The Big Story
3 Feb. 2026
By Shaswata Kundu Chaudhuri
15 Jan. 2026
By M Rajshekhar and Archana Chaudhary
Latest Stories
Africa Records Fastest Year of Solar Growth as Installation Rises
A new report by Global Solar Council (GSC) found that Africa recorded its fastest year of solar growth in 2025, with installations rising by 54% year-on-year. The growth was attributed to two parallel solar transitions, utility-scale projects funded mainly by public and development finance, and rapidly expanding privately financed rooftop and distributed systems.
The Role of Households in India’s Energy Transition
India’s energy transition has reached an inflection point. For over a decade, policy, investment, and public discourse have been dominated by the supply side: adding renewable capacity, mobilising finance, driving down solar and wind costs, and meeting ambitious national targets. That strategy has delivered results. Renewable energy capacity has crossed 200GW , tariffs have fallen to historic lows, and clean electricity is no longer a technological or financial stretch goal.
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Over-use of CDR in Climate Targets Risks Breaching 1.5°C Limit: Study
A new study by University of Oxford researchers stated that countries relying heavily on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) to reach their national climate targets risk breaching the 1.5°C limit and international legal obligations. The CDR process involves deliberate, human-led actions to remove CO2 directly from the atmosphere and store it on a geological sphere.
Budget 2026: Strong Fiscal Signals, Fragmented Support for India’s Energy Transition
Against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty, the Union Budget 2026 underscores the government’s continued emphasis on fiscal discipline. The government has committed to reducing the fiscal deficit to 4.4% of GDP in FY2026-27 and further to 4.3% in FY2027, while continuing to lower the debt-to-GDP ratio, estimated at 55.6% in the coming fiscal year. This emphasis on fiscal consolidation is critical for maintaining investor confidence and long-term macroeconomic stability.
India-EU FTA will cut tariffs on European cars, EVs to benefit by 2032
The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union (EU) is a boon for buyers interested in scooping up European-made cars. According to the FTA, import tariffs on cars manufactured in Europe will reduce from as high as 110% to as low as 10%, according to reports. The number of cars which can be sold under the FTA, however, has been capped to 250,000 vehicles.
Solar power allocation up 32% at ₹30,539 crore
The budget allocation for the solar sector increased from ₹24,200 crore (~$2.64 billion) in 2025 to ₹30,539.36 crore (~$3.33 billion) this year. The outlay for the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) programme has gone up from ₹26 billion (~$283.57 million) last year to ₹50 billion (~$545.33 million) in Budget 2026. The flagship PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana continues to dominate the allocations, with spending set to rise from ₹200 billion (~$2.18 billion) to ₹220 billion (~$2.39), Mercom reported. Out of ₹30,539.36 crore outlay, ₹1,775 crore was allocated for the solar power grid in 2027 against 1000 crore marking 77.5% rise, reported ET.
