Pongamia pinnata, commonly known as Karanja, is a fast-growing and hardy tree that grows naturally in most of the arid regions of India. It is a drought-tolerant plant and can grow well even in poor soil conditions. These characteristics make it a good option for cultivation in India, where large tracts of land are arid or semi-arid.

The seeds of Pongamia pinnata are rich in oil, and the oil content ranges from 25% to 40%. The oil is a potential source of biodiesel, and research has shown that the oil can be converted into biodiesel through transesterification. The fatty acid composition of Pongamia pinnata oil is similar to that of Jatropha curcas, and nearly half of the fatty acids in the oil are oleic acid, which is desirable for biodiesel production.

Pongamia pinnata has several advantages over Jatropha curcas. First, it is more widely distributed in India and can be grown in a variety of soil and climatic conditions. Second, Pongamia pinnata has a shorter gestation period and can start producing seeds within three to four years of planting, whereas Jatropha curcas takes five to six years to mature. Finally, Pongamia pinnata has a higher seed yield than Jatropha curcas, which means that it can produce more oil per unit of land.

Overall, Pongamia pinnata is considered a good option for biodiesel production in India due to its widespread availability, high oil content, and desirable fatty acid composition.