This paper focuses on the potential of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) as an alternate raw material for bio-ethanol and bio-energy production, highlighting its advantages (in terms of cost of cultivation, cost of ethanol production, and ethanol productivity) over sugarcane molasses. Prospects of enhancing the genetic potential of sweet sorghum through various plant breeding strategies are discussed. The status of national research programmes and public and private sector collaborations aimed at enhancing ethanol production processes and technology in India is also described.