Content

1. In an unstable world, energy sovereignty is the new oil
2. Breaking the Chain

In an unstable world, energy sovereignty is the new oil

Basics

• India’s Energy Dependence
  • Imports 85% of crude oil and 50%+ of natural gas.
  • Energy imports = national risk factor due to global geopolitical volatility.
  • FY2023-24: Crude oil + natural gas imports = $170 billion (~25% of total imports).
• Russia Factor
  • Pre-Ukraine war (till 2021): Russia supplied ~2% of India’s crude.
  • Post-2022: Russia is India’s largest supplier (35–40% in 2024-25).
  • Discounted oil lowered costs but increased overdependence on one source.
• Risk Landscape
  • Middle East tensions (Israel–Iran, June 2025) nearly threatened 20 mbpd global oil flow.
  • Global oil market remains fragile, supply-sensitive.
  • Heavy reliance = economic vulnerability + strategic liability.

Relevance : GS 2(International Relations) ,GS 3(Energy Security)

Practice Question : “India’s growing reliance on discounted Russian crude offers short-term relief but poses long-term strategic vulnerabilities.” Critically examine in the context of India’s energy security.(250  Words)

Flashpoints that Reshaped Global Energy Thinking

1. 1973 Arab Oil Embargo – prices quadrupled; led to strategic reserves, diversification.
2. 2011 Fukushima Disaster – collapse of confidence in nuclear → fossil use surge → emissions rise.
3. 2021 Texas Freeze – gas lines froze, wind turbines stalled; lesson: resilience > cost efficiency.
4. 2022 Russia-Ukraine War – Europe’s overdependence on Russian gas exposed; LNG spike, coal revival.
5. 2025 Iberian Peninsula Blackout – over-reliance on renewables without backup → grid collapse.

Lesson: Every global shock reshapes policy. India must pivot by foresight, not crisis.

Global Energy Reality

• Fossil fuels still dominate: >80% of global primary energy.
• Transport runs on hydrocarbons: >90%.
• Solar & wind share: <10% of global energy mix.
• Supply–demand mismatch: Exploration investments ↓ while demand ↑ → tight markets.
• Conclusion: Transition is gradual pathway, not overnight switch.

Energy Realism for India

• Energy security = survival strategy, not just climate policy.
• Sovereignty = domestic capacity + diversified tech + resilient systems.

Five Foundational Pillars for India’s Energy Sovereignty

1. Coal Gasification & Carbon Capture
   1. Leverage 150+ bn tonnes of reserves.
   1. Produce syngas, methanol, hydrogen, fertilizers.
   1. Technology must overcome high-ash coal barrier.
2. Biofuels (Ethanol, CBG)
   1. Ethanol blending programme → ₹92,000 crore transferred to farmers; forex savings.
   1. E20 target to boost rural income.
   1. CBG plants (SATAT scheme) produce clean fuel + bio-manure (20–25% organic carbon).
   1. Restores degraded soils & enhances water/fertilizer retention.
3. Nuclear Energy
   1. Current capacity stagnant at 8.8 GW.
   1. Must revive thorium roadmap, secure uranium supply, develop Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
   1. Provides zero-carbon baseload to balance renewables.
4. Green Hydrogen
   1. Target: 5 MMT by 2030.
   1. Focus on local electrolyser manufacturing, catalyst tech, storage infra.
   1. Goal = “Sovereign Hydrogen” (secure supply chain, tech independence).
5. Pumped Hydro Storage
   1. Provides grid inertia missing in renewables.
   1. Durable, proven, essential for balancing intermittent solar/wind.
   1. India’s topography favorable → untapped potential.

India’s Shifting Import Strategy

• Earlier: >60% crude from West Asia.
• Now: <45% (2025, S&P Global) due to diversification.
• Russia filled part of the gap but diversification remains incomplete.

Strategic Takeaways

• Import Dependency = Strategic Vulnerability (energy should feature in National Risk Register).
• Discounted Russian oil = tactical relief, not strategic solution.
• Diversification is true sovereignty → avoid overdependence on any single supplier or fuel.
• Energy Sovereignty = Security + Affordability + Sustainability.

Conclusion

• The Israel–Iran near-crisis is a wake-up call: India cannot rely on external stability.
• The 21st century energy race will not be about discovering oil but about securing uninterrupted, indigenous energy.
• India’s five pillars (coal gasification, biofuels, nuclear, green hydrogen, pumped hydro) must form the sovereign spine of its energy transition.
• Ambition must meet realism → resilient systems, diversified sources, domestic innovation.
• Tomorrow’s most precious resource = “Uninterrupted, affordable, indigenous energy”, not oil.

Breaking the Chain

Basics

• Disease Focus: Tuberculosis (TB) – major infectious disease, airborne, curable but still deadly.
• India’s Burden:
  • India accounts for ~27% of global TB cases (highest in the world).
  • TB = India’s leading infectious disease burden.
• Recent Progress (since 2015):
  • 17% drop in reported TB cases.
  • 20% drop in TB deaths.
  • 85%+ treatment success rate among those detected.
• Challenge: Drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB, XDR-TB) spreading.
• New Initiative: ICMR updated National List of Essential Diagnostics (NLED) → molecular TB tests made available at sub-health centres (SHCs) & PHCs.

Relevance : GS 2(Health,Social Issues)

Practice Question : Despite being curable, TB continues to be India’s leading infectious disease burden. Discuss the socio-economic and structural reasons for this paradox.(250 Words)

Key Highlights of ICMR’s Move

1. Expansion of Diagnostics List:
   1. Includes rapid diagnostics for sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia, Hepatitis B, syphilis, etc.
   1. Focus on molecular TB testing at lower health levels.
2. Accessibility:
   1. Tests available at SHCs and PHCs (closer to community).
   1. Earlier: mostly at district hospitals/labs → delays in detection.
3. Early Detection:
   1. Detects asymptomatic TB infections (latent cases).
   1. Helps identify active TB faster → prevents spread.
4. Breaking the Transmission Chain:
   1. Early detection → early treatment → lower community transmission.
   1. Critical since many TB cases remain undiagnosed or untreated.

Significance of the Policy

• Health Impact:
  • Faster detection of TB → reduced delays in treatment.
  • Limits emergence/spread of drug-resistant TB strains.
• Equity:
  • Brings diagnostic services closer to rural & underserved areas.
  • Reduces dependency on higher centres, saves time/cost.
• Public Health Strengthening:
  • Empowers SHCs/PHCs as first line of defence.
  • Builds trust in primary health system.

Challenges Highlighted

• Diagnostic Gaps:
  • Many TB patients still remain undiagnosed (esp. latent TB).
  • MDR-TB patients often slip through system due to weak detection.
• Implementation Burden:
  • Need for trained manpower at SHCs/PHCs.
  • Infrastructure & supply chain for testing kits.
• Financial Barriers:
  • Poor patients face hurdles in travel, nutrition, follow-up.
  • Even if tests are free, treatment adherence needs support.
• India’s TB Elimination Target:
  • Govt aims to eliminate TB by 2025 (5 years ahead of SDG 2030 target).
  • Current progress indicates India is unlikely to meet 2025 deadline.

Global & Indian Context

• Global: TB is world’s second leading infectious killer (after COVID at peak).
• India:
  • Largest TB burden globally.
  • Govt initiatives: Nikshay Poshan Yojana (nutrition support), Nikshay Portal (digital case monitoring), now expanded diagnostics.
• International Benchmarks: WHO recommends universal access to molecular diagnostics as standard TB test.

Way Forward

• Universal Screening: Scale up molecular tests to reach every PHC/CHC.
• Integration: Combine TB detection with other health services (HIV, diabetes).
• Community Engagement: Awareness drives, stigma reduction, private sector collaboration.
• Nutritional Support: Strengthen Nikshay Poshan Yojana for treatment adherence.
• Digital Tools: Expand Nikshay App for real-time monitoring.
• Innovation: Use AI, mobile vans, point-of-care diagnostics for remote areas.

Conclusion

• ICMR’s molecular TB testing expansion = gamechanger for early detection & community-level prevention.
• Helps in breaking transmission chain and reducing India’s TB burden.
• But without strong implementation, financial support, and awareness, India may miss its 2025 TB elimination goal.
• Requires a multi-pronged approach – diagnostics + treatment + nutrition + awareness + community participation.