The transesterification of Pongamia pinnata seed oil with dimethyl carbonate (DMC) for preparing DMC-BioD has been studied at the catalysis of potassium hydroxide (KOH). The effects of reaction conditions (ratio of P. pinnata seed oil and DMC, catalyst amount and reaction time, reaction temperature and agitation speed) on DMC-BioD yield were investigated. The highest DMC-BioD yield could reach 96% at refluxing temperature for 6 h with ratio of P. pinnata oil to DMC 1:3 w/w and 4% KOH (based on oil weight). Percentage of conversion has been analyzed by Gas Chromatography. P. pinnata seed oil DMC-BioD produced is characterized for the properties such as the kinematic viscosity at 40 degrees C, density at 25 degrees C, flash point (FP), pour point (PP), cloud point (CP), acid value and copper strip corrosion. P. pinnata seed oil DMC-BioD produced met with the quality standards defined under ASTM D675-02. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.