India's first Methanol Cooking Fuel Program was recently launched in which Indian state?

Introduction / Context:
Energy security and clean cooking fuels are important priorities for India. Moving households away from traditional solid fuels like firewood and kerosene improves health and reduces indoor air pollution. Methanol based cooking fuel is one of the alternative energy options that have been explored. This question asks about the state where India launched its first Methanol Cooking Fuel Program, an initiative that also supports the broader methanol economy vision.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question clearly refers to India's first Methanol Cooking Fuel Program.
- The options list four Indian states: Assam, Tripura, Karnataka and Odisha.
- We assume the learner has read about a pilot project involving methanol based cooking systems rolled out in the north eastern region with support from NITI Aayog.

Concept / Approach:
The methanol cooking initiative aims to use methanol as a clean fuel in specially designed stoves, reducing dependence on imported liquefied petroleum gas and cutting down emissions. The first such programme in India was launched in Assam, where a public sector company based at Namrup produced methanol from natural gas and supplied it in safe canisters for household use. This pilot was widely reported as the country's first Methanol Cooking Fuel Program and was highlighted in current affairs compilations.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the pilot project linked to methanol cooking fuel was associated with the north eastern state of Assam. Step 2: Remember that Assam Petrochemicals Limited at Namrup was involved in producing methanol and distributing it in canisters for cooking stoves. Step 3: Compare the options and see that Tripura, Karnataka and Odisha were not named as the first state for this programme in major news sources. Step 4: Based on this recall, choose Assam as the correct state where the first Methanol Cooking Fuel Program was launched.

Verification / Alternative check:
Many competitive exam monthly magazines and government press releases mention that the methanol based cooking fuel project was inaugurated in Assam. They describe a launch event in Namrup and identify Assam Petrochemicals Limited as the company behind the initiative. These details confirm that Assam was the first state to implement this programme as a pilot for the rest of the country.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Tripura: Although Tripura is also a north eastern state and features in other energy related news, it was not the location of this particular first methanol cooking project.
Karnataka: This southern state has several energy and technology projects but is not linked to the initial methanol cooking fuel pilot.
Odisha: Odisha has many industrial activities, yet it is not identified as the first state for methanol cooking fuel in standard current affairs references.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes mix up north eastern states because they remember that the project was launched in that region but forget the exact state. Another pitfall is confusing methanol cooking fuel with other clean fuel schemes like liquefied petroleum gas subsidies under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which operate nationwide. Careful reading of the question phrase first methanol cooking fuel programme helps focus on the correct static fact.

Final Answer:
India's first Methanol Cooking Fuel Program was launched in the state of Assam.