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:

The correct answer is 1, 2, 5 and 6 only (Option 1).

According to India’s National Policy on Biofuels (issued in 2018), the government expanded the scope of raw materials allowed for ethanol production. This policy was designed to permit the utilization of damaged, non-food grade, or starch-containing agricultural materials that are unfit for human consumption, thereby preventing food security issues while boosting biofuel generation.

Under this policy, the authorized raw materials include:
1. Cassava (a starch-rich root crop)
2. Damaged food grains such as wheat, broken rice, etc., which are unfit for human consumption
3. Rotten potatoes (starch-rich and unfit for eating)
4. Sugar beet, sweet sorghum, sugarcane juice, molasses, and other sugar-containing materials

However, pulses and oilseeds like groundnut seeds (3) and horse gram (4) are major sources of protein and cooking oil for the population. Using them as raw materials for biofuel production is not permitted under the policy because it could directly impact food security and oilseed availability. Therefore, groundnut seeds and horse gram are excluded.