General Studies Paper -2

Context: Recently, India delivered the strategic BrahMos cruise missile and articulated its full support in upholding national sovereignty for the Philippines.

About the South China Sea

• It is one of the most strategically and economically important waterways in the world, extending from the Strait of Malacca in the southwest, to the Strait of Taiwan in the northeast.
  • It is a crucial maritime gateway and junction for shipping between the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
• It is surrounded by several nations, including China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
• The region is rich in natural resources, including oil, gas, and fisheries, and serves as a crucial trade route for various economies.

Economic Importance of the Region

• Trade Route: The South China Sea serves as a crucial trade hub for various economies of East Asia, South Asia, and beyond.
  • A trade of more than $5.3 trillion happens on these waters. It makes up about one-third of all marine traffic.
• Natural Resources: The region has proven oil reserves of around 7.7 billion barrels, with an estimate of 28 billion barrels in all.
  • Natural gas reserves are estimated to total around 266 trillion cubic feet.
  • The Philippines is counting on the US and its allies to play a crucial role in its plans to explore energy resources in the disputed South China Sea.
• Fisheries: More than half of the world’s fishing vessels are in the South China Sea, and millions of people depend on these waters for their food and livelihoods.

Territorial Disputes

• The territorial disputes in the South China Sea primarily involve China and several Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.
• China claims sovereignty over virtually the entire South China Sea, putting it at odds with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei, who all maintain claims over islands, reefs, and undersea resources in the region.
  • These disputes have implications for the freedom of navigation and overflight.
• The South China Sea dispute essentially revolves around multiple claims to the land features — islands and reefs — and associated territorial waters.

India and South China Sea

• India’s stance on the South China Sea has seen a significant shift in recent years, reflecting its broader strategic and economic aspirations on the global stage.
• India has been increasing cooperation, defence as well as economic, with these countries to take its resistance to maritime Chinese influence to China’s own backyard.

India’s Evolving Position

• Recently, India articulated its full support for the Philippines in upholding its national sovereignty amid the ongoing South China Sea dispute between Philippines and China.
• In 2023, a joint statement between India and Philippines had called for China to adhere to the rules-based maritime order and acknowledge the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling (2016) in favour of the Philippines.
  • These are part of an evolving approach that signals a departure from India’s earlier more cautionary and neutral position vis-à-vis the South China Sea.
• India has significantly enhanced its military and diplomatic engagement with claimant states such as the Philippines and Vietnam.
  • It has been offering military aid and more supportive rhetoric to China’s rival claimants.

Economic Stakes and Strategic Engagements

• India’s engagement with the region was initially primarily economic, driven by its Look East Policy, which aimed to enhance economic integration with Southeast Asia and the imperative to secure energy resources to fuel its growing economy.
• The participation of Indian state-owned enterprises, such as the ONGC Videsh, in oil and gas exploration projects in Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and other similar ventures not only signified India’s economic stakes in the region but also its support for the principle of freedom of exploration and exploitation of maritime resources within the bounds of international law, specifically UNCLOS.

Policy Transformation

• The transformation of India’s policy orientation from Look East to Act East has marked a shift towards a more strategic and active engagement with the Indo-Pacific region.
• It reflects India’s acknowledgment of the changing geopolitical landscape and the need for a more proactive and multifaceted foreign policy approach with the Act East Policy emphasising not only economic integration but also strategic partnerships and expanded security cooperation with countries in the Indo-Pacific including Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore, besides the Philippines.

Geopolitical Impact and International Stance

• Major Asia-Pacific economies could lose up to 12% of their GDP if the geopolitical tensions were to force closure of key trade routes in the region.
• The United States champions a free and open Indo-Pacific and has made clear that Beijing’s claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them.
  • The U.S. stands with its ally, the Philippines, in the face of this escalation that directly threatens regional peace and stability.

Way Ahead

• The disputes in the South China Sea require a political framework, which can only be created through dialogue.
• Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should try to find a political solution through ‘quiet diplomacy’.
  • The potential for resolving this issue through legal methods is very low.
• One of the most important ways to de-escalate the current tensions in the South China Sea for both parties is to avoid hostile actions against each other, uphold a more reconciliatory attitude and emphasise the need to cooperate rather than compete.

General Studies Paper -3

Context: India has lost 2.33 million hectares of tree cover since 2000, equivalent to a six percent decrease in tree cover during this period, according to the latest data from the Global Forest Watch monitoring project.

• The Global Forest Watch tracks forest changes in near real-time using satellite data and other sources.

Findings

• Primary Forest Loss: India lost 4,14,000 hectares of humid primary forest (4.1 per cent) from 2002 to 2023, making up 18 percent of its total tree cover loss in the same period.
• Tree Cover Loss: From 2001 to 2023, India lost 2.33 Mha of tree cover, equivalent to a 6.0% decrease in tree cover since 2000.
  • From 2013 to 2023, 95% of tree cover loss in India occurred within natural forest.
  • Five states accounted for 60 percent of all tree cover loss between 2001 and 2023.
  • Assam had the maximum tree cover loss followed by Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and
• Tree Cover Gain: In India, the top 6 regions were responsible for 54% of all tree cover gain between 2000 and 2020. Karnataka had the most tree cover gain.
  • From 2000 to 2020, India gained 1.4% of the global total.
• All Tree Cover: As of 2010, the top 7 regions represent 55% of all tree cover.
  • Arunachal Pradesh had the most tree cover followed by Assam, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Odisha.
• Loss Due to Forest Fires: India lost 35,900 hectares of tree cover due to fires from 2002 to 2022, with 2008 recording the maximum tree cover loss due to fires.
  • From 2001 to 2022, Odisha had the highest rate of tree cover loss due to fires. Arunachal Pradesh lost 198 hectares, Nagaland 195 hectares, Assam 116 hectares, and Meghalaya 97 hectares.
• Carbon Sink: Between 2001 and 2022, forests in India emitted 51 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent a year and removed 141 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent a year.
  • This represents a net carbon sink of 89.9 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent a year.

Conclusion

• The tree cover loss data featured on the Global Forest Watch represents the best available spatial figures on how forests are changing around the world.
• The monitoring and alert system is designed to empower people everywhere with the information they need to better manage and conserve forest landscapes.

General Studies Paper -3

Context: According to a recent report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), India’s population is estimated to have reached 1.44 billion, with 24% in the 0-14 age bracket.

About

• The UNFPA’s State of World Population – 2024 report, titled ‘Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope: Ending Inequalities in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights’, revealed that India’s population is estimated to double in 77 years.
• India leads globally with an estimated population of 1.44 billion, followed by China at 1.425 billion.
  • India’s population was recorded at 1.21 billion during the last census, conducted in 2011.
• Demographic Categorisation in India:
  • An estimated 24% of India’s population is aged 0-14, while 17% is within the 10-19 age range.
  • The segment aged 10-24 is estimated to constitute 26%, with the 15-64 age group making up 68%.
  • Additionally, 7% of India’s population is aged 65 years and above, with men having a life expectancy of 71 years and women 74 years.

Key Takeaways from the Report

• Progress in Sexual and Reproductive Health: Over the past 30 years, significant strides have been made in fulfilling the International Conference for Population and Development (ICPD) agenda.
  • The global rate of unintended pregnancies has fallen by nearly 20% globally.
  • The number of women using modern contraceptive methods has doubled.
  • At least 162 countries have adopted laws against domestic violence, and maternal deaths have decreased by 34% since 2000.
• Persistent Inequalities: Despite the progress, millions are still denied their health and rights every day.
  • Gender-based violence remains rampant in practically every country and community.
  • There has been zero reduction in maternal mortality since 2016, and in an alarming number of countries, the rates are rising.
  • Nearly half of women still are unable to make decisions about their own bodies.
• Marginalised Groups: The report shows that although women across socioeconomic classes and ethnicities say barriers to health care have come down over time, the women most marginalised have experienced the least improvement.
  • Women of African descent are found to be more vulnerable to obstetric mistreatment and negative maternal health outcomes.
  • Indigenous women are often denied culturally appropriate maternal health care, and their own childbirth practices may be criminalised, resulting in significantly higher risk of death in pregnancy and childbirth.

Key concerns highlighted in the report

• Discrimination and Stigma: The report highlights the role racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination continue to play in blocking broad gains in sexual and reproductive health for women and girls.
  • Women and girls with disabilities face up to 10 times more gender-based violence while also facing higher barriers to sexual and reproductive information and care.
  • LGBTQIA+ people face serious health disparities in addition to – and as a result of – discrimination and stigma.
• Health and Social Challenges: The report has found that 30 years of progress in sexual and reproductive health has mostly ignored the most marginalised communities worldwide.
  • According to it, the child marriage percentage in India was at 23% between 2006-2023.
  • The maternal deaths in India have fallen considerably, accounting for 8% of all such fatalities worldwide.
  • However, the report noted that India continues to see inequities in maternal death risk.

Conclusion and Way Forward

• The report suggests that to fulfil the promise of universal sexual and reproductive health and rights, one needs to root out inequalities from our health systems and policies and focus as a priority on those women and young people who are most marginalized and excluded.
• On the other hand, the large young population presents a significant opportunity for economic growth and development.
  • However, it also underscores the need for continued efforts in improving health and social outcomes, particularly for the most marginalised communities.

General Studies Paper -3

Context: Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has suggested that India needs to focus on investing heavily in education and health to ensure that its growing, young population is adequately employed.

Understanding the Demographic Dividend

• It refers to the economic growth potential that results from shifts in a population’s age structure, mainly when the share of the working-age population (15 to 64 years old) is larger than the non-working-age population (14 or younger and 65 or older).
  • The change in age structure is typically brought on by a decline in fertility and mortality rates.

Key areas where a country can find demographic dividends

• Savings — During the demographic period, personal savings grow and can be used to stimulate the economy.
• Labour Supply — More workers are added to the labour force, including more women.
• Human Capital — With fewer births, parents are able to allocate more resources per child, leading to better educational and health outcomes.
• Economic Growth — GDP per capita is increased due to a decrease in the dependency ratio.

Demographic Dividend of India

• India, with its large and young population, is currently experiencing a demographic dividend.
  • It is expected to last until 2055, providing India with a unique opportunity to boost its economic growth.
• India is expected to add another 183 million people to the working-age group between 2020 and 2050.
• This change in the age structure of the population can lead to a ‘demographic dividend’ of economic growth if it is accompanied by sustained investments in education and health, and policies that promote labour force participation.

Need for Investment in Education and Health

• According to the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Department, if India really wants to benefit from this population adding to the labour force, it has to invest big time in both education and health.
  • It emphasised that he would prioritise that much more so than other kinds of spending.
• The labour force needs to have the right skills, competing with AI and other such challenges.

Current Economic Scenario

• Growth in India was led by public investment and private consumption.
• While Public Capex spending (for example infrastructure) had a ‘very beneficial’ impact on growth, the issue was whether it had crowded in private investment.
• The IMF has projected a growth rate of 8% for India’s economy in FY 2024/25 notwithstanding the high rate of unemployment among youth, which according to some estimates was just above 40% in 2022-23.
  • According to the IMF, private investment is on the weaker side, and it is continuously improving and argued as good for the future.

Challenges and Associated Risks

• Lack of Job Creation: The World Bank has warned that South Asia, including India, is not making use of its demographic dividend as the pace of job creation in the region fell well short of the growth in the working-age population.
  • Even before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, unemployment levels in India had hit a 45-year high.
• Low Human Capital Base and Lack of Skills: Poor human capital formation is reflected in low employability among India’s graduates and postgraduates.
  • According to ASSOCHAM, only 20-30% of engineers find a job suited to their skills. It is a big challenge as skilling and reskilling are vital in current times because of the increasing new fields and opportunities.
• The ongoing transformation of India’s economy from primarily agrarian to more non-agrarian presents two challenges:
  • Changing people’s skills to transit from the agricultural sector to either manufacturing or services, and;
  • Requiring workers to change location, as non-agricultural employment opportunities tend to be in urban centres far from rural India.
• Health Crisis and Macroeconomic Shocks: With its large population, India faces many challenges, including coping with today’s health crisis, creating more jobs, managing macroeconomic shocks and mitigating climate change.
• Gender Disparity: While gender inequality remains an issue in many parts of India, there has been significant progress in recent years toward gender equality.
  • It includes increasing levels of education and workforce participation among women, which can help to further increase the size and productivity of the workforce.
• Inadequate Investment in Education and Health: To reap the benefits of the demographic dividend, India needs to invest heavily in education and health.
  • It is crucial to equip the workforce with the right skills to compete in the modern economy.

Way Forward

• To reap the benefits of the demographic dividend, India needs to invest heavily in education and health.
• It is crucial to equip the workforce with the right skills to compete in the modern economy.
• Forward-looking policies incorporating population dynamics, education and skills, healthcare, gender sensitivity, and providing rights and choices to the younger generation are needed.

General Studies Paper -3

Context: Recently, the Union Finance Ministry notified new rules backing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for the space sector under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

FDI in Space Sector

• The Finance Ministry came with new rules, known as the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) (Third Amendment) Rules, 2024, that provide a liberalised entry route for FDI in satellites, launch vehicles, spaceports, and manufacturing space-related components and systems.
• According to it, 100% percent FDI has been allowed for the space sector category of manufacturing and operation of satellites, satellite data products, and ground segment and user segment.
• Out of this, up to 74% would be through the automatic route and government nod would be required for investment beyond that.
  • Under the earlier policy, any foreign investment in manufacturing and operating satellites was allowed only with government approval.

Significances of FDI in Space Sectors

• Private Sector Participation: The Indian space structure is moving from building India’s capabilities under ISRO to further capitalization of space-based technology for commercial applications as well as industry involvement in the sector.
• It is expected to integrate Indian companies into global value chains.
• Space Missions: India has achieved many considerable feats in space missions and has established its name in the global picture as a provider of reliable and cost-effective space solutions.
• Technology Absorption and Global Integration: It will enable modern technology absorption.
  • With increased investment, companies could achieve sophistication of products, global scale of operations, and enhanced share of the global space economy.
  • It is expected to integrate Indian companies into global value chains.
• Boost Manufacturing: Companies will be able to set up their manufacturing facilities within the country, encouraging the Government’s ‘Make In India’
• Ease of Doing Business: The FDI policy reform will enhance Ease of Doing Business in the country, leading to greater FDI inflows and thereby contributing to the growth of investment, income, and employment.
• Promote Research and Innovations: FDI in space will promote technology transfer and research innovations.

Concerns and Challenges

• Limited Investor Interest: There is limited investor interest at later stages of development.
  • This could be due to the high-risk nature of space investments and the long-term return on investment.
• Talent Pool: The talent pool for space tech startups needs to grow.
  • There is a need for more skilled professionals in the field of space technology.
• Policy Clarity: There is a need for more policy clarity.
  • Clear and consistent policies can help attract more foreign investors.
• Simplifying the FDI Process: The process for foreign direct investment needs to be simplified.
  • A complex process can deter potential investors.
• Capital-Intensive Requirements: Space technology is capital-intensive.
  • This means that it requires a significant amount of capital investment, which can be a challenge for startups and smaller companies.
• Conflict of Interest with ISRO: Foreign investors have been on the fence about investing in the Government monopolised Indian space sector.
  • The conflict of interest with ISRO as a competitor had perpetuated apprehension in the minds of foreign investors.

Conclusion

• The liberalisation of the FDI policy in the space sector is a strategic move by the Indian government to lower entry barriers for foreign players seeking to collaborate with or invest in Indian space enterprises.
• This move is set to revolutionise the Indian space industry by opening new avenues for foreign investment and participation, thereby accelerating India’s journey towards becoming a global space powerhouse.

General Studies Paper -2

Context: Presenting the BIMSTEC Charter in Nepal’s Parliament signifies progress towards regional cooperation and economic prosperity for the member states.

• The Charter serves as the foundational document, setting out principles and structures for cooperation among member states.

BIMSTEC

• About: The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a multilateral regional organisation.
• Aim: It was established with the aim of accelerating shared growth and cooperation between littoral and adjacent countries in the Bay of Bengal region.
• Origin and Membership: It was founded as BIST-EC, in June 1997, with the adoption of the Bangkok Declaration, with Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand as members.
  • It became BIMST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation) with the entry of Myanmar in late 1997, And eventually, it was named in its current form, when Nepal and Bhutan became members in 2004.
• Strength: The BIMSTEC region hosts 22% of the world population or 1.68 billion people; and the member states have a combined GDP of US$3.697 trillion/per year.
• Working Mechanism: Policy making would be done through two types of meetings:
  • Summits, which are supposed to be held every two years; and
  • Ministerial meetings of Foreign and Commerce Ministers of member countries for deciding on trade and economic affairs, to be held once every year. An operational meeting of senior officials to monitor the activities of the grouping is also supposed to be held twice a year.

Significance

• Need of formation: The Bay of Bengal region was one of the world’s most integrated regions until the early twentieth century.
  • But, after the 1940s, members of the region became independent and pursued separate goals and alliance systems, the region’s sense of community has almost completely eroded.
• So, the aim of setting up the regional grouping was not to create a new region for cooperation but to revive the connectivity and common interests of the members of the Bay of Bengal region.
• Acting as a bridge: Its significance lies in the fact that it serves as a direct link between South Asian and South East Asian countries through intra-regional collaboration.
  • It represents a reinforcement of relations among these countries.
• Sector-driven approach: What makes BIMSTEC different from other regional groupings such as SAARC or ASEAN is that it is a sector-driven organisation.
  • This means the goals or areas of cooperation are divided between members, for instance, out of the multiple sectors like trade, energy, transport, fishery, security, culture, tourism and so on.
    • For example, India was made responsible for areas like transportation, tourism and Counter-Terrorism earlier.
    • After which, India was BIMSTEC’s pillar for security; this will include areas of counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTCC) Disaster Management and Energy.
• Alternative to SAARC: The progress of SAARC has stalled over the years due to Indo-Pak relations and what experts call Pakistan’s obstructionist approach to the organisation.
• BIMSTEC emerged as an alternative platform for cooperation.

India & BIMSTEC

• Importance of BIMSTEC for India: For India, BIMSTEC aligns with its ‘Act East’ policy for greater regional cooperation in southeast Asia.
  • It could also be seen as aligning with India’s larger goal to gain trade and security prominence in the Indian Ocean region and to cater to the concept of the ‘Indo-Pacific’ region, a major focus of Quad countries.
  • Another important factor for India in becoming a prominent leader in the Bay of Bengal and maintaining peace and security.
• India’s efforts: India also made efforts to enhance the pace of BIMSTEC’s progress in recent years.
  • The BIMSTEC Energy Centre was set up in Bengaluru, along with the BIMSTEC Business Council, a forum for business organisations to promote regional trade.
    • It aims to create free-trade and power grid interconnectivity agreements, and a masterplan for transport connectivity in the Bay of Bengal region.

Challenges

• Sluggish pace: The first and major challenge, according to foreign policy researchers, is a lack of efficiency and “sluggish” pace of BIMSTEC’s progress.
  • The inconsistency in holding policy making and operational meetings is also a concern.
• Inadequate assistance: BIMSTEC secretariat also suffers from inadequate financial and manpower assistance for its operational activities.
• Trade challenges: India’s percentage of annual trade with BIMSTEC countries as a percentage of its total foreign trade was in the double digits in the 1950s, but was just 4% as of 2020.
  • Inter-regional trade within BIMSTEC countries also varies significantly; research shows that member countries trade with each other in terms of the proximity, availability of trade routes and the size of the country’s economy.
  • Notably, it was also seen that a lot of the time, BIMSTEC member countries don’t import goods that are manufactured and exported by other members, instead importing from other non-member countries.
• Absence of connected coastal ecosystem: BIMSTEC members are yet to build a shared and lucrative coastal shipment ecosystem and also grapple with frequent detention of fishermen who cross territorial borders.
• Challenges faced by members: In recent years, the progress of BIMSTEC has also been underscored by Bangladesh-Myanmar relations over the Rohingya refugee crisis, the India-Nepal border issue, and most recently, the political situation in Myanmar.
  • The first half of 2024 may witness elections in Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. Most likely, there will be further delay in holding the Summit.

Suggestions & Way Ahead

• Trade is one of the priority areas of the BIMSTEC.
• The progress needs to be made in the BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
• BIMSTEC’s connectivity plan is ready, but the real implementation is yet to start.
  • Since the BMCA is ready, the Secretariat may pick up the maritime sector (example, ports, IWT, and shipping) as low-hanging fruit to start with. Besides, trade and transit facilitations must be given top priority along with energy and digital connectivity.
• Overall, a stronger secretariat is a must to drive meaningful interactions among member-states.

General Studies Paper -3

Context: According to the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), India has added 21% higher renewable energy capacity in 2023-24 than previous year.

About the Renewable Energy Capacity in India

• India, a country with a rapidly growing economy and increasing energy demands, has made significant strides in its renewable energy sector.
  • It added 18.48 GW of renewable energy capacity in the fiscal year 2023-24, which is over 21% higher than the 15.27 GW added a year ago.
• It was primarily driven by solar installations (12.78 GW) and wind energy (2.27 GW).
• The total installed renewable energy capacity has increased from 76.37 GW in 2014 to 178.98 GW in October 2023, marking an increase of around 2.34 times.

Leading States in Renewable Energy

• Gujarat and Rajasthan (27 GW each) have the largest renewable energy capacities, followed by Tamil Nadu (22 GW), Karnataka (21 GW) and Maharashtra (17 GW).
• Himachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh (11 GW each) have installed renewable energy capacity.

Challenges Faced by the Renewable Energy Sector in India

• Financial Health of Power Distribution Companies (DISCOMs): The poor financial condition of power distribution companies (discoms), which are mostly owned by state governments.
  • Almost all renewable energy is purchased by such discoms, resulting in very long and unsustainable payment cycles.
• Land Utilisation and Availability: Issues such as lack of a proper Land Utilisation Policy, poorly maintained land records, land ceiling limits, and the task of obtaining permissions from local bodies act as roadblocks to the implementation of large-scale renewable energy projects.
• Rapid Demand Growth and Chronic Supply Shortages: India currently experiences a significant increase in energy demand driven by rapid economic growth, which necessitates a shift away from fossil fuels.
  • However, fossil fuels still dominate global energy consumption, continuing to raise GHG emission levels.

Government Efforts in India’s Renewable Energy Sector

• Permitting FDI: India has permitted FDI up to 100% under the automatic route to attract foreign investments.
• Waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges: For inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects, ISTS charges have been waived off.
• Major Renewable Energy Schemes and Programmes:
  • Scheme for Development of Solar Parks and Ultra-mega Solar Power Projects;
  • Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) Scheme Phase-II;
  • Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme ‘National Programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules’;
  • PM-KUSUM Scheme;
  • Rooftop Solar Programme Phase II;
  • Green Energy Corridors (GEC), and;
  • Bio-Energy Programme.
• Increasing Awareness: Efforts have been made by the Government to increase awareness about the use of renewable energy through introduction of various schemes and publicity through print and media.

Conclusion:

• India’s record addition of renewable energy capacity in FY24 is a testament to the country’s commitment to a sustainable and green future.
• As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, India’s strides in renewable energy offer a beacon of hope and a model for other countries to follow.

General Studies Paper -3 

Context: The Centre has directed all gas-based power generating stations to operationalise their plants from May 1 to June 30 in view of rise in electricity demand due to an early onset of the heat wave this summer.

India’s Gas Based Energy Sector

• The Central Electricity Authority under the Ministry of Power, monitors 62 gas based power stations, with a total capacity of 23,845 MW using gas as primary fuel.
• India’s natural gas demand is expected to rise by 6 percent in 2024 with a rise in consumption in fertiliser units, power generation and industrial sectors, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
• India is the 4th largest importer of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
• Significance: Gas-based power plants offer several advantages, including lower emissions and quicker ramp-up times compared to coal-based plants.
  • However, the share of gas-based power generation in India’s total power mix remains relatively small compared to coal and renewable energy sources.

Need for the Gas Based Power Generation in India

• Cleaner Energy Source: Gas-based power generation emits fewer pollutants compared to coal-based power plants, making it a cleaner option, especially in urban areas where air quality is a significant concern.
• Flexibility and Efficiency: Gas-based power plants are highly efficient and offer greater operational flexibility compared to coal-based plants.
• Reduced Dependence on Coal: India heavily relies on coal for electricity generation, but diversifying the energy mix with gas can reduce this dependence, enhancing energy security and reducing vulnerability to supply disruptions.
• Rapid Deployment: Gas-based power plants can be constructed relatively quickly compared to large-scale coal or nuclear plants.
  • This rapid deployment capability makes them a viable option for meeting short-term increases in electricity demand.

Challenges Faced by the Sector

• Import of Natural Gas: India has limited domestic natural gas reserves, and the majority of its natural gas consumption is met through imports.
  • Despite efforts to explore and exploit domestic reserves, India still relies heavily on imported natural gas, primarily from countries like Qatar, Australia, and the United States.
• Infrastructure Constraints: The development of infrastructure, including pipelines, LNG terminals, and city gas distribution networks, is essential for the efficient transportation and distribution of natural gas.
  • However, the expansion of infrastructure in India has been hampered by factors such as land acquisition issues, regulatory hurdles, and funding constraints.
• Competitive Pricing: Natural gas competes with other energy sources such as coal, renewable energy, and imported liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in India.
  • The pricing of natural gas relative to these competing fuels influence its attractiveness for various applications, including power generation, industrial use, and transportation.
• Environmental Concerns: While natural gas is considered a cleaner alternative to coal and oil, its extraction, transportation, and combustion still produce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Addressing environmental concerns related to methane leakage, air pollution, and carbon emissions is crucial for the sustainable development of the gas-based energy sector.

Government Initiatives to Increase Gas Based Energy

• Infrastructure Development: A total of 23,391 km of the natural gas pipeline is operational and about 4,125 km of the gas pipeline is under construction as of Feb 2024.
  • Target to increase the pipeline coverage by ~54% to 34,500 km by 2024-25 and to connect all the states with the trunk natural gas pipeline network by 2027.
• Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga (PMUG): Launched in 2016, PMUG aims to develop the natural gas pipeline infrastructure in eastern India, connecting gas sources and major demand centers.
  • The project involves the construction of a pipeline connecting Uttar Pradesh to West Bengal, passing through Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
• City Gas Distribution (CGD) Network Expansion: The government has been promoting the expansion of CGD networks across India to increase access to piped natural gas (PNG) for households, industries, and commercial establishments.
  • Under the CGD bidding rounds, licenses are awarded to entities for developing CGD networks in geographical areas identified by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB).
• Natural Gas Marketing Reforms: The government has introduced reforms in the marketing of natural gas to enhance transparency, promote competition, and attract investment in the sector.
• Gas Price Rationalization: Reforms such as the New Domestic Gas Pricing Guidelines (2014) and the introduction of the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) have aimed to provide pricing incentives for domestic gas producers while balancing the interests of consumers.
• Natural Gas Infrastructure Development Fund (NGIDF): The government has set up the NGIDF to provide financial support for the development of natural gas infrastructure in India.

Promotion of LNG Imports and Terminals: The government has encouraged investment in LNG import terminals to diversify gas supply sources and enhance energy security.

General Studies Paper-2 

Context: Iran launched drones and cruise missiles against Israel under Operation True Promise (Also called “Operation Honest Promise”).

About

• India issued a statement expressing India’s “serious concern” at the escalation of hostilities, and called for “immediate de-escalation”.
• The Iranian attack was in response to the suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian consular building in Syria’s Damascus that killed 12 people.

Significance of the Region for India

• Threat to Indian Community: There are about 18,000 Indians in Israel and about 5,000-10,000 Indians in Iran, about 90 lakh people are living and working in the Gulf and West Asia region.
  • Any conflict that expands will end up posing a risk to the Indian community that is based in the region.
• Energy Security: The West Asia region contributes to India’s 80 percent of oil supplies, which a potential conflict will impact.
  • India has been able to minimise the impact of oil prices due to the Russia-Ukraine war by buying Russian oil at discounted prices, but this conflict will have an adverse impact on energy prices.
• Investment and Strategic Importance: India has invested in a strategic relationship with major Arab countries, Iran, and Israel.
  • India sees the region as its extended neighbourhood, and it has been pushing for the India-Middle-East-Europe Economic corridor, which has strategic as well as economic benefits.
  • Chabahar in Iran is another strategic economic project, which acts as a gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia — since Pakistan denies land transit to Indian goods.
• Defence Relations with Israel: India has a very deep strategic relationship with Israel, especially in the context of defence and security partnership.

India’s Neutral Stand

• Maintaining a Balanced Stand: India’s stakes in the bilateral relationships with both Israel and Iran are huge, India will hope that Israel will avoid new military actions that will trigger a dangerous and wider war in the region.
  • Earlier India was seen as taking “Israel’s side”, but today its position urging restraint will be viewed as “balanced” and in favour of regional peace.
• Based on the Complex Regional Politics: Inter-state and intra-state conflicts in the Middle East are deep and pervasive, and India will have to forever balance its engagement with key regional actors — Egypt, Iran, Israel, Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates — whose orientation and interests are different and often in conflict.
  • India’s call for de-escalation between Israel and Iran is about recognising the complexity of the region’s politics.
• Non- Ideological Engagement: The non-ideological engagement with the region is a necessary complement to India’s expanding interests in the Middle East.
  • India’s interests in the region are no longer limited to oil imports and labour exports.
• The Gulf Arab states — especially Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — have emerged as major economic and political partners for India.

Way Ahead

• India has strategic ties with both Iran and Israel — and for decades, it has been able to balance between the two sides. But if the conflict widens, it would be difficult for it to maintain an ambivalent position.
  • In the context of such deep ties with both Israel and Iran, India has difficulty in choosing sides.
• India’s position that there should be “immediate de-escalation” and “step back from violence” and “return to the path of diplomacy” is, therefore, crucial to its national interest.

Generals Studies Paper-3 

Context: Recently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) revealed that global carbon dioxide levels reached a record high in 2023.

About the Carbon Dioxide (CO₂):

• It is an important heat-trapping gas, also known as a greenhouse gas, that comes from the extraction and burning of fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and natural gas), from wildfires, natural processes like volcanic eruptions, and land use changes like deforestation, peat emissions, and agricultural activities.
• Since the onset of industrial times in the 18th century, human activities have raised atmospheric CO2 by 50% – meaning the amount of CO₂ is now 150% of its value in 1750.
• This human-induced rise is greater than the natural increase observed at the end of the last ice age 20,000 years ago.

Global Carbon Dioxide Levels (Current Status):

• The global average atmospheric carbon dioxide was 419.3 parts per million (ppm) in 2023, which is more than 50% higher than pre-industrial levels.
  • This increase was the third-largest in the last decade.
• The increase between 2022 and 2023 was 2.8 ppm — the 12th year in a row where the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increased by more than 2 ppm.
• The 2023 increase was the third-largest in the last decade and is likely a result of an ongoing increase of fossil fuel carbon dioxide emissions, coupled with increased fire emissions possibly as a result of the transition from La Nina to El Nino.
  • El Nino and La Nina are the warm and cool phases of a recurring climate pattern across the tropical Pacific called the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
• In March 2024, the CO₂ levels at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii, were recorded at 425.38 ppm, up from 420.99 ppm in March 2023.
  • It has the longest record of direct measurements of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Global Methane Levels (Current Status):

• Methane is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil.
  • Methane emissions also result from livestock and other agricultural practices, land use, and by the decay of organic waste in municipal solid waste landfills.
• Despite being less abundant than CO₂, Methane is more potent at trapping heat in the atmosphere.
• Methane levels in the atmosphere are now more than 160% higher than their pre-industrial level.
  • It first rose in the 1980s, and nearly stabilised in the early 2000s before rapidly increasing again in 2007.
  • It went up to an average of 1922.6 parts per billion (ppb) in 2023 — a 10.9 ppb jump over 2022.
  • The year 2023 marked the fifth-highest since 2007.
• More than 85% of the increase from 2006 to 2021 was due to increased microbial emissions generated by livestock, agriculture, human and agricultural waste, wetlands and other aquatic sources.
  • The rest could be coming from fossil fuel emissions.

Global Nitrous Oxide Levels (Current Status):

• Nitrous oxide is emitted during agricultural, land use, and industrial activities; combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste; as well as during treatment of wastewater.
• It is the third-most significant human-caused greenhouse gas, and its concentrations are 25% higher than the pre-industrial level of 270 ppb.
  • The current levels climbed by 1 ppb to 336.7 ppb in 2023.
• This increase in recent decades is being traced back to the use of nitrogen fertiliser and manure from the expansion and intensification of agriculture.

Impact of Rising Levels:

• Without carbon dioxide, Earth’s natural greenhouse effect would be too weak to keep the average global surface temperature above freezing.
  • By adding more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, people are supercharging the natural greenhouse effect, causing global temperature to rise.
• The rising CO₂ levels have put us in a precarious position, mirroring atmospheric conditions from the Pliocene epoch, a period roughly 4.3 million years ago.
• During that geological period, sea levels were approximately 23 metres higher than today, and the average temperature was higher than in pre-industrial times.
• If the current level of emissions persists, there is a 50% chance that global warming of 1.5°C will be exceeded in nine years.
• This is the opposite trend needed to reverse climate change.

Conclusion:

• CO₂ is the single most important greenhouse gas leading to human-induced climate change.
• Although other GHGs are more powerful per molecule in warming the planet than CO₂, the CO₂ emissions stay in the atmosphere for hundreds to thousands of years, making CO₂ the biggest challenge in combating climate change.
• The increasing levels of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere are a clear indication of the urgent need for action.
• The data from NOAA highlight the critical state of earth’s carbon cycle and underscore the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.