QUESTION 11
GS3
12.5 marks
Give an account of the current status and targets to be achieved pertaining to renewable energy sources in the country. Discuss briefly the importance of the National Programme on Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).
WRITE IN
9 min
200 words
What the examiner wants
Describe India's renewable energy status and targets and explain why the national LED programme matters.
Give an account... DiscussAnswer exactly what the question asks.
Demand-wise check
- 1Targets: 175 GW by 2022 (100 solar, 60 wind, 10 biomass, 5 small hydro); 500 GW non-fossil by 2030; net zero by 2070≈35 words
- 2Status: rapid solar growth; 50% non-fossil installed capacity reached in 2025≈35 words
- 3LED programme (UJALA, Street Lighting): energy savings, lower peak demand, reduced bills and emissions, lower LED prices through bulk procurement≈35 words
- 4Challenges: storage, grid integration, DISCOM finances≈35 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
TargetsStatusChallengesLED programme importanceConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Skipping the LED part
- Old targets without status
Draw this
- Bar chart: 2022 target by source vs achieved
Value addition
- SchemeUJALA (2015) distributed about 36 crore LED bulbs through EESL.EESL
- TargetIndia announced 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030 and net zero by 2070 at COP26.COP26, 2021
- UpdateIndia reached 50% of installed power capacity from non-fossil sources in 2025, five years ahead of its NDC goal.Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, 2025
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 17 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aniket Ranjan · AIR 48 · Page 15 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 41 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aniket Ranjan · AIR 48 · Page 41 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 9 minutes, then get it checked.