Key Details
The Government has outlined a phased strategy to scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel through domestic production, certification, market development and indicative blending targets for international aviation.
Key Area | Main Update |
|---|---|
SAF blending roadmap | The Government has approved indicative blending targets of 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028 and 5% by 2030 for international aviation operations. |
Production support | Financial assistance under the PM JI-VAN Yojana was approved in June 2026 for three commercial-scale and two demonstration-scale SAF projects. |
Certification framework | NABCB has been recognised to accredit SAF certification bodies under the ISCC scheme, while IOCL (Panipat) and BPCL (Mumbai) have obtained ISCC CORSIA certification for SAF production. |
Industry collaboration | The Government is facilitating long-term SAF supply arrangements between Oil Marketing Companies and airlines through Memoranda of Understanding. |
Operational adoption | Indian carriers, including Vistara, AirAsia India and SpiceJet, have successfully operated SAF-blended trial and commercial flights. |
India Sets a Roadmap for SAF Adoption
The Lok Sabha reply outlines India's first indicative Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blending targets of 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028 and 5% by 2030 for international aviation operations. Alongside these targets, the Government has announced measures to expand domestic production, establish certification mechanisms and strengthen supply arrangements, signalling a more structured approach to aviation decarbonisation.
The Policy Focus Is Shifting Towards Commercial Deployment
The reply highlights financial support for three commercial-scale and two demonstration-scale SAF projectsunder the PM JI-VAN Yojana, while IOCL (Panipat) and BPCL (Mumbai) have secured internationally recognised ISCC CORSIA certification. Together with long-term supply arrangements between oil marketing companies and airlines, these measures indicate a shift from demonstration flights towards building a commercially viable SAF market.
Building a Domestic SAF Ecosystem
The Government's approach extends beyond fuel production to developing the institutional ecosystem needed for large-scale adoption. Certification through the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB), collaboration across airlines and fuel suppliers, and internationally aligned standards seek to improve market confidence while positioning India to participate in the emerging global Sustainable Aviation Fuel market.
What Is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a low-carbon alternative to conventional Aviation Turbine Fuel produced from sustainable feedstocks such as used cooking oil, agricultural residues and other biomass. It can be blended with conventional jet fuel and used in existing aircraft without major modifications, making it one of the most practical near-term pathways for reducing aviation emissions while longer-term technologies continue to develop.
Policy Relevance
Aviation Decarbonisation: India's first indicative SAF blending targets provide a structured pathway for reducing emissions from international aviation.
Domestic Biofuel Industry: Production incentives and certification mechanisms can accelerate commercial SAF manufacturing and strengthen indigenous biofuel capabilities.
Global Competitiveness: ISCC CORSIA certification aligns Indian SAF production with internationally recognised sustainability standards, improving market access and export readiness.
Market Development: Long-term supply arrangements between airlines and oil companies can reduce investment uncertainty and support the commercial scale-up of SAF production.
Energy Transition: Expanding SAF production creates new opportunities to utilise sustainable feedstocks while supporting India's broader clean energy and circular economy objectives.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How should India sequence production incentives, certification mechanisms and blending mandates to build a commercially viable Sustainable Aviation Fuel market while meeting its 2030 blending targets?
Follow the Full Lok Sabha Reply Here: Unstarred Question No. 708: Adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (23 July 2026)