India's Energy Transition Challenges
Science & Technology
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
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.
Facts & tables
- 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.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Energy Policy |
| Conceptual area | Climate Change Mitigation |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Statement-based questions
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- 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.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2024 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2023 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2023 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2017 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2014 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2013 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
Timeline
-
Energy Policy
Conceptual area
-
Climate Change Mitigation
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2013
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2014
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2017
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2023
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2023
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2024
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2025
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
India’s green transition still runs on coal
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.
See also
Past papers
2013–2025 · 8 questions
In the news
India’s green transition still runs on coal
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.
Try these PYQs
With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called ‘coal bed methane’ and ‘shale gas’, consider the following statements:
1. Coal bed methane is the pure methane gas extracted from coal seams, while shale gas is a mixture of propane and butane only that can be extracted from fine-grained sedimentary rocks.
2. In India abundant coal bed methane sources exist, but so far no shale gas sources have been found.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: Coal bed methane is indeed pure methane gas extracted from coal seams. However, shale gas is not a mixture of propane and butane only. Shale gas is primarily composed of methane, similar to coal bed methane, and can be extracted from fine-grained sedimentary rocks, specifically shale formations. So, the first part of the statement is correct, but the second part is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect: It's not accurate to say that no shale gas sources have been found in India. While it's true that coal-bed methane sources are abundant in India, shale gas sources have also been identified, although their exploitation is at a nascent stage compared to coal-bed methane. Therefore, neither of the statements is entirely correct.
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 with natural gas and used as fuel for heat or power generation.
3. It can be used in the hydrogen fuel cell to run vehicles.
How many of the above statements are correct?
* Green hydrogen is any hydrogen that is produced from renewable energy. * Statement 1 is correct: Green hydrogen can be used as a direct fuel for internal combustion engines, replacing conventional fuels like gasoline or diesel. * Statement 2 is correct: Green hydrogen can be blended with natural gas and used as a fuel for various applications like heating, power generation, and industrial processes. * Statement 3 is correct: Green hydrogen can be used in hydrogen fuel cells to power electric vehicles, providing a clean and efficient alternative to traditional fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Therefore, all three statements regarding the uses of green hydrogen are correct.
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 of algae-based biofuels is possible in seas only and not on continents.
2. Setting up and engineering the algae-based biofuel production requires a high level of expertise/technology until the construction is completed.
3. Economically viable production necessitates the setting up of large scale facilities which may raise ecological and social concerns.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is incorrect. The production of algae-based biofuels is not limited to seas only. It can be done on land, saline water, or wastewater. Statement 2 is correct. Setting up and engineering the algae-based biofuel production does require a high level of expertise/technology, which might be a limitation for developing countries. Statement 3 is also correct. Economically viable production of algae-based biofuels does necessitate the setting up of large-scale facilities, which may raise ecological and social concerns.
Consider the following:
1. Battery storage
2. Biomass generators
3. Fuel cells
4. Rooftop solar photovoltaic units
How many of the above are considered "Distributed Energy Resources"?
Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are small-scale units of power generation or storage that are situated closer to the end-users. Let's analyze each option: * Battery storage: These store energy and can be deployed within the distribution network or at the consumer end, making them DERs. * Biomass generators: These can be small-scale and located near the biomass source, making them suitable for distributed generation. * Fuel cells: Similar to biomass generators, fuel cells can be deployed in a decentralized manner, qualifying as DERs. * Rooftop solar photovoltaic units: These are a classic example of DERs, generating power at the point of consumption. _Therefore, all four options are considered Distributed Energy Resources._
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 sequestration.
II. It can be a valuable approach for plastic production and in food processing.
III. In aviation, it can be a source of carbon for combining with hydrogen to create synthetic low-carbon fuel.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a technology that removes CO₂ directly from the air for storage or use in various industries. ✅ Statement I is correct:
* DAC captures CO₂ for carbon sequestration, reducing greenhouse gases. ✅ Statement II is correct:
* Captured CO₂ can be used to make plastics and in food processing. ✅ Statement III is correct:
* DAC provides carbon to make synthetic low-carbon aviation fuels by combining with hydrogen. So, the correct answer is: C
Show 3 more PYQs
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 biomass fuel for the generation of energy.
2. Molasses can be used as one of the feedstocks for the production of synthetic chemical fertilizers.
3. Molasses can be used for the production of ethanol.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Statement 1 is correct. Bagasse: This fibrous residue left after sugarcane juice extraction is a valuable biomass fuel. It can be burned to generate electricity or heat, often powering the sugar mills themselves. Statement 2 is incorrect. Synthetic Fertilizers: Molasses don't directly contribute to the production of synthetic chemical fertilizers. These fertilizers are typically manufactured using chemical processes involving elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Statement 3 is correct. Molasses: While molasses isn't directly used to produce synthetic fertilizers, it can be fermented to create ethanol, a biofuel. Ethanol can be used as a transportation fuel or blended with gasoline. Thus, statements 1 & 3 are correct while statement 2 is wrong.
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 as feedstock for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel ?
* Agricultural residues: These include materials like crop stalks, husks, and leaves. They are a viable source of biomass that can be converted into biofuels, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). * Corn grain: Corn grain is a source of sugars that can be fermented to produce ethanol, a biofuel. While ethanol is primarily used in gasoline blends, it can also be further processed into SAF. * Wastewater treatment sludge: This sludge is rich in organic matter. Through processes like anaerobic digestion, it can produce biogas, which can be further converted into SAF. * Wood mill waste: This includes sawdust, wood chips, and bark. These lignocellulosic materials can be converted into biofuels through various thermochemical or biochemical processes, ultimately leading to SAF production. Therefore, all four materials can be used as feedstock for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
Consider the following heavy industries :
1. Fertilizer plants
2. Oil refineries
3. Steel plants
Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing how many of the above industries?
* Green hydrogen is the hydrogen produced through electrolysis of water using electricity from renewable sources. * Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing all three of the mentioned heavy industries. * Green hydrogen can be used in the production of ammonia, which is a key component for many fertilizers. Fertilizer production is energy-intensive and often relies on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas. By using green hydrogen as a clean energy source, the carbon emissions from this industry can be significantly reduced * Green hydrogen can be used in oil refineries to process crude oil into various products, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. This can help to reduce the carbon emissions from the refining process. * The steel industry is one of the largest industrial emitters of carbon dioxide. Green hydrogen can be used in place of coal in the steelmaking process, significantly reducing the industry's carbon emissions.