- Why in news
- On 29 July 2026, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu chaired a stakeholder meeting to review India's readiness for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and CORSIA, whose mandatory phase begins on 1 January 2027.
- What it is
- CORSIA is the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, a global market-based measure run by ICAO. It aims to keep net CO2 emissions from international flights at 2019 levels by having airlines offset growth through eligible emissions units or use of eligible fuels. Sustainable Aviation Fuel is a drop-in fuel with lower lifecycle emissions that can be blended with conventional jet fuel.
- CORSIA owner
- CORSIA is ICAO's global carbon reduction framework for international aviation.
- Mandatory phase
- The mandatory phase of CORSIA begins on 1 January 2027.
- India's immediate target
- India's immediate priority is meeting the 1% CORSIA blending requirement cost-effectively.
- Green airports
- 104 airports have switched entirely to 100% green energy, up from 0 in 2014.
- National SAF Registry
- A national SAF Registry with end-to-end traceability is being developed, along with Letters of Authorisation for CORSIA.
- ICAO
- ICAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations, headquartered in Montreal, set up under the 1944 Chicago Convention.
Don’t confuse with CORSIA vs EU ETS: CORSIA is a global ICAO scheme for international flights. The EU ETS is a regional cap-and-trade system run by the European Union.
Don’t confuse with SAF vs biofuel blending: SAF is a jet fuel with lower lifecycle emissions. Ethanol blending in petrol is a separate road-fuel programme.
International bodies and relations: the largest group of news questions in Prelims (61 since 2013), often about background, members and location. In Mains, 27 news-triggered questions, mostly on India's interests.
Why it matters
- Meeting CORSIA obligations avoids extra costs for Indian airlines on international routes.
- A domestic SAF chain can create farm-linked demand and cut emissions in aviation.
Problems
- SAF costs more than conventional jet fuel, raising fares and airline costs.
- Scaling feedstock, certification and production before 2027 is difficult.
Way forward
- Fix firm production timelines and a clear blending roadmap with obligations for oil companies, airlines and airports.
- Set up a national SAF registry and a CORSIA-compliant carbon market framework.
Put in your answer
Green airports: 104 airports have moved to 100% green energy, up from 0 in 2014.
Whole-of-government approach: The Minister said the carbon-credit offset mechanism must be built through a whole-of-government approach.
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UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
- 1.CORSIA is a global market-based measure for international aviation that is administered under the International Civil Aviation Organization.
- 2.The mandatory phase of CORSIA begins on 1 January 2027.
- 3.CORSIA covers emissions from both domestic and international flights.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 6
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.CORSIA is a global market-based measure administered under the International Civil Aviation Organization.
True. CORSIA is ICAO's global carbon reduction framework for international aviation.
2.The mandatory phase of CORSIA begins on 1 January 2027.
True. The mandatory phase begins on 1 January 2027.
3.CORSIA covers emissions from both domestic and international flights.
False. CORSIA applies to international aviation only; domestic emissions are left to national governments.
4.ICAO is headquartered in Geneva.
False. ICAO is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
5.CORSIA aims to keep net CO2 emissions from international aviation at 2019 levels.
True. The scheme targets carbon-neutral growth from international aviation, using a 2019 baseline.
6.Sustainable Aviation Fuel is a drop-in fuel that can be blended with conventional jet fuel.
True. SAF is a drop-in fuel with lower lifecycle emissions, blendable with jet fuel.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.