On 17 February 2026, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) notified a significant update on the sale of Ethanol Blended Motor Spirit.
The Ministry has directed the oil companies to sell Ethanol Blended Motor Spirit with ethanol content up to 20 percent (E20), in accordance with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications and with a minimum Research Octane Number (RON) of 95, across all States and Union Territories.
This notification is issued under the provisions of:
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Essential Commodities Act, 1955
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Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply and Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices), Order, 2005
It also states that, in special situations, the Government can allow oil companies to sell 20% ethanol blended petrol that meets the BIS-required RON standards for a limited time and in specific regions.
The mandate comes into force on 1 April 2026, replacing the earlier 2021 notification that permitted blending of up to 10% ethanol (E10).