Ethanol Blending Programme (India)

Statement 1 is Incorrect: Hydrogen obtained from fossil fuels (primarily natural gas) through steam methane reforming, where the resulting carbon emissions are captured and stored using Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies, is known as Blue Hydrogen, not Green Hydrogen. Statement 2 is Correct: Green Hydrogen is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen via electrolysis, using electricity generated entirely from renewable energy sources (such as solar or wind). It is a completely zero-emission process. Statement 3 is Correct: The National Green Hydrogen Mission launched by the Government of India has set quantified targets for 2030. It aims to develop a green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonnes) per annum. This will lead to the abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, alongside reducing fossil fuel imports and creating over 6 lakh jobs. Therefore, the correct option is B.

The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a major government initiative to expand rooftop solar adoption in the residential sector, while also building technical capacity across the country. ✅ Statement I: Correct
* The scheme targets the installation of 1 crore solar rooftop panels in households. ✅ Statement II: Correct
* The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE plans to train grassroots-level workers in installation, operation, and maintenance. ✅ Statement III: Correct
* The scheme aims to create over 3 lakh skilled workers through fresh skilling and up-skilling efforts.

* Green hydrogen is the hydrogen produced through electrolysis of water using electricity from renewable sources. * Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing all three of the mentioned heavy industries. * Green hydrogen can be used in the production of ammonia, which is a key component for many fertilizers. Fertilizer production is energy-intensive and often relies on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas. By using green hydrogen as a clean energy source, the carbon emissions from this industry can be significantly reduced * Green hydrogen can be used in oil refineries to process crude oil into various products, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. This can help to reduce the carbon emissions from the refining process. * The steel industry is one of the largest industrial emitters of carbon dioxide. Green hydrogen can be used in place of coal in the steelmaking process, significantly reducing the industry's carbon emissions.

Ethanol is a biofuel produced mainly by fermenting sugars found in crops like corn and sugarcane, with the USA and Brazil being the top global producers—each using a different primary feedstock. ❌ Statement I: Incorrect
* The United States is the largest ethanol producer, not Brazil. ✅ Statement II: Correct
* USA uses corn; Brazil uses sugarcane as the primary feedstock for ethanol.

* Agricultural residues: These include materials like crop stalks, husks, and leaves. They are a viable source of biomass that can be converted into biofuels, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). * Corn grain: Corn grain is a source of sugars that can be fermented to produce ethanol, a biofuel. While ethanol is primarily used in gasoline blends, it can also be further processed into SAF. * Wastewater treatment sludge: This sludge is rich in organic matter. Through processes like anaerobic digestion, it can produce biogas, which can be further converted into SAF. * Wood mill waste: This includes sawdust, wood chips, and bark. These lignocellulosic materials can be converted into biofuels through various thermochemical or biochemical processes, ultimately leading to SAF production. Therefore, all four materials can be used as feedstock for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel.