Phase IFoundation
Background
Overview
UPSC frequently examines issues related to India's trade balance, energy security, industrial self-reliance, and the challenges faced by core sectors like steel. Reducing import dependence is a key policy goal for economic stability and strategic autonomy.
India, despite being a major coal producer, faces significant import dependence for coking coal, a critical raw material for its steel industry, primarily due to the high ash content and lower quality of its domestic reserves. This reliance impacts the country's balance of payments, industrial costs, and energy security.