Who among the following unveiled 'Ethanol 100', an automotive fuel aimed at reducing emissions and promoting sustainability?

Appeared in: DSSSB 14 August 2024

Explanation

Hardeep Singh Puri, in his capacity as the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, launched the 'Ethanol 100' fuel.
This initiative falls directly under his ministry's purview, which is focused on India's energy sector, including the promotion of alternative and sustainable fuels.
The launch is a significant step in India's journey towards reducing carbon emissions and decreasing reliance on imported crude oil.

Option A: Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India. While he oversees major national policies, the specific launch of a new fuel type is typically handled by the minister of the concerned portfolio.
Option C: Rajnath Singh is the Defence Minister of India. His responsibilities are related to the armed forces and national security, not the petroleum or energy sector.
Option D: Amit Shah is the Home Minister of India. His portfolio includes internal security, disaster management, and centre-state relations, which are not directly related to energy or fuel policy.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Current Affairs and Government Initiatives as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The introduction of 'Ethanol 100' is a key component of India's Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP), which aims to mix ethanol with petrol to reduce pollution and the country's oil import bill.
This policy directly supports the agricultural sector by creating a new market for surplus crops like sugarcane, from which ethanol is primarily produced.
What if the question was about the target for 20% ethanol blending (E20)? The policy and ministry involved would be the same, but the focus would be on the specific timeline (2025) and the phased rollout of E20 fuel across the country.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question, which is the launch of a new automotive fuel, 'Ethanol 100'.
Next, recognize that government initiatives related to specific sectors like petroleum and fuel are usually unveiled by the cabinet minister in charge of that portfolio.
Review the options provided and recall or deduce the ministerial roles of each individual.
Match the subject (petroleum/fuel) with the relevant ministry. Hardeep Singh Puri is the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, making him the most logical choice.
Eliminate the other options based on their portfolios: Prime Minister (oversees all, but doesn't launch everything), Defence Minister, and Home Minister, as their roles are not related to energy policy.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full DSSSB 14 August 2024

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.