March 2 – GS3/Environment and Ecology: 2026 | UPSC Daily Answer Writing Practice PDF Download

Q: Energy security encompasses availability, accessibility, affordability, and environmental sustainability. Critically examine how India’s energy source diversification strategy addresses these dimensions of energy security. (250 words)

Introduction 

The " Energy Statistics India 2025 " report emphasizes India's increasing energy demand and its shift towards a varied energy mix. Energy security, which involves reliable availability, fair access, economic affordability, and minimal environmental impact, is vital for India's progress. With a 7.8% increase in Total Primary Energy Supply (TPES) and a rapid growth in renewables, India is strategically bolstering its energy resilience. 

Body 

Ensuring Energy Availability:

• Diversification of energy sources is crucial to reduce reliance on fossil fuel imports, thereby minimizing geopolitical risks such as oil price fluctuations caused by global conflicts. 
• Renewable energy capacity in India has seen significant growth, increasing from 81,593 MW in 2015 to 1,98,213 MW in 2024, with solar and wind energy being the primary contributors. 
•  The expansion of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), coal gasification, and nuclear energy enhances the base-load energy supply, providing a stable energy foundation. 
•  However, challenges such as the seasonal variability of renewable sources, inadequate energy storage solutions, and the slow upgrade of transmission infrastructure pose risks to energy reliability. 

Enhancing Accessibility:

•  Initiatives like the Green Energy Corridor, Saubhagya Yojana, and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) have significantly improved electricity access in rural and inter-state areas. 
• Off-grid solar solutions and microgrids are instrumental in penetrating energy supply in remote regions where grid connectivity is limited. 
•  Despite these advancements, challenges such as the financial distress of state distribution companies (DISCOMs), power theft, and high transmission losses (currently at 17%. hinder last-mile energy delivery. 
•  There are also regional disparities, with certain states lagging in grid expansion and the integration of renewable energy sources. 

Improving Affordability:

•  India boasts some of the lowest solar power costs globally, attributed to economies of scale and supportive government policies. 
•  Schemes such as Production Linked Incentives (PLIs), KUSUM, and UJALA contribute to making energy more affordable for low-income households. 
•  However, rising costs of lithium and battery storage could jeopardize the future affordability of renewable energy sources. 
•  The practice of cross-subsidization in power tariffs, while protecting vulnerable consumers, places a burden on industries and commercial users, impacting their competitiveness. 
•  Frequent bailouts for DISCOMs exert pressure on public finances, complicating the implementation of sustainable pricing reforms. 

Advancing Environmental Sustainability:

•  Renewable energy generation has significantly increased from 2,05,608 GWh in 2014-15 to 3,70,320 GWh in 2023-24, contributing to a reduction in carbon intensity. 
•  Initiatives such as the Green Hydrogen Mission, Bio-Energy Mission, and Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) are promoting cleaner energy solutions in industries and transportation. 
•  Despite these efforts, India’s reliance on coal for 57% of its energy needs remains a significant challenge, exacerbating air pollution and carbon emissions. 
•  The slow adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and the development of hydrogen infrastructure further hinder the transition to clean energy in the mobility sector. 
•  Additionally, environmental concerns related to large hydro projects, such as displacement of communities and deforestation, complicate the expansion of such initiatives. 

Key Challenges and Gaps:

•  The intermittency of renewable energy sources due to the absence of large-scale storage solutions affects the reliability of energy supply. 
•  The slow adoption of smart grids and digital infrastructure weakens the efficiency of energy transmission. 
• Delayed retirements of coal plants and increasing investments in fossil fuel projects pose risks of long-term carbon lock-in, undermining climate goals. 
•  High capital costs associated with green hydrogen, battery storage, and offshore wind energy hinder their large-scale deployment. 
•  India’s dependence on critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt for battery storage increases vulnerabilities to external supply chain disruptions. 
• Regulatory challenges and issues related to land acquisition slow down the implementation of clean energy projects. 

Conclusion 

India’s diversified energy strategy has made significant strides in improving the availability, access, affordability, and sustainability of energy. However, to achieve comprehensive energy security, the focus now needs to shift towards enhancing storage solutions, reforming grid infrastructure, and ensuring an inclusive transition to clean energy. 

 Implementing a just transition framework is essential to balance equity and sustainability, ensuring that no community is left behind in the ongoing energy shift.