No excessive ethanol blending in Karnataka, says petroleum ministry
What's the story
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has rejected allegations of excessive ethanol blending in petrol at select retail outlets in Karnataka. The ministry said all 56 samples tested in the state under a nationwide quality monitoring exercise met E20 specifications. Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) also confirmed that reports of 26-31% ethanol blending were not backed by tests conducted under prescribed procedures.
Quality compliance
All tested samples met specifications: MoPNG
The MoPNG said E20 petrol supplied by IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL across India conforms to IS 17021 standards.
These standards are set by the Bureau of Indian Standards for ethanol-blended motor gasoline.
A total of 893 samples from across 27 states and Union Territories were found compliant with these quality standards.
In Karnataka alone, all tested samples met specifications with ethanol content between 19% and 20%.
Methodology concerns
OMCs concerned about sampling and testing methods used in October
Despite these findings, the OMCs expressed concerns over the sampling and testing methods used during an October 2026 exercise in Karnataka.
They called for joint sampling and independent testing under prescribed standards to validate reported ethanol levels.
The ministry clarified that "The Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply, Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, 2005" prescribes a defined procedure for sampling, retention, testing, and communication of results.
Sampling procedure
Centre prescribes procedure for sampling, testing
Under the prescribed procedure, six one-liter samples are drawn. Two are given to the dealer, two are retained by the oil company or department, and two are sent to a designated laboratory for testing.
The government also said samples collected during a September 2026 exercise were routed through the state-level coordinator to designated OMC laboratories for quality parameter testing.
Ongoing surveillance
Centre for High Technology continuously monitoring ethanol blending
The Centre for High Technology (CHT) under MoPNG has been continuously monitoring ethanol blending and fuel quality at OMC retail outlets.
This includes regular checks to ensure compliance with prescribed standards and maintain fuel quality across the country.
The ministry's response comes amid concerns over alleged excessive ethanol blending in Karnataka's petrol supply.