India's ambitious Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) program is significantly advancing, with grain-based feedstocks now forming the backbone of its ethanol production. According to the latest data from the All India Distillers’ Association (AIDA) for the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26, grains account for nearly 67% of the total ethanol supplied, underscoring their critical role in the country's biofuel strategy.
Grain Dominance in Biofuel Production
As of June 2026, cumulative ethanol supplies reached 7.17 billion litres against contracted volumes of 10.48 billion litres, marking a 68% supply achievement. Out of this, grain-based ethanol contributed a substantial 4.80 billion litres, while sugarcane-based feedstocks supplied 2.38 billion litres, or 33%.
Maize stands out as the primary feedstock, responsible for 2.58 billion litres of ethanol. The supply pattern also highlights a growing diversification of raw materials. Ethanol derived from surplus Food Corporation of India (FCI) grains reached 1.77 billion litres. Other significant contributors include sugarcane juice (1.44 billion litres), B-heavy molasses (820 million litres), and damaged food grains (450 million litres).
Diversifying Feedstocks for Energy Security
This evolving mix of feedstocks represents a key milestone in India's journey towards a more sustainable and secure biofuel economy. Vijendra Singh, President of AIDA, emphasized that this diversification has reduced dependence on any single crop, ensuring more consistent feedstock availability throughout the year and bolstering India's energy security.
The balanced contribution from multiple sources strengthens supply resilience, mitigating risks associated with relying solely on one agricultural commodity. As India progresses beyond the E20 blending milestone, continued policy support for higher ethanol blends, flex-fuel vehicles, ethanol-diesel blending, and next-generation biofuels will be crucial to fully leverage the industry's expanded production capacity.