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Fuel adulteration is a big menace in India. It not only affects the engine components but also hampers the country economy. The main driving force for this malpractice is the difference in the pricing of various hydrocarbon products. Till recently, PDS kerosene was used in a big way to adulterate petrol and diesel. However, with the opening up of the economy many other streams and side products are readily available, which are frequently being used as adulterants for prime fuels. Oil industry as well as Government of India has taken various measures to curb this menace and the present paper gives an overview on different measures taken to put an end to the adulteration of prime fuel with other streams. Further, in a significant move to curb adulteration of petrol and diesel, Marker Systems is being used that promises to stamp out the problems of adulteration.

Biodiesel is derived from oils of plants/animals and these alternate fuels can be used in engines to provide power in a similar fashion as that of conventional diesel fuels. These biodegradable transportation fuels are almost free from sulfur, are low in particulate emissions, renewable and reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil imports. India has tropical advantage for non-edible oilseed crops, which include Jatropha curcas and Pongamia pinnata. These plants grow in arid to semi arid regions and are not grazed by animals. The oil content of the seeds varies from 25-30% and the productive life of the plants is more than 40 years.