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Energy and Development 1. Why Energy Matters Definition: Energy is the ability to do work, but it represents much more: power, progress, and inequality. Role in Development: Essential for lighting homes, powering schools/hospitals, enabling industries, and...

Energy: Key Insights and Pathways 1. Why Energy Matters: Key Insights Energy powers progress, defines planetary boundaries, and reflects social priorities. Two-way relationship with development: Access to electricity improves income, education, health, and...

Energy Sources, Carriers, and Technologies 1. Key Distinction: Energy Sources vs. Carriers Energy Sources: Where energy originates (coal, sunlight, wind). Energy Carriers: How energy is delivered (electricity, liquid fuels, heat). 2. Non-Renewable Energy ...

1. Progress in Electrification Near-universal access: Over 99.9% of rural households connected to the grid (e.g., via Saubhagya scheme). Quality ≠ Access: Many face intermittent supply, voltage fluctuations, and poor grievance redressal. Visual Progress: R...

1. Financial Challenges Facing DISCOMs Cumulative Losses (2022-23): ₹6.77 lakh crores Key Pressure Points: Revenue Losses: Due to migration to rooftop solar and open access Rising Supply Costs: Coupled with capped consumer tariffs Cross-Subsidy Burden: ...

1. The Need for "Powering Down" Beyond Efficiency: The Jevons Paradox warns that efficiency gains can lead to higher overall consumption. Challenge Assumptions: Question the narrative of ever-increasing energy demand. Focus on Sufficiency: Reduce unnecessa...

Water is the essence of life, sustaining ecosystems, societies, and economies. Understanding water requires both a sustainability perspective (its role, use, and governance) and a classification perspective (types, sources, and distribution). Together, these v...

1. Key Definitions (Do Not Use Interchangeably) Water Shortage: When a person does not have enough water to meet daily needs (even if saline water is available). Water Scarcity: When available freshwater sources are inadequate to meet the demand of the popu...

1. Water Scarcity, Usage, and Quality (Context) Key Definitions: Water Shortage: Lack of water to meet daily needs (even if saline water is available). Water Scarcity: Inadequate freshwater sources to meet demand. Water Stress: Demand is met, but sources a...

1. Water Scarcity, Usage, and Quality (Context) Key Definitions: Water Shortage: Lack of water to meet daily needs (even if saline water is available). Water Scarcity: Inadequate freshwater sources to meet demand. Water Stress: Demand is met, but sources a...

1. What is Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)? DPI is a set of open, interoperable, population-scale digital systems that enable efficient, inclusive, and transparent delivery of public and private services. It combines: Minimalistic tech interventions Publi...

1. What are Sectoral DPIs? Sectoral DPIs are domain-specific digital infrastructures built on top of foundational DPI rails (identity, payments, consent) to address unique challenges in sectors like agriculture, health, and water. Key Components: Core Rails ...

1. The Lockdown Lesson: Clean Air is Possible During COVID-19 lockdown (2020), air pollution dropped dramatically across India. Delhi: PM2.5 levels fell by 70% Visible changes: blue skies, clearer horizons, stars reappeared Key Takeaway: Clean air is achiev...

1. The Scale of the Problem Global and National Context: 13 of the top 20 most polluted cities in the world are in India (2024 IQ Air Report). Only 17% of cities globally have acceptable air quality. Regional Disparities in India: North India: Most pollut...

1. Smart Governance & Data-Driven Approaches Mumbai’s Air Quality Forecasting: Tool: SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research) + IITM Feature: Predicts AQI 2–3 days in advance Impact: Enables proactive measures (e.g., halt construc...

1. What is Stubble Burning? Definition: Burning of crop residue (straw/stubble) after harvest Primary Regions: Punjab, Haryana, Western UP (now also Madhya Pradesh) Crops Involved: Rice-wheat cropping system (Green Revolution legacy) Reason: Short window ...

1. Scale of the Problem Daily Waste Generation: 145,000 tons (14,500 truckloads) Collection & Processing: 79% (115,000 tons/day) Untreated Waste: 30,000 tons/day → dumped, burned, or rotting Legacy Waste: Millions of tons accumulated in landfills over dec...

1. Overview Founder: Wilma Rodrigues (former journalist and tour guide) Origin: Started as an NGO in 2001, later became a social enterprise Mission: Treat waste as a resource, not garbage Operational Cities: Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Goa 2. Operati...

1. Promising Models Across Indian Cities A. Swach Pune Cooperative Scale: 3000+ waste pickers Partnership: Pune Municipal Corporation (door-to-door collection) Impact: Regular income + social protection for workers High segregation and recycling rates ...

1. Why Measure Sustainability? Management Principle: “What gets measured gets managed” Accountability: Track progress, identify gaps, ensure transparency Complexity: Must capture environmental, social, economic, and ethical dimensions Critical Questions: ...