Oil marketing companies (OMCs) received 987 crore litres of ethanol in Ethanol Supply Year 2025-26 till September 2026. These figures come from All India Distillers’ Association (AIDA) data, reported on 15 October 2026. The total allocation for the year stands at 1,197 crore litres. So, overall fulfilment reached 82.5%. Notably, maize emerged as the largest single feedstock, with more than 41% of all receipts.
Maize Leads the Grain Basket
Maize supplied 413 crore litres against an allocation of 614 crore litres. Next, surplus rice from the Food Corporation of India gave 222 crore litres against 233 crore litres. Also, damaged food grains added 70 crore litres, above their allocation of 60 crore litres. Altogether, grain-based ethanol reached 705 crore litres against an allocation of 908 crore litres. As a result, grain-based fulfilment stood at 77.6%. Moreover, grains formed 71.4% of total receipts.
Sugar-Based Feedstocks Near Target
Sugar-based sources supplied 282 crore litres against an allocation of 289 crore litres. Thus, their fulfilment reached 97.6%. Within this, sugarcane juice gave 151 crore litres, while B-heavy molasses gave 115 crore litres. Also, C-heavy molasses contributed 16 crore litres, above its allocation of 12 crore litres.
A Shift Towards Grain Ethanol
Earlier, sugarcane molasses and juice formed the backbone of ethanol supply in India. However, grains now supply more than two-thirds of the fuel. Therefore, ethanol policy now links closely with maize output and FCI rice stocks.
About the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme
The Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme mixes ethanol with petrol to cut crude imports and emissions. Notably, an ethanol supply year runs from November to October. Moreover, the National Policy on Biofuels, 2018, allows grains, molasses and sugarcane juice as feedstocks. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas oversees the programme with the OMCs.
Ethanol Supply Year 2025-26: Key Facts for Revision
- Total receipts: 987 crore litres till end-September 2026
- Total allocation: 1,197 crore litres; fulfilment 82.5%
- Maize: 413 crore litres (over 41%) against 614 crore litres allocated
- Grain-based total: 705 crore litres (71.4%); fulfilment 77.6%
- FCI rice: 222 crore litres
- Sugar-based total: 282 crore litres; fulfilment 97.6%
- Data source: All India Distillers’ Association (AIDA)
Why Ethanol Supply Year 2025-26 Matters for UPSC and UKPSC
Notably, ethanol blending links energy security, farm income and climate goals. So, remember the total receipts, the maize share and the grain-based fulfilment. Also, link these numbers with the National Policy on Biofuels and the E20 target. For official updates, also visit Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Next, for a related story, read about E20 petrol facts.
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