The Indian government has mandated the sale of ethanol-blended petrol with an octane rating of at least 95 RON (research octane number) from April 1, 2026. This baseline will take effect exactly a year after the nationwide rollout of petrol with 20 percent ethanol blend (E20). The government may allow oil firms to sell fuel that meets only the RON specification in special cases and for specific regions or periods. The fuel will be standardised under Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications, which the association says will ensure consistency in fuel quality and safety across the country.
