Main articles/opinions analysis for UPSC 30 August 2025 | Legacy IAS

Contents

1. Energy sovereignty is the new oil in an unstable world
2. Break the chain

Energy sovereignty is the new oil in an unstable world

Basic principles

• India‘s Energy dependence
  • Input 85% of crude oil And 50%+ natural gas.
  • Energy import = national risk factor Because of the global geopolitical volatility.
  • FY2023-24: crude oil + natural gas import = $ 170 billion (~ 25% of the total entry).
• Russian factor
  • Pre-Ukraine War (until 2021): Russia delivered ~ 2% of India‘s.
  • Post-2022: Russia is that of India Largest supplier (35–40% in 2024-25).
  • Discount with a discount on oil reduced the costs, but raised over -dependence on one source.
• Risky landscape
  • Tensions in the Middle East (Israel – Iran, June 2025) almost threatened 20 MBPD Global Oil Flow.
  • The global oil market continues to exist Fragile, sensitive to delivery.
  • Heavy dependence = Economic vulnerability + strategic liability.

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

Practice question: ‘India‘The growing trust in the short -term discount offers short -term lighting but is long -term strategic vulnerabilities. “Critical investigation in the context of India‘S Energy Security. (250 words)

Flashpoints that have reformed worldwide energy brokers

1. 1973 Arabic oil -Mbargo – quadrupled prices; Led to strategic reserves, diversification.
2. 2011 Fukushima Ramp – collapse of trust in nuclear → Fossil use Surge → Emissions Rise.
3. 2021 Texas Freeze – Gas pipes froze, wind turbines got stuck; Lesson: resilience> cost efficiency.
4. 2022 Russia-Ukraine War – Europe’s over -dependence of Russian gas exposed; LNG Spike, Coal Revival.
5. 2025 Iberian Peninsula Black -Out -Transcience of renewable energy sources without backup → Raster collapse.

Lesson: Every worldwide shock reforms the policy. India has to run through the foresight, not a crisis.

Global Energy Reality

• Fossil fuels still dominate:> 80% of global primary energy.
• Transport runs on hydrocarbons:> 90%.
• Solar & Wind Share: <10% of the global energy mix.
• Deliveryrequirement mismatch: Exploration investments ↓ while question ↑ → tight markets.
• Conclusion: Transition is Gradual path, no overnight switch.

Energy realism for India

• Energy breach = survival strategyNot just climate policy.
• Sovereignty = Domestic capacity + Diversified Tech + resilient systems.

Five fundamental pillars for the sovereignty of India

1. Coal gasification and carbon collection
   1. Lever 150+ BN TON Reserves.
   1. Produce Syngas, methanol, hydrogen, fertilizers.
   1. Technology must overcome High-axis Coal barrier.
2. Biofuels (Ethanol, CBG)
   1. Ethanol Blending Program → £ 92,000 crore transferred to farmers; Forex savings.
   1. E20 target To stimulate national income.
   1. CBG plants (Satat schedule) produce clean fuel + bio-mantle (20-25% organic carbon).
   1. Restores broken soils and improves the retention of water/fertilizer.
3. Nuclear energy
   1. Current capacity stagnates 8.8 GW.
   1. Must breathe new life Thorium -Route mapsecure uranium supply, develop Small modular reactors (SMRs).
   1. Offer Zero-carbon base To balance renewable energy sources.
4. Green hydrogen
   1. Goal: 5 mmt against 2030.
   1. Focus on Local electrolyzer production, catalyst technology, storage infrastructure.
   1. Goal = ‘Sovereign hydrogen “ (Safe supply chain, technical independence).
5. Pumped Hydro storage
   1. Offer raster Missing in renewable energy sources.
   1. Sustainable, proven, essential for balancing intermittent solar sun/wind.
   1. India’s topography favorable → unused potential.

India’s shifting import strategy

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

Strategic collection restaurants

• Import dependence = strategic vulnerability (Energy must occur in the national risk register).
• Russian oil with a discount = tactical lighting, not strategic solution.
• Diversity is real sovereignty → Avoid over -dependence on a 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 Secure, secure indigenous energy.
• India’s Five pillars (coal gasification, biofuels, nuclear, green hydrogen, pumped hydro) must form sovereign spine of his energy transition.
• Ambition must meet realism → resilient systems, diversified sources, domestic innovation.
• The most valuable source of tomorrow = ‘Uninterrupted, affordable, indigenous energy“No oil.

Break the chain

Basic principles

• Illness Focus: Tuberculosis (TBC) – Major Infectious Disease, Airborne, Curable but still deadly.
• India‘s Last:
  • India is good ~ 27% of the global TB cases (The highest in the world).
  • TB = India’s Leading burden of infectious diseases.
• Recent progress (since 2015):
  • 17% decrease In reported TB cases.
  • 85%+ Success percentage of treatment Under the detected.
• Challenge: Drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB, XDR-TB) distribution.
• New initiative: ICMR updated National List of Essential Diagnostics (NLED) → Molecular TB tests made available At Sub-Health Centers (SHCS) & PHCs.

Relevance: GS 2 (Health, Social problems)

Practice question: Although it is healable, TB remains India‘The leading brading of infective diseases. Discuss the socio-economic and structural reasons for this paradox. (250 words)

Main highlights of the movement of ICMR

1. Expansion of diagnostics list:
   1. Inclusive Rapid diagnostics For sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, hepatitis B, syphilis, etc.
   1. Focus on molecular TB tests At lower health levels.
2. Accessibility:
   1. Tests available on SHCs and PHCs (closer to the community).
   1. Earlier: usually in district hospitals/laboratories → delays in detection.
3. Early detection:
   1. Detect Asymptomatic TB -Infections (latent fallen).
   1. Helps with identification Active TB Faster → prevents spread.
4. Break the transmission chain:
   1. Early detection → Early treatment → Lower transmission of the community.
   1. Critical because there are many TB cases left not diagnosed or untreated.

Meaning of the policy

• Health impact:
  • Faster detection of tuberculosis → reduced delays during treatment.
  • Limit the rise/distribution of Drug-resistant TB tribes.
• Equity:
  • Involve Diagnostic services closer to rural and disadvantaged areas.
  • Reduces dependence on higher centers, saves time/costs.
• Strengthening public health:
  • Authorize SHCs/PHCs As the first line of defense.
  • Builds trust in Primary health system.

Featured challenges

• Diagnostic gaps:
  • Many TB patients are still staying not diagnosed (especially latent TB).
  • MDR TB patients often glide through the system due to weak detection.
• Implementation burden:
  • Need for trained manpower At SHCS/PHCs.
  • Infrastructure and supply chain for test kits.
• Financial barriers:
  • Poor patients are in obstacles Travel, Nutrition, Follow-up.
  • Even if tests are free, the compliance must be supported.
• India‘S TB -Elimination objective:
  • GOVT wants that Eliminate TB by 2025 (5 years for SDG 2030 target).
  • The current progress indicates that India is Unlikely, the Deadline will reach 2025.

Global and Indian context

• Global: TB is that of the world Second leading infectious murderer (after Covid on peak).
• India:
  • Largest TB burden worldwide.
  • Govt -initiatives: Nikshay Poshan Yojana (food support), Nikshay Portal (Monitoring of digital case), now Diagnostics.
• International benchmarks: Who orders Universal access to molecular diagnostics As a standard TB test.

Forward

• Universal screening: Scale molecular tests to reach Every PHC/CHC.
• Integration: Combine TB detection with other health services (HIV, diabetes).
• Community involvement: Awareness, stigmining, cooperation between private sector.
• Nutrition support: Strengthen Nikshay Poshan Yojana For the compliance.
• Digital tools: Expand Nikshay -app For real -time monitoring.
• Innovation: Use AI, Mobile Vans, Point-of-Care Diagnostics for remote areas.

Conclusion

• 100000‘S Molecular TB Test Expansion = Gamechanger For early detection and prevention at community level.
• Helps with Breaking Transmission Chain And reducing India’s tuberculosis.
• But without strong implementation, financial support and awareness, India can be 2025 TB -Elimination goal.
• Requires one versatile approach – Diagnostics + treatment + food + consciousness + participation of the community.