India Achieves 250 GW Renewable Energy Capacity Milestone
India has officially crossed the 250 GW mark in installed renewable energy capacity, moving closer to its 2030 target of 500 GW.
Key Points for Quick Revision
- India crosses 250 GW of installed renewable energy capacity.
- Solar energy is the dominant source within the renewable mix.
- Aligned with the target of 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030.
- Schemes like PM-KUSUM and PLI have been key drivers.
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | High | 3–5 | National parks, Ramsar sites, pollution levels, and climate summits appear in SSC GK. |
| Banking (IBPS / SBI) | Medium | 2–3 | Climate finance, green bonds, and ESG ratings are occasionally tested in banking exams. |
| UPSC / State PCS | Very High | 12–20 | Environment and Ecology is a separate section in UPSC Prelims. GS-III includes environment, climate change, and disaster management. |
| Railway (RRB NTPC / Group D) | High | 3–6 | Environment is a reliable Railway GK category — national parks, endangered species, pollution. |
What to Memorize from This Topic
- New Ramsar sites, UNESCO sites, Biosphere Reserves: name, state/country, reason for designation
- Climate summit outcomes: COP targets, India's commitments, new agreements
- Pollution data: India's air quality rank, river clean-up updates, plastic ban updates
- Endangered species: IUCN category, habitat, threats, conservation project
- Environmental laws and policies: recent amendments to Environment Protection Act, Forest Rights Act
Practice Questions
Q1. What is India's target for non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030?
- 300 GW
- 400 GW
- 500 GW
- 600 GW
Explanation: India has set a target to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030.
Q2. Which renewable energy source contributes the most to India's total capacity?
- Wind
- Solar
- Biomass
- Small Hydro
Explanation: Solar energy is currently the largest contributor to India's renewable energy capacity.
How to Prepare Environment for Government Exams
Ramsar sites and World Heritage Site additions are announced annually. Compile the year's additions — they are direct exam questions.
For UPSC, understand the international treaty context: Paris Agreement, CBD, CITES, Ramsar — know what each treaty does.
Climate news = policy news. Always note the government response to any environmental event — that's what UPSC Mains tests.