A comprehensive assessment of biofuel policies in the BRICS nations: Implementation, blending target and gaps.

• Need of biofuel in lieu of fossil fuel has been justified. • Evolution of biofuel policies in Brazil and Russia were described. • Bioethanol and biodiesel policy of India, China and South Africa were addressed. • Blending mandate and Legal challenges of biofuel in BRICS were presented. Biofuels share a meagre fraction in the total fuel consumption, and their usage is speculated to upsurge steadily in the years to come. One of the key drivers for the development of biofuel production industries and simultaneous dilution of biofuels in the energy market is the country's policy. Hence, this critical review focuses on the evolution of biofuel policies in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) nations and successful implementation of the policies by the respective countries. In detail, this paper provides legal framework and policies prompted the expansion of biofuel research and industries across the BRICS nations. It extensively presents key laws, blending targets, current regulation, national action plan, government support mechanism (subsidies), output targets, and major hurdles and scope in biofuel policies of BRICS nations for efficient penetration of biofuel to the energy market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]