According to India’s National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels ? 1. Cassava 2. Damaged wheat grains 3. Groundnut seeds 4. Horse gram 5. Rotten potatoes 6. Sugar beet Select the correct answer using the code given below :
- (a) 1, 2, 5 and 6 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) 1, 3, 4 and 6 only
- (c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
Why the answer is (a)
• The National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 widens ethanol feedstocks to sugarcane juice, sugar-containing materials like sugar beet and sweet sorghum, starch-containing materials like corn and cassava, and damaged food grains (wheat, broken rice) and rotten potatoes unfit for human consumption.
• Cassava (1), damaged wheat (2), rotten potatoes (5) and sugar beet (6) are therefore permitted.
• Groundnut seeds (3) and horse gram (4) are edible oilseed/pulse crops, not listed as biofuel feedstock.
• Hence 1, 2, 5 and 6 only, option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) 1, 3, 4 and 6 only
- Groundnut and horse gram are not listed feedstocks.
- (c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
- Groundnut and horse gram are not listed; sugar beet is.
- (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
- Groundnut and horse gram are excluded.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2020, held on 4 October 2020. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.