QS World University Rankings

Context:

• India Shines in QS World University Rankings: Asia (2025)
• 07 Indian Institutes in Top 100

More info:

• The QS World University Rankings: Asia 2025 reflect the dynamic landscape of higher education across the continent, spotlighting the top institutions excelling in academic and research excellence, innovation, and internationalization.
• This year’s rankings emphasize the growing competition among Asian universities and showcase the region’s commitment to advancing global educational standards.
• This edition highlights India’s impressive upward trajectory in higher education across the continent.
• India boasts two institutions within the top 50 and seven in the top 100 of the QS Asia Rankings 2025, with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) leading at 44th place.
• The University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) achieved the most significant improvement among Indian institutions, climbing 70 spots to 148th, driven by notable advancements in nine of the 11 ranking metrics, especially in International Research Network, Citations per Paper, and Papers per Faculty.
• India’s strongest average indicator scores are in Papers per Faculty and Staff with PhD.

Key Insights from QS World University Ranking: Asia 2025

• This ranking assesses 984 institutions covering 25 countries in Eastern, Southern, South-Eastern and Central Asia.
• The QS World University Rankings: Asia 2025 allows institutions and students to make direct comparisons on institutional performance within their region, with a more granular approach to metrics.
• India stands out with the highest number of institutes in the latest rankings, showcasing a diverse array of both emerging and well-established universities.
• The Indian education sector has made impressive strides, both globally and within Asia, as evidenced by the QS World University Rankings 2025.
• India earlier saw the inclusion of 46 institutions in the 2025 edition compared to just 11 in 2015 edition showcasing a 318 per cent increase in last 10 years among G20 nations.
• This growth underscores India’s commitment to fostering academic excellence and enhancing global competitiveness.
• India’s educational landscape shines as a model of growth and resilience at Asia level also with two institutions in the top 50 and seven in the top 100 in Asia region.
• Led by the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD), ranked 44th, India showcases strengths in key areas such as “Papers per Faculty” and “Staff with PhD,” underlining its dedication to quality education and impactful research.
• This achievement emphasizes India’s ability to balance research productivity with high-caliber teaching, establishing it as a formidable competitor among global education powerhouses and solidifying its reputation as an emerging hub for higher learning in Asia.

About QS World University Rankings:

• The QS World University Rankings is a portfolio of comparative college and university rankings compiled by Quacquarelli Symonds, a higher education analytics firm.
• The QS World University Rankings are released annually, typically in June.
• The rankings are based on a methodology that considers a range of factors, including academic reputation, faculty/student ratio, citations/faculty, employer reputation, sustainability, research impact, and internationalization.
• The methodology is reviewed annually to ensure that it remains relevant and up-to-date.

UPSC Prelims PYQ (2019):                        

Which one of the following is not a sub-index of the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index?

• Maintenance of law and order
• Paying taxes
• Registering property
• Dealing with construction permits

Ans: (a)

India’s Renewable Energy Capacity Hits New Milestone

Renewable energy now constitutes more than 46.3% of total capacity

Introduction:

• India has reached a significant milestone in its renewable energy journey, with the country’s total renewable energy capacity crossing the 200 GW (gigawatt).
• This remarkable growth aligns with the country’s ambitious renewable energy target of achieving 500 GW from non-fossil sources by 2030.
• According to the Central Electricity Authority, the total renewable energy-based electricity generation capacity now stands at 203.18 GW.
• This achievement underscores India’s growing commitment to clean energy and its progress in building a greener future.
• India’s total renewable energy installed capacity surged by an impressive 24.2 GW (13.5%) in just one year, reaching 203.18 GW in October 2024, up from 178.98 GW in October 2023.
• Additionally, when including nuclear energy, India’s total non-fossil fuel capacity rose to 211.36 GW in 2024, compared to 186.46 GW in 2023.
• This milestone reflects the result of years of dedicated efforts to harness India’s natural resources.
• From sprawling solar parks to wind farms and hydroelectric projects, the country has steadily built a diverse renewable energy base.
• These initiatives have not only reduced reliance on fossil fuels but also strengthened the nation’s energy security.
• When factoring in the 8,180 MW (megawatt) of nuclear capacity, the total non-fossil fuel-based power now accounts for almost half of the country’s installed electricity generation capacity, signalling a strong move toward clean energy leadership on the global stage.

Overview of India’s Renewable Energy Landscape:      

• India’s total electricity generation capacity has reached 452.69 GW, with renewable energy contributing a significant portion of the overall power mix.
• As of October 2024, renewable energy-based electricity generation capacity stands at 203.18 GW, accounting for more than 46.3 percent of the country’s total installed capacity.
• This marks a major shift in India’s energy landscape, reflecting the country’s growing reliance on cleaner, non-fossil fuel-based energy sources.
• A variety of renewable energy resources contribute to this impressive figure.
• Solar power leads the way with 92.12 GW, playing a crucial role in India’s efforts to harness its abundant sunlight.
• Wind power follows closely with 47.72 GW, driven by the vast potential of the coastal and inland wind corridors across the country.
• Hydroelectric power is another key contributor, with large hydro projects generating 46.93 GW and small hydro power adding 5.07 GW, offering a reliable and sustainable source of energy from India’s rivers and water systems.
• Biopower, including biomass and biogas energy, adds another 11.32 GW to the renewable energy mix.
• These bioenergy projects are vital for utilizing agricultural waste and other organic materials to generate power, further diversifying India’s clean energy sources.
• Together, these renewable resources are helping the country reduce its dependence on traditional fossil fuels, while driving progress toward a more sustainable and resilient energy future.

Powering the Future: Renewable Energy Sparks a Surge in Job Opportunities

• In 2023, India’s renewable energy sector reached a significant milestone, with an estimated 1.02 million jobs created, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) 2024 Annual Review.
• The global renewable energy workforce expanded to 16.2 million in 2023, up from 13.7 million in 2022, with India playing a significant role in this growth.
• The report, created in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), underscores India’s increasing leadership in clean energy and its commitment to generating green jobs that fuel economic growth.
• Hydropower emerged as the largest employer within the sector, providing around 453,000 jobs, which accounted for 20% of the global total, second only to China.
• The solar photovoltaic (PV) sector followed closely, employing approximately 318,600 people across both on-grid and off-grid systems.
• In 2023, India added 9.7 GW of solar PV capacity, ranking fifth globally for new installations and cumulative capacity, which reached 72.7 GW by the end of the year.
• The wind sector employed about 52,200 people, with nearly 40% of these jobs in operations and maintenance and 35% in construction and installation.
• Other renewable energy subsectors also contributed to job creation, with liquid biofuels providing 35,000 jobs, solid biomass contributing 58,000 jobs, and biogas generating 85,000 jobs.
• Additionally, the solar heating and cooling sector employed 17,000 people, highlighting the diverse and expanding employment opportunities within India’s renewable energy industry.

India Rising to Global Commitments:

• India’s commitment to addressing climate change is reflected in its enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, incorporating the five elements outlined at COP26 in Glasgow.
• These efforts align with the principles of equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), considering national circumstances.
• As part of the updated NDC submitted to the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) in August 2022, India has committed to reducing its emissions intensity by 45% by 2030 (compared to 2005 levels), achieving 50% of cumulative electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, and promoting a sustainable way of living through the ‘LIFE’ (Lifestyle for Environment) movement.
• These targets also contribute to India’s long-term goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2070, supported by the ‘Long-term Low Carbon Development Strategy’ submitted to the UNFCCC in November 2022.

Leading States in Renewable Energy Capacity: 

• Several states in India have emerged as leaders in renewable energy capacity, contributing significantly to the nation’s progress.
• Rajasthan tops the list with an impressive 29.98 GW of installed renewable energy capacity, benefiting from its vast land and abundant sunlight.
• Following closely is Gujarat, which boasts a capacity of 29.52 GW, driven by its strong focus on solar and wind energy projects.
• Tamil Nadu ranks third with 23.70 GW, leveraging its favourable wind patterns to generate substantial energy.
• Karnataka rounds out the top four with a capacity of 22.37 GW, supported by a mix of solar and wind initiatives.
• Together, these states play a crucial role in advancing India’s renewable energy goals and establishing a more sustainable energy future.

Conclusion:                                                                                                         

• India’s renewable energy journey has reached a significant milestone, marked by the impressive achievement of over 200 GW of installed capacity.
• This accomplishment is a testament to the nation’s commitment to a sustainable energy future, driven by a diverse array of renewable sources, including solar, wind, hydro, and bioenergy.
• The proactive initiatives such as the National Green Hydrogen Mission, PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar, and the PLI schemes for solar PV modules underscore the government’s strategic focus on enhancing energy generation capacity while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
• With ambitious targets set for the future, including a goal of 500 GW from non-fossil sources by 2030, India is well- positioned to emerge as a global leader in renewable energy, contributing to environmental sustainability and energy security.
• These ongoing efforts reflect a holistic approach to building a greener economy, ensuring that India not only meets its energy needs but also addresses the pressing challenges of climate change and resource conservation.

FPI and FDI

Context:

• RBI announces rules to reclassify FPI investment as FDI once it crosses 10% holding in Indian firms

News:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in consultation with the Government of India and the Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI), finalised rules for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) whose investments would be reclassified as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) the moment it breaches the 10% stake threshold in an Indian company, under the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) Rules, 2019.

More info:

• Investment made by foreign portfolio investor along with its investor group (referred to as ‘FPI’) shall be less than 10% of the total paid-up equity capital on a fully diluted basis.
• Further, FPI investing in breach of the prescribed limit shall have the option of divesting their holdings or reclassifying such holdings as FDI,” the RBI said in a circular.
• These directions have become operative with immediate effect.
• “This is to further enhance the ease of doing business in India,” the RBI said.

UPSC Prelims PYQ (2020):

With reference to Foreign Direct Investment in India, which one of the following is considered its major characteristic?

• It is the investment through capital instruments essentially in a listed company.
• It is a largely non-debt creating capital flow.
• It is an investment which involves debt-servicing.
• It is the investment made by foreign institutional investors in the Government securities.

Ans: (b)

UPSC Mains PYQ (2016):

• Justify the need for FDI for the development of the Indian economy. Why is there a gap between MoUs signed and actual FDIs? Suggest remedial steps to be taken for increasing actual FDIs in India.