India Proposes 10-GW Agri-PV Mission Under PM-KUSUM 2.0 With ₹5,000 Cr Outlay for 2026-27

131 GW Canal-Top Solar Potential: MNRE Pilot Scheme, PM Surya Sarovar Yojana Boost Land-Free Renewable Energy

India's vast canal network offers a land-free path to solar power via Canal-Top Photovoltaics (CTPV). With land acquisition for solar projects becoming expensive, CTPV saves land, reduces water evaporation, and improves panel efficiency. A 2024 assessment estimates 131 GW potential, but high costs and structural challenges limit deployment. The PM Surya Sarovar Yojana (floating solar) signals growing policy interest in land-neutral solar.

E20 Ethanol Fuel Used in 4 Crore Vehicles; Flex-Fuel Engines to End ₹22 Lakh Cr Fuel Imports

E20 ethanol-blended petrol is being used in 4 crore four-wheelers and 20 million two-wheelers without harming vehicles and with improved mileage. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that automobile companies will produce flex-fuel engines capable of running on 100% ethanol, potentially saving ₹22 lakh crore in fuel imports and boosting farmers' income through higher maize prices.

SAT-1 Serotype of Foot and Mouth Disease Returns After 60 Years; NADCP & Brucellosis Key for Prelims

After 60 years, the SAT-1 serotype of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) has re-emerged in Europe and the Middle East, raising alarms for livestock health. India's National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) aims to control FMD and Brucellosis through vaccination and biosecurity. This is critical for UPSC as it links animal disease, economic impact, and government schemes.

India's Next Energy Transition: Electrifying Industrial Heat for MSMEs, Manufacturing Competitiveness

India's next energy transition phase targets electrifying industrial heat, especially for MSMEs, to boost manufacturing competitiveness, energy security, and decarbonisation. The article draws a parallel with the solar PV revolution and calls for a coordinated ecosystem of policies, financing, and cluster-level planning to scale the transition.

National Green Hydrogen Mission: 400-500 Buses/Trucks by 2030, Trials on 20 Highways

India's National Green Hydrogen Mission targets 400-500 hydrogen-fuelled heavy-duty buses and trucks by 2030. To achieve this, 70 vehicles have been sanctioned for trials across 20 highways, with the goal of achieving operating cost parity with diesel in 2-3 years.

EVs Account for 10.6% of India's Vehicle Registrations in 2026, Three-Wheelers Lead at 60.5% - FADA Data

India's vehicle registration data for 2026 shows a historic fuel crossover: petrol/diesel share dropped to 83.5% while EVs reached 10.6%. However, the shift is lopsided—two-wheelers and three-wheelers drive EV adoption, while cars prefer CNG/LPG. This data is crucial for understanding India's energy transition and can be tested in Prelims for exact percentages and FADA's role.

SC-NBWL Recommends Pygmy Hog for Critically Endangered List Under IDWH Scheme

The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) has recommended adding the pygmy hog, the world's smallest and rarest wild pig, to the list of critically endangered species under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) scheme. This move signals a renewed focus on grassland conservation and species recovery, with potential expansion to West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.

India's RE Capacity Crosses 200 GW, Solar & Green Hydrogen Lead Clean Energy Transition

India's renewable energy capacity crossed 200 GW (45% of total installed capacity), driven by solar and wind. Key schemes like PM Surya Ghar, PM-KUSUM, National Green Hydrogen Mission, and International Solar Alliance highlight India's climate leadership. This is exam-relevant for prelims data and mains analysis on energy transition, government schemes, and India's climate commitments.