Ethanol blending in petrol
▪ Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that sugar mills have greatly benefited from the blending of ethanol with petrol.
▪ He also mentioned that the country’s sugar production has increased by 1 million metric tonnes, while ethanol production capacity has increased fivefold and its distribution tenfold.
▪ He further announced that the GST on sugar has been reduced from 28% to 5%.
Ethanol
▪ Ethanol (C₂H₅OH) is a renewable, easily flammable, and colorless bio-alcohol.
▪ It is used as a transport fuel.
▪ In 2025, India achieved its 20% ethanol blending target.
Types of Ethanol:
▪ 1st Generation Ethanol: Produced from food crops such as sugarcane and maize.
▪ 2nd Generation Ethanol: Produced from crop residues, bagasse, and bamboo.
▪ 3rd Generation Ethanol: Produced from algae.
India – Third Position – e-waste management
▪ In 2025, India generated 2.2 million tonnes of e-waste.
▪ It ranks as the third-largest e-waste generator in the world.
▪ Most of this e-waste is informally recycled, causing the release of toxic substances into the air and water, which leads to health hazards for e-waste workers and the wider community.
E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022:
▪ Focuses on proper recycling.
Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016:
▪ Specifies guidelines for the safe handling and international transport of hazardous wastes.
National Action Plan for Chemical and Waste Management:
▪ Reflects India’s commitments to the Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions.
▪ According to the 2021 E-Waste Inventorisation Report, Tamil Nadu is the second-largest e-waste generating state in India
