- Why in news
- On 23 April 2026 the Petroleum Ministry said a 17 April 2026 notification amended the ATF Control Order, 2001, to bring SAF-blended aviation fuel under its ambit.
- What it is
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a drop-in aviation fuel made from renewable feedstocks such as crops, biogenic residues and waste. It is chemically similar to conventional jet fuel and works in existing aircraft engines. The ATF Control Order, 2001 regulates the marketing of aviation turbine fuel in India.
- Order amended
- The amendment to the ATF (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001 was notified on 17 April 2026 as an administrative measure.
- CORSIA
- CORSIA is ICAO's scheme to control emissions from international flights. Its mandatory phase begins in 2027 and requires offsetting of emissions above a baseline.
- India's indicative targets
- SAF blending targets for international flights are 1% in 2027, 2% in 2028 and 5% in 2030.
- CORSIA-eligible fuel
- SAF must meet CORSIA sustainability criteria as well as quality specifications to qualify as CORSIA-eligible fuel (CEF).
Don’t confuse with CORSIA vs Kyoto/Paris: CORSIA is an ICAO scheme only for international aviation emissions, not a UNFCCC treaty.
Don’t confuse with SAF vs biodiesel: SAF is a drop-in jet fuel meeting aviation specifications; biodiesel is for road engines.
Environment: Prelims tests bodies, programmes and the law behind them; Mains asks why plans fall short.
Why it matters
- Aligns India with the global SAF supply chain and CORSIA obligations.
- Supports decarbonisation of aviation and a green fuel transition.
Problems
- SAF is costlier than conventional jet fuel and needs feedstock supply.
- Feedstock must meet CORSIA sustainability criteria to count.
Way forward
- Build domestic SAF production, including co-processing in refineries.
- Provide incentives and clear mandates to scale supply.
Put in your answer
EU SAF mandate: EU: 2% in 2025, 6% in 2030, up to 70% by 2050.
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UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Single answer
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements regarding Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and the recent amendment to the ATF Control Order, 2001: 1. The amendment brings ATF blended with SAF under the ambit of the ATF Control Order. 2. CORSIA is a scheme of the International Maritime Organization to control emissions from shipping. 3. India's indicative SAF blending targets for international flights are 1% in 2027, 2% in 2028 and 5% in 2030. 4. Under the amended definition, ATF means only petroleum-based fuel meeting BIS specifications. How many of the statements given above are correct?
How many of the statements given above are correct?
True or false?
1 of 5
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.India's indicative SAF blending targets for international flights are 1% in 2027, 2% in 2028 and 5% in 2030.
True. The targets are 1%, 2% and 5% for 2027, 2028 and 2030.
2.CORSIA is a scheme run by the International Maritime Organization to control emissions from shipping.
False. CORSIA is an ICAO scheme for international aviation emissions.
3.SAF can be derived from crops, biogenic residues and waste materials.
True. These are recognised alternative feedstocks for SAF.
4.Using SAF can reduce the offsetting requirements of airlines under CORSIA.
True. SAF use can lower offsetting obligations.
5.Under the amended definition, ATF means only petroleum-based fuel meeting BIS specifications.
False. That was the earlier definition; it now also includes co-processed SAF and SAF blended with ATF.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.