Formalization of India's Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandates: UPSC Current Affairs Story Arc

Overview

This arc tracks India's strategic pivot toward Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to de-carbonize its rapidly growing aviation sector. It began with the National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC) setting initial targets to align with the international CORSIA framework. To ensure these targets weren't just aspirational, the government secured supply MoUs and drafted a long-term National Policy on SAF with a 2050 roadmap. The process culminated in December 2025 when the Union Government formally approved mandatory blending targets for all international flights departing India, moving the country closer to its Net Zero 2070 commitment.

How This Story Evolved

NBCC recommends initial targets under CORSIA (Item 2) → Supply MoUs are signed to ensure availability (Item 4) → A national policy and long-term roadmap are drafted (Item 1) → The Union Government formally approves the specific 2027-2030 blending targets (Seed)

1. 2025-08-18: SAF Blending Targets and CORSIA
   More details

   UPSC Angle: India's SAF blending targets under CORSIA: 1% in 2027, 2% in 2028.

   Key Facts:

   • National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC)
   • SAF blending targets for international flights:
   • 1% in 2027
   • 2% in 2028
   • CORSIA: Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation
   • Mandates offsetting CO2 emissions above 2020 levels
2. 2025-08-19: MoU for Sustainable Aviation Fuel
   More details

   UPSC Angle: MoU signed to supply Sustainable Aviation Fuel for international flights.

   Key Facts:

   • MoU signed on August 19, 2025.
   • Purpose: To supply Sustainable Aviation Fuel for international flights.
3. 2025-09-11: National Policy on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
   More details

   UPSC Angle: India formulating national policy on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

   Key Facts:

   • India is formulating a national policy on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) alongside a long-term roadmap through 2050.
   • SAF can be produced from non-edible oils, used cooking oil, algae, and agricultural waste.
4. 2025-12-05: Sustainable Aviation Fuel Blend Approved
   More details

   UPSC Angle: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blending targets approved for international flights.

   Key Facts:

   • Murlidhar Mohol: Union Minister of State (MoS), Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA)
   • 1% by 2027: SAF blending target
   • 2% by 2028: SAF blending target
   • 5% by 2030: SAF blending target
   • SAF blending target by 2027: 1%
   • SAF blending target by 2028: 2%
   • SAF blending target by 2030: 5%

Genesis

Trigger

On August 18, 2025, the National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC) officially recommended the first SAF blending targets: 1% for 2027 and 2% for 2028.

Why Now

The move was driven by the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) CORSIA mandate, which requires airlines to offset CO2 emissions above 2020 levels starting in 2027.

Historical Context

This builds upon the National Policy on Biofuels (2018), which primarily focused on ethanol blending in petrol (E20) and biodiesel for road transport, now expanding its scope to the harder-to-abate aviation sector.

Key Turning Points

1. [2025-08-18] NBCC sets the first 1% and 2% targets for 2027-28.

   It shifted SAF from a 'discussion point' to a 'policy goal' aligned with international law (CORSIA).

   Before: SAF use was voluntary and experimental. After: A clear regulatory timeline was established for airlines.

2. [2025-12-05] Union Government formally approves the 5% blending target for 2030.

   The 5% target goes beyond initial ICAO requirements, signaling India's ambition to become a global SAF hub.

   Before: Targets were recommendations by a committee (NBCC). After: They became official government mandates under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Key Actors and Institutions

Key Institutions

• National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC)
• Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA)
• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
• Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs)

Key Concepts

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

A 'drop-in' fuel produced from renewable feedstocks like used cooking oil, agricultural residues, and algae that can be used in existing aircraft engines without modification.

Current Fact: India's roadmap allows SAF production from non-edible oils, algae, and agricultural waste as per the September 2025 policy draft.

CORSIA

The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, a global market-based measure to stabilize CO2 emissions from international aviation.

Current Fact: India's initial 1% (2027) and 2% (2028) targets were specifically set to meet CORSIA obligations.

NBCC

The apex body chaired by the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas that provides overall coordination and policy guidance for biofuel implementation in India.

Current Fact: The NBCC recommended the initial SAF targets on August 18, 2025, which served as the foundation for the final mandate.

What Happens Next

Current Status

As of December 5, 2025, the government has formally approved a three-tier blending mandate: 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028, and a significant jump to 5% by 2030.

Likely Next

Expect the notification of the 'National Policy on Sustainable Aviation Fuel' which will detail financial incentives (like Viability Gap Funding) for SAF refineries and specific collection mechanisms for Used Cooking Oil (UCO).

Wildcards

Fluctuations in global edible oil prices could divert feedstocks away from SAF; however, a breakthrough in algae-based biofuel (Item 3) could drastically lower production costs.

Why UPSC Cares

Syllabus Topics

• Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
• Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Essay Angles

• The 'Green' Skies: Balancing aviation growth with climate responsibility
• Biofuels: India's bridge to energy sovereignty and Net Zero

Prelims Likely: Yes

Mains Likely: Yes

Trend Signal: rising

Exam Intelligence

Previous Year Question Connections

• Tested feedstocks for SAF including agri residues, corn, and wastewater sludge. — This arc confirms those feedstocks (Item 3) are now officially part of India's 2050 SAF roadmap.
• Listed raw materials for biofuels like cassava, damaged grains, and rotten potatoes. — The new SAF policy extends this logic from road transport to the aviation sector.

Prelims Angles

• Specific SAF blending targets: 1% (2027), 2% (2028), 5% (2030).
• The role of the Ministry of Civil Aviation vs. Ministry of Petroleum in SAF mandates.
• Feedstocks mentioned in the policy: non-edible oils, UCO, algae, and agri-waste.
• The definition of CORSIA and its 2020 baseline for emission offsetting.

Mains Preparation

Sample Question: Critically analyze India's recent mandate for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blending. To what extent can this initiative help India achieve its Net Zero 2070 targets while maintaining its position as the world's third-largest domestic aviation market?

Answer Structure: Intro: Define SAF and the 2027-2030 mandates → Body 1: Environmental significance (carbon reduction, CORSIA compliance) → Body 2: Economic challenges (high cost of SAF, feedstock collection logistics) → Body 3: Strategic benefits (energy security, reduced import bill) → Way Forward: Tech R&D and VGF support.

Essay Topic: Sustainable Infrastructure: The Key to India's Amrit Kaal

Textbook Connections

Key Takeaway

India's shift from voluntary to mandatory SAF blending (1% to 5%) marks the institutionalization of green aviation, transforming international climate commitments into a domestic industrial roadmap.

All Events in This Story (4 items)

1. 2025-08-18 [Environment & Ecology] — SAF Blending Targets and CORSIA
   India's National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC) has set initial SAF blending targets for international flights under the CORSIA framework: 1% in 2027 and 2% in 2028. CORSIA, the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, mandates airlines to offset any increase in CO2 emissions above 2020 levels.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: India's SAF blending targets under CORSIA: 1% in 2027, 2% in 2028.

   Key Facts:

   • National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC)
   • SAF blending targets for international flights:
   • 1% in 2027
   • 2% in 2028
   • CORSIA: Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation
   • Mandates offsetting CO2 emissions above 2020 levels
2. 2025-08-19 [Environment & Ecology] — MoU for Sustainable Aviation Fuel
   An MoU was signed on August 19, 2025, to supply Sustainable Aviation Fuel for international flights.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: MoU signed to supply Sustainable Aviation Fuel for international flights.

   Key Facts:

   • MoU signed on August 19, 2025.
   • Purpose: To supply Sustainable Aviation Fuel for international flights.
3. 2025-09-11 [Environment & Ecology] — National Policy on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
   India is formulating a national policy on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) with a long-term roadmap through 2050, aiming to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2070. SAF is a bio-based alternative to fossil-derived jet fuel produced from non-edible oils, used cooking oil, algae, and agricultural waste.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: India formulating national policy on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

   Key Facts:

   • India is formulating a national policy on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) alongside a long-term roadmap through 2050.
   • SAF can be produced from non-edible oils, used cooking oil, algae, and agricultural waste.
4. 2025-12-05 [Environment & Ecology] — Sustainable Aviation Fuel Blend Approved
   The Government of India has formally approved the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blending targets in traditional jet fuel for international flights. The targets are 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028, and 5% by 2030.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blending targets approved for international flights.

   Key Facts:

   • Murlidhar Mohol: Union Minister of State (MoS), Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA)
   • 1% by 2027: SAF blending target
   • 2% by 2028: SAF blending target
   • 5% by 2030: SAF blending target
   • SAF blending target by 2027: 1%
   • SAF blending target by 2028: 2%
   • SAF blending target by 2030: 5%