Balancing Ethanol Production with Sustainability

Source:TH 

Why in News?  

Around 35 lakh tonnes of sugar is expected to be diverted towards ethanol production in 2024-25, up from 21.5 lakh tonnes  in 2023-24, reflecting India’s continued focus on biofuel adoption and energy diversification. 

What is Ethanol? 

• About: Ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH), also known as ethyl alcohol, is a renewable biofuel primarily derived from agricultural feedstocks like sugarcane, maize, rice, wheat, and other biomass.  
  • In India, molasses, a byproduct of sugar production, serves as a key raw material for ethanol manufacturing.  
  • Ethanol can also be produced through fermentation or petrochemical processes like ethylene hydration. 
• Properties: Ethanol is a clear, colorless liquid that is fully soluble in water and most organic solvents.  
  • It has a higher octane number (a measure of fuel's ability to resist knocking) than petrol, which helps prevent engine knocking.  
  • In its pure form, ethanol is highly flammable with a melting point of -114°C and boiling point of 78.5°C. 
  • Ethanol is 99.9% pure alcohol that can be blended with petrol to create a cleaner fuel alternative. 
• Common Blends: Common ethanol blends include E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline), E15 (15% ethanol), E20 (20% ethanol), and E85 (up to 83% ethanol).  
  • E10 is the most widely used, while E85 is intended for flexible fuel vehicles. 
• Applications: Used in fuels (ethanol-blended), solvents, disinfectants, pharmaceuticals, cleaning products, and as a dehydrating agent. 
• Health & Environmental Impact: Ethanol exposure can cause skin irritation, drowsiness, nausea, and, at high concentrations, result in coma or death. 
  • Ethanol can decompose rapidly in the environment, with carbon dioxide and water as end products. However, it can also contribute to the formation of photochemical smog. 
  • In soil or water, ethanol decomposes in the presence of oxygen, serving as a nutrient for microbes. Without oxygen, ethanol can lead to the formation of methane. 
• Ethanol Blending in India: The Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) was launched in 2003 with 5% ethanol blending and has since been extended nationwide.  
  • Under the National Policy on Biofuels 2018 (amended in 2022), the target for ethanol blending has been advanced to 20% by 2025-26. 
    • Ethanol blending reached 12.06% in 2022-23, 14.60% in 2023-24, and 20% in 2024-25 (up to March 2025). India is set to have a target of 30% ethanol blending in petrol by 2030. 
  • By 2024, ethanol production capacity reached 1,600 crore litres. The EBP saved Rs. 1.06 lakh crore in foreign exchange by reducing crude oil imports. 
  • It also helped reduce CO₂ emissions by 544 lakh metric tons and substitute 181 lakh metric tons of crude oil.  

What are the Concerns Regarding Ethanol Production in India? 

• Food Security Concerns: India mainly uses sugarcane for ethanol. But to reach the blending targets, it will rely more on maize, rice, and broken rice. 
  • This shift may divert food crops from consumption, potentially threatening food security, as the high profitability of ethanol production could incentivize more land use for fuel rather than food. 
  • Increased ethanol demand has driven up maize and rice prices, with retail rice prices rising by 14.51% in 2023, impacting food affordability for vulnerable sections. 
• Land Use Concerns: Meeting the E20 target requires 7.1 million hectares of land for feedstock cultivation (roughly 3% of India's gross cropped area), adding pressure on resources like land, water, fertilizers, and pesticides.  
  • A study highlights the inefficiency of maize-derived ethanol, stating that 187 hectares of maize are needed to match the energy output of one hectare of solar energy, raising concerns about land use in a country facing food security challenges. 
• Depleting Water Resources: Ethanol production uses 8-12 liters of water per liter of ethanol, depleting groundwater and stressing water resources for agriculture. 
• Limited Emission Reductions: The EBP may offer only modest emissions reduction, not significantly contributing to India's Net Zero 2070 commitment. 
  • Ethanol plants, classified under the 'red category' of polluting industries, emit hazardous substances like acetaldehyde and formaldehyde, leading to air, water, and soil pollution. 
• Technological and Infrastructure Gaps: India’s ethanol production largely depends on first-generation ethanol from sugarcane, which are less efficient compared to advanced technologies like cellulosic ethanol or biomass-based production used globally.  
  • This limits sustainability and reduces overall energy efficiency, hindering India’s clean energy goals. 
  • The underdeveloped fuel blending infrastructure, especially in rural areas, limits ethanol distribution, hindering scalability and impacting the long-term success of India's ethanol roadmap. 

How Can India Balance Ethanol Production with Sustainable Resource Management? 

• Promoting 3G Ethanol: Scaling up 3G ethanol production using microalgae (from wastewater, sewage or seawater) under the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana offers a sustainable alternative to 1G (sugarcane molasses, juice, wheat, and rice) and 2G (agricultural residues like rice straw, wheat straw, bagasse, and corn stover) methods, reducing environmental impact without straining food or freshwater resources. 
• Strengthen Environmental Regulations: Implement Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) to evaluate the full environmental impact of ethanol production, from feedstock cultivation to plant emissions, ensuring that sustainability goals are met without compromising the ecosystem. 
  • Promote carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies at ethanol production sites to offset emissions and further align with India's Net Zero 2070 objectives. 
  • India should integrate carbon credits into the ethanol supply chain, rewarding producers who use low-emission feedstocks in the production process. 
• Advanced Irrigation Systems: Drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting must be incentivized for all biofuel crops. Maharashtra's sugarcane farmers have seen a 40% reduction in water use by adopting drip irrigation, which can be extended to other states. 
• Mandating Zero-Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Technology: Ethanol plants must be mandated to adopt ZLD systems, which recycle water within the plant, reducing pressure on freshwater sources.  
  • The Balrampur Chini Mills in Uttar Pradesh already implemented this system, cutting water use by over 60%. 
• Complementing with Agroforestry: Encouraging agroforestry practices, where biofuel crops are integrated with forestry, can optimize land-use efficiency.  
  • Models like agroforestry with sweet sorghum could boost land productivity without taking up additional agricultural land. 
• Circular Economy in Ethanol Production: Under National Bio-Energy Programme, India can adopt circular economy models by repurposing ethanol byproducts for animal feed, fertilizers, or biogas, and reusing treated wastewater for irrigation and as coolant in heavy industrial infrastructure. 

Conclusion 

India’s ethanol blending drive is reshaping its energy landscape by reducing fossil fuel imports, curbing emissions, and strengthening rural economies. With a target of 30% by 2030, alongside a focus on sustainable resource management, the country is positioning itself as a global leader in biofuel adoption. 

Drishti Mains Question:  Discuss the challenges India faces in balancing its ethanol production goals with the need to protect food security.

India’s Trade Dynamics

Source: IE 

Why in News?        

India’s Exports to the US hit a record USD 86.51 billion, boosted by front-loading shipments amid tariff fears, while Imports from China surged to USD 113.45 billion, signaling growing reliance on China and shifting global trade dynamics. 

What are the Key Factors Driving India’s Trade Performance? 

• Front-Loading Strategy: The sharp increase in exports can largely be attributed to exporters rushing to dispatch shipments ahead of the anticipated reciprocal tariff hikes that came into effect in April. 
• Demand and Market Penetration: India's export share in key markets such as the US and the UK rose by 13.73% and 14.31%, respectively, indicating stronger demand and improved market penetration.  
• Sectoral Rise in Export: A major contributor to this growth was the electronics sector, which saw a 32% rise in exports driven primarily by booming smartphone shipments taking the total to USD 38 billion. 
  • Coffee exports surged by 40% to reach $1.8 billion. This sharp rise was supported by global supply disruptions caused by drought and high temperatures in Brazil, one of the world’s top coffee producers. 
• Services Exports: It grew by 12.45%, reaching USD 383.51 billion during FY25. With services imports standing at USD 195.95 billion, India maintained a healthy surplus in its services trade. 

What is the Sectoral Performance of India’s Trade Basket? 

• Key Export Sectors: 
  • India's export basket is led by petroleum products. In 2023, India exported USD 55.8 billion of Refined Petroleum, making it the 3rd largest exporter of Refined Petroleum in the world.  
  • Engineering goods, contributing 25%, have seen strong growth, while electronics, particularly smartphones, have grown by 151% since FY 2020. 
  • Spices and agricultural products continue to be significant, with India exporting 225 spice products to over 180 countries.  
• Key Import Sectors: 
  • India’s import basket is heavily dominated by crude oil and petroleum products, accounting for 32% of imports, reflecting the country’s more than 80% reliance on imported energy.  
  • Gold imports surged significantly in April 2024 due to cultural demand, while electronics and machinery make up 11.7% of imports, essential for the manufacturing sector. 

What are the Key Measures to Address India's Trade Deficit?  Read more: India's Trade Deficit as an Opportunity

India Justice Report 2025

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

The India Justice Report (IJR) 2025 has been released, presenting a comprehensive assessment of the capacity and performance of Indian states in delivering justice. 

What are the Key Findings of the India Justice Report 2025? 

• Overall Rankings: Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana top the large & mid-sized states, while Sikkim leads among small states. Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha show the most improvement. 
•  Share of Women in Police: Women continue to hold just 8% of officer posts and under 1,000 of 4,940 senior IPS roles, 90% serve in constabulary. However, 78% of police stations now have Women Help Desks. 
• Gaps in Justice Delivery:  There are around 21,000 judges (15 per million vs. recommended 50 by Law Commission), and high vacancies in HCs (33%) and district courts (21%).  
  • Per capita spend is just Rs 6 on legal aid and overall spending on the judiciary is Rs 182 per person per year, with no state allocating over 1% of its budget on the judiciary. 
  • The number of Paralegal Volunteers (PLVs) has dropped by 38% over 5 years, with only 3 PLVs per lakh population.  
    • PLVs, trained under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, provide basic legal aid and awareness, especially in rural and marginalized areas. 
• Police: India’s police force faces major manpower gaps, 28% officer shortfall and low presence (120 per lakh vs. global norm of 222), with one cop for every 831 people.  
  • Yet, it gets the highest per capita spending (Rs 1,275) among 4 justice pillars. 
• Prisons: India’s prisons overcrowded with 131% occupancy and critical staff shortages- 28% in officers, 44% in correctional staff, and 43% in medical staff.  
  • The doctor-inmate ratio is 1:775 (norm: 1:300), with projections showing inmates may exceed capacity by 1.65 lakh by 2030. 
  • Under-trials make up 76% of prisoners, with many spending 3–5 years in custody. 
  • Caste-based segregation persists in prisons despite the SC striking down casteist provisions in 2024. Rehabilitation goals remain unmet, with only 6% of inmates receiving education and 2% vocational training in 2022. 

What are the Key Issues Associated with Policing & Judiciary in India?   Click Here to Read: Issues Associated with Policing in India, Issues Related to Indian Judiciary

What are the Key Recent Initiatives Related to Judicial Reforms in India?   Click Here to Read: Initiatives Related to Judicial Reforms

Conclusion 

The India Justice Report 2025 underscores India's aspirations and challenges in ensuring accessible, efficient, and inclusive justice. Despite the implementation of digital tools and reforms, fundamental capacity gaps persist. A comprehensive, sustained, and accountable approach is crucial to transforming justice delivery across the country. 

Drishti Mains Question: India’s policing and judiciary systems are often criticized for delays and inefficiencies. Analyze the primary challenges faced by them and suggest steps to ensure timely and equitable justice.

Reviewing FGD Rules for Coal Power Plants

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

A study commissioned by the Principal Scientific Adviser’s Office recommended rolling back the 2015 mandate requiring Indian coal-fired plants to install Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems. 

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) in 2015 mandated all of India’s 537 coal-fired plants to install FGD systems to reduce sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions.   
• Under a 2022 notification, penalties for non-compliance increase based on the delay in implementation. The penalties are applied per unit of electricity, with higher charges for longer delays. 

What is Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD)? 

• About: FGD is a process that removes sulphur dioxide (SO₂) from exhaust gases (flue gas) produced by burning fossil fuels (coal, oil). 
  • It is commonly used in coal-fired power stations. 
  • Common reagents used include limestone (CaCO₃), lime (CaO), and ammonia (NH₃). 
• Purpose: Coal contains sulphur, leading to high SO₂ emissions when burned causing acid rain. 
  • FGD purifies exhaust gases and prevents acid rain, which damages crops, infrastructure, soil, and aquatic ecosystems. 

• Types: FGD systems are mainly of three main types: 
  • Dry Sorbent Injection: It uses limestone to remove SO₂ from flue gas before dust control systems, often referred to as dry injection or spray drying systems. 
  • Wet Limestone-Based System: It is suitable for large-scale flue gas treatment, using low-cost limestone to remove SO₂ efficiently and produce gypsum. 
  • Seawater-Based System: It uses alkaline seawater to reduce SO₂ by 70–95%. It is typically used when emission norms are less stringent and offers a lower initial cost. 

What the Study Revealed About FGD Installation? 

Challenges in FGD Installation Policy  

• High Costs: FGD installation costs Rs 1.2 crore per MW, adding financial strain to India’s 218,000 MW coal capacity (expected to rise to 283,000 MW by 2032). 
• Low Sulphur Content: 92% of Indian coal has low sulphur content (0.3%-0.5%), making FGD less critical. 
• Existing Pollution Control Norms: Thermal plants’ stack heights (220m) and India’s climate already dilute SO₂ emissions, preventing local air quality threats. 
• Minimal Acid Rain Threat: IIT-Delhi’s 2024 study (cited in the current research) found acid rain was "not a significant issue" in India. 
• Climate Impact: Energy-intensive FGD processes will lead to an additional 69 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions (2025-30) for just a 17 million tonne reduction in SO₂. 
  • SO₂ has a short-lived cooling effect on global warming, removing it while increasing CO₂ would worsen climate change. 
  • The study argues that SO₂ emissions offset 0.5°C of global warming from 2010–2019 relative to 1850-1900. 
• Poor Compliance: Although coal plants were supposed to install FGD by 2018, only 8% have done so after deadline extensions.  
  • Currently, 230 plants are installing FGD, while 260 have not yet placed orders. 

Recommendations of the Study  

• The study suggests tackling particulate matter (PM) pollution due to the high ash content in Indian coal. 
  • Electrostatic precipitators (ESP) can cut PM pollution by 99% at just Rs 25 lakh per MW. 
• The study recommended that FGD systems should only apply to those plants using imported coal or high (>0.5%) sulphur coal. 

IBCA Headquarters in India

Source: IE 

India has been formally designated as the headquarters and secretariat of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). 

• About IBCA: It is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization, launched by India on the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger (April 2023). 
• Objective: It is focused on the conservation of seven big cats i.e., tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah. 
• Legal Status: IBCA became a full-fledged global legal entity after ratification by five countries i.e.,  India, Liberia, Eswatini, Somalia, and Nicaragua. 
  • India officially joined in September 2023. 
• Membership: Membership is open to all United Nations member states, including range countries where these species naturally occur and non-range countries interested in supporting big cat conservation. 
• Governance Structure: It includes an Assembly of Members, a Standing Committee, and a Secretariat based in India. 

Read More: International Big Cat Alliance

Poila Boishakh

Source: PIB 

The Prime Minister extended greetings on Poila Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, celebrated on 15th April 2025 across West Bengal, Tripura, Assam, and Bangladesh.  

• Poila Baisakh: It means the first day of Baisakh, the opening month of the Bengali lunisolar calendar which typically falls on 14th or 15th April each year. 
  • It traces back to the reign of King Shoshangko (~594 CE), when the Bengali calendar was introduced. 
• Other Regional Harvest & New Year Festivals: 
  • 35%- 40% of Indians celebrate Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (March–April) as the New Year, known regionally as Gudi Padwa (Maharashtra), Ugadi (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh), Cheti Chand (Sindhi), Nowroz (Parsis, Kashmiris), and Thapna (Marwaris). 
  • Over 50% of Indians celebrate Baisakhi (April 13th-15th) as the new year, with variations based on agricultural cycles. Punjab celebrates it as a harvest festival, while the Deccan regions observe it earlier.  
  • Other regional New Year celebrations in Baisakh month include Pohela Boishakh (Bengal), Rongali Bihu (Assam), Puthandu (Tamil Nadu), Vishu (Kerala), Pana Sankranti (Odisha), and Jude Sheetal (Bihar). 

Read More: West Bengal Adopts Poila Baisakh as State Foundation Day

Biosignature Gases on K2-18b

Source: IE  

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have detected biosignature gases such as dimethyl sulphide (DMS) and dimethyl disulphide (DMDS) in the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18b using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). 

• On Earth, these gases are mainly produced by biological processes, prompting debate about the possibility of extraterrestrial life. While the presence of DMS and DMDS is a strong potential biosignature, although not definitive evidence of life. 
  • Previous observations on planets like Mars and Venus have detected gases like phosphine, linked to life, but none provide conclusive evidence of life. 
• K2-18b: Discovered in 2015, it is a super-Earth exoplanet located 120 light years away. It has a mass 8.92 times that of Earth and orbits its M-type star every 32.9 days. The planet lies in the habitable zone and is 2.6 times the size of Earth. 
• JWST: It is the most advanced infrared space observatory ever built, launched in 2021 through the collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).  
  • It is positioned at the Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange Point.  As the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, JWST is designed to look back to the universe’s earliest moments, just after the Big Bang. 

Read more: K2-18b: Potentially Habitable Planet

MEGHAYAN 25

Source: PIB 

The Indian Navy hosted the 3rd edition of the Meteorological and Oceanological Symposium - Meghayan 25 to commemorate the formation of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and celebrate WMO Day 2025 (celebrated annually on 23rd March).  

• The seminar was organized in alignment with the 2025 WMO day theme- ‘Closing the Early Warning Gap Together’. 
• Launched Initiatives: MOSDAC-IN web services, a collaboration between the Directorate of Naval Oceanology and Meteorology (DNOM) and the Space Applications Center (SAC)–ISRO, were launched. 
  • It will provide customised satellite-derived weather products with separate log-ins for individual Naval Met Offices. 
  • After nearly a decade, the symposium revived its Meteorological and Oceanological journal with the launch of the 10th edition of Sagarmanthan. 
• World Meteorological Organisation (WMO): It was established by the ratification of the WMO Convention on 23rd March 1950, and became a specialised agency of the UN in 1951. 
  • It originated from the International Meteorological Organisation (IMO), which was established after the 1873 Vienna International Meteorological Congress. 
  • It is an intergovernmental organisation with a membership of 193 Member States (including India) and Territories. 
  • It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

Read More: World Meteorological Day

Golconda Blue Diamond

Source: TOI 

A rare 23.24-carat Golconda Blue diamond, with deep roots in India’s royal history, is set to be auctioned. 

• About: The Golconda Blue is a rich blue diamond, a colour grading which indicates high purity and saturation. 
  • Modern diamonds are optically translucent and fairly common. 
• Origin: It originated from the famous Golconda diamond mines in present-day Telangana, known for yielding iconic diamonds such as the Koh-i-Noor, Hope Diamond, and Darya-i-Noor. 
• Royal Lineage: It was once owned by Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar II of Indore, then bought by an American jeweler, who later re-sold it to the Maharaja of Baroda. 
  • Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (17th-century French gem merchant and traveller) elaborately discussed the diamonds and diamond mines of India. He also visited the Mughal court before arriving in the Kingdom of Golconda.

Read More: Need of Reforms in Diamond Sector