Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 28 May 2025

Content :

1. Energy and efficiency
2. India’s new urban worry — rising overnutrition
3. The silver jubilee of a strategic partnership

Energy and efficiency

Power Demand and Supply Challenge

• Despite significant growth in electricity generation, India faces a peak power deficit.
  • Deficit widened from 0.69% in FY20 to ~5% in FY24.
• Renewables have expanded, but grid integration challenges persist.
• Fossil-fuel based capacity additions are slow, leading to supply constraints.

Relevance : GS3 ( Infrastructure, Environment , Economy , Science & Tech )

Practice Question : How does energy efficiency serve as the ‘first fuel’ in India’s energy transition? Discuss with reference to recent policy and institutional interventions.(250 Words)

Urgent Need for Energy Efficiency

• Improving efficiency is the quickest, cheapest, and cleanest solution to address:
  • Rising power demand
  • Peak load pressures
  • Climate change mitigation

Impact of UJALA Scheme (10-Year Milestone in 2025)

• LED bulb prices dropped from ₹500 to ₹70 due to UJALA.
• Distribution impact (as of Jan 2025):
  • 37 crore LED bulbs distributed
  • 407 crore LED bulbs sold
• Street Lighting National Programme:
  • Installed 1.34 crore LED street lights
  • Reduced peak load by 1,500 MW

Energy and Cost Savings

• LEDs vs. CFLs and Incandescents:
  • LEDs use 50% less power than CFLs
  • Use ~1/9th power compared to incandescent bulbs
• UJALA achievements:
  • Saved $10+ billion
  • Avoided building 9,500 MW of new capacity
    • Equivalent to 19 coal plants (500 MW each)

Legislative and Institutional Framework

• Energy Conservation Act, 2001 laid the foundation.
• International Energy Agency (IEA) findings:
  • Efficiency gains (2000–2018) avoided:
    • 15% additional energy demand
    • 300 Mt of CO₂ emissions

Emerging Challenges

• Urbanisation and rising per capita energy use, especially for cooling.
• Peak demand touched 250 GW in 2024.
• India ranks 3rd in global power consumption, after China and the US.

Coal Dependence Remains High

• 70% of energy output from coal.
• Plans to add 90 GW of new coal-based capacity by 2032.

Way Forward: Expanding Efficiency Mandates

• Focused mandates needed for:
  • Buildings (design and retrofits)
  • Home appliances (labeling, standards)
  • MSME sector (support for tech upgrades)

India’s new urban worry — rising overnutrition

Alarming Urban Health Trends

• A Nature study revealed 84% prevalence of fatty liver (MAFLD) and 71% obesity among IT workers in Hyderabad — indicative of a broader urban metabolic crisis.
• Main drivers: Chronic stress, sedentary lifestyle, disrupted sleep, high-sodium foods, and desk-bound corporate culture with unhealthy food kiosks.

Relevance : GS 2(Social Issues , Urbanisation)

Practice Question : India is experiencing a silent epidemic of overnutrition in its urban spaces. Analyse the socio-economic factors contributing to this trend. (250 Words)

Dual Burden of Malnutrition

• India faces a nutritional paradox: undernutrition in rural/poorer regions and overnutrition in urban/affluent populations.
• Ranked 2nd globally in overweight and obesity prevalence (2021).
• Global Hunger Index remains low, reflecting this dual crisis.

Escalation of NCDs (Noncommunicable Diseases)

• NCDs responsible for 65%+ deaths in Chennai; globally, they caused 74% of deaths in 2019 (WHO).
• Tamil Nadu STEPS Survey:
  • Hypertension control: only 16% overall, 9.3% in 18–44 age group.
  • Diabetes control: 9.8% in 18–44 age group.
  • Obesity & Overweight: 14.2% and 31.6% respectively.
  • Diet and Activity: 94.2% consume insufficient fruits/vegetables, 24.4% report low physical activity.

Inequities and Economic Linkages

• Obesity rises with wealth and age: 10% in lowest wealth quintile vs 37% in the highest.
• Urban areas worse affected: 46.1% of men and 43.1% of women overweight/obese (vs ~35% rural).
• The working-age group (18–59) — India’s productive segment — is the most affected.

Fast Food and Processed Food Culture

• Rise in fast food chains, cloud kitchens, late-night deliveries in cities driven by IT lifestyle.
• Most food options are ultra-processed, energy-dense, and nutrient-poor.
• Childhood obesity surged by 244% in 30 years, projected to increase another 121%.

Policy Interventions and Challenges

• Eat Right India by FSSAI promotes healthy food habits via:
  • Labelling, Health Star Ratings, public campaigns like “Aaj Se Thoda Kam”.
• Criticism: HSR system faces scientific and expert scrutiny; messaging not backed by strong enforcement.
• Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam (MTM) in TN: 3.79 lakh screened at workplaces; health walks, behavioural campaigns launched.

International Best Practice: Saudi Arabia

• Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 includes:
  • 50% tax on sugary drinks, 100% on energy drinks, calorie labels, sodium restrictions, trans fat ban.
  • Coordinated approach: health + regulation + industry + public engagement.

Way Forward for India

• Regulate what is manufactured, marketed, and made available, not just consumer messaging.
• Impose taxes on HFSS foods like in tobacco/alcohol — a public health tax for nutrition.
• Multi-sectoral coordination, workplace interventions, and nutrition-sensitive urban planning are critical.

The silver jubilee of a strategic partnership

Overview

• India and Germany are celebrating 25 years of strategic partnership in 2025.
• The relationship is framed around four pillars: Peace, Prosperity, People, and Planet.
• Germany’s new ‘Focus on India’ strategy underscores the intention to deepen bilateral ties.

Relevance : GS2 (International Relations )

Practice Question : India-Germany relations have matured into a comprehensive strategic partnership. Critically analyse the four-pillar framework guiding this partnership. (250 Words)

Peace and Strategic Cooperation

• Both nations support a rules-based global order.
• Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) serve as a unique, institutionalized diplomatic platform.
• Defence cooperation has expanded — highlighted by:
  • Tarang Shakti Exercise 2024 (joint air drills at Sulur, Tamil Nadu).
  • Port visits by the German Navy in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Germany increasingly recognizes the Indo-Pacific’s strategic relevance.
• Future outlook: stronger defence industry linkages and strategic convergence.

Prosperity and Economic Cooperation

• ~2,000 German companies operate in India, generating 750,000+ Indian jobs.
• Example: Delhi-Meerut Rapid Rail, operated by Deutsche Bahn, shows successful tech and infrastructure cooperation.
• Indian companies are expanding operations in Germany, integrating into high-tech global supply chains.
• A potential India-EU Free Trade Agreement could further deepen economic integration.
• S&T collaboration:
  • Joint research initiatives.
  • Indian researchers contributing to top German institutions.
  • Environmental challenges seen as innovation and business opportunities.

People-to-People Relations

• 50,000+ Indian students currently study in Germany — now the largest foreign student group.
• Many Indian students return to India with skills; others settle in Germany and contribute to its economy.
• Young Indians are adapting well in Germany, building cultural bridges and enriching society.
• Demand for German language learning is high across India; need to expand teaching capacity.
• Conversely, few Germans live or study in India — gap in cultural exchange needs addressing.
• Investing in youth exchange and cultural understanding is key to sustaining future relations.

Planet: Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP)

• Germany committed €10 billion (2022–2032) in concessional loans and grants for sustainable development in India.
• Focus areas:
  • Renewable energy (solar and wind)
  • Biodiversity conservation
  • Smart cities
• German companies contributing tech for India’s green energy transition.
• Example: German-made wind turbine blades used in Gujarat projects.
• Public and private sector cooperation jointly driving sustainability goals.

Conclusion

• The India-Germany partnership is dynamic, evolving, and future-ready.
• Deep collaboration across strategic, economic, educational, and environmental domains.
• Optimism for the next 25 years of partnership based on mutual trust and shared global responsibilities.