The Central Government approved the allocation of additional how many million tonnes of rice from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for ethanol production in May 2025?

Correct option is B

The correct answer is (b) 2.8 million tonnes

Explanation:

• In May 2025, the Government of India approved the allocation of 2.8 million tonnes of rice from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for the production of ethanol.
• This move is part of India's strategy to:
• Enhance ethanol blending in fuel (target: 20% blending by 2025)
• Reduce oil imports
• Promote clean energy and energy security

Information Booster:

• The ethanol will be produced using surplus rice stocks that are not required for public distribution or welfare schemes.
• The initiative is aligned with the National Bio-Energy Programme and Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme.
• Ethanol production from food grains like rice is monitored to ensure it does not affect food security.

Additional Knowledge:

• FCI maintains buffer food stocks for schemes like the Public Distribution System (PDS).
• India has been gradually expanding ethanol production capacity using sugarcane, maize, and now surplus rice.