GS-I · Microtheme Deep DiveGeography8 PYQs linked

Energy in India: Sources, Security, Transition

Energy questions cross GS-1 (location geography), GS-2 (institutions) and GS-3 (economy/environment). Anchor answers on a 'trilemma' — security, affordability, sustainability — and finish with India's NDC (2022 update) and Panchamrit goals.

The Indian mix

  • Coal ~55% of installed capacity + 70% of generation.
  • Renewables ~45% of installed capacity (2024); 500 GW non-fossil target by 2030.
  • Oil & gas import dependence >85% (crude), ~48% (gas).

Institutions & policy

  • Electricity Act 2003; Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act 2022 — carbon markets.
  • PLI for solar, ACC batteries, green hydrogen.
  • SATAT, Ujjwala, RDSS for distribution reform.

Transition risks

  • Just transition for coal states (Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh).
  • Grid balancing & storage — pumped hydro, BESS.
  • Critical minerals dependence.

Way forward

  • Green hydrogen — 5 MMT by 2030 target.
  • Distributed solar and agrivoltaics.
  • Nuclear scale-up via SMRs (Bharat Small Reactors).

Common Pitfalls

  • Do not treat coal as an unqualified villain — cite energy poverty and system-cost realities.

FAQs

Best headline number?
'India met its 2030 non-fossil capacity target (40%) nine years early — in 2021.'

UPSC Mains PYQs on this microtheme

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