP/OSAT facility located?
Answer: (A) Bhiwadi, Rajasthan — India's first SME-led semiconductor ATMP/OSAT facility has been established in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, by Sahasra Semiconductors Pvt. Ltd.
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