Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has criticised the Centre’s ethanol-blending policy, saying ethanol has become a "new name" for profiteering. The issue is relevant for UPSC because ethanol blending sits at the intersection of energy security, pollution control, consumer prices, and policy design.

Yadav says the policy is presented as a measure to reduce pollution and lower India’s crude oil import bill, but he alleges that it primarily benefits a small set of interests, including ethanol makers and oil companies.