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UPSC Prelims 2025 GS Paper 1, question 63

Topic: Economy

Q63

Consider the following statements :

Statement-I : Of the two major ethanol producers in the world, i.e., Brazil and the United States of America, the former produces more ethanol than the latter.

Statement-II : Unlike in the United States of America where corn is the principal feedstock for ethanol production, sugarcane is the principal feedstock for ethanol production in Brazil.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  2. (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  3. (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is not correct
  4. (d) Statement-I is not correct but Statement-II is correctCorrect answer

Solution.

Answer: (d) Statement-I is not correct but Statement-II is correct

  1. Statement-I is incorrect: the United States is the world's largest producer of fuel ethanol (accounting for over 50% of global production), while Brazil is the second-largest producer (around 26-28%).
  2. Statement-II is correct: in the United States, corn (maize) starch is the primary feedstock for ethanol production, whereas in Brazil, sugarcane juice and molasses serve as the primary feedstock.