Tags:EnvironmentUPSCSSC
For Prelims: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), Blending Mandate, Nodal Ministry, Policy Name, Blending Start Year, Phase 1 Target (2027-2030), Phase 2 Target (2031-2040)
For Mains: Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Green Aviation, Decarbonisation, Net-zero, CORSIA
Source:
Hindustan
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- The Ministry of Civil Aviation released the draft National Policy on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
- SAF blending with ATF will be mandatory from 2027.
- The blending target is 1% in 2027, 5% by 2030, and 40% by 2040.
- At least 90% of SAF for international flights must be produced in India.
- A SAF Innovation Fund is proposed to support indigenous technology and start-ups.
Why in the news?
India's Ministry of Civil Aviation has released a draft National Policy on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), mandating airlines to start blending SAF with aviation turbine fuel (ATF) from 2027. The policy proposes a phased increase from 1% blending in 2027 to 40% by 2040, along with fiscal incentives and a dedicated innovation fund to boost domestic production.
Summary
- Ministry of Civil Aviation releases draft National Policy on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), mandating blending with ATF.
- Blending mandate begins at 1% in 2027, rising to 5% by 2030 (Phase 1) and 40% by 2040 (Phase 2).
- At least 90% of SAF for international flights must be domestically produced.
- Policy proposes GST exemptions/reductions, financing support, green financing instruments, and a dedicated SAF Innovation Fund.
- SAF Innovation Fund to support pilot projects, indigenous technology development, feedstock optimisation, and start-ups.
Highlights
Mandatory SAF Blending
Airlines in India will be required to blend Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) with aviation turbine fuel (ATF) starting 2027.
Phased Targets
Blending mandate rises from 1% in 2027 to 5% by 2030, and then to 40% by 2040.
Domestic Production Focus
At least 90% of SAF for international flights must be produced within India, supported by fiscal incentives and a dedicated innovation fund.
Background
The aviation sector is a significant and growing source of greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), produced from renewable feedstocks such as used cooking oil, agricultural residues, and municipal waste, can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to about 80% compared to conventional jet fuel depending on feedstock and production pathway. SAF deployment is one of the measures promoted internationally by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), including through mechanisms such as CORSIA, to reduce aviation emissions. India has announced a national net‑zero greenhouse gas target for 2070; this is an economy‑wide target, not a sector‑specific (aviation) target.
Way Forward
The policy is currently a draft and will be finalised after stakeholder consultations. Key challenges include ensuring sufficient feedstock availability, scaling up production capacity, and bridging the cost gap with conventional fuel. The success of the policy will depend on effective implementation of the SAF Innovation Fund and coordination between the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
SAF Blending Phases
| Phase | Years | Blending Target |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 2027 - 2030 | 1% to 5% |
| Phase 2 | 2031 - 2040 | Up to 40% |
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
- A type of biofuel used to power aircraft, produced from sustainable feedstocks like used cooking oil, agricultural waste, and municipal solid waste. It can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.
- Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF)
- A type of kerosene-based fuel used in aircraft gas-turbine engines. It is a refined petroleum product and a major cost component for airlines.
- Blending Mandate
- A government regulation requiring fuel suppliers to blend a certain percentage of a renewable or alternative fuel (like SAF or ethanol) with conventional fossil fuel.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: SAF blending starts at 1% in 2027, reaches 5% by 2030, and 40% by 2040.
- Nodal Body: Ministry of Civil Aviation.
- Legal Point: Draft National Policy on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Don't make this mistake!
They may swap the blending targets (e.g., say 40% by 2030 instead of 2040) or confuse SAF with other biofuels like ethanol (used in petrol) or biodiesel. Also, they might state that the policy is finalised, whereas it is a draft.
Write these in mains answers
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Green Aviation, Decarbonisation, Net-zero, CORSIA
Stuck? Get it in one tap
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a cleaner fuel made from things like used cooking oil and crop waste, which creates much less pollution than regular jet fuel. The government has proposed a new rule that will force airlines to start mixing a small amount of this clean fuel with normal jet fuel from 2027, and gradually increase the mix to 40% by 2040.
- The Ministry of Civil Aviation released the draft National Policy on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
- SAF blending with ATF will be mandatory from 2027.
- The blending target is 1% in 2027, 5% by 2030, and 40% by 2040.
- At least 90% of SAF for international flights must be produced in India.
- A SAF Innovation Fund is proposed to support indigenous technology and start-ups.
- Environment: Climate change and mitigation
- Economy: Infrastructure: Energy and transport
Related concepts: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), Blending Mandate
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which ministry is responsible for the draft National Policy on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?
Explanation: The Ministry of Civil Aviation is the nodal ministry for aviation policy in India, including the draft National Policy on Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The Ministry of Environment handles climate change, the Ministry of Petroleum deals with fuel production, and the Ministry of Power handles electricity, not aviation fuel policy.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding India's draft Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) policy:
- 1.The policy mandates airlines to blend SAF with aviation turbine fuel starting from 2027.
- 2.The blending target is set to increase from 1% in 2027 to 10% by 2030.
- 3.At least 90% of the SAF required for international flights must be produced domestically.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: the policy mandates SAF blending from 2027. Statement 2 is incorrect: the target for 2030 is 5%, not 10%. Statement 3 is correct: the policy requires at least 90% of SAF for international flights to be sourced from domestic production. Hence option C is correct.
- Q3Medium
According to the draft SAF policy, what is the target for SAF blending by the year 2040?
Explanation: The draft policy proposes a two-phase approach: Phase 1 (2027-2030) takes blending from 1% to 5%, and Phase 2 (2031-2040) targets up to 40% blending by 2040.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary environmental objective of mandating Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blending?
Explanation: SAF is a biofuel that can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional ATF, helping the aviation sector move towards its net-zero emission target. Reducing travel costs or increasing crude oil production are not primary objectives, and SAF is a drop-in fuel for existing aircraft, not for electric aircraft.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the draft National Policy on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?
It is a policy released by the Ministry of Civil Aviation that mandates airlines to blend Sustainable Aviation Fuel with conventional aviation turbine fuel, starting at 1% in 2027.
2. What are the SAF blending targets under the draft policy?
The blending target is 1% from 2027, rising to 5% by 2030 in Phase 1, and up to 40% by 2040 in Phase 2.
3. What is the domestic sourcing requirement for SAF?
The policy mandates that at least 90% of the SAF used for international flights from India must be produced domestically.
4. What incentives are proposed to promote SAF production?
The policy proposes GST exemptions/reductions, financing support, green financing instruments, and a dedicated SAF Innovation Fund.
All sources
- Original4 November 2026 · Read story
