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India's Energy Transition Challenges

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

UPSC frequently asks about India's energy policy, climate change commitments, energy security, and infrastructure development. This concept covers the practical challenges and policy implications of India's ambitious renewable energy goals and the path to achieving them.

India is committed to a green energy transition to combat climate change and enhance energy security. This involves shifting from fossil fuels to renewable sources like solar and wind power, aiming for a significant increase in non-fossil fuel-based electricity generation capacity.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Capacity vs. Generation Gap

While renewables accounted for 42.4% of India’s installed power capacity by March 2026, they generated only 15.8% of electricity in April 2026, with coal still dominating at 71.8%.

Continued Coal Dependence

Coal remains the main backup and balancing source in the power system due to the intermittency of solar and wind power and the lack of large-scale battery storage and flexible grids.

Vulnerability to External Shocks

The incomplete transition exposes India to global energy price volatility and geopolitical tensions, as fossil fuels still determine the marginal cost of power.

Need for Systemic Transformation

The next phase requires investing in storage infrastructure, grid modernization, transmission connectivity, and market mechanisms to integrate intermittent renewables at scale, moving beyond mere capacity addition.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaEnergy Policy
Conceptual areaClimate Change Mitigation
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Statement-based questions

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • Renewable capacity high, but generation low.
  • Coal provides baseload due to intermittency.
  • Vulnerability to global fossil fuel price shocks.
  • Need for storage, grid modernization, market reforms.
  • Transition requires system transformation, not just capacity addition.

High-confidence PYQs

2025Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Direct Air Capture, an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct? I. It can be used as a way of carbon sequest...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2024Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following: 1. Battery storage 2. Biomass generators 3. Fuel cells 4. Rooftop solar photovoltaic units How many of the above are considered "Di...

Science & TechnologyOpen question

Consider the following materials: 1. Agricultural residues 2. Corn grain 3. Wastewater treatment sludge 4. Wood mill waste Which of the above can be used a...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2024Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Consider the following: 1. Battery storage 2. Biomass generators 3. Fuel cells 4. Rooftop solar photovoltaic units How many of the above are considered "Di...

Science & TechnologyOpen question

Consider the following materials: 1. Agricultural residues 2. Corn grain 3. Wastewater treatment sludge 4. Wood mill waste Which of the above can be used a...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2023Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to green hydrogen, Consider the following statements : 1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion. 2. It can be blended w...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following heavy industries : 1. Fertilizer plants 2. Oil refineries 3. Steel plants Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role i...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2023Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to green hydrogen, Consider the following statements : 1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion. 2. It can be blended w...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following heavy industries : 1. Fertilizer plants 2. Oil refineries 3. Steel plants Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role i...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2017Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

It is possible to produce algae-based biofuels, but what is/are the likely limitation(s) of developing countries in promoting this industry? 1. Production o...

Science & TechnologyOpen question
2014Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called ‘coal bed methane’ and ‘shale gas’, consider the following statements: 1. Coal bed methane is th...

GeographyOpen question
2013Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to the usefulness of the by-products of the sugar industry, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Bagasse can be used as biomas...

Science & TechnologyOpen question

Topic timeline

Energy PolicyClimate Change Mitigation
Prelims 2013· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to the usefulness of the by-products of the sugar industry, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Bagasse can be used as biomas...

Open question
Prelims 2014· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called ‘coal bed methane’ and ‘shale gas’, consider the following statements: 1. Coal bed methane is th...

Open question
Prelims 2017· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

It is possible to produce algae-based biofuels, but what is/are the likely limitation(s) of developing countries in promoting this industry? 1. Production o...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to green hydrogen, Consider the following statements : 1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion. 2. It can be blended w...

Open question

Consider the following heavy industries : 1. Fertilizer plants 2. Oil refineries 3. Steel plants Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role i...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to green hydrogen, Consider the following statements : 1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion. 2. It can be blended w...

Open question

Consider the following heavy industries : 1. Fertilizer plants 2. Oil refineries 3. Steel plants Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role i...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following: 1. Battery storage 2. Biomass generators 3. Fuel cells 4. Rooftop solar photovoltaic units How many of the above are considered "Di...

Open question

Consider the following materials: 1. Agricultural residues 2. Corn grain 3. Wastewater treatment sludge 4. Wood mill waste Which of the above can be used a...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Consider the following: 1. Battery storage 2. Biomass generators 3. Fuel cells 4. Rooftop solar photovoltaic units How many of the above are considered "Di...

Open question

Consider the following materials: 1. Agricultural residues 2. Corn grain 3. Wastewater treatment sludge 4. Wood mill waste Which of the above can be used a...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Direct Air Capture, an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct? I. It can be used as a way of carbon sequest...

Open question

India’s green transition still runs on coal

25 May 2026 · India's green energy transition faces significant challenges, primarily the gap between installed renewable capacity and actual generation, persistent reliance on coal for baseload power, and vulnerability to global fossil fuel price shocks, necessitating comprehensive system transformation.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

India's Energy Transition Challenges

Often confused with

Energy Security in India

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on India's Energy Transition Challenges in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on India's Energy Transition Challenges

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called ‘coal bed methane’ and ‘shale gas’, consider the following statements: 1. Coal bed methane is th...

2014·Geography
Solve

With reference to green hydrogen, Consider the following statements : 1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion. 2. It can be blended w...

2023·Environment & Ecology
Solve

It is possible to produce algae-based biofuels, but what is/are the likely limitation(s) of developing countries in promoting this industry? 1. Production o...

2017·Science & Technology
Solve

Consider the following: 1. Battery storage 2. Biomass generators 3. Fuel cells 4. Rooftop solar photovoltaic units How many of the above are considered "Di...

2024·Science & Technology
Solve

With reference to Direct Air Capture, an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct? I. It can be used as a way of carbon sequest...

2025·Environment & Ecology
Solve

With reference to the usefulness of the by-products of the sugar industry, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Bagasse can be used as biomas...

2013·Science & Technology
Solve

Consider the following materials: 1. Agricultural residues 2. Corn grain 3. Wastewater treatment sludge 4. Wood mill waste Which of the above can be used a...

2024·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following heavy industries : 1. Fertilizer plants 2. Oil refineries 3. Steel plants Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role i...

2023·Environment & Ecology
Solve

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