The Indian government has amended aviation fuel rules to allow blending of alternative and synthesised components, widening the scope for cleaner fuel adoption in the sector. The move updates how aviation turbine fuel is defined and regulated, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
The notification dated April 17, 2026, revises the Aviation Turbine Fuel (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001, introducing provisions that permit the inclusion of blended components within aviation fuel.
Under the amended rules, aviation turbine fuel is now defined as “a complex mixture of hydrocarbons conforming to IS 1571 specification or is blended with synthesised hydrocarbons as specified in IS 17081”, according to the notification cited by Business Standard.
This broader definition enables the use of alternative and synthesised inputs in aviation fuel. While ethanol has not been explicitly referenced, the revised framework may support future biofuel pathways, including ethanol-linked options.
The notification added that the amendment would come into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
The government has not specified any mandatory blending targets under the revised rules. There are also no defined targets for fuel used in domestic aviation at this stage, according to Business Standard.
The absence of immediate mandates suggests a phased approach, allowing the industry time to adapt to changes in fuel composition and supply chains.
The policy shift is aimed at accelerating the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel, widely seen as a lower-emission alternative that can be used without major modifications to existing aircraft systems.
It also aligns with India’s broader effort to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. The country meets nearly 87 per cent of its oil demand through imports, exposing it to global supply disruptions and price volatility, particularly amid ongoing tensions in West Asia, as noted by Business Standard.
These pressures have heightened concerns around energy security and strengthened the case for diversifying fuel sources.
The change forms part of a wider policy push to expand biofuel usage across sectors. Ethanol blending in petrol remains a key focus area, with the government already mandating E20 fuel rollout.
Draft rules for E85 fuel, which consists of 85 per cent ethanol blended with petrol, may be notified soon. However, higher ethanol blends have faced operational challenges and resistance from consumers due to compatibility concerns with existing engines.
Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has repeatedly advocated increased ethanol adoption and has recently called for a transition towards 100 per cent ethanol usage, the publication reported.
Brazil remains the only large economy to have implemented E100 fuel at scale, alongside E85 options, as part of its transition away from fossil fuels.
The revision of ATF norms signals an incremental shift in India’s aviation fuel policy, creating regulatory space for alternative fuels without imposing immediate obligations. The pace of adoption will likely depend on supply readiness, cost dynamics, and further policy direction in the coming months.
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