Green and clean

• India has made significant progress in transitioning to cleaner power, with budgetary allocations to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy between 2015 and 2025.

• However, these allocations have been underutilised, leading to lower revised estimates.

• The PM-KUSUM scheme, launched in 2019, aimed to have off-grid solar irrigation pumps and gridconnected solar plants on farmlands.

• The realisation of energy transition during COVID-19 led to India pledging to produce half its energy requirements from renewables in five years.

• The 2021 Budget marked the start of the clean energy shift, with a PLI scheme for advanced chemistry cell manufacturing and a rise in solar photovoltaic modules.

• The government also imposed a 40% basic customs duty on solar modules and 25% on solar cells to reduce import dependence on China.

• Despite renewables making up 46% of India’s total installed capacity, 70% of its power output comes from coal.

• The government plans to exempt 12 critical minerals and 35 capital goods from Basic Customs Duty (BCDs).

• Reducing dependence on China for energy transition resources and technology requires India to lead in formulating a just and equitable critical minerals framework.