Mammals – Critically Endangered (CR) Species IUCN Status Endemism (India) Key Habitat Distribution (Core Area) Special / Unique Tags Legal Protection Andaman White-toothed Shrew CR Yes (Andaman Islands) Tropical moist deciduous & evergreen forests Narcondam Island Island endemic; insectivorous, nocturnal mammal — Himalayan Brown Bear (sub-species) CR No (sub-species level) High-altitude forests & alpine meadows…
At the global level, climate action today is no longer limited to clean energy production; it equally emphasises how we consume energy. The cover decision of COP-27, titled the Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan, highlights the transition to sustainable lifestyles and sustainable patterns of consumption and production as a core requirement for addressing climate change.👉 This…
India’s renewable energy transition is not only a technological challenge, but equally a financial and institutional challenge. Therefore, the government has created specialised institutions and innovative financial instruments to mobilise long-term capital for green energy. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) What is IREDA? Core Role IREDA is the financial backbone of India’s renewable energy…
Background Let us begin with a simple idea:Renewable energy is clean and sustainable, but it is not always reliable in the way conventional power is. Low Plant Load Factor (PLF) Intermittency Problem Mismatch example: 👉 Neither solar nor wind can independently meet peak demand. Transmission and Cost Issues Financial Weakness of DISCOMs Smart Grid: A…
Here is the puzzle that makes hydrogen fascinating. It is the most abundant element in the universe — and yet, on Earth, you cannot mine it or drill for it. It is always locked up inside something else: inside water (H₂O), inside methane (CH₄). To get pure hydrogen, you must spend energy to free it….
Definition: Biofuels are fuels derived from biological sources — plants, algae, animal waste — through biological and chemical processes such as fermentation, transesterification, and anaerobic digestion. The central promise of a biofuel: the CO₂ released when we burn it is partly offset by the CO₂ the plant absorbed while growing. This near-closed carbon loop is…
Wind energy harnesses the kinetic energy of moving air using wind turbines to generate electricity. It is a clean, renewable, and indigenous energy source, but its deployment is shaped strongly by geography, technology, and policy choices. Definition: Wind energy is the energy obtained from the kinetic energy of moving air (wind), converted into mechanical or…
Definition: Solar energy is energy derived from the Sun’s radiation, harnessed and converted into electricity or heat using technologies such as photovoltaic cells and solar thermal systems. The Two Roads: Solar PV vs Solar Thermal Solar Photovoltaic (PV) — Sunlight straight to electricity Solar Photovoltaic (PV) technology converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor materials…
Source: International Energy Agency (IEA), World Energy Outlook 2025 International Energy Agency (IEA) World Energy Outlook Report 2025 Energy security in a volatile world Why energy has become a national security issue Present global contradictions 📌 UPSC Angle:Energy security is no longer just “fuel availability” → it is geopolitics + technology + supply chains. Climate…
Statistics: Total Installed Power Capacity in India (As on 30 November 2025 | Source: Central Electricity Authority, GoI) Fuel-wise Installed Capacity Fuel TIC (MW) % of Total Coal 2,19,610 43.1% ↓ Gas 20,122 3.9% ↓ Lignite 6,620 1.3% ↓ Diesel 589 0.1% 🔴 Total Fossil Fuel 2,46,942 48.4% ↓ Renewable & Non-Fossil Sources Source TIC…
