Context:

Recently, the US announced that the names of lucky winners of the Diversity Visa or Green Card Lottery, which grants up to 55,000 cards to applicants will be announced on May 12 at 12 pm (EDT). 

About Diversity Visa (DV):  

• Launched: The DV Program was launched in the year 1990 based on the immigration act and is popularly known as the “Green Card Lottery”. 
• Administered by: The entire program is administered by the US Department Of State and is conducted under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
  • The US Department of State randomly selects people from countries that have low immigration rates to the US.
• Provision: If an applicant’s entry is selected and wins a Green Card, his/her spouse and all unmarried children who are younger than 21 years of age will automatically receive Green Cards as well.
  • If at the time of receiving the lottery results an applicant is unmarried but in a relationship, he/she can get married before submitting the Form to make that person eligible for a Green Card.

Eligibility Criteria for the US Diversity Visa 2025 Program: 

• For US Green Card lottery, the applicants must fulfill two requirements: 
  • Birth Criteria: The applicant must be born in a country which is eligible for the DV 2025 program (by visiting the official website). 
  • Qualification Criteria: Applicants must have either a high school degree or two years of work experience in the past five years in a profession that requires a minimum of two years of training.

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A new IUCN report developed under the France-IUCN Partnership 2021-2024 and with the support of the French Development Agency (AFD) titled  Toward a Regenerative Blue Economy. 

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• The primer report is the result of a joint effort between IUCN Commissions, Secretariat and partners under the France-IUCN Partnership (2021-2024). 
• The  report was developed in the context of the Sustainable Blue Economy project, led by experts from the Ecosystem-based Aquaculture Specialist Group (E-bAG) of the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM).   
• The new IUCN report proposes a clear definition and founding principles for a “Regenerative” Blue Economy. It defines different sustainability levels within the overall umbrella and sets ambitions for nature and society alike.

Blue Economy:

• Definition:  It is the sustainable use of ocean resources to benefit economies, livelihoods and ocean ecosystem health. 
  • The Blue Economy is a sector, expected to be worth some $1.5 trillion a year, as per the World Bank.
• Activities of Blue Economy:  It include maritime shipping, fishing and aquaculture, coastal tourism, renewable energy, water desalination, undersea cabling, seabed extractive industries and deep sea mining, marine genetic resources, and biotechnology.

Types of Blue Economy:

IUCN has defined three  types of Blue Economy from a conservation and sustainable development perspective in this primer.

• Brown Blue Economy or Ocean Economy: This is a type of Blue Economy rooted in the maritime sector and includes traditional activities of the maritime sector. It is anthropocentric and based on a conventional economic model. 
  • Blue Economy is here associated with traditional accounting consisting of micro- and macroeconomic profitability and social (including employment) indicators: 
• The Sustainable Blue Economy: At the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) Rio+20 Summit, 2012 the “Blue Economy” was recognised as encompassing all economic activities in the marine sector, provided that these were consistent with sustainable development. 
  • Focus: The focus is to protect, repair, and restore marine and coastal ecosystems and ecosystem services are integrated along with the traditional focus on driving marine Economy.
  • Accounting: Success is measured in the form of environmental assessments,  and key performance indicators (KPIs), has been added to traditional conventional accounting for the Blue Economy.  
• The Regenerative Blue Economy: It is an inclusive framework which advocates for ‘blue justice’, and is based on the broad principles of the ecosystem approach 
  • Definition:  It is an economic model that combines rigorous and effective regeneration and protection of the ocean and marine and coastal ecosystems, with sustainable sea-linked and low-carbon economic activities, and fair prosperity for people and the planet, today and tomorrow.
  • Economic activities: Activities such as oil extraction or deep-seabed mining (DSM) are  are excluded from the regenerative economy scope. Other sectors such as fishing, aquaculture, and tourism will also need to adapt their practices.  
  • Success indicator: New indicators like the ‘Ocean Impact Navigator’, have been proposed as a way to evaluate the positive impact of the Regenerative Blue Economy on ocean and coastal socio-ecological systems.  

Additional Reading: about IUCN

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Talks of reintroduction of inheritance tax  as a part of political conversation in the present Lok Sabha election cycle is catching up.

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• A prominent political leader of India’s opposition party has expressed interest in the proposed legislation on inheritance tax in the United States
  • The Biden Administration has proposed legislation for a ‘Billionaire Minimum Income Tax’ of at least 25% on taxpayers with wealth over $100 million.on their full income, including unrealised gains.

Inheritance/ Estate Tax: 

• Definition: It is a tax levied on the total value of money and property of a deceased person before it is distributed to their legal heirs. 
  • The tax is typically calculated based on the value of the assets left behind after any exemptions or deductions
• India had an inheritance (or estate tax) introduced in 1953 but was abolished in 1985. 
  • The duty had a threshold of Rs 1 lakh, and progressive rates from 5% to 40% on the principal value of the estate exceeding Rs 20 lakh.
• Purpose: Inheritance tax is levied as a tool for redistribution of wealth to address income inequality. 
• Methods of inheritance tax
  • Will of succession: It is a document in which the deceased person has pre-declared the lawful owner of his/her assets.
  • Inheritance by nomination: A person can declare a person of his/her choice as the nominee. The nominee then becomes the lawful owner of an asset and the benefit it generates.
  • Inheritance by joint ownership: If any asset lies under the joint ownership of two or more people, the survivor(s) get to manage the asset post death of the other owner(s).
• India also had a wealth tax and a gift tax, which were abolished in 2015 and 1998 respectively.
• Reason for abolishing Estate Duty/ wealth Tax and Gift Tax:
  • Procedural harassment: Taxpayers were being unduly harassed with the existence of two separate taxes on property ie. wealth tax (before death) and estate duty (after death) 
  • Unmet objectives: There was no reduction in the unequal distribution of wealth whereas, the tax did not assist states in financing their development schemes significantly either.
  • Economies of scale: While the yield from estate duty is only about Rs 20 crore in 1985, whereas its cost of administration and collection was relatively high. 
  • Tax Evasion: High rates of taxation often results in flight of capital and investment to tax havens or tax jurisdictions with favorable tax rates 
• Comeback: 
• • Wealth Tax: Wealth tax was replaced  with an additional surcharge of 2% on the super rich with a taxable income of over Rs 1 crore
  • Gift Tax: It was reintroduced in 2004 with gifts from unrelated persons above the threshold of Rs 25,000 (later raised to Rs 50,000) only being taxable as income. Gifts from blood relations, lineal ascendants and descendants, and gifts on occasions like marriage are exempt.

Global Scenario: 

• Inheritance Tax across the globe: Japan has the highest inheritance tax rate with 55 per cent  in the world followed by South Korea with a rate of 50 per cent. 
  • Inheritance tax plays a significant role in shaping economic policies and social welfare systems, influencing decisions on wealth transfer and intergenerational equity.
• A case for a Global Minimum Corporate Tax Rate: 
  • 140 countries plus have agreed  to implement a new global tax agreement  proposed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which imposes a minimum effective rate of 15% on corporate profits.  
    • The deal intends to remove the incentive for nations that operate as tax havens for corporate giants with the OECD estimating  the Global Minimum Tax (GMT) policy to  reduce under-taxed profits by around 80%.
• Calls to tax billionaires: A proposal in the US to levy a minimum 25% tax on taxpayers with wealth over $100 million. France and Brazil have pushed for a G20 declaration on taxing the super rich by July.

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Recently, the prime minister of India addressed the 6th edition of the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure 2024. 

More on the news:

• During India’s G20 Presidency, a Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group was established.
  • The focus of this group was on financing disaster risk reduction efforts.
  • These efforts, combined with the growth of CDRI, will pave the way for a more resilient future.

About the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

• ICDRI is the flagship annual conference of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
• Objective: Its primary aim is to enhance global dialogue and collaboration on disaster and climate resilient infrastructure.

Highlights of ICDRI 2024

• Theme of 2024: ‘Investing today for a more resilient tomorrow.’ 
• He said that Disasters and their effects do not recognize borders and in today’s interconnected world, disasters and disruptions have far-reaching consequences.
• He highlighted the significance of Investing in resilient infrastructure for a better future.

About Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

• CDRI is an independent international organization 
• It is a Platform for Collaboration where countries can share knowledge and resources.
• Objective:  To enhance the resilience of infrastructure systems against the impact of disasters.
• Establishment Date: CDRI was established in 2019 during the United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York.
• • It is India’s second major global initiative after the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
    • Establishment of The International Solar Alliance (ISA):  2015 Paris climate change conference.
• Members: 39 countries and 7 organizations.
• CDRI’s programs fund projects in vulnerable regions, including resilient housing and enhanced early warning systems.

Significance for India:

• India on the World Stage :CDRI offers India an opportunity to establish itself as a leader in global climate action and disaster resilience efforts.
  • It enhances India’s soft power on the international stage.
• Greater Significance: The initiative holds significance beyond economic considerations as 
  • It aligns with broader goals such as disaster risk reduction, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and climate agreements.
    • This alignment promotes sustainable and inclusive growth for all.

Reason for Investment in Resilient Infrastructure

• Sustainable Development:  Investing in resilient infrastructure contributes to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting long-term economic, social, and environmental well-being.
• Increased frequency and severity of natural disasters: Disasters cause immense damage to infrastructure, displacing people, disrupting essential services, and jeopardizing health and safety.
  • Thus, there is a need to invest in resilient infrastructure to reduce the severity of natural disasters. 
• Long-term impact beyond economic losses: Disasters have a devastating human cost, destroying homes, livelihoods, and disrupting communities. 
• Rebuilding infrastructure with resilience in mind can minimize this long-term suffering.
• Global interconnectedness: Disasters in one region can have cascading effects worldwide
  • Therefore, there is a need for collective efforts as a collective effort towards resilient infrastructure globally strengthens everyone’s preparedness.
• Protecting the most vulnerable: Developing nations and small island states often face a higher risk of disasters.
  •  Investing in resilient infrastructure in these regions safeguards their vulnerable communities.

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As per NASA’s Earth Observatory, Mount Erebus  is ejecting gold along with other materials from deep within the Earth.

More on the news:

• Gold amount: A recent report by IFL Science reveals that approximately $6000 worth of gold is extracted daily from within the volcano.
  • This extraction is carried out by natural forces within the volcano.
  • The amount of gold collected each day is estimated to be around 80 grams.
• The gold is emitted in gas pockets by the volcano and is in the form of crystallized gold.
• Gold distribution: Due to this, the gold is dispersed over a wide area, reaching as far as 621 miles away from the volcano.

About Mount Erebus

• It is an active volcano. 
• Location: Ross Island, Antarctica.
• Characteristics

• • Mount Erebus is the highest active volcano in Antarctica.
    • Mount Erebus has an altitude of roughly 3,794 meters (12,448 feet).
    • This volcano is classified as a stratovolcano, featuring a cone-shaped structure formed by layers of solidified lava, tephra, and volcanic ash.
  • First Observation: Its eruption was first observed by Captain Sir James Clark Ross in 1841. 
    • Mount Erebus has remained known for its frequent and violent eruptions.

Antarctica region

• Antarctica is a cold and isolated region.
• Location : Southern Hemisphere, encircled by the Antarctic Convergence.
  • The Antarctic Convergence is a boundary where cold Antarctic waters meet warmer ocean waters, covering approximately 20% of the Southern Hemisphere.
• Features:
  • The dominant feature of Antarctica is the Antarctic Ice Sheet.
    • The Antarctic ice sheet is the largest single mass of ice on Earth.
  • Extension of Ice sheet: This ice sheet extends beyond the continent, especially during extreme snow and ice conditions.
  • Mountain Summits: Antarctica is home to various mountain peaks, including the Transantarctic Mountains, dividing the continent into eastern and western regions.
  • Human Presence and Claims:
    • Antarctica lacks a native human population, and there are no countries within its territory.
    • Prior to the Antarctic Treaty of 1959, seven countries made claims to Antarctic land, although the treaty doesn’t legally recognize these claims.
      • This treaty  applies to the region from 60°S latitude to the South Pole.
    • Number of volcanoes: A total of 138 volcanoes have been identified in the region.
      • Out of these, 809 are classified as active.
      • The remaining volcanoes are considered dormant

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REC Limited, a leading NBFC under the Ministry of Power, has entered into an agreement with Chenab Valley Power Project Private Limited (CVPPPL).

More on the news:

• This agreement involves REC providing financial assistance of ₹1,869.265 crores to CVPPPL as a Term Loan.
  • The loan amount will be used for the development, construction, and operation of the Kiru Hydro Electric Project.

About Kiru Hydro Electric Project:

• This project is a run-of-river scheme.
• It is proposed on river Chenab in district Kishtwar of Union Territory of J&K and is about 42 kms from Kishtwar.

• It has a total capacity of 624 MW
• Objective: To increase power generation capacity by using the energy potential of Chenab River. 
• Type of Dam: Concrete gravity. 
• It includes the construction 
  • A dam with a height of 135 meters 
  • An underground Power House equipped with 4 units, each generating 156 MW.

About Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited

• Objective:  To use  the hydro potential of the Chenab River.
• It is a joint venture between NHPC (51%) and JKSPDC (49%), created by the Indian and J&K governments.
• Project Portfolio:
• • CVPPPL is responsible for several hydroelectric projects:
    •  Kiru Hydro Electric Project (624 MW)
    • Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Project (1000 MW)
    • Kwar HydroElectric Project (540 MW)
    • Kirthai-II Hydro Electric Project (930 MW)
• These projects operate on a Build, Own, Operate, and Maintain (BOOM) basis.
  • Combined, these projects have a capacity of 3094 MW. 

Impact on the Indian economy 

The agreement between REC Limited and Chenab Valley Power Project Private Limited (CVPPPL) is likely to have a positive impact on the Indian economy in a few ways:

• Increased Power Generation Capacity: The project will add 624 MW of hydro power generation capacity to the Indian grid. 
  • This will help to meet the growing demand for electricity in the country and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
• Infrastructure Development: The construction of the Kiru Hydro Electric Project will involve the creation of new infrastructure such as dams, power houses, and transmission lines. 
  • This will create jobs in the construction sector and boost the overall infrastructure development of Jammu & Kashmir.
• Economic Growth: The project is expected to generate employment opportunities during construction and operation phases. 
  • This will increase disposable income and stimulate economic activity in the region.
• Clean Energy Source: Hydropower is a clean and renewable source of energy.  
  • This project will help to reduce India’s carbon footprint and contribute to its clean energy goals.

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A 9-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court is hearing the question whether ‘material resources of the community’ includes privately owned resources in its ambit under Article 39(b) of the Constitution.

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• The case: The SC is hearing a case challenging the insertion of Chapter VIII-A in  the 1986 amendment to the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Act, 1976 (MHADA) by The Property Owners’ Association in Mumbai claiming that the provisions violate the property owners’ Right to Equality under Article 14 of the Constitution.

• • Article 31C of the Constitution: laws enacted in furtherance of DPSP could not be challenged on the grounds that they violated the right to equality (Article 14) or Right to Freedom (Article 19)
• Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Act, 1976 (MHADA) was enacted to address the problem of old, dilapidated buildings housing (poor) tenants despite becoming increasingly unsafe. 
  • Cessed properties: MHADA imposed a cess on the buildings  occupants, which would be paid to the Mumbai Building Repair and Reconstruction Board (MBRRB) to oversee repair and restoration projects.
• The 1986 Amendment: By invoking Article 39(b), 

• • Added Section 1A to MHADA: It aims to execute plans for acquiring lands and buildings, in order to transfer them to “needy persons” and the “occupiers of such lands or buildings”. 
  • Added Chapter VIII-A: It contains provisions allowing the state government to acquire cessed buildings (and the land they are built on) if 70% of the occupants make such a request.

Legal Interpretations of Article 39(b):State of Karnataka v Shri Ranganatha Reddy 1977: A seven-judge Bench of the SC by a 4:3 majority, held  that privately owned resources did not fall within the ambit of “material resources of the community”. 

• Minority opinion of Justice Krishna Iyer: He was of the opinion that  privately owned resources must also be considered material resources of the community as excluding ownership of private resources from the provisions of Article 39(b) is to hide its very purpose of redistribution the socialist way.

• Sanjeev Coke Manufacturing Company v Bharat Coking Coal (1983): A 5 judge bench upheld central legislation nationalising  coal mines concurring with the minority opinion of Justice Iyer.
  • It held that the provision considers  the transformation of wealth from private-ownership into public ownership and is not confined to that which is already public-owned
• Mafatlal Industries Ltd v Union of India (1996): Justice Paripoornan concurred with Justice Iyer opinion held that ‘material resources’ will include  natural or physical resources which is movable or immovable property and includes all private and public sources of meeting material needs,not merely confined to public possessions.

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Recently, NASA greenlights the 2028 launch for its Dragonfly Rotorcraft Mission to Saturn’s organic-rich moon Titan.

About Dragonfly Mission :

• It is Scheduled to be launched in July 2028 by NASA.
• Dragonfly marks the first time NASA will fly a vehicle for science on another planetary body. 
• The car-sized “dual-quadcopter”  Dragonfly rotorcraft, which is being built by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, will reach Titan in 2034. 
• The rotorcraft has eight rotors and flies like a large drone.
• It will cover tens of kilometers on Titan in under an hour, which is a massive distance as far as currently available extra-planetary rotorcraft are concerned. 
• It will fly to dozens of promising locations on Titan, looking for prebiotic chemical processes common on both Titan and the early Earth before life developed. 
• It will spend most of its time on the Titan’s surface making science measurements.
• It will use a radioisotope power system ( Because the hazy atmosphere on Titan will make it difficult to use solar power)  like the Curiosity rover on Mars. 

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Recently, India’s External Affairs Minister joined the 1st ‘ASEAN Future Forum’ virtually.

About ASEAN Future Forum

• Proposed at the 43rd ASEAN Summit in 2023,which was held at Jakarta, Indonesia. 
• Objective : To serve as a platform for member states and partners to exchange ideas and policy suggestions. 
• Goal : To influence ASEAN’s developmental trajectory positively & formulate its Strategic Plans with focus on ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
• Initiated and hosted in : Hanoi, Vietnam. 
• Theme :  “Toward fast and sustainable growth of a people-centered ASEAN Community.” 

EAM emphasized the Significance of India with ASEAN : 

• Key Pillar of India’s Indo-Pacific Vision: ASEAN holds a central position in India’s Act East Policy.
  • India supports ASEAN unity and centrality, viewing a strong and unified ASEAN as vital in shaping the regional Indo-Pacific architecture. 
  • Synergy between ‘India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative’ (IIPOI) and the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) provides a strong framework of cooperation, including and addressing challenges to comprehensive security.
• Support for ASEAN Centrality: The Quad initiative complements ASEAN-led mechanisms, offering people-centric benefits such as infrastructure and scholarships while recognizing ASEAN’s central role in regional prosperity. 
• Commitment to Regional Stability: 
  • India’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia underscores its commitment to maintaining peace, prosperity, and stability in the region. 
  • Initiatives like the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise and India’s Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) highlight India’s role as a net security provider. 
• Upholding International Laws: Both India and ASEAN emphasize the importance of upholding the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) and collaborate on addressing global challenges such as climate change, transnational crimes, and health and food security. 
• Promoting Diverse and Resilient Supply Chains: Recognizing the vulnerabilities exposed during the Covid19 pandemic, India and ASEAN advocate for diverse, secure, transparent, and resilient supply chains. 
• Multifaceted Cooperation: India and ASEAN collaborate through various sub-regional mechanisms, including the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation and BIMSTEC, enhancing economic and cultural ties. 
• Advocating for Global South Perspective: India, as G20 President, emphasized the importance of the Global South’s perspective in international affairs which helps to foster cooperation and coordination between India and ASEAN in navigating the multipolar world order.

Additional Reading : ASEAN

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Recently the Supreme Court ruled that Denial of Child Care Leave for Mothers of Disabled Children violates Constitutional Rights of the Women.

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• Case Background : The Petitioner had approached the court, whose son is suffering from Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a rare genetic disorder & her application for leave was declined on account of non-adoption of the provision of child care leave, as provided under Rule 43-C of the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972  by the state government.
• Supreme Court Verdict : 
  • The Court noted that the refusal of child care leave to mothers would contravene the Constitutional obligation to guarantee equitable treatment of women in employment. 
    • Participation of women in the workforce is a matter not just of privilege but a constitutional entitlement protected by Article 15 of the Constitution. 
    • The state as a model employer cannot be oblivious to the special concerns which arise in the case of women who are part of the workforce.
  • The Supreme Court instructed the Himachal Pradesh government : 
    • To review its policies regarding Child Care Leave (CCL) for mothers, aligning them with the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, particularly concerning mothers raising children with special needs.
    • To constitute a committee consisting of the state commissioner appointed under the RPWD Act, secretary of Women and Child Department and secretary of Social Welfare Department to look into all aspects of the matter. 
      • It directed that the panel’s report be placed before competent authorities so that a policy decision is taken expeditiously.

Provision of Child Care leave in India  : Under Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972 

• Section 43-C : Child Care Leave : Subject to the provisions of this rule, a female Government servant and single male Government servant ( an unmarried or widower or divorcee Government servant) may be granted child care leave by an authority competent to grant leave for a maximum period of seven hundred and thirty days during entire service for taking care of two eldest surviving children, whether for rearing or for looking after any of their needs, such as education, sickness and the like. 

• • “Child” Means : a child below the age of 18 years or a child up to the age of 22 years with a minimum disability of forty per cent as elaborated in the ministry of social justice and empowerment notification issued on June 1, 2001.
• Grant of child care leave to a female Government servant and a single male Government servant under sub-rule (1) shall be subject to the following conditions, namely:
  • Three Spells in a Calendar year : It shall not be granted for more than three spells in a calendar year; 
    • In case of a single female Government servant, the grant of leave in three spells in a calendar year shall be extended to six spells in a calendar year.  
  • No CCL During Probation Period : It shall not ordinarily be granted during the probation period except in case of certain extreme situations where the leave sanctioning authority is satisfied about the need of child care leave to the probationer.
  • Minimum Period of CCL leave : Child care leave may not be granted for a period less than five days at a time.
  • Total Period of Leave : A female Government servant and a single male Government servant shall be paid one hundred percent of the salary for the first three hundred and sixty-five days, and at eighty percent of the salary for the next three hundred and sixty-five days.

Significance of Supreme Court Ruling for CCL to the Women : 

• To Address Systemic Challenges: Tackles the difficulties women encounter in juggling careers and caregiving, particularly for children with disabilities. 
• Gender Disparity and Child Welfare: Illustrates how denying childcare leave perpetuates gender gaps in the workforce and undermines the rights of disabled children to proper care.
• Societal Perceptions: Sheds light on societal attitudes regarding caregiving, gender roles, and the inclusion of individuals with disabilities. 
• State and Employer Responsibilities: Stresses the importance of implementing inclusive policies that promote gender equality and support working parents, including those with disabled children.

Needs & Benefits of Child Care Leave: 

• To Enhance Employee Retention and Productivity: By Providing child care leave boosts retention rates and productivity which helps in higher female labor force participation rates, thereby contributing to economic growth and stability. 
• To Support Working Mothers: Child care leave offers crucial support for working mothers to effectively balance their professional and personal responsibilities & it helps in recognizing  their dual roles as caregivers and employees. 
• To Fulfill the Constitutional Mandates by : 
• • Empowering Women through Special Provisions under Article 15(3) of the Constitution which can help in recognizing the disproportionate burden of childcare on women & the state is obligated to consider and address such issues, which can hinder women’s participation in productive sectors.
  • Increasing Women’s Labor Force Participation: With the current low labor force participation rate of women, denial of childcare leave could further decrease their participation. 
    • Therefore, by Upholding Article 42 of the Indian Constitution, which emphasizes maternity relief, promoting childcare leave aligns with the welfare state model in the Directive Principles of State Policy.

Additional Reading : Female Labour Force Participation

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With rising record-breaking heat, shortage of water, and other environmental issues, there is a need to adopt renewable energy as soon as possible by countering the associated challenges.

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• India’s astonishing growth in cumulative renewable capacity in the last 8.5 years from 35 GW in 2014 to 174.53 GW today.

• Recently, India called for international cooperation on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) and green hydrogen at 26th World Energy Congress held in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

India’s Position on Renewable Energy:

• According to the Renewables 2022 Global Status Report, India ranks fourth globally in installed renewable energy capacity, fourth in wind power capacity, and fourth in solar power capacity. 
• As of December 2023, Renewable energy sources, including large hydropower, have a combined installed capacity of 180.79 GW. 
  • Wind Power: 44.73 GW, 
  • Solar Power: 73.31 GW, 
  • Biomass/Cogeneration: 10.2 GW, 
  • Small Hydro Power: 4.98 GW, 
  • Waste To Energy: 0.58 GW and 
  • Large Hydro: 46.88 GW 
• India is the world’s third-largest consumer of energy. 
• India is the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and is making significant steps in its transition to renewable energy.
• Targets: India has set a target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy by 2030, which is the largest expansion plan for renewable energy in the world. 
  • The plan involves an investment of at least ₹2.44 lakh crore or ₹2.44 trillion.
  • Additionally, India has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. 
• India’s Renewable Energy Target Under Nationally Determined Contribution or NDC:
• • Reduce the Carbon Intensity of the nation’s economy: To less than 45% by the end of the decade. 
  • Electric Power: Achieve 50% cumulative electric power installed by 2030 from renewables, and 
  • Net zero Carbon Emission: Achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. 
  • Total Capacity: India aims for 500 GW of renewable energy installed capacity by 2030. 
  • Green Hydrogen: India aims to produce five million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030.
    • NDC is a climate action plan to cut emissions and adapt to climate impacts.

India has Taken Several Steps to Promote Renewable Energy:

• Budgetary Provisions: India is exploring innovative solutions to these challenges. In the Union Budget 2024-25, India has allocated Rs 10,000 crore for a grid-based solar power scheme.
  • It includes provisions for viability gap funding for offshore wind energy for an initial capacity of 1 GW.
• Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana: It aims at installing rooftop solar power systems in one crore households across the nation.
• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: It aims to enhance India’s manufacturing and exports in the solar sector. It has proved to be a watershed event in India’s Renewable landscape resulting in around 48 GW domestic module manufacturing capacity within the next 3 years.
  • The PLI Scheme was approved in April, 2021.
• National Green Hydrogen Mission: It focuses on employment, import substitution, and Research and Development in renewable energy.
• PM KUSUM Scheme: It ensures energy security for farmers and increases non-fossil fuel power capacity to 40% by 2030.
  • India allows up to 100% Foreign Direct Investment in renewable energy projects.
• Green Energy Corridors: These establish transmission systems for renewable energy projects.
• India’s Support to Electric Vehicles: India supports the global EV30@30 campaign, which aims for at least 30% new vehicle sales to be electric by 2030.
• The International Solar Alliance: It aims to deploy solar energy solutions globally.
  • Bioenergy: Initiative was undertaken for spreading the message of not burning biomass and using it for Bioenergy conversion, in 20 districts of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh through BioCNG driven Vans.
  • Green Carbon Credits: These are proposed to create carbon sinks through public participation.

Need for Renewable Energy:

• Sustainable: Energy generated from renewable sources will be cleaner and greener and more sustainable.
• Employment Opportunities: Inclusion of a newer technology leads to more employment opportunities.
• Consistent Power Supply: Providing 24*7 power supply to 100% of the households, sustainable form of transports can be achieved through these renewable energies.
• Tackle Climate Issues: Renewable energy has undertaken a global adoption as a means to alleviate climate change. It is free of direct pollution and carbon emissions.

Challenges of Renewable Energy: High Initial Cost of Installation: There are high initial costs for the installation of renewable energy technologies, which makes investors and lenders think of renewables as high risk whereas they find fossil fuel plants more acceptable due to their low installation costs.

• • Of all the energy sources, solar as well as wind are the cheapest ones.  However, there is a huge difference in the upfront installation cost of a solar power system and a gas-fired plant. 
    • The installation cost of large-scale solar power systems is around $2,000 per kilowatt and for a new gas-fire plant, it is $1,000 per kW only. 
• Lack of Infrastructure: Wind and solar energy can be better investments when lifespan costs are considered, but lack of infrastructure is a barrier to renewable energy development. 
  • The present infrastructure is mainly built for fossil fuel plants and nuclear plants.

• • Inadequate Power Storage: The lack of power storage at an affordable cost is another drawback. Renewable energy sources generate most of their energy at certain times of the day. Its electricity generation does not match with the peak demand hours. 
    • There is volatility in generation and volatility in storage. 
• Technical Challenges: Renewable energy technologies require specific technical expertise.
  • Solar and wind energy systems require regular maintenance and skilled technicians for installation and repair.
• Non-Renewable Energy Monopoly: Fossil fuels have been part of human life for a long time. Subsequently, It has its roots deep in the economy of the country.
  • Solar, wind, and other renewable sources of energy have to rival the well-established fossil fuel industry. Even though the government is providing rebates and other support for solar energy, the fossil fuel industry has massive support from the government.
• Geographical Inequalities: While investment in renewables has seen a notable rise, it is notably imbalanced due to geographic disparities. Developed countries and China account for more than 80% of the total investment in renewables.
  • However, large parts of the world, especially the emerging and less developed economies, are lagging behind.
    • Example: In Southeast Asia, green investments in the region dipped 7% in 2022 compared to 2021. 
• Disruptive Events: As observed in the last few years, no area of the world is safe from the chaos caused by both natural events and human behaviour. It led to massive impacts on supply, demand, and pricing of associated materials and renewable energy technologies. 
• Operational Challenges: Dust is a problem, especially in Rajasthan, which requires frequent cleaning and increases the operational costs. 
  • Hard water is not suitable for cleaning, and companies have to invest in reverse osmosis (RO) and other technology to make it suitable.
  • Skilled workforce is not available in cleaning and maintenance areas.
  • Furthermore, bureaucratic red tape and complex permitting procedures can delay project implementation.
• Dependency for Raw Materials: Access to raw materials and rare earth metals is one of the major challenges that are faced by the renewable energy sector. There is low manufacturing of Silicon panels in India and is heavily relied on importing solar cells and modules, mainly from China and Vietnam, to meet its solar energy requirements.
  • These materials are essential for the manufacture of renewable energy technologies, and a projected shortage could impact the sector’s growth. 
• Lack of Knowledge & Awareness: People are reluctant to use renewable energy technology due to lack of knowledge and awareness.
• Environmental Impacts: Impacts on biodiversity loss with the construction of large-scale solar parks are also location-specific, and under-researched. 
  • Example: Open natural systems such as deserts provide essential ecosystem services that, if disturbed, would cause ecological damage and even contribute to climate change. 
• Feasibility & Viability: All of the resource requirements and impacts on livelihoods and biodiversity are subject to uncertainty regarding feasibility and economic viability of other emerging low carbon technologies and the changing climate itself.
• Competing with Other Resources: At a more regional or national scale, solar parks may compete for essential natural resources. Solar panels require large amounts of water for their regular cleaning. 
  • Similarly, the land needed for solar parks may compete with other productive activities — agriculture and related livelihoods, with the potential for impacts on food security. 
• Land Use Challenge: Large-scale renewable energy projects, particularly solar parks, require extensive land use.
  • Some studies estimate that India may need 50,000-75,000 sq. km of land, about half the size of Tamil Nadu, to achieve its Net Zero targets.
• Impact on Food Security: The conversion of agricultural land for renewable energy projects could potentially impact food security.
  • As per experts, the push for renewable energy may lead to food insecurity in the future as India would need at least 400,000 hectares of land by 2030 to achieve its renewable targets.

Way Forward:

• Experimentation with Ownership Models: The renewable energy parks need not necessarily be owned by the state or private companies. Community initiatives could help generate revenues for the communities, further promoting small businesses and upskilling, improving incomes, stimulating local economies, and improving energy access.
• Overhaul the Wasteland Classification: Similar to Pavagada, if wasteland is to be leased or acquired for solar parks, solar park development corporations will have to engage with local governance units such as the Gram Sabha to initiate the project.
• Exhaustive Legal Regulations: Solar and wind park development is exempted from Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, which must be revised and strengthened to limit adverse social and environmental consequences. 
• Monitoring Mechanisms: It is required for establishment of land record, its accountability and transparency.
  • In terms of impacts on small and medium landowners where private land is being used, there is no mechanism to monitor if a fair price is paid to those leasing their land. 
• Focus on Innovation: Need to encourage research and experimentation with ‘agrivoltaics’ for sustainably developing renewable energy. 
  • Agrivoltaics pair solar with agriculture, creating energy and providing space for crops, grazing, and native habitats under and between panels. Thus, farmers can grow crops while also being ‘prosumers’ (producers and consumers) of energy. 
• Infrastructure Enhancement: The existing energy infrastructure needs urgent reform as it is not capable of handling large amounts of renewable energy.
  • A battery storage system helps to store the surplus energy for later use. It can help with grid instability, thereby preventing blackouts. 
    • Technological advancement has improved the longevity and battery capacity of the storage system. 
    • Battery prices have to come down to make storing of solar energy more cost-effective.
• Adequate Skilling & Training Programmes: Large-scale renewable energy projects could have positive employment outcomes at the district level, but they lead to massive employment shifts between sectors at the national level. Adequate skilling and training programmes targeting the unskilled and poorer populations are essential.
• Balancing Approach: Balancing the need for renewable energy with the need to ensure food security requires careful planning and policy-making. 
  • Policymakers need to consider the potential impacts of renewable energy projects on agricultural practices and food security and then take actions accordingly. 
• Support by Government & Organizations: More innovative use by multilateral development banks of their balance sheets may include providing risk-taking guarantees and catalyzing more private finance for renewable projects.
  • Investors, financiers, and developers need to respond with faster and better funded renewables development, that holds the potential to accelerate renewable growth globally.
  • Governments need to address physical, administrative, and procedural hurdles that will help to reduce risk and cost.
  • There is a need for incentives and regulatory apparatus to both bring new technologies into the market affordably and encourage their deployment. 
  • The Government should emphasize R&D to accelerate adoption of renewable energy technologies alongside introducing new commercial frameworks including bids for Pumped Hydro, Battery and other forms of Energy-Storage Systems. 
  • Further impetus can come from implementing the envisioned domestic carbon market, and the Electricity Amendment Bill to introduce critical reforms.

Conclusion:

India is at the verge of a second green revolution (involving energy) that provides an opportunity to align with technological, economic, and institutional structures to maximise synergies between sustainability, climate change mitigation, and development related outcomes.

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