Upsc DIAGRAMS ( Champions camp)

Upsc PSIR MAINS DAILY current affair BY CHAMPIONS CAMP

Explained in a lucid manner and connected to the theories of PSIR

https://t.me/upsc_opsc_psir

Clean Energy Transition is Crucial for India

GREEN FUTURE

G – Green Hydrogen & Industrial Decarbonization
• India’s heavy industries (steel, cement, etc.) rely on coal, but green hydrogen offers a cleaner alternative.
• The National Green Hydrogen Mission (₹19,744 crore, 2023) aims to produce 5 MMT of green hydrogen annually by 2030.

R – Renewable Energy & Reduced Import Dependence
• India imports 85% of crude oil and 50% of natural gas, making it vulnerable to global price shocks.
• Increasing renewable capacity to 500 GW by 2030 (India’s COP26 pledge) will enhance energy security.
• The Russia-Ukraine war highlighted risks of fossil fuel reliance.

E – Electrification of Rural India
• Decentralized solar and wind solutions can power remote areas, improving education, healthcare, and local economies.
• India added 24.5 GW of solar installations in 2024, 2.8 times the utility-scale installations of 2023.

E – Economic Growth & Employment Opportunities
• The renewable sector could create one million jobs by 2030 (CEEW estimate).
• Growth in solar, wind, and hydrogen industries can reduce economic disparities.

N – Net-Zero Commitments & Carbon Markets
• India aims for net-zero emissions by 2070.
• The Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (2023), under the Energy Conservation Act (2022), allows industries to trade carbon credits.
• India’s updated NDCs target a 45% emissions reduction by 2030.

F – Foreign Investment & Green Diplomacy
• India attracted $14.5 billion in renewable energy investment (2021-22).
• Initiatives like the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) & International Solar Alliance (ISA) showcase India’s leadership.

U – Urban Sustainability & EV Transition
• India’s growing cities need a clean energy-driven transport and infrastructure ecosystem.
• The PM e-Drive Scheme (₹10,900 crore, 2024-26) aims to boost EV adoption.

T – Tackling Air Pollution & Climate Resilience
• India faces heatwaves, floods, and rising sea levels due to climate change.
• Air pollution caused 8.1 million deaths globally in 2021, with India and China accounting for over half.
• Delhi in 2024 recorded a three-year high in PM2.5 levels, highlighting the urgency of clean energy.

U – Utilizing Solar & Wind Energy
• Solar and wind energy are India’s biggest assets in reducing fossil fuel dependence.
• India’s solar installations in 2024 reached 24.5 GW, an over two-fold increase compared to 2023.

R – Resilient Energy Infrastructure
• Developing smart grids, battery storage, and decentralized renewable energy systems ensures long-term sustainability.
• Strengthening India’s power infrastructure will support its clean energy transition.

E – Eco-Friendly Development & Sustainable Growth
• India’s focus on FDI in renewables, green manufacturing, and circular economy will drive long-term sustainable growth.
• A clean energy shift will lead to a healthier environment and improved quality of life.

Key issues hindering the effectiveness of RTI


“DARKNESS”

(Delays, Amendments, Resistance, Knowledge gap, National security exemptions, Endangerment of activists, Skewed representation, Secrecy misuse)

D – Delays in Information Disclosure
• RTI mandates a response within 30 days, but officials often violate deadlines.
• Justice is delayed, especially in cases of human rights violations, environmental clearances, and corruption inquiries.
• Example: A 2022 report revealed that 12 out of 29 information commissions in India have a waiting time of over one year to hear appeals.

A – Amendments that Weaken RTI
• RTI (Amendment) Act, 2019 gave the government control over the tenure and salaries of Information Commissioners, compromising their autonomy.
• DPDP Act, 2023 amended Section 8(1) of RTI, exempting all personal information from disclosure, even if it involves public officials.
• Example: These changes reduce transparency, making it harder to expose corruption and inefficiencies.

R – Resistance from Bureaucracy and Political Parties
• Public officials often delay or deny information, fearing exposure.
• Some institutions refuse to appoint Public Information Officers (PIOs), making access difficult.
• Political parties also defy RTI, limiting scrutiny of their funding.
• Example: In 2023-24, nearly 42% of RTI appeals to the Central Information Commission (CIC) were returned without hearing.

K – Knowledge Gap Among Citizens
• Many people, especially in rural areas, remain unaware of their RTI rights.
• Government efforts to promote RTI awareness remain weak, leading to underutilization.
• Example: A PWC study found that only 12% of rural and 30% of urban populations knew about the RTI Act.

N – National Security and Exemption Misuse
• Government agencies misuse national security concerns to deny information requests.
• 27 security agencies, including RAW, IB, and CERT-In, are exempt from RTI under the Second Schedule.
• Example: The Official Secrets Act, 1923, is often cited to refuse disclosures, even when they involve public interest.

E – Endangerment of RTI Activists and Whistleblowers
• RTI activists face harassment, violence, and even murder, discouraging transparency efforts.
• The Whistleblower Protection Act, 2014, remains poorly implemented.
• Example: Since 2006, 99 RTI activists have been killed and 180 assaulted (Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative Report).

S – Skewed Gender Representation
• RTI institutions are male-dominated, limiting a gender-sensitive perspective on transparency issues.
• Example: Since 2005, only 9% of all information commissioners have been women, and 12 out of 29 commissions have never had a woman commissioner.

S – Secrecy and Misuse of RTI
• While RTI is a tool for transparency, it is sometimes misused for frivolous queries, diverting resources.
• Example: An RTI was once filed to count the number of cattle in a region, highlighting how trivial queries burden public offices.

Best Practices and Examples of Urban Transformation in India 

Kumbh Mela: A Model for Temporary Urbanization: The 2025 Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj showcased rapid infrastructure development, AI surveillance, and smart city solutions. 

30 pontoon bridges and 92 renovated roads ensured smooth traffic movement. 
AI-enabled surveillance with 2,700 CCTV cameras and drones enhanced safety and crowd management. 
The event generated $2.7 billion in economic activity, highlighting urban planning’s economic potential. 

Indore’s Waste Management Model: Indore's decentralized waste management system achieved 100% waste segregation at source. 
The city implemented strict monitoring, citizen engagement, and composting units to reduce landfill dependency. 

Indore has consistently ranked as India’s cleanest city in Swachh Survekshan rankings since 2017. 

Urban Traffic Management: Chandigarh’s AI Traffic Systemautomates violation detection with 2,000+ CCTV cameras, ensuring seamless rule enforcement. 

Kolkata’s Real-Time Traffic Management adjusts signals using AI to reduce wait times and improve vehicle movement. 

Bengaluru’s Sustainable Mobility Initiatives: Metro expansion projects and electric bus fleets aim to reduce congestion and emissions. 
Integration of last-mile connectivity with electric vehicles and bicycle-sharing programs enhances accessibility. 

The Namma Metro Phase-2 expansion will cover 72 km, reducing travel time by 40%. 

Chennai’s Water Management Reforms: By implementing mandatory rainwater harvesting, Chennai has enhanced its water quality and significantly raised groundwater levels.  

The city now fulfills 15% of its water demand through recycling, and 8% of treated wastewater is sold to industries. 

Other Best Practices: 

Visakhapatnam built India’s first park designed for differently-abled children, featuring sensory experiences, wheelchair accessibility, and safe play zones to promote inclusive urban spaces. 

Jabalpur’s 311 App enables citizens to access civic services, report grievances, and track public infrastructure issues. The app ensures direct governance interaction and real-time resolution. 

Surat’s Integrated Command and Control Centre for Urban Management integrates IT systems for city surveillance, traffic control, and emergency response. The system enhances urban governance, citizen safety, and municipal efficiency. 

Nashik adopted a multi-level flood preparedness plan, integrating GIS mapping, real-time alerts, and coordinated rescue operations, significantly reducing disaster impact on urban infrastructure. 

Chennai transformed Pondy Bazaar into a pedestrian-friendly promenade, enhancing walkability, urban aesthetics, and local business engagement, making cities more livable.