The Government of India through a Press Information Bureau release on April 23, 2026 confirmed that aviation turbine fuel blended with Sustainable Aviation Fuel has been formally brought under the Aviation Turbine Fuel (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001 through a notification dated April 17, 2026. The administrative measure plugs a regulatory gap by enabling marketing companies, refiners and airlines to handle SAF-blended jet fuel within the same control regime that currently governs conventional ATF. SAF is a renewable aviation-grade hydrocarbon fuel chemically similar to ATF and fully compatible with existing aircraft engines, derived from feedstocks such as crops, biogenic residues and waste materials, offering significant reduction in life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions compared with fossil ATF. The Bureau of Indian Standards specification IS 1571 covers petroleum-based ATF and co-processed SAF while IS 17081 covers SAF blended with traditional ATF. SAF supplied for international flights must additionally meet the sustainability criteria of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, the global market-based measure being implemented by the International Civil Aviation Organization. India has set indicative SAF blending targets of one per cent in 2027, two per cent in 2028 and five per cent by 2030 for international flights, ahead of the mandatory phase of CORSIA which begins in 2027 and requires international carriers to offset emissions above a defined baseline. The notification supports India's climate commitments and decarbonisation of the rapidly growing civil aviation sector.
Government of India PIB Release on April 23, 2026 Confirms Sustainable Aviation Fuel Blends Brought under the ATF (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001; Indicative Targets of 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028 and 5% by 2030 Aligned with ICAO CORSIA
A PIB release on April 23, 2026 confirmed that SAF-blended aviation turbine fuel has been brought under the ATF (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001 by notification dated April 17, 2026. SAF must meet BIS specifications IS 1571 and IS 17081, with international supplies needing CORSIA sustainability criteria. India has set indicative blending targets of 1% (2027), 2% (2028) and 5% (2030) for international flights.
Key facts
- A PIB release on April 24, 2026 confirmed SAF-blended jet fuel has been brought under the ATF (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001.
- The amendment was notified on April 17, 2026 as an administrative measure to enable marketing of SAF-blended ATF under the existing control regime.
- SAF is renewable aviation-grade hydrocarbon fuel chemically similar to ATF, made from crops, biogenic residues and waste materials with substantial GHG reduction.
- BIS specifications: IS 1571 covers petroleum-based ATF and co-processed SAF; IS 17081 covers SAF blended with traditional ATF.
- For international flights, SAF must additionally meet CORSIA sustainability criteria as a CORSIA-eligible fuel.
- India's indicative SAF blending targets for international flights are 1% in 2027, 2% in 2028 and 5% by 2030.
- The mandatory phase of CORSIA begins in 2027, requiring international carriers to offset emissions above a defined baseline.
6-axis classification
Appears in these topics
Practice MCQ from this story
SolveTap an option below. Correct or incorrect feedback appears instantly.
With reference to the inclusion of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blends under the ATF (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001 posted by PIB on April 23, 2026, consider the following statements: 1. The amendment was notified on April 17, 2026 as an administrative measure to enable marketing of SAF-blended aviation turbine fuel. 2. India has set indicative SAF blending targets of 1 per cent in 2027, 2 per cent in 2028 and 10 per cent by 2030 for international flights. 3. SAF supplied for international flights must additionally meet the sustainability criteria of CORSIA implemented by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. The amendment to the ATF Control Order, 2001 was notified on April 17, 2026 as an administrative measure (posted by PIB on April 23), and SAF for international flights must meet CORSIA sustainability criteria. Statement 2 is incorrect because India's indicative SAF blending target for 2030 is 5 per cent, not 10 per cent.
Frequently asked questions
What action did the Government of India take regarding SAF on April 24, 2026?
A PIB release on April 24, 2026 confirmed that SAF-blended aviation turbine fuel had been brought under the ATF (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001 by a notification dated April 17, 2026.
What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel?
SAF is a renewable aviation-grade hydrocarbon fuel chemically similar to ATF and fully compatible with existing aircraft engines, derived from crops, biogenic residues and waste materials, offering significant life-cycle GHG reductions.
Which BIS specifications govern ATF and SAF in India?
IS 1571 covers petroleum-based ATF and co-processed SAF, while IS 17081 specifically covers SAF blended with traditional ATF.
What are India's indicative SAF blending targets for international flights?
India has set targets of 1 per cent in 2027, 2 per cent in 2028, and 5 per cent by 2030 for international flights.
What is CORSIA and why does it matter for SAF?
CORSIA is the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation implemented by the International Civil Aviation Organization. SAF for international flights must meet CORSIA sustainability criteria to qualify as a CORSIA-eligible fuel.
Was this useful?
Share corrections or missing exam angles with the editorial team.
Send feedback