Yojana Magazine · April 2026 · UPSC Current Affairs
Yojana April 2026 — Complete UPSC Summary
Futuristic Science & Technology
Five-chapter deep-dive into Yojana April 2026 — AI at Population Scale (IndiaAI Mission), Cyber Security & Digital Trust (BRAIN convergence), India's Space & Deep-Tech Ecosystem, From Relief to Resilience (Aswal Model), and Green Technologies (SHANTI Act 2025, 272 GW non-fossil). Enriched with value addition, current data, and Mains questions.
GS Paper IIIScience & TechnologyIndiaAI MissionGreen TechSHANTI Act 2025UPSC Mains 2026
01
GS Paper III · Science & Technology · Governance · Social Justice
Artificial Intelligence at Population Scale
IndiaAI MissionAIKosh 10,000+ DatasetsNew Delhi DeclarationGPU ₹65–₹100/Hour
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as the next frontier of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in India, following the success of Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker. By integrating AI with data, compute infrastructure, and governance systems, India is creating a model of population-scale digital innovation aimed at economic growth, social inclusion, and human development. The paradigm shift: from technology-centric AI → citizen-centric AI, embedded in everyday governance.
AI as a Tool for Public Good — Sectoral Transformation
- Agriculture: AI-enabled voice-based assistants allow farmers to access schemes, conduct crop surveys, and receive advisories in local languages — reducing information asymmetry
- Healthcare: AI-powered diagnostic tools assist frontline workers in detecting tuberculosis and diabetic retinopathy — enabling early diagnosis and improved public health outcomes
- Fintech: Integration of AI with UPI-based systems enables voice-enabled digital payments, enhancing financial inclusion for low-literacy populations
- Governance & Judiciary: AI-driven real-time translation and transcription systems improve access to justice and administrative efficiency in India's linguistically diverse country
India AI Impact Summit 2026 — Global Leadership
Marked a transition in global discourse from AI risk and regulation → AI for development and public good. The New Delhi Declaration (endorsed by 90+ countries) emphasised: democratisation of AI access; inclusive and human-centric AI; secure, trusted, and ethical AI systems; AI-ready human capital and resilient infrastructure. Positions India as a leader in shaping Global South-centric AI governance frameworks.
90+Countries endorsing New Delhi Declaration on AI governance
10,000+Datasets in AIKosh Platform data ecosystem
286+AI models in AIKosh across sectors
₹65–100Per-hour rate for shared GPU clusters (subsidised)
YUVAAI for ALL — AI literacy programme on DIKSHA, iGOT Karmayogi
DPI+AIIndia extending DPI philosophy to AI-enabled governance
IndiaAI Mission — Three-Layer Foundational Infrastructure
- Compute Infrastructure: Shared GPU clusters at subsidised rates (₹65–₹100/hour) — enables startups, researchers, and public institutions to develop AI solutions without massive capital investment
- Data Ecosystem (AIKosh Platform): Repository of 10,000+ datasets and 286+ AI models across sectors — supports innovation tailored to Indian socio-economic challenges
- Application Layer: AI deployed for crop monitoring, disaster prediction (landslides, floods), beneficiary verification, and healthcare diagnostics — whole-of-government approach
Inclusive AI Innovation Ecosystem
- AI labs and training centres in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities — democratising innovation beyond metros
- YUVA AI for ALL — AI literacy programme across DIKSHA and iGOT Karmayogi platforms
- Trustworthy AI tools: deepfake detection, AI watermarking, model evaluation frameworks
- Startup support: funding, mentorship, and global collaboration
💡Value Addition — India's AI Governance Framework, DPDP Act & Global AI Regulation Landscape
- India's AI stack vs China/USA: Unlike China (state-directed AI for surveillance/control) and USA (private-sector-led AI with post-hoc regulation), India's model is unique — DPI-anchored, public-good-oriented, and open-access. The IndiaAI Mission's subsidised GPU access and open AIKosh datasets are designed to democratise AI innovation for MSMEs, startups, and government departments — not just large tech companies.
- DPDP Act 2023 and AI governance: The Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 is India's foundational AI governance instrument. It mandates data fiduciaries to process personal data with consent, provides for significant financial penalties (up to ₹250 crore), and establishes the Data Protection Board. AI systems using personal data for training must comply — including IndiaAI's AIKosh datasets.
- Global AI regulation comparison: EU AI Act (2024) — world's first comprehensive AI law; risk-based classification (unacceptable/high/limited/minimal risk). USA — Executive Order on AI Safety (2023); voluntary commitments from major AI companies. China — Generative AI Regulations (2023). India — principles-based approach (New Delhi Declaration) without binding legislation — more flexible but also less protective. India must develop its own AI Act for long-term governance credibility.
- AI and India's judiciary: The SUVAS (Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software) and SUPACE (Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Courts Efficiency) demonstrate judicial AI adoption — translating judgements into regional languages and assisting research. Over 5 crore pending cases in India's courts make AI-assisted legal processes a governance necessity, not luxury.
- Deepfake and AI safety risks: India's I4C (Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre) reported a 250% rise in deepfake-related crimes in 2024. The IndiaAI Mission's focus on deepfake detection, AI watermarking, and model evaluation frameworks directly addresses this threat. The IT (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules 2023 (amendment) require platforms to detect and remove deepfakes within 24 hours — a world-first requirement.
Mains Practice Question — Chapter 1
Q. "India's approach to AI represents a shift from elite technology to mass-scale public utility." Critically examine the IndiaAI Mission and India's emerging role in shaping global AI governance. (GS III · 15 Marks)
Approach: AI as next frontier of DPI (Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker → AIKosh, GPU clusters) → Sectoral transformation (agriculture voice assistants, TB/retinopathy diagnostics, UPI voice payments, judicial translation) → IndiaAI Mission three layers (Compute ₹65-100/GPU-hour, AIKosh 10,000+ datasets, Application layer) → New Delhi Declaration (90+ countries, AI for development, Global South governance) → Inclusive ecosystem (Tier-2/3 AI labs, YUVA AI, deepfake detection) → Significance (DPI extension, digital divide bridging, scalable model for developing countries) → Challenges (digital divide, data privacy, skill gaps, institutional coordination) → DPDP Act 2023, comparison with EU AI Act → Way forward (AI Act for India, public-private partnerships)
02
GS Paper III · Science & Technology · Internal Security · Governance
Cyber Security & Digital Trust
BRAIN ConvergenceVUCA Cyber Environment6 Critical LayersPKI — Digital Trust
In an era defined by rapid digital transformation, Cyber Security has become central to Digital Trust, economic stability, and national security. With the convergence of Biotechnology, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and Nanotechnology (BRAIN), modern systems — from vehicles to governance platforms — are increasingly interconnected, expanding the cyberattack surface. The future of cybersecurity lies not in speed but in resilience, security, and trust-based ecosystems.
Evolving Cyber Threat Landscape — VUCA Environment
Digital systems operate in a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) environment. Modern platforms integrate physical systems, digital networks, and human interfaces — exposing vulnerabilities across multiple dimensions:
- Supply chain risks: Compromised hardware components — affecting devices from manufacturing to deployment
- Network threats: GPS spoofing, satellite attacks, undersea cable vulnerabilities
- Software vulnerabilities: Malicious updates, ransomware attacks on critical infrastructure
- Application-level attacks: Data theft, remote control of systems via insecure APIs
- Human factors: Social engineering, phishing — the weakest link in any security chain
- Key cyber fraud types: Pig Butchering (relationship-based investment fraud), Phantom Hacking (fake tech support), Online Betting scams, Instant Loan Apps (data exploitation)
Cybersecurity Architecture — Six Critical Layers
⚡ Material & Communication
Risks in hardware supply chains, satellite systems, and communication networks. Includes undersea cable vulnerabilities and GPS spoofing. Requires indigenous hardware development.
🔧 Hardware & Systems
Threats like backdoor implants and manipulation of control systems. Semiconductor supply chain security is critical — Trusted Foundry programmes needed.
💻 OS & Network Layer
Vulnerabilities in updates, network protocols, and ransomware attacks. Zero-trust architecture and regular patch management are essential countermeasures.
📱 Application Layer
Risks from insecure APIs, malicious applications, and cloud breaches. Secure coding practices, API security testing, and cloud security frameworks are required.
⚙️ Task/Functional Layer
Manipulation of algorithms and system operations. AI-driven attacks can manipulate decision-support systems — deepfakes, adversarial ML inputs.
👤 Human Layer (Weakest)
Social engineering and behavioural exploitation. 85% of cyber incidents involve human error. Cyber hygiene education is the most cost-effective security investment.
Digital Trust — Foundation of Cybersecurity
Digital Trust is the confidence users place in systems to ensure data privacy, system integrity, and secure transactions. Built through: security-by-design approaches; continuous monitoring, auditing, and threat intelligence; and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) for authentication, encryption, and data integrity. Trust is dynamic — depends on competence, reliability, and ethical practices of institutions and technology providers.
Cyber Resilience — Modern Approach
Traditional cybersecurity focused on prevention; modern approach emphasises cyber resilience: Preparation and risk mitigation → Real-time detection → Rapid response and recovery → Continuous adaptation. Cyber resilience ensures continuity of services even during attacks — central to national security and economic stability.
💡Value Addition — India's Cyber Framework, CERT-In, & Critical Infrastructure Protection
- India's cyber governance architecture: National Cyber Security Policy 2013; National Cyber Security Strategy 2020 (framework not yet finalised as comprehensive law); CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team India) under IT Act 2000 — handles cyber incident reporting (6-hour mandatory reporting rule for critical infrastructure since April 2022); I4C (Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre) under MHA — National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in); NCIIPC (National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre) — protects power, banking, telecom, government IT infrastructure.
- Critical Information Infrastructure (CII): Under IT Act Section 70A, India has designated power, banking, telecom, transport, and government as CII sectors. A cyberattack on CII is treated as an attack on national security. The Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack (USA 2021) and Ukrainian power grid attacks (Russia 2015-16) are stark reminders of why CII protection is existential.
- Ransomware threat to India: India ranks 3rd globally in ransomware attacks (Check Point Research 2024). AIIMS Delhi ransomware attack (November 2022) paralysed hospital operations for 2 weeks — 5 crore patient records exposed. This underscores the healthcare sector's vulnerability and the need for mandatory cyber audits for public health infrastructure.
- Undersea cables and India's digital sovereignty: 95% of India's international internet traffic flows through undersea cables — there are ~400 submarine cables globally. Any disruption (natural disaster, deliberate sabotage, geopolitical conflict) can sever India's connectivity. The Tonga eruption (2022) that severed its only submarine cable is a warning. India needs satellite internet backup (Starlink/OneWeb) and diversified cable landing stations.
- Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA): The US government mandated ZTA for all federal agencies post-SolarWinds hack (2020). India's National Cyber Security Strategy recommends ZTA for government systems — "never trust, always verify" — particularly for post-COVID remote work environments. Implementation for 1.3 crore central government employees is a massive governance challenge requiring CERT-In's technical support.
Mains Practice Questions — Chapter 2
Q. "In a digitally interconnected world, cybersecurity is the foundation of digital trust and national resilience." Examine the multi-layered nature of cyber threats and suggest measures to build a resilient and secure digital ecosystem in India. (GS III · 15 Marks — from Yojana)
Approach: BRAIN convergence expanding cyberattack surface → VUCA threat environment → 5 threat types (supply chain, network, software, application, human) + key cyber frauds (Pig Butchering, Phantom Hacking) → 6 critical layers (Material, Hardware, OS/Network, Application, Task/Functional, Human) → Digital Trust (PKI, security-by-design, continuous monitoring) → Cyber Resilience (preparation → detection → response → adaptation) → Whole-of-society approach (government, industry, citizens) → India's architecture (CERT-In, I4C, NCIIPC, IT Act 2000) → Challenges (rapidly evolving threats, skill gaps, undersea cable dependence, CII vulnerabilities) → Way forward (Zero Trust Architecture, AI-powered threat detection, global cooperation)
03
GS Paper III · Science & Technology · Space · Defence
India's Space & Deep-Tech Ecosystem
IN-SPACe ReformsGaganyaan MissionBharat-VISTAARNational Quantum Mission
In the 21st century, national power is increasingly determined by technological depth rather than mere industrial capacity. India's evolving space and deep-tech ecosystem reflects a transition from a technology service provider to a frontier technology creator, aligned with Viksit Bharat @2047. This transformation integrates space technology, AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, and biotechnology into a unified innovation ecosystem.
Evolution of India's Space Programme
- Led by ISRO, inspired by Vikram Sarabhai — rooted in developmental objectives
- Capabilities: satellite communication and remote sensing; navigation (NavIC); planetary missions
- Landmark missions: Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), Chandrayaan Programme (Chandrayaan-3 — first soft landing near lunar south pole), Aditya-L1 — demonstrating cost-effective complex space exploration
Shift to Space Ecosystem — IN-SPACe Reforms
Traditional state-driven space sector has been transformed through IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre), which has:
- Opened the sector to private participation
- Enabled companies to build satellites, launch vehicles, and services
- Transformed industry from component suppliers to independent players
- Catalysed a vibrant space startup ecosystem
Private Space Innovation
- Skyroot Aerospace: Vikram-S — India's first privately developed rocket; developing Vikram series for small satellite launches
- Agnikul Cosmos: Agnibaan — world's first 3D-printed semi-cryogenic rocket engine; flexible launch vehicle for micro-satellites
- Pixxel: Building hyperspectral satellites for agriculture monitoring, climate analysis, and urban planning — India's satellite data economy
Deep-Tech as Core Enabler
🤖 AI in Space
Satellite data analytics, climate monitoring, crop intelligence. Bharat-VISTAAR integrates satellite data + AI + weather intelligence for hyper-local agricultural advisories.
💡 Semiconductors
Radiation-hardened chips for space systems. India Semiconductor Mission (₹76,000 crore) builds indigenous chip manufacturing — reducing import dependence for space electronics.
🔒 Quantum Technologies
Secure communication networks using quantum cryptography. National Quantum Mission (₹6,003 crore, 8 years): 50-1000 qubit computers, satellite-based quantum communication.
🦾 Robotics
Spacecraft assembly and exploration. Gaganyaan Mission integrates robotics in crew module manufacturing, life support systems, and the planned robotic precursor missions.
🌾 Bharat-VISTAAR
Satellite data + AI + weather intelligence platform providing hyper-local agricultural advisories, climate risk assessment, and improved crop productivity for Indian farmers.
🛸 Future — 2047
Gaganyaan (human spaceflight), space station plans, lunar exploration, Bharatiya Antriksh Station. India aims to become a USD 44 billion space economy by 2033 from current USD 8 billion.
💡Value Addition — India's Space Economy, Chandrayaan-3 Legacy & Commercial Space Race
- India's space economy: Currently ~USD 8 billion (ISRO's contribution ~USD 3 billion; private sector growing rapidly post-IN-SPACe). Government target: USD 44 billion by 2033. India currently has ~2% of global space market share — target is 10% by 2033. The New Space India Limited (NSIL) commercialises ISRO's technologies, including OneWeb satellite launches (628 satellite constellation).
- Chandrayaan-3 strategic significance: India's August 2023 soft landing near the lunar south pole (Vikram lander + Pragyan rover) made India the 4th country ever (after USSR, USA, China) and first near the south pole — where water ice deposits could support future human missions. The south pole landing is now a global race — USA's Artemis programme and China's Chang'e-7 are both targeting the south pole. India's early entry establishes strategic precedence for lunar resource rights.
- NavIC and strategic autonomy: Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) — India's own GPS — operates 7 satellites covering India and 1,500 km surrounding area. Reduces dependence on US GPS (which can be selectively denied during conflict, as demonstrated to India during 1999 Kargil War). TRAI has mandated NavIC receivers in all new smartphones from 2025 — critical for India's digital sovereignty.
- Space security — anti-satellite (ASAT) capability: India demonstrated ASAT capability through Mission Shakti (March 2019) — destroying Microsat-R satellite at 300 km altitude. India joined the USA, Russia, and China as the 4th nation with this capability. However, the debris cloud raised concerns — India subsequently committed to not conducting debris-generating ASAT tests, advocating for space arms control treaties.
- Space sustainability: India's proposed National Deep Tech Startup Policy and the Space Sector Policy 2023 aim to create a comprehensive regulatory framework covering launch licensing, spectrum allocation, and orbital slot management. The growing debris problem (30,000+ tracked objects orbiting Earth) requires international cooperation — India's ISRO is developing debris removal technologies and clean space practices.
Mains Practice Question — Chapter 3
Q. India's space and deep-tech ecosystem is transitioning from a technology service provider to a frontier technology creator. Critically examine this shift, highlighting the role of private sector participation and deep-tech integration. (GS III · 15 Marks)
Approach: Evolution of India's space programme (ISRO, developmental objectives, MOM/Chandrayaan/Aditya-L1) → IN-SPACe reforms (private participation, independent players from component suppliers) → Private space innovation (Skyroot/Vikram-S, Agnikul/Agnibaan 3D-printed, Pixxel hyperspectral) → Deep-tech enablers (AI/Bharat-VISTAAR, semiconductors/ISM ₹76,000 Cr, quantum/NQM ₹6,003 Cr, robotics/Gaganyaan) → Strategic dimensions (NavIC autonomy, ASAT capability, semiconductor supply chain) → Global partnerships (space agencies, supply chains, cost-effective solutions for developing countries) → Future trajectory (Gaganyaan, space station, lunar exploration, USD 44B economy) → Challenges (regulatory framework, debris management, skill gaps) → Viksit Bharat@2047
04
GS Paper III · Disaster Management · Governance · Environment
From Relief to Resilience
Aswal Model — 4 StagesSendai FrameworkOdisha Cyclone ModelDRR in Development
India's development trajectory is shaped by the ability to ensure safe, sustainable, and resilient development. With rising frequency of heatwaves, floods, cyclones, and health emergencies, disasters are no longer isolated events but systemic risks affecting socio-economic progress. The policy focus has shifted from relief-centric response → resilience-based governance, making disaster risk reduction (DRR) a core development principle.
Three Structural Shifts in India's Risk Landscape
- Climate-induced intensification: Increasing frequency of extreme weather events — intense rainfall, stronger cyclones (Amphan, Biparjoy), prolonged heatwaves (Rajasthan, UP exceed 50°C)
- Interconnected and cascading risks: Disasters now disrupt multiple systems simultaneously — transport, energy, health, communication, supply chains — making risk multi-sectoral and systemic
- Rising uncertainty and new vulnerabilities: Urbanisation in hazard-prone areas, industrial risks, and cyber-physical dependencies require planning based on future projections rather than past trends
Institutional Framework — India's Disaster Governance Architecture
- Disaster Management Act, 2005: Multi-tier governance (national, state, district) — India's legal foundation for DRR
- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): Policy guidance and coordination — chaired by PM
- National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP): Emphasis on prevention, mitigation, and preparedness — aligned with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030)
- NDRF (National Disaster Response Force): 16 battalions — rapid deployment for rescue and relief operations
The Aswal Model — Risk-Informed Governance
Core idea: Resilience must be built into systems from the design stage, not added after failure. Four interlinked stages — underpinned by continuous risk assessment (Hazard × Exposure × Vulnerability ÷ Capacity):
1️⃣ Risk Knowledge
Scientific assessment using data, modelling, and geospatial tools. AI-powered hazard mapping, seismic zoning, flood modelling — translating science into quantified risk.
2️⃣ Decision Support
Translating risk into policies, building codes, and land-use planning. Risk-informed urban planning — where to build, what standards, how to zone flood plains and earthquake belts.
3️⃣ Implementation
Institutional execution, regulation, and capacity building. Enforceable building codes, retrofitting of existing structures, community training, local governance empowerment.
4️⃣ Learning & Adaptation
Post-disaster analysis to refine policies and systems. Each disaster becomes a quality audit — "build back better" principle. Adaptive learning cycles improve resilience over time.
Evidence from Indian Experience — Successes and Gaps
- Odisha Cyclone Management (Success): Integration of early warning systems, evacuation planning, and community awareness has drastically reduced fatalities — Cyclone Phailin (2013): 45 deaths vs comparable Bangladesh cyclone: 10,000+ deaths. Demonstrates science + governance synergy
- Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan (Success): Use of temperature data, vulnerability mapping, and public advisories — anticipatory planning reduces heat-related mortality
- Urban Floods — Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru (Gap): Persistent flooding reflects gaps in integrating scientific data with urban planning, drainage, and land-use regulation
- Himalayan Landslides (Gap): Despite availability of remote sensing and slope stability data, lack of timely policy implementation exacerbates risks
💡Value Addition — Sendai Framework, CDRI, & India's Loss and Damage Leadership
- Sendai Framework (2015-2030): Four global priorities: understand disaster risk, strengthen governance, invest in resilience, enhance preparedness. India's NDMP is aligned with Sendai. Target: reduce disaster mortality, livelihoods lost, and damage to critical infrastructure by 2030. India reports progress through the Sendai Framework Monitor — a global database for tracking DRR commitments.
- Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI): India launched CDRI at the UN Climate Summit 2019 (now 43 member countries, 8 international organisations). CDRI's InfraRisk tool helps countries assess infrastructure vulnerability. India's leadership of CDRI demonstrates how DRR and climate adaptation are converging — infrastructure resilience is both a development and climate goal.
- Climate change and compound disasters: The IPCC AR6 report warns that compound events (simultaneous heatwaves + droughts, cyclones + floods) will become more frequent. India experienced this in 2023 — simultaneous heatwaves in north and floods in northeast. Traditional disaster management plans designed for single-hazard events are inadequate. The Aswal Model's "Continuous Risk Assessment" component is essential for compound event preparedness.
- Disaster and economic loss: India loses 2% of GDP annually to disasters (World Bank estimate). The 2018 Kerala floods caused ₹31,000 crore in damage. Economic losses from disasters are growing faster than GDP — making DRR a fiscal imperative, not just a humanitarian concern. Every rupee invested in disaster preparedness saves ₹7 in response and recovery (UNDRR estimate).
- Urban disaster vulnerability: 80% of India's economic activity is concentrated in 100+ urban centres, most of which face multiple hazard exposures. The Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan model is being replicated in 100+ Indian cities under NDMA guidance. Smart Cities Mission ICCCs (Integrated Command and Control Centres) are being upgraded for disaster monitoring integration — connecting NISAR satellite data, IMD forecasts, and city-level sensors.
Mains Practice Question — Chapter 4
Q. "India's transition from relief to resilience represents a paradigm shift in governance." Critically examine the Aswal Model and India's institutional framework for disaster risk reduction. (GS III · 15 Marks)
Approach: Context (changing risk landscape — climate intensification, cascading risks, urbanisation in hazard-prone areas) → Paradigm shift (relief-centric → resilience-based, DRR as development principle) → Institutional framework (DM Act 2005, NDMA, NDMP, NDRF, Sendai Framework alignment) → Aswal Model (4 stages: Risk Knowledge → Decision Support → Implementation → Learning; continuous risk assessment formula; AI + geospatial + real-time analytics) → Evidence (Odisha success, Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan; gaps — urban floods Mumbai/Chennai, Himalayan landslides) → CDRI global leadership (43 countries) → Technology role (DPI for real-time monitoring, geospatial mapping, district risk dashboards) → Challenges (weak risk-data integration, local capacity, building code enforcement, inter-agency coordination) → Way forward (risk-informed infrastructure planning, community participation, adaptive governance)
05
GS Paper III · Environment · Energy · Economy
Green Technologies for India's Sustainable Future
272 GW Non-Fossil (51.5%)SHANTI Act 2025PAT — 27.07 MTOEGreen Hydrogen Mission
India's development pathway towards Viksit Bharat @2047 is increasingly anchored in sustainability, resilience, and technological innovation. Green technologies are emerging as a critical bridge between economic growth and environmental stewardship — rooted in both traditional ecological ethics and modern science, reflecting a shift towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient, and circular economy.
Energy Transition — India's Renewable Achievement
India has become the 4th largest renewable energy producer globally. As of January 2026:
272 GWNon-fossil fuel capacity (≈51.5% of total installed capacity) — Jan 2026
107+ GWSolar energy (ground-mounted) — India leads globally
24+ GWRooftop solar capacity installed
16.13 GWEnergy storage needed by 2026-27 (82.37 GWh)
49%FDI permitted in nuclear energy (SHANTI Act 2025)
27.07 MTOEEnergy savings under PAT (Perform Achieve and Trade) scheme
Five Green Technology Pillars
1. Energy Transition
- 272 GW non-fossil capacity (51.5% of total); 4th largest RE producer globally
- Energy storage: Pumped Storage + Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) supported through Viability Gap Funding (VGF)
- Target: 16.13 GW / 82.37 GWh storage by 2026-27
- Decentralised, resilient, diversified energy system
2. Green Mobility
- Electric mobility in two-wheelers, three-wheelers, public transport
- FAME-II and PM E-DRIVE schemes supporting EV adoption
- EV sustainability depends on clean electricity, efficient battery recycling, charging infrastructure
- Interconnected with renewable energy, storage, and circular economy
3. Circular Economy & Waste-to-Wealth
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): E-Waste Management Rules 2022, Battery Waste Management Rules
- 60% legacy waste processed (2026)
- GOBARdhan: Organic waste → Biogas/Compressed Biogas (CBG) + Organic manure
- Waste segregation, bio-methanation, composting, e-waste and battery management
4. Sustainable Agriculture & Water
- Per Drop More Crop (micro-irrigation): 95+ lakh hectares covered
- PM-KUSUM: Targeting 34,800 MW solar capacity in agriculture
- Jal Jeevan Mission → rural drinking water; AMRUT → urban wastewater; Atal Bhujal Yojana → groundwater sustainability
5. Industrial Decarbonisation
- PAT (Perform Achieve and Trade): Energy efficiency scheme — 27.07 MTOE savings
- Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS): Market-based emissions reduction for hard-to-abate sectors
- National Green Hydrogen Mission: Decarbonisation of steel, cement, chemicals — India targets 5 MMT green hydrogen production by 2030
- SHANTI Act 2025: Opens nuclear energy to private participation and FDI (up to 49%); nuclear as reliable, low-carbon baseload for Net Zero 2070
Green-Clean-Climate Tech Distinction (from PDF): Green Tech — uses science to protect natural resources and reduce environmental impact (renewable energy, sustainable agriculture). Clean Tech — improves performance while reducing environmental impact (solar panels, wind turbines, recycling). Climate Tech — specifically mitigates greenhouse gas emissions and climate change (carbon capture, EVs, sustainable infrastructure). All three are complementary — India's green transition integrates all three.
💡Value Addition — SHANTI Act 2025, Green Hydrogen Race & India's Net Zero Strategy
- SHANTI Act 2025 — paradigm shift: The Special Act for Harnessing Atomic Energy (SHANTI) opens India's historically state-monopolised nuclear sector to private investment. The existing Atomic Energy Act 1962 prohibited private participation — SHANTI amends this fundamentally. With 49% FDI permitted, global nuclear companies (Westinghouse, EDF, Rosatom, KEPCO) can now invest in India's nuclear expansion. India plans to triple nuclear capacity from 7.5 GW to 22 GW by 2031 — essential for baseload power as intermittent solar/wind scales up.
- Green Hydrogen — global and India context: India's National Green Hydrogen Mission targets 5 MMT production by 2030 and exports of 10 MMT by 2030, with ₹19,744 crore government outlay. Green hydrogen is produced by electrolyzing water using renewable energy — zero carbon footprint. India's competitive advantage: cheap solar power (₹2.50/unit) for electrolysis. Key demand sectors: fertiliser (currently uses grey hydrogen from natural gas), steel (replace coking coal), refining, and long-haul transport. India could become a global green hydrogen exporter to Europe and Japan.
- PAT Scheme and carbon markets: The Perform Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme under the Energy Conservation Act is India's first market-based energy efficiency instrument. Over 13 PAT cycles covering 1,046 Designated Consumers (DCs) across 13 energy-intensive sectors — 27.07 MTOE total savings. The Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) 2023 expands this to a broader carbon market — India's equivalent of the EU ETS (Emissions Trading System). Carbon credits generated by Indian companies can eventually be traded on the Global Carbon Market under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
- Energy storage — the critical missing link: India's renewable energy target (500 GW by 2030) requires massive energy storage to manage intermittency. The 16.13 GW / 82.37 GWh storage target for 2026-27 requires investment of ~₹1.5 lakh crore. Pumped hydro storage (PHS) has 96.5 GW estimated potential in India. BESS costs have fallen 90% since 2010. VGF support for BESS is essential to make storage economically viable — treating storage as core grid infrastructure (as Yojana recommends) is the way forward.
- India's Net Zero 2070 — feasibility: India has committed to Net Zero by 2070 (15 years after most major economies). Key milestones: 50% non-fossil power by 2030 (achieved with 51.5% as of Jan 2026 — ahead of schedule), carbon intensity reduction 45% by 2030, 500 GW RE by 2030. Critical enablers: green hydrogen (hard-to-abate sectors), nuclear (baseload), energy storage (grid stability), circular economy (reduce material demand), and carbon sinks (3 billion tonnes CO₂ equivalent through forests, announced at Paris 2015).
Mains Practice Questions — Chapter 5
Q. "India's green transition requires a balance between economic growth, energy security, and environmental sustainability." Examine the role of green technologies in achieving sustainable development and the challenges in their large-scale adoption. (GS III · 15 Marks — from Yojana)
Approach: India as 4th largest RE producer (272 GW non-fossil/51.5%) → Green-Clean-Climate Tech distinction → Five pillars: Energy transition (BESS, VGF, storage 16.13 GW), Green mobility (FAME-II, PM E-DRIVE, EV circular economy), Circular economy (EPR, GOBARdhan, 60% legacy waste), Sustainable agriculture (PM-KUSUM 34,800 MW, Per Drop More Crop 95+ lakh ha, Jal Jeevan/AMRUT/Atal Bhujal), Industrial decarbonisation (PAT 27.07 MTOE, CCTS, Green Hydrogen 5 MMT target) → SHANTI Act 2025 (nuclear 49% FDI, Net Zero baseload) → Challenges (energy storage financing, urban-rural green infrastructure gaps, skilled workforce, affordability) → Way forward (treat storage as grid infrastructure, urban local body financing, grassroots innovation, MSME integration)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yojana April 2026 — All Key Questions Answered
Optimised for Google Featured Snippets and UPSC aspirant searches — Futuristic Science & Technology.
The theme of Yojana April 2026 is "Futuristic Science & Technology". It covers 5 chapters: (1) AI at Population Scale — IndiaAI Mission (AIKosh 10,000+ datasets, GPU ₹65-100/hour), New Delhi Declaration (90+ countries); (2) Cyber Security & Digital Trust — BRAIN convergence, VUCA threats, 6 cyber layers, PKI, cyber resilience; (3) Space & Deep-Tech — IN-SPACe, Skyroot, Agnikul, Bharat-VISTAAR, Gaganyaan, National Quantum Mission; (4) From Relief to Resilience — Aswal Model (4 stages), Sendai Framework, Odisha cyclone model; (5) Green Technologies — 272 GW non-fossil (51.5%), SHANTI Act 2025 (nuclear 49% FDI), PAT (27.07 MTOE), GOBARdhan, Green Hydrogen Mission. Relevant for GS Papers II and III.
The IndiaAI Mission democratises core AI resources through three layers: (1) Compute Infrastructure — shared GPU clusters at subsidised rates of ₹65–₹100/hour for startups, researchers, and public institutions; (2) Data Ecosystem (AIKosh Platform) — repository of 10,000+ datasets and 286+ AI models across sectors; (3) Application Layer — AI deployed for crop monitoring, disaster prediction, beneficiary verification, and healthcare diagnostics. The India AI Impact Summit 2026 produced the New Delhi Declaration (90+ countries) emphasising democratisation of AI access, inclusive and human-centric AI, ethical AI systems, and AI-ready human capital. India is positioned as a Global South-centric AI governance leader.
The SHANTI Act 2025 (Special Act for Harnessing Atomic Energy) marks a paradigm shift by opening nuclear energy to private participation and FDI up to 49%, and integrating nuclear power into the green energy mix. Nuclear energy is repositioned as a reliable, low-carbon baseload source for achieving Net Zero 2070 targets. As of January 2026, India has ~272 GW non-fossil fuel capacity (approximately 51.5% of total installed capacity), making India the 4th largest renewable energy producer globally. Solar energy leads with 107+ GW ground-mounted and 24+ GW rooftop capacity.
The Aswal Model is a framework for risk-informed disaster governance (Chapter 4, Yojana April 2026). Core idea: resilience must be built into systems from the design stage, not added after failure. Four interlinked stages supported by continuous risk assessment (Hazard × Exposure × Vulnerability ÷ Capacity): (1) Risk Knowledge — scientific assessment using data, modelling and geospatial tools; (2) Decision Support — translating risk into policies, building codes and land-use planning; (3) Implementation — institutional execution, regulation and capacity building; (4) Learning & Adaptation — post-disaster analysis to refine policies. Examples: Odisha cyclone management (success), Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan (success); Urban floods Mumbai/Chennai (gaps).
BRAIN stands for Biotechnology, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and Nanotechnology — their convergence makes modern systems increasingly interconnected, expanding the cyberattack surface in a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) environment. Cybersecurity must address 6 critical layers: Material & Communication (supply chains, satellites); Hardware & Systems (backdoor implants); OS & Network (ransomware, protocols); Application (insecure APIs, cloud); Task/Functional (algorithm manipulation); and Human (weakest link — social engineering, phishing). Digital Trust is built through PKI (authentication, encryption, data integrity), security-by-design, and continuous monitoring. Modern approach: cyber resilience (preparation + detection + response + adaptation) over mere prevention.
India's space ecosystem has shifted from state-driven to public-private through IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre). Private players: Skyroot Aerospace (Vikram-S — India's first private rocket), Agnikul Cosmos (Agnibaan — world's first 3D-printed semi-cryogenic engine), Pixxel (hyperspectral satellites for agriculture, climate, urban planning). Deep-tech enablers: AI (Bharat-VISTAAR for agricultural advisories), Semiconductors (India Semiconductor Mission ₹76,000 Cr for radiation-hardened chips), National Quantum Mission (₹6,003 crore, 8 years), Robotics (Gaganyaan spacecraft assembly). Future: Gaganyaan (human spaceflight), Bharatiya Antriksh Station, lunar exploration, USD 44 billion space economy by 2033.
Yojana April 2026 (Futuristic Science & Technology) is relevant for: GS Paper III — Science & Technology (IndiaAI Mission, AIKosh, New Delhi Declaration, BRAIN cybersecurity, IN-SPACe, Skyroot, Agnikul, National Quantum Mission, PAT scheme, CCTS, SHANTI Act 2025, Green Hydrogen Mission, 272 GW RE), Disaster Management (Aswal Model, NDMA, Sendai Framework, CDRI), Environment (Green technologies, circular economy, GOBARdhan, BESS), Economy (PLI for RE, green taxonomy); GS Paper II — Governance (AI governance, cybersecurity policy, NDMA framework); Essay — "AI as the new Digital Public Infrastructure for India", "From reactive to resilient — India's disaster governance transformation", "India's green transition — technology, equity, and sustainability".
Legacy IAS Academy · Bangalore · 96069 00005
Master Yojana & Current Affairs
for UPSC Mains 2026
Yojana April 2026 covers AI, Cybersecurity, Space, Disaster Resilience, and Green Technology — all high-scoring GS Paper III and Science & Technology topics. Legacy IAS covers Yojana comprehensively every month with answer writing practice under Pavan Sir. UPSC Mains 2026: August 21.
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Monthly Magazine Analysis
Yojana, Kurukshetra & EPW — chapter-by-chapter with UPSC angle and value addition.
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Answer Writing Mentorship
Personalised feedback on S&T, Environment, and Disaster Management answers under Pavan Sir.
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GS Paper III Focus
Futuristic S&T theme maps directly to high-scoring Science, Environment, and Economy Mains questions.
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Self Learning + Mentorship
Flexible programme — as chosen by AIR 45 Priya Singh Chauhan (UPSC CSE 2025).
