Page 12 - NIS English 1-15 April, 2026

NATION | NXT Summit

Ethanol in Petroleum and Reserve Capacity
n Prior to 2014, India possessed negligible strategic Ethanol Blending Capacity in Country
reserve capacity. Today, this capacity exceeds 5
million tonnes. Work is currently underway to 2014 Before 1.5%
develop even greater capacity.

n Today, India stands as one of the world’s largest 2026 20%
refining hubs. Over the past decade, refining
capacity has witnessed an annual increase of more
than 40 million tonnes. n Had India not undertaken these initiatives,
it would have been compelled to import
n To reduce dependence on petroleum, significant approximately 180 million additional barrels
emphasis has been placed on ethanol and biofuels. of oil from abroad over the past 11 years.

million barrels of oil imports dependence lakh crore rupees have been saved
Approx 45 ethanol production capacity. Nearly 1.5 by the country through this alone.
is reduced annually today, thanks to our

Electrification of n In the year 2024-25 alone, Indian
Railway Lines Railways saved approximately 1.8
Electrification of the Railway billion litres of diesel.
Broad Gauge Network
n Had this electrification not
20% taken place, additional crude oil
would have had to be imported
2014
100% every year to produce this
Nearly quantity of diesel.
2026

n Providing 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha to ensure that the war has the minimal possible impact on
and State Legislative Assemblies also seemed impossible; the lives of its citizens.
today, a law has been enacted to make this a reality.

n Today, missions such as the Moon Mission, SPECIAL CAMPAIGNS IN ASPIRATIONAL
Semiconductor Mission, and Quantum Mission are DISTRICTS
propelling India toward the frontiers of next-generation
technology. The government has integrated those who had
fallen behind in the race for development into
the core priorities of governance. Today, special
...ENSURING THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF campaigns – such as the Aspirational Districts
WAR DO NOT IMPACT INDIA Programme, Aspirational Blocks Programme, and
n When the Russia-Ukraine crisis escalated, international PM-JANMAN Scheme – are being actively imple-
urea prices reached ₹3,000 per bag, and the government mented in these regions to drive the construction
ensured farmers received it at the nominal rate of ₹300.
of vital infrastructure, including housing, roads,
n This time, too, the nation will make every possible effort schools, and hospitals.

10 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || April 1-15, 2026