Energy Statistics India 2026

What's the News?

• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the 33rd Edition of Energy Statistics India 2026 .
• The report highlights a significant surge in renewable energy capacity while coal continues to dominate India's energy mix .
• Renewable energy potential reached 47,04,043 Megawatt as of March 2025, with solar accounting for nearly 71% share .
• Installed renewable capacity grew from 90,134 MW (2016) to 2,29,346 MW (2025), registering a CAGR of 10.93% .
• Despite renewable growth, coal supply increased from 3,87,761 KToe (FY 2015-16) to 5,52,315 KToe .

Renewable Energy: Rapid Expansion

• Total Renewable Potential: India’s total renewable energy (RE) potential reached 47,04,043 MW as of March 2025.
  • Solar Energy holds the highest share at approximately 71%, with potential surging to 33,43,378 MW.
  • Wind Energy follows with 11,63,856 MW.
• Geographical Concentration: Over 70% of RE potential is concentrated in six states: Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh.
• Installed Capacity & Generation:
  • Installed RE capacity grew from 90,134 MW (2016) to 2,29,346 MW (2025) , registering a CAGR of 10.93%.
  • Gross electricity generation from renewables reached 4,16,823 GWh in FY 2024-25, more than doubling from 1,89,314 GWh in FY 2015-16.

Consumption & Efficiency Gains

• Rising Consumption: Per-capita energy consumption rose from 15,296 MJ in FY 2015-16 to 18,096 MJ in FY 2024-25.
• Improved Efficiency: Transmission and Distribution (T&D) losses were reduced from 22% in FY 2015-16 to 17% in FY 2024-25, indicating better grid management.

Fossil Fuel Dominance

• Despite renewable growth, coal remains the primary energy source, with its supply increasing to 5,52,315 KTOE in FY 2024-25.
• This persistent reliance on coal presents a significant challenge to India’s long-term net-zero transition goals.

Financial & Data Improvements

• Increased Investment: Credit flow to the energy sector increased over sixfold, rising from ₹1,688 crore in 2021 to ₹10,325 crore in 2025, signaling high investor confidence.
• Enhanced Data Scope: The 2026 edition includes new datasets such as credit flow analysis, industry-wise electricity consumption, and international marine bunkers data, enabling more accurate policy-making.

This topic is crucial for UPSC, State PSC, SSC, State SSC and Banking exams under Economy, Environment, Geography, and Current Affairs sections. Focus on energy security, renewable energy transition, coal dependency challenges, government initiatives for clean energy, and India's climate commitments for mains answers and interview discussions.

Sources

• DD News
• The Battery Magazine

IONS Maritime Exercise (IMEX) TTX 2026

What's the News?

• The Indian Navy hosted the IONS Maritime Exercise (IMEX) TTX 2026 at the Maritime Warfare Centre, Southern Naval Command, Kochi .
• The exercise was conducted on 27 March 2026 as a Table-Top Exercise (TTX) in a simulation environment .
• Delegates from 15+ nations participated in the exercise, strengthening regional maritime cooperation .
• This marks a key milestone as India assumes the IONS chairmanship for the 2026–2028 cycle after a gap of 16 years .
• The exercise aimed to enhance interoperability, coordination, and decision-making among IONS member navies .

About IONS (Indian Ocean Naval Symposium)

• IONS is a regional naval forum launched in 2008 to promote maritime cooperation among Indian Ocean littoral states .
• The forum brings together navies of Indian Ocean Rim countries to discuss maritime security challenges .
• India previously held IONS chairmanship before the current 2026–2028 cycle .
• The symposium has grown significantly since inception with expanded membership and participation .
• IONS member navies collaborate on issues like piracy, terrorism, disaster relief, and maritime safety .

Exercise Objectives & Significance

• Primary Aim: Strengthen interoperability and coordination among IONS member navies .
• Focus Areas:
  • Maritime contingency handling through simulation-based scenarios
  • Decision-making processes in multi-national naval operations
  • Information sharing and communication protocols
• Strategic Significance:
  • Reinforces India's leadership role in Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
  • Enhances regional maritime security architecture
  • Supports SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision

Participating Nations

• Confirmed Participants included:
  • Bangladesh, France, Indonesia, Kenya
  • Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles
  • Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and other IONS members
• Total Participation: 15+ nations represented through naval delegates
• The exercise demonstrated broad regional consensus on maritime security cooperation

Additional Info

• IONS Structure:
  • Chairmanship rotates among member nations every 2 years
  • Working Groups focus on specific maritime security themes
  • Biennial Conclaves review progress and set priorities
• Related Maritime Initiatives:
  • MILAN Exercise – Multi-national naval exercise hosted by India
  • International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 – Held with 74 participating nations
  • SAGAR Doctrine – India's maritime security framework for IOR
  • Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) – Regional surveillance initiative

This topic is crucial for UPSC, State PSC, SSC, State SSC and Banking exams under International Relations, Defence, Security, and Current Affairs sections. Focus on IONS objectives and structure, India's maritime diplomacy, regional security cooperation, SAGAR doctrine, and Indian Ocean geopolitics for mains answers and interview discussions.

Exercise Dweep Shakti 2026

What's the News?

• The Indian Armed Forces successfully conducted Exercise Dweep Shakti 2026 from March 24-28, 2026 .
• This high-intensity Tri-Service exercise was conducted by the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) .
• The exercise involved Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard in coordinated operations .
• Key operations included amphibious assaults, beach landings, and maritime dominance operations .
• The drill validated integrated rapid-response capabilities for coastal and island defence .

Exercise Dweep Shakti?

• Tri-Service Synergy: The exercise was a localized display of "jointness," where the three branches of the military operated under a single tactical framework to achieve mission objectives.
• Operational Maneuvers: It featured complex ship-to-shore movements, where infantry units and armored vehicles were landed on "hostile" beaches using Landing Craft Utility (LCU) and Landing Ships, Tanks (LST).
• Specialized Drills: The drills included para-drops by special forces, combat search and rescue (CSAR) operations, and simulated electronic warfare to disrupt enemy communications.
• Security of SLOCs: A key objective was to ensure the protection of Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) and critical chokepoints that are vital for global trade and national energy security.

Operations Conducted

• Amphibious Assaults: Coordinated beach landing operations by Army-Navy teams .
• Maritime Dominance Ops: Naval-air coordination for sea control missions .
• Complex Beach Landings: Multi-phase landing operations with heavy equipment .
• Rapid Response Drills: Quick deployment scenarios for island defence .
• Integrated Command Operations: ANC-led coordination across all services .

Additional Info

• Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC):
  • India's only Tri-Service Command established in 2001
  • Headquartered at Port Blair, Andaman Islands
  • Responsible for defence of Andaman & Nicobar Islands
  • Plays crucial role in Indian Ocean Region security

This topic is crucial for UPSC, State PSC, SSC, State SSC and Banking exams under Defence, International Relations, Internal Security, and Current Affairs sections. Focus on tri-service coordination mechanisms, Andaman and Nicobar Command structure, India's maritime security strategy, island defence preparedness, and joint military exercises for mains answers and interview discussions.

Sources

• Economic Times
• Times of India
• Indian Masterminds

CMS COP15: 40 Migratory Species Added to Protected List

What's the News?

• The 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) concluded in Campo Grande, Brazil .
• 40 new migratory species were added to CMS Appendices I and II for enhanced international protection .
• The conference ran from March 22-29, 2026 with participation from multiple member countries .
• Notable species include cheetah, striped hyena, snowy owl, giant otter, and various shark species .
• Brazil secured approval for six of its seven proposals to protect species in Appendix I and II .

About CMS (Convention on Migratory Species)

• CMS is an international environmental treaty under UNEP framework .
• Also known as the Bonn Convention, established in 1979 .
• Aims to conserve terrestrial, aquatic, and avian migratory species throughout their range .
• Currently protects hundreds of migratory species across multiple continents .
• 400 migratory species still remain unprotected and need future listing efforts .

CMS Appendices Structure

• Appendix I: Includes species threatened with extinction requiring strict protection .
• Appendix II: Includes species needing international cooperation for conservation .
• 40 species were added across both appendices during COP15 .
• 16 of the 40 species occur in Brazil, showing regional significance .

Key Species Added at COP15

• Mammals: Cheetah, striped hyena, giant otter, Amazon river dolphin .
• Birds: Snowy owl, steppe eagle, various bustard species (26 species across 102 range states) .
• Marine Species: Tope shark, basking shark, sand tiger shark .
• Fish: European eel (Anguilla Anguilla) .
• Reptiles: Various marine turtle species received enhanced protection .

Outcomes & Agreements

• 16 Cooperation Measures approved for coordinated conservation action .
• Binding Resolutions adopted to boost global conservation efforts .
• Blue Corridors agreement for marine turtle migration routes .
• Flyways Protection for migratory bird conservation .
• Seamount Ecosystems recognized for protecting deep-sea migratory species .
• Freshwater Fish: 325 migratory freshwater fish species identified as candidates for future protection .

Additional Info

• CMS Governance Structure:
  • Conference of Parties (COP) – Supreme decision-making body
  • Scientific Council – Provides technical advice
  • Secretariat – Based in Bonn, Germany
  • COP Meetings – Held every 3 years
• Related International Conventions:
  • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) – Broader biodiversity framework
  • CITES – Trade in endangered species
  • Ramsar Convention – Wetland conservation
  • UN Biodiversity Conference (COP17) – Scheduled for October 2026
• India & CMS:
  • India is an active CMS member since 1983
  • Hosted CMS COP13 in 2020 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat
  • Great Indian Bustard listed under CMS Appendix I
  • Amur Falcon migration route protected under CMS

This topic is crucial for UPSC, State PSC, SSC, State SSC and Banking exams under Environment, Ecology, International Relations, and Current Affairs sections. Focus on CMS structure and objectives, migratory species conservation, international environmental treaties, India's role in CMS, and biodiversity protection frameworks for mains answers and interview discussions.

Sources

• Down To Earth
• UNRIC