New Delhi, Nov. 7 -- The government on Saturday defended the 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol programme, saying tests of 893 samples collected across 27 states and UTs, including 56 in Karnataka, found them compliant with prescribed quality standards, as state-run oil companies challenged the Karnataka government's claims of excessive ethanol content in fuel sold at some retail outlets.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, in a statement, said Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) had found ethanol content in all 893 samples within the prescribed 19-21 per cent range under the Bureau of Indian Standards' IS 17021 specification.
The 56 samples tested in Karnataka, covering different locations and all three oil marketing companies (OMCs), recorded ethanol content of 19-20 per cent, averaging 19.30 per cent, the ministry said.
The findings directly contradict a recent press release by Karnataka's Department of Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology, which claimed that petrol samples collected from certain retail outlets in the state contained 26-31 per cent ethanol.
The three OMCs have questioned the sampling and testing procedures adopted in Karnataka's October 2026 exercise, arguing that the reported results cannot be independently validated without compliance with prescribed statutory procedures and disclosure of the technical details of the tests.
The dispute comes at a time when India's nationwide E20 programme, aimed at reducing dependence on imported crude oil and lowering emissions, has come under scrutiny over concerns about vehicle mileage, engine compatibility and the potential cost to consumers.
Under the Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply, Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, 2005, read with the Marketing Discipline Guidelines (MDG) 2024, six one-litre samples must be drawn during an inspection. Two are handed to the dealer, two retained by the oil company or department, and two sent to an authorised laboratory.
The OMCs said samples collected during a September exercise were routed through the State Level Coordinator to designated company laboratories, but the subsequent October exercise was reportedly conducted without their representatives.
They said they had not received the corresponding retention samples, complete outlet-wise details or laboratory reports despite seeking them through the State Level Coordinator.
The companies also questioned certificates issued by a third-party laboratory, saying these did not specify the standard test method, dilution procedure or reference material used to determine ethanol content through Gas Chromatography.
Under IS 17021:2018, amended in August 2025, ethanol content must be determined through specified methods, including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, water extraction or Gas Chromatography under prescribed ASTM standards.
When Gas Chromatography is used, the standard requires samples to be diluted in a 1:1 ratio with oxygenate-free petrol and results corrected against an E10 certified reference material, the OMCs said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.