Image used for representational purposes. File
| Photo Credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

The government has not yet decided to raise ethanol blending in petrol beyond the current 20% level, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi told the Rajya Sabha on Monday (July 20, 2026), adding that any future increase would follow further scientific study and consultation with industry.

“So far, no decision has been taken by the government for increasing ethanol blending with petrol beyond 20%,” Mr. Gopi said in a written reply to a question. Any move higher would come “only after detailed scientific and technical studies and consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including automobile manufacturers, Oil Marketing Companies and research institutions,” he said.

Mr. Gopi said India reached the 20% blending target five years ahead of schedule, with average blending rising from about 1.53% in 2013-14 to 20% in the 2025-26 supply year, after more than two decades of phased rollout.

Since 2014-15, he said, the programme has saved over 1.97 trillion rupees in foreign exchange, displaced nearly 316 lakh tonnes of crude oil, avoided about 952 lakh tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, and generated more than ₹1.66 lakh crore in additional farmer income.

The minister said the government had received no “widespread or substantiated complaints” from vehicle manufacturers, automobile associations or consumer groups over engine failure, fuel-pump problems, corrosion or water contamination linked to E20 fuel, though it had taken note of concerns raised in media and on social media and examined them scientifically.

More than 20 crore two-wheelers and over 3 crore petrol cars — including many built before E20 certification – have run on E15-plus and E19-E20 fuel for over three-and-a-half and two-and-a-half years respectively “without any verified evidence of widespread engine failure or vehicle breakdown,” Mr. Gopi said. He cited service data from one leading four-wheeler maker covering 2.84 crore vehicles in 2025-26, including 1.5 crore non-E20-certified vehicles, that found no damage linked to the fuel, and said a leading two-wheeler maker reported similar findings.

Any mileage loss in older, E10-designed vehicles is “generally marginal,” at around 3-5%, he said, while E20 offers higher octane and cleaner combustion. Manufacturers continue to honour warranties on vehicles using compliant E20 fuel, he added.

On food security, Mr. Gopi said the 20 per cent blending target has not reduced food crop availability, as only surplus grains — determined after meeting Public Distribution System, National Food Security Act and buffer-stock requirements — are used for ethanol. Rice diverted for ethanol rose to 39.28 lakh tonnes in 2025-26 through June 30 from 31.11 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, while maize diversion stood at 67.87 lakh tonnes in the same period, down from 131.18 lakh tonnes in 2024-25.

He said retail sugar and rice inflation had not been affected, calling the programme a “waste-to-wealth” approach.

On water use, Mr. Gopi said the government’s approach was designed to protect water sustainability, with feedstocks diversified beyond sugarcane to include maize, whose share in ethanol production rose to about 37 per cent in 2025-26 from zero in 2021-22. Ethanol plants typically use 3-5 litres of processed water per litre of ethanol produced, he said, and distilleries are required to operate as zero-liquid-discharge units.

State-run oil marketing companies procured 705.43 crore litres of ethanol worth ₹49,577 crore in 2025-26 through June, following 1,033.31 crore litres worth ₹73,996 crore in 2024-25 and 679.04 crore litres worth ₹48,757 crore in 2023-24, Mr. Gopi said, adding that 501 ethanol suppliers are currently registered with the companies.

He said there was no proposal to mandate lower-blend or non-blended petrol at select outlets, as running parallel supply chains would raise costs and dilute the programme’s environmental and farm-income benefits.

“There is no proposal to mandate the availability of non-blended or lower-blend petrol at select retail outlets. The Government’s policy is to progressively transition towards cleaner, technologically superior and environmentally sustainable fuels in accordance with the National Policy on Biofuels and the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme,” he said.

Published – July 20, 2026 05:44 pm IST

Suresh Gopi, Union Minister and actor
| Photo Credit: SIVA SARAVANAN S

New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram:

Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi on Sunday courted a controversy by stating that the members of the “upper castes” should handle the tribal affairs portfolio.

Facing backlash over his remarks, Mr Gopi later backtracked, claiming that his statement was made with good intentions.

Speaking at a BJP election campaign meeting in New Delhi, the actor-turned-politician said that real progress in tribal welfare would only be possible if leaders from “upper castes” oversaw the ministry.

“It’s a curse of our country that only a person from the tribal community can be made the minister for tribal affairs,” said Mr Gopi, who also holds the Tourism portfolio.

“It is my dream and expectation that someone from outside the tribal community should be appointed for their welfare. Let a Brahmin or a Naidu take charge-there would be significant change. Likewise, tribal leaders should be given the portfolio for the welfare of forward communities.” “Such a shift should happen within our democratic system,” Mr Gopi further stated.

Expressing his desire to handle the tribal affairs portfolio, the Thrissur MP said he had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allocate the ministry to him. “However, there are certain precedents in portfolio allocations,” he added.

Mr Gopi’s remarks triggered widespread criticism across Kerala.

CPI state secretary Benoy Viswam lashed out at Mr Gopi, calling him a “piper of the chaturvarna” (caste system), and demanded his removal from the Union ministry.

He also urged the resignation of Union Minister of State George Kurian, accusing him of disregarding federal principles and insulting Kerala.

Mr Kurian on Saturday said that the state should declare itself backward in education, infrastructure, and social welfare to receive more funds from the Centre.

“These two ministers are living examples of the challenges facing the Indian Constitution under the RSS-led BJP regime,” Mr Viswam said, urging the President- the custodian of the Constitution- to take the matter seriously.

He also demanded that the BJP should clarify its stance on these two ministers’ statements, which he termed anti-tribal and anti-Kerala.

Prominent tribal leader C K Janu also strongly condemned Gopi’s remarks, calling them “low-class” and evidence of his lack of understanding.

Currently, BJP leader Jual Oram, a prominent tribal face from Odisha, handles the Tribal Affairs portfolio in the Modi-led cabinet. 

Amid criticisms, Mr Gopi withdrew his remarks, saying: “If my comment is not well received or if this explanation is unsatisfactory, I withdraw my remarks.”

He clarified that his intention was to end discrimination.

“I did not label anyone as good or bad; my only aim was to break free from this framework,” Mr Gopi said, adding that as a politician, his priority has always been the welfare of the tribal community.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi called on ISRO Chairman S. Somanath at Antariksh Bhawan in Bengaluru on June 18, 2024. 
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi called on ISRO Chairman S. Somanath at Antariksh Bhawan in Bengaluru on June 18. 

Mr. Gopi and Mr. Somanath discussed the use of space technology-based inputs for analysing the flood risk associated with the Mullaperiyar and Idukki dams in Kerala. 

In the light of increasing incidents of extreme weather events across India, the Minister expressed an urgent need to evaluate the worst-case flood scenario linked to these dams.

Mr. Somanath assured ISRO’s support in making space-based inputs, such as high-resolution terrain data, available to researchers engaged in flood modelling to assess probable inundation, and identify potential rehabilitation areas. He suggested developing a prototype solution integrating flood risk with rescue and rehabilitation planning, along with satellite communication capabilities, and capacity building on the role of space-based support for disaster management.

Mr. Gopi stressed the need to study the extent and nature of siltation in the dams, and evaluate the possible utilisation of the sludge to support local industries.

Prof. (Dr.) Jaison Paul Mulerikkal, Principal, Rajagiri School of Engineering & Technology, Kochi, and his team presented their ongoing research on flood risk modelling in the Periyar river basin. The requirement for very high-resolution terrain data was highlighted, as publicly available terrain data is insufficient for such studies. 

Sunil Paul of Christ College of Engineering, Ernakulum, briefed the gathering on development of a remotely operated solution for bathymetric survey and siltation assessment in dams.

Dr. Prakash Chauhan, Director, NRSC-ISRO, Hyderabad, and his team presented the spatial flood early warning system developed by NRSC for the Godavari and Tapi rivers, wherein high-resolution ALTM-based digital elevation data was used, and the reservoir sedimentation studies conducted at NRSC.

The team from Rajagiri School of Engineering & Technology, Kochi, plans to visit NRSC for further discussions.

Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi called on ISRO Chairman S. Somanath at Antariksh Bhawan in Bengaluru on June 18, 2024. Photo: Special Arrangement

Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi called on ISRO Chairman S. Somanath at Antariksh Bhawan in Bengaluru on June 18. 

Mr. Gopi and Mr. Somanath discussed the use of space technology-based inputs for analysing the flood risk associated with the Mullaperiyar and Idukki dams in Kerala. 

In the light of increasing incidents of extreme weather events across India, the Minister expressed an urgent need to evaluate the worst-case flood scenario linked to these dams.

Mr. Somanath assured ISRO’s support in making space-based inputs, such as high-resolution terrain data, available to researchers engaged in flood modelling to assess probable inundation, and identify potential rehabilitation areas. He suggested developing a prototype solution integrating flood risk with rescue and rehabilitation planning, along with satellite communication capabilities, and capacity building on the role of space-based support for disaster management.

Mr. Gopi stressed the need to study the extent and nature of siltation in the dams, and evaluate the possible utilisation of the sludge to support local industries.

Prof. (Dr.) Jaison Paul Mulerikkal, Principal, Rajagiri School of Engineering & Technology, Kochi, and his team presented their ongoing research on flood risk modelling in the Periyar river basin. The requirement for very high-resolution terrain data was highlighted, as publicly available terrain data is insufficient for such studies. 

Sunil Paul of Christ College of Engineering, Ernakulum, briefed the gathering on development of a remotely operated solution for bathymetric survey and siltation assessment in dams.

Dr. Prakash Chauhan, Director, NRSC-ISRO, Hyderabad, and his team presented the spatial flood early warning system developed by NRSC for the Godavari and Tapi rivers, wherein high-resolution ALTM-based digital elevation data was used, and the reservoir sedimentation studies conducted at NRSC.

The team from Rajagiri School of Engineering & Technology, Kochi, plans to visit NRSC for further discussions.