Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 30 August 2025

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.