Mod 3: February–March 2025: Commissioning of Grain-Based Ethanol Distilleries & Biofuel Milestones

📖 Chapter 6 of 8 🧩 Module 3 of 14 ⏱️ ~2 min read 💡 10 MCQs

Topic Part 1 of 2

Scaling Northern India's Premier Grain Ethanol Hub (Feb–Mar 2025):

Following the trailblazing implementation of the Bihar Biofuels Production Promotion Policy 2021, Bihar commissioned multiple large-scale grain-based greenfield ethanol distilling facilities during Q1 2025. This bolstered the nationwide Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) targeting 20% petrol blending (E20).

Operational Expansions:

New Commercial Units: Massive grain-based ethanol facilities reached commercial operations in Gopalganj, Buxar, Bhagalpur, and Muzaffarpur, raising the total operational grain ethanol plants in Bihar to over 17 units.
Feedstock Procurement: Utilized regional surplus broken rice (procured from local rice millers) and maize (specifically from the high-yielding Koshi-Seemanchal maize belt comprising Khagaria, Saharsa, and Purnia).
Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS): High-protein animal feed by-products generated by the plants were integrated into Bihar's burgeoning poultry and cattle feed industry.
Offtake Guarantee: 100% of fuel-grade anhydrous ethanol produced is supplied under long-term tripartite procurement agreements directly with Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs: IOCL, HPCL, and BPCL).

Exam View: Key Takeaways for Competitive Examinations:

First Grain Ethanol Plant: Purnia (Maranga, April 2022).
Total Operational Grain Plants by 2025: Surpassed 17 units.
Primary Feedstocks: Surplus broken rice and Koshi maize.
Key Institutional Offtakers: OMCs (IOCL, HPCL, BPCL).

⭐ Key Points

First Grain Ethanol Plant: Purnia (Maranga, April 2022).
Total Operational Grain Plants by 2025: Surpassed 17 units.
Primary Feedstocks: Surplus broken rice and Koshi maize.
Key Institutional Offtakers: OMCs (IOCL, HPCL, BPCL).

📌 One-line Q&A

First Grain Ethanol Plant: Purnia (Maranga, April 2022).
Total Operational Grain Plants by 2025: Surpassed 17 units.
Primary Feedstocks: Surplus broken rice and Koshi maize.
Key Institutional Offtakers: OMCs (IOCL, HPCL, BPCL).

Questions 10 MCQs

Answer this question, then use Next.

Which Indian state was the first to notify an exclusive Biofuels Production Promotion Policy in 2021 promoting grain-based ethanol?

Bihar was the first state in India to announce a dedicated ethanol promotion policy allowing grain feedstocks in 2021.

Where was the first commercial grain-based greenfield ethanol plant commissioned in Bihar in 2022?

India's first grain-based greenfield ethanol distillery was launched at Maranga in Purnia.

What high-protein animal feed by-product is generated during grain-based ethanol distillation?

DDGS is the nutrient-dense, high-protein residue remaining after grain fermentation and distillation, sold as cattle and poultry feed.

Approximately how many commercial grain-based ethanol distilling facilities were operational in Bihar by early 2025?

Over 17 commercial grain-based ethanol plants were fully commissioned across the state by early 2025.

Which agricultural crop from the Koshi-Seemanchal belt provides the primary raw material for grain ethanol distilleries in Bihar?

Surplus maize grown abundantly in Purnia, Katihar, Saharsa, and Khagaria serves as primary feedstock.

What national target percentage for ethanol blending in petrol (E20) does the Indian government aim to achieve by 2025-26?

The national Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) mandates 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025-26.

Which public sector marketing companies lift fuel-grade ethanol under long-term tripartite agreements in Bihar?

The three state-owned Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs)—IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL—procure 100% of fuel ethanol output.

What capital subsidy was granted to approved biofuel manufacturing investors under the 2021 policy?

The policy provided a 15% capital subsidy on plant and machinery, capped at ₹5 crore per unit.

In which district did a major grain-based ethanol unit commence commercial supplies in southwestern Bihar in early 2025?

Buxar commissioned commercial grain distilling units, supporting the Purvanchal transit corridor.

Besides maize, which other agricultural commodity is widely utilized as feedstock in Bihar's grain ethanol distilleries?

Broken rice sourced from local rice mills and FCI surplus grains are primary permitted feedstocks.

Question 1 of 10

One-liners

Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.

First Grain Ethanol Plant: ______

Purnia (Maranga, April 2022).

Total Operational Grain Plants by 2025: ______

Surpassed 17 units.

Primary Feedstocks: ______

Surplus broken rice and Koshi maize.

Key Institutional Offtakers: ______

OMCs (IOCL, HPCL, BPCL).