UPSC Prelims 2020 Question:

According to India's National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels?

1. Cassava 
2. Damaged wheat grains 
3. Groundnut seeds 
4. Horse grams 
5. Rotten potatoes 
6. Sugar beet
   
   

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Explanation:

• The National Policy on Biofuels, 2018  aims to utilise, develop and promote domestic feedstock and its utilisation for the production of biofuels. The policy of Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme allows bioethanol to be procured from non-food feed stock like molasses, celluloses and lignocelluloses material including petrochemical route.
  
  
• Currently, ethanol for EBP is coming from molasses route as a by-product of sugar Industry. The National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 aims at promoting other alternate raw materials for production of ethanol such as
   

• Sugar containing materials like sugar beet, sweet sorghum, etc. So, point 6 is correct.
  
  
• Starch containing materials such as corn, cassava, rotten potatoes etc. using first generation fully developed technologies. So, points 1 and 5 are correct.
  
  
• Damaged food grains like wheat, broken rice etc. which are unfit for human consumption. So, point 2 is correct.
  
  
• Food grains during surplus phase. 
• Algal feedstock and sea weeds

• The policy does not provide for groundnut seeds and horse grams. So, points 3 and 4 are not correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.

Subject: Environment | Energy Resources