Why in News
🗞️ Why in News India climbed to 70th rank in the World Economic Forum’s Energy Transition Index (ETI) 2026, with a score of 54.9, up two places. India was among the strongest improvers even as global energy-transition readiness dipped overall.
The ranking is a recurring international benchmark of how well countries are progressing from fossil-fuel-based energy systems toward secure, equitable and sustainable energy.
What is the Energy Transition Index?
The Energy Transition Index is published annually by the World Economic Forum (WEF). It assesses the energy systems of countries on two broad dimensions and produces a composite score and ranking.
How the Index is Built
| Component | Weight | What it Measures |
|---|---|---|
| System Performance | 60% | Outcomes across security, equity and sustainability |
| Transition Readiness | 40% | Enabling conditions: investment, regulation, infrastructure, innovation, human capital |
The “energy trilemma” of security, equity (affordability and access) and environmental sustainability lies at the heart of the System Performance pillar. A high score requires a system that is reliable, affordable and clean at once, which is a demanding balance.
India’s Performance
India’s rise to 70th place, with a score of 54.9, reflects steady gains driven by rapid renewable-energy deployment, expanding electricity access, and policy momentum. The report noted that India was among the strongest improvers in a year when many countries stagnated or slipped.
Drivers of India’s Improvement
- Large-scale solar and wind capacity additions.
- Near-universal household electricity access.
- Growth in green-energy employment, with renewable-energy jobs at around 1.3 million.
- Policy signals such as the push toward 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030 and net-zero by 2070.
| India: Key Figures | Value |
|---|---|
| ETI 2026 rank | 70th |
| ETI 2026 score | 54.9 |
| Movement | Up two places |
| Renewable-energy jobs | About 1.3 million |
| Non-fossil capacity target | 500 GW by 2030 |
| Net-zero target | 2070 |
Why the Global Readiness Dipped
The report flagged that overall global readiness fell, reflecting geopolitical fragmentation, higher capital costs, trade frictions in clean-tech supply chains, and energy-security anxieties that pushed some countries back toward fossil fuels. Against this backdrop, India’s continued improvement stands out.
Analysis and Way Forward
India’s challenge is to sustain momentum while closing the readiness gap, particularly on the financing, grid-modernisation and storage fronts. Rapid renewable additions strain the grid unless matched by transmission upgrades and storage, the bottleneck that ties this story to advances such as cheap zinc-ion batteries. Equity gains in access must now translate into affordability and reliability, and the transition must be “just,” cushioning workers and regions dependent on coal. The way forward lies in scaling green finance, modernising the grid, expanding storage, and ensuring the social dimension of the transition is not neglected.
UPSC Relevance
- GS3 (Environment / Energy): conservation, environmental pollution, and India’s clean-energy transition.
- Prelims: ETI publisher (WEF), its two pillars and weights, India’s rank and score, the energy trilemma.
- Mains: Evaluate India’s progress on the energy transition against the trilemma of security, equity and sustainability.
Facts Corner
📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia
- The Energy Transition Index (ETI) is published annually by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
- India ranks 70th in ETI 2026 with a score of 54.9, up two places, among the strongest improvers.
- The ETI weights System Performance at 60% and Transition Readiness at 40%.
- The System Performance pillar reflects the energy trilemma: security, equity and sustainability.
- India’s renewable-energy jobs stand at around 1.3 million; targets are 500 GW non-fossil by 2030 and net-zero by 2070.
Sources: World Economic Forum, The Hindu, LiveMint
Source: WEF Energy Transition Index 2026: India Climbs to 70th — Ujiyari.com | Free UPSC & State PCS Current Affairs
