PIB Summary - 15th July 2025 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

India’s Renewable Rise: Non-Fossil Sources Now Power Half the Nation’s Grid

Introduction

 India has reached a significant milestone in its energy sector by generating over 50% of its installed power capacity from non-fossil sources. This achievement comes five years ahead of the country's 2030 target set under the Paris Agreement. 

•  As of now, India has 242.78 GW of clean energy out of a total installed capacity of 484.82 GW. 
•  The breakdown of this clean energy includes 38.08% from renewable sources, 10.19% from large hydro, and 1.81% from nuclear energy. 

This progress highlights India's commitment to transitioning towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy system.

Key Drivers of the Achievement 

• Policy Initiatives: Government schemes like PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar, Solar Parks, and the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy have been instrumental in promoting clean energy. 
• PM Surya Ghar (2024): This initiative has facilitated 1 crore households to install rooftop solar systems, encouraging decentralized and community-owned energy production. 
• PM-KUSUM: This program has provided farmers with solar pumps and has also promoted agrovoltaics and solarization at the feeder level. 
• Bioenergy: Bioenergy has transitioned from a marginal role to a significant contributor in rural livelihoods and the clean energy framework. 

 Sectoral Impact and Co-benefits

• Wind energy plays a crucial role in meeting peak demand, particularly in states like Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. 
• Solar parks have been pivotal in achieving record-low tariffs for utility-scale solar installations. 

Co-benefits of this transition include:

•  Increasing rural incomes 
•  Reducing air pollution and enhancing public health 
•  Creating jobs in green sectors 
•  Improving local energy access and equity 

 Global Climate Leadership 

•  India is among the few G20 nations on track to meet or surpass its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). 
•  The country advocates for climate equity and low-carbon development in international forums like the G20 and UNFCCC Conferences of the Parties (COPs). 
•  Despite having low per capita emissions, India demonstrates high ambition, showing that it is possible to grow responsibly. 

Next Priorities for Energy Transition 

• Universal Access: Aim to double per capita clean electricity access, with a focus on rural areas. 
• Grid Modernization: Invest in a smart grid that is digitally integrated to manage: 
  
  •  High variability of renewable energy (RE) sources 
  •  Two-way power flows from prosumers (producers and consumers) 
  •  Real-time demand management 
• Storage Solutions: Develop Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and pumped hydro systems to ensure round-the-clock reliability. 
• Circular Economy: Focus on recycling solar panels, wind turbine blades, and batteries to minimize waste and promote sustainability. 

 Green Hydrogen Push

• Green hydrogen is being positioned as a key industrial fuel for the future.

• It is essential for the decarbonization of sectors that are hard to abate, such as fertilizer production, steel manufacturing, and refining.

 AI and Digital Transformation in Clean Energy 

• Role of AI: Artificial Intelligence is being used for demand forecasting, predictive maintenance, automated grid control, and real-time market operations in the energy sector. 
• Rise of ‘Prosumers’: The integration of rooftop solar panels, electric vehicles, and smart meters into AI-driven energy marketplaces is on the rise. 
• Cybersecurity: As dependence on digital technologies increases, robust data protection and infrastructure resilience are becoming critical. 

Installed Electricity Capacity by Source (as on 30.06.2025) 

(Renewable Energy + Large Hydro Combined)

 Challenges in India’s Clean Energy Transition (Crisp Version) 

• Grid Bottlenecks: States rich in Renewable Energy (RE) face grid congestion, and the slow expansion of Green Energy Corridors hampers power evacuation. 
• Storage & Intermittency: Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and pumped hydro are underdeveloped, making 24×7 RE reliant on subsidies or hybrid solutions. 
• Access Divide: Rooftop solar adoption is uneven due to low awareness, poor rooftop ownership, and financing gaps in rural areas. 
• Land & Ecology Issues: Utility-scale RE projects encounter land conflicts and pose threats to biodiversity in ecologically sensitive regions. 
• Offshore Wind & Green Hydrogen Lag: Offshore wind potential remains untapped, and green hydrogen development is hindered by high costs and a weak demand ecosystem. 
• Job Transition Gaps: Workers from the fossil sector face challenges in reskilling, while most RE jobs are informal and low-paid. 
• Financing Hurdles: High capital requirements are not met, and DISCOM dues delay payments, undermining investor confidence. 
• Policy Instability: Frequent changes in net metering and import duties, along with state-level inconsistencies, impede scalability. 

Road Ahead: Bold, Inclusive, Resilient 

• Target: Achieve 500 GW of non-fossil installed capacity by 2030 and reach Net Zero by 2070. 

 Focus on: 

• Equity: Ensure fair access to clean energy for all. 
• Resilience: Design systems that can withstand disruptions. 
• Quality: Provide reliable and high-quality energy supply. 
• India’s clean energy leadership is setting a global standard for balancing development with decarbonization efforts. 

Noise brings quantum surprise from Indian Scientists

What’s the Discovery?

Scientists have discovered that quantum noise, which is typically seen as detrimental, can actually be beneficial in certain situations. Specifically, this noise has the potential to create or restore a unique form of quantum connection known as intraparticle entanglement. This finding is a significant and unexpected development in the field of quantum science.

Key Concepts Made Simple

• Quantum Entanglement: This refers to a mysterious link between particles, regardless of the distance separating them. It is a principle used in quantum computing and secure communication.
• Intraparticle Entanglement: Unlike quantum entanglement between two particles, intraparticle entanglement occurs within a single particle. For example, it can involve the relationship between a particle's spin and its path.
• Quantum Noise: This is the disturbance caused by the environment, which typically leads to the breakdown of entanglement, a process known as decoherence.

What Did the Scientists Find?

• Noise can create entanglement: The researchers found that noise has the capability to create entanglement, particularly intraparticle entanglement, rather than just destroying it.
• Amplitude Damping: Under this specific type of energy loss, noise can either create new entanglement within a particle or revive entanglement that has diminished.

Who Did the Research?

The research was conducted by a team from the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata (IISER-Kolkata), and the University of Calgary. It was supported by India’s Department of Science & Technology (DST) under the National Quantum Mission.

What Tools Did They Use?

• Mathematical Formula: The researchers employed a mathematical formula to predict the behavior of entanglement when subjected to noise.
• Geometric Understanding: They used a geometric approach to visualize and comprehend how entanglement changes in the presence of noise.

Why This Matters

• The findings have significant implications for enhancing the reliability of quantum systems in real-world environments where noise is an unavoidable factor.
• This research could pave the way for advancements in various areas, including quantum computers, quantum communication, sensors, and secure systems.
• The concepts explored in this research are applicable across different platforms such as photons, trapped ions, and neutrons, indicating that the findings are not limited to a specific laboratory setup.

Types of Noise They Studied

What’s Next?

• The Raman Research Institute (RRI) is currently conducting experiments with real photons to test the theoretical findings.
• The long-term goal is to apply these concepts in practical quantum machines and devices.

Challenges to Keep in Mind

• The research is still in the early stages and is largely theoretical at this point.
• Only specific types of noise, such as amplitude damping, have shown potential to be helpful.
• Further testing on large-scale systems is necessary to determine real-world applicability.
• Most current quantum technology relies on interparticle entanglement, so transitioning to this new approach will require time and effort.

Why It’s Important for India

• The research highlights India’s involvement in advanced quantum research and contributes to the country’s reputation in the field.
• It aligns with India’s National Quantum Mission, which aims to position the country as a leader in future technological advancements.
• The findings have the potential to aid in the development of more robust quantum devices that can be used globally.