The Union Cabinet has approved an extension of the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana, a key initiative aimed at enhancing the country’s advanced biofuel sector.
The revised scheme extends its implementation period by five years, now running through 2028-29.
The scheme also broadens its scope to include biofuels produced from lignocellulosic feedstocks such as agricultural residues, forestry waste, industrial by-products, and algae.
The updated Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana now encompasses “bolt-on” and “brownfield” projects, allowing existing facilities to adapt and improve their operations.
Emphasis will be placed on innovative technologies and novel feedstocks to encourage diverse and advanced approaches within the industry.
Under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, the government aims to reach a 20% ethanol blended with petrol target by the end of the 2025-26 ethanol supply year, necessitating a substantial increase in ethanol production capacity.
To achieve this, the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana focuses on the development of 2nd Generation (2G) ethanol from surplus biomass and agricultural waste.
The scheme, initially launched in March 2019, has already supported the establishment of India’s first 2G ethanol plant by Indian Oil Corporation at Panipat.
