GPS Jamming vs Spoofing, RBI MPC Holds Repo Rate at 5.25%, IMD Heatwave Criteria 40°C for Plains

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.

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.

Kudankulam Nuclear Reactor Costs Surge 55%: Impact on India's Nuclear Expansion Plans

Cost of four under-construction nuclear reactors at Kudankulam has risen by 55% to ₹1,38,330 crore, driven by Russia-Ukraine war. This poses a challenge to India's ambitious nuclear expansion plans and could increase electricity tariffs, especially as the government opens the sector to private participation.

Ministry of Mines Notifies 2 Offshore Mineral Blocks Near Great Nicobar for Polymetallic Nodules

India has notified two offshore mineral blocks near Great Nicobar Island for polymetallic nodule and crust exploration, strengthening its critical minerals push under the blue economy framework. This connects directly to the Deep Ocean Mission, Samudra Manthan scheme, UNCLOS, and India's strategic need for deep-sea mineral security. For exams, remember the Act, the minerals, the contracts, and the institutional framework.

DAE Proposes Reducing Land Need for 220 MWe Nuclear Reactors to 90 Hectares

The Department of Atomic Energy informed Parliament that land requirement for 220 MWe small nuclear reactors could be reduced from 330 hectares to about 90 hectares, subject to radiological impact assessment. This is part of India's push for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and opening the nuclear sector to private participation, with exclusion zones also proposed to be relaxed. The move is critical for energy security and decarbonization of hard-to-abate industries.

MNRE Proposes Polysilicon Incentive; Solar Cell Capacity to Triple to 100 GW

India is planning a support scheme to incentivize domestic polysilicon manufacturing, a key raw material for solar panels currently 100% imported. This move aims to deepen the solar value chain, with solar cell capacity expected to triple to 100 GW within a year. Additionally, renewable energy is helping reduce DISCOM power purchase costs, with RE-RTC tariffs matching nuclear power at Rs 5.25/unit.