REGULATORY · MARKET STRUCTURE · INDIA
India mandates nationwide sale of E20 petrol (min RON 95) from April 1, 2026
Change
India’s oil ministry has directed oil companies to sell petrol blended with up to 20% ethanol (E20) meeting BIS specs and minimum RON 95 across all States/UTs starting April 1, 2026, with limited exceptions possible in special situations.
Why it matters
The February 17 notification directs oil companies to sell ethanol-blended motor spirit with ethanol up to 20% and minimum RON 95, aligned to Bureau of Indian Standards specifications, across all States and Union Territories from April 1, 2026. The mandate standardizes the retail petrol specification nationwide, creating a compliance requirement for blending, quality control, and distribution. The order also allows the central government to grant exceptions for specific regions for limited periods in special situations, introducing a formal mechanism for temporary deviations. The change is positioned to reduce oil imports and emissions while increasing demand for ethanol feedstocks (sugarcane, maize, grain).
Implications
- • Nationwide retail petrol spec becomes E20 (up to 20% ethanol) with min RON 95 from Apr 1, 2026
- • Oil companies face binding blending, BIS compliance, and quality assurance requirements
- • Ethanol supply and feedstock demand (sugarcane/maize/grain) becomes more structurally linked to petrol sales
- • Exception mechanism enables time-limited regional deviations under defined “special situations”
Who is affected
- • Oil marketing companies and fuel retailers selling motor spirit in India
- • Petrol vehicle and engine manufacturers whose products interface with E20 fuel specs
- • Ethanol producers and feedstock suppliers (sugarcane, maize, grain value chains)
- • Fuel testing, certification, and quality-control labs tied to BIS specifications
Source
Topics
World & Politics Policy & Regulation Energy & Power Oil & Gas Energy Transition