Context: India’s power crisis is best described by a disconnect between installed capacity and availability that must be sorted out. What are the major reasons behind the power shortage in the country? India has an installed capacity to generate almost 400 gigawatts of electricity, and about 40% of it cleanly. But a surge in peak… Continue reading A silicon waste alert for our creaky power sector
Tag: gs paper 3
Net Zero by 2050 will hit a major timing problem technology can’t solve. We need to talk about cutting consumption
News: Many climate activists and scientists are reassuring that the climate crisis can be solved rapidly without any changes to lifestyle, society or the economy. They suggest paths such as a) Switching from fossil fuels to renewable power, electric vehicles and energy efficiency technologies, b) Adding seaweed to livestock feed to cut methane and c)… Continue reading Net Zero by 2050 will hit a major timing problem technology can’t solve. We need to talk about cutting consumption
Denied & discouraged: Why youths not looking for jobs can be a crisis for India
Context: In March 2022, India’s labour participation rate (LPR) fell to 39.5% from 39.9% in February, according to a report by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). This is lower than the rate during the country’s second COVID-19 wave in June 2021, when it was 39.6%. Labour participation rate is a measure of the… Continue reading Denied & discouraged: Why youths not looking for jobs can be a crisis for India
How to shock-proof India’s power sector
Context: In October last year, India witnessed significant power shortages due to low inventory of coal at the power plants. After seven months, reports of coal-shortage induced power outages across states have surfaced. States like Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat have asked industries to reduce consumption to manage the power deficit. How can the Indian power… Continue reading How to shock-proof India’s power sector
Social dialogue for safe workplaces
News: Recently, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) celebrated April 28 as World Day for Safety and Health at Work to stress on the prevention of accidents and diseases at work. The ILO also published “Enhancing social dialogue towards a culture of safety and health with theme, “Act together to build a positive safety and health… Continue reading Social dialogue for safe workplaces
Energy independence through hydrogen
News: Recently, the Indian government released India’s Green hydrogen policy. It is expected to create a hydrogen economy and further boost India’s energy transition. Further, According to The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), India’s hydrogen consumption is anticipated to leapfrog by 2050. What are the benefits of the hydrogen fuel in the energy sector? In… Continue reading Energy independence through hydrogen
Let us pause to think about ‘freebies’ versus incentives
Context: Sri Lanka government cut taxes across the board and provided several free goods and services, as a result of which the economy collapsed and the heavily-indebted country has had no choice but to default on its commitments. As a corollary, the issue of freebies given out by Indian states has come under the lens… Continue reading Let us pause to think about ‘freebies’ versus incentives
Unemployed Indians: For a country in the midst of a demographic transition, this is the biggest challenge
Context: India has an employment problem which has been exacerbated by the pandemic. For a country of the young, in the midst of a demographic transition, this problem is perhaps the most formidable challenge before the government. What are some indicators of rising problem of unemployment in India? Increase in work demanded under MGNREGA: One… Continue reading Unemployed Indians: For a country in the midst of a demographic transition, this is the biggest challenge
Electric vehicles have a dark side too: Blood batteries and child labour
Context: EVs are being pitched as cleaner, greener and sustainable. But are they? Underlying the shiny exteriors of an electric vehicle lies a shocking story of blood batteries, extreme poverty and child labour. Contents1 What is the usage of Cobalt in production of EVs?2 What are the humanitarian problems associated with production of EVs?3 Is… Continue reading Electric vehicles have a dark side too: Blood batteries and child labour
PDS has had a spectacular run. That may not last
Context: Its golden chapter was scripted in an environment of low global commodity prices and surplus domestic foodgrain production. That party is over, even as food inflation is back. Why was the 2020-21 year very important for the agricultural sector? (1) In 2020-21, Agriculture was the only sector to grow at 3.3%, even as the… Continue reading PDS has had a spectacular run. That may not last
