The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has responded to claims by the Karnataka Department of Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology that petrol sold at certain retail outlets contained 26-31% ethanol, substantially higher than the prescribed E20 specification. The three public sector Oil Marketing Companies (IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL) have clarified that their nationwide testing demonstrates full compliance with IS 17021 standards, which specify ethanol content between 19-21% for E20 fuel.
Quality Testing and Compliance
Through the OMC/CHT Quality Coordination Cell exercise, 893 E20 samples were tested from depots and retail outlets across 27 States and Union Territories. All samples conformed to the prescribed ethanol content range of 19-21%, including 56 samples specifically from Karnataka which showed ethanol content between 19% and 20% with an average of 19.30%. The testing was conducted using the prescribed IS 17021 methods including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) under ASTM D5845, water extraction under Annex C, or Gas Chromatography under ASTM D4815/D6839.
Methodology Concerns
The OMCs raised significant concerns about Karnataka's testing methodology, noting that the October 2026 exercise was conducted without OMC representative participation, contrary to the procedures prescribed under the Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel Order, 2005 and Marketing Discipline Guidelines 2024. The OMCs have not received retention samples, complete outlet-wise details, or laboratory reports despite requests. The third-party laboratory certificates cited by Karnataka merely mention "Ethanol % by Gas Chromatography" without specifying the applicable standard test method, prescribed dilution procedure, or reference material used for correction, making independent validation impossible.
Technical Discrepancies
The reported density readings of 0.742 to 0.749 g/cc for samples claimed to contain 26-31% ethanol are lower than the 0.752-0.760 g/cc recorded for genuine E20 samples, creating a technical inconsistency since higher ethanol proportions should increase blend density. The OMCs maintain that ethanol blending is an automated, calibrated process at refinery and depot levels with established quality-assurance systems, not a manual or arbitrary process.
Economic Impact Assessment
The Ministry challenged Karnataka's estimated annual consumer impact figures of ₹62,000 crore mileage loss and ₹39,000 crore vehicle-repair costs, noting that these calculations assume a blanket 10% mileage loss across all vehicles without scientific basis. Actual studies by the Inter-Ministerial Committee, IOCL, ARAI, and SIAM show mileage reduction of 1-2% for E20-calibrated vehicles and 3-6% for certain other vehicles. With over 30 crore two-wheelers and 4 crore four-wheelers running on E20 for three years without widespread breakdowns, the Ministry contends the real-world evidence contradicts the alleged quality issues.
Programme Benefits
The Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme has delivered substantial national benefits since ESY 2014-15: foreign-exchange savings of over ₹1.97 lakh crore, substitution of approximately 316 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil, reduction of approximately 952 lakh metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions, and transfer of more than ₹1.66 lakh crore to farmers. During ESY 2025-26 ending October 31, 2026, PSU OMCs procured 1,089 crore litres of ethanol and blended 1,134 crore litres against petrol sales of approximately 5,673 crore litres in pursuit of the national 20% blending target.
Resolution Path Forward
The OMCs have requested the Karnataka Government to share complete sampling documentation, outlet-wise laboratory reports, and test methodology details. They have also sought access to counterpart samples for independent testing at an authorized laboratory using the prescribed referee method, with representatives from both the State Government and OMCs present. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and consumer protection through established monitoring mechanisms across OMC supply networks.