Kamal Ghorui
The government has announced that from April 1, 2026, petrol sold across India will have to meet a new standard. Oil companies will be required to supply E20 petrol (fuel blended with up to 20 per cent ethanol) with a minimum Research Octane Number (RON) of 95. The directive was issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.Under the new rule, ethanol-blended petrol meeting Bureau of Indian Standards specifications and carrying at least 95 RON will be sold across all states and Union Territories. However, the government may allow temporary exceptions in special situations or specific regions if required.Ethanol is produced from agricultural sources such as sugarcane, maize and other grains. The blending programme aims to reduce crude oil imports, lower emissions and support farmers by increasing demand for agricultural produce. According to government data, India has saved more than Rs 1.40 lakh crore in foreign exchange since 2014-15 through petrol substitution with ethanol.
Most vehicles manufactured between 2023 and 2025 are already designed to run on E20 petrol, and major issues are not expected with these models. The requirement for a minimum RON of 95 is meant to ensure smoother engine operation. RON measures a fuel’s resistance to knocking, which occurs when fuel burns unevenly inside the engine. Higher octane fuel is more stable under pressure and helps reduce the risk of engine damage.Ethanol itself has a naturally high octane rating of around 108 RON. Blending ethanol with petrol improves knock resistance and helps engines run more efficiently.
