Explain the key challenges for India’s energy security. What measures do you suggest for ensuring energy security along with economic growth and sustainability? (250 words)

Energy security means reliable, affordable, accessible and sustainable energy. India must expand supply while reducing vulnerability to imports and climate risks.

- Import dependence in crude oil, gas and critical minerals exposes the economy to price and geopolitical shocks. - Rising demand, peak-load stress, DISCOM losses and transmission bottlenecks constrain reliability. - Coal pollution, water stress and land conflicts create environmental costs. - Intermittency of renewables, storage gaps, technology dependence and uneven access complicate transition. - Cyber threats and extreme weather threaten energy infrastructure.

1. Diversify the portfolio through solar, wind, hydro, nuclear, sustainable biomass and cleaner coal with emissions controls. 2. Accelerate storage, green hydrogen, transmission corridors, smart grids and demand response. 3. Improve DISCOM finances, time-of-day tariffs, energy efficiency and building/industrial standards. 4. Build strategic petroleum reserves, long-term diversified contracts and domestic biofuel/EV ecosystems. 5. Support domestic R&D, recycling of batteries and critical-mineral partnerships while protecting communities.

A just transition should combine universal access, competitive markets, resilient infrastructure and a credible net-zero pathway; growth and sustainability are mutually reinforcing when energy productivity rises.

economy; inclusive development; public policy; India