MAINS Current Affairs includes El Niño May Reshape India’s Power Planning & Allahabad High Court Upholds Uniform Legal Marriage Age

Energy

1. El Niño May Reshape India’s Power Planning

Context: According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), India’s power sector may face greater stress than any other country due to the developing El Niño conditions. Reduced hydropower and wind generation combined with rising electricity demand may significantly alter India’s energy planning and transition strategy.

What is El Niño?

El Niño is a periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, leading to major disruptions in global weather patterns.

Mechanism

• Normally, trade winds push warm waters westward towards Asia.
• During El Niño, these trade winds weaken.
• Warm water shifts eastward towards South America.
• This weakens atmospheric circulation patterns such as the Walker Circulation, affecting monsoon systems worldwide.

Impact of El Niño on India

• Weakens the Southwest Monsoon.
• Causes below-normal rainfall.
• Increases frequency of droughts.
• Raises temperatures and heatwave intensity.
• Reduces reservoir levels and hydropower generation.
• Increases irrigation and electricity demand.

CREA Findings: Why is India’s Power Sector Vulnerable?

1. Weak Monsoon and Reduced Renewable Generation

The IMD has forecast:

• Southwest monsoon rainfall at only 90% of Long Period Average (LPA).
• Nearly 60% probability of deficient monsoon conditions.

Lower rainfall directly impacts:

Hydropower Generation

• Reduced inflow into reservoirs lowers electricity generation capacity.
• Hydropower, which normally acts as flexible peaking power, becomes less reliable.

Wind Power Generation

• Weak monsoon circulation also reduces wind speeds, particularly during peak monsoon months.
• This lowers electricity production from wind farms.

2. Rising Electricity Demand

El Niño years are generally associated with:

• Higher temperatures
• Longer heatwaves
• Increased humidity

This results in:

• Massive increase in air-conditioner usage.
• Higher electricity consumption in households and industries.
• Increase in peak demand during summer months.

3. Emergence of Power Generation Gap

CREA estimates that India could face:

• A generation deficit of approximately 18 TWh (Terawatt Hours) between 2026 and 2027.

This deficit may emerge due to:

• Reduced hydro generation.
• Reduced wind power generation.
• Rising cooling demand.

4. Greater Dependence on Coal

The immediate response to power shortages would likely be increased operation of coal plants.

Consequences include:

• Additional 17 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
• Increased air pollution.
• Slower progress towards climate targets.
• Greater dependence on fossil fuels.

5.Solar Remains Stable: Unlike hydropower and wind, solar generation is expected to remain largely stable during El Niño conditions, reinforcing its growing role in India’s energy transition.

Electricity Generation Capacity of India

• In 2025,total electricity generation increased by 1%, coal generated electricity declined by 4% and renewable electricity generation grew by 22%.
  • As of March 2026, non-fossil installed capacity reached 283.46 GW — 150.26 GW of solar, 56.09 GW of wind, 51.41 GW of large hydro and 8.78 GW of nuclear.
  • 6 GW of solar and 6 GW of wind were added in 2025-26.
  • Coal remains the largest single source of power,at about 42% of installed capacity, though coal generation fell 3.69% over the year.
• Grid operators curtailed around 2.1 TWh of solar and wind generationlast year to keep coal fired plants operating because of limited system flexibility.
  • Deploying just 10 gigawatt hours (GWh) of battery storage could have absorbed that surplus renewable electricity and shifted it to evening peak demand, reducing reliance on coal.
• It is desirable that India must move much faster on batteries and grid upgrades so that clean energy can meet future demand surges.

Energy Storage

• Energy storage refers to systems that can store excess renewable electricityduring periods of high generation and discharge it when demand rises but power generation remains low.
• Energy storage systemsconvert electricity from renewable sources such as solar and wind, when it is available, into forms that can be stored. 
• Later, it converts these back into electricity when need arises.

Major Energy Storage Technologies

1. Pumped Hydro Storage (PHS)

Working:

• Excess electricity pumps water to an upper reservoir.
• During peak demand, water is released downward to generate electricity.

Advantages:

• Mature technology.
• Large storage capacity.
• Long operational life.

2. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

Working:

• Stores electricity chemically and discharges when needed.

Major Technology:

• Lithium-ion batteries.
• Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries.

Advantages:

• Fast response.
• High efficiency.
• Suitable for grid balancing.

3. Concentrated Solar Thermal Storage

• Uses mirrors to concentrate sunlight.
• Stores heat in molten salts for later electricity generation.

4. Compressed Air Energy Storage

• Stores compressed air underground and releases it to generate electricity.

5. Flywheel Storage

• Stores electricity as kinetic energy in high-speed rotating wheels.

6. Gravity-Based Storage

• Uses electricity to lift heavy weights and generates electricity when they descend.

India’s Energy Storage Capacity

• The government is primarily focusing on the two major systems above: PHS and BESS.
• At present, India has aninstalled BESS capacity of around 0.27 GW. 
• PHS capacity stands at about2 GW. There are plans, however, for a massive scale-up over the next decade.
• A Central Electricity Authority (CEA) plan projects the country’s total energy storage capacity to reach 174 GW/888 gigawatt hours by 2035-36. 
  • This includes80 GW/321 GWh of BESS and 94 GW/567 GWh of PHS.

Way Forward

• Accelerate Battery Storage Deployment
  • Storage should become the fourth pillar of the power sector alongside generation, transmission and distribution.
• Modernize Transmission Infrastructure
  • Develop smart grids and inter-state transmission corridors.
• Improve Demand Forecasting
  • Use AI and climate modelling to predict weather-driven demand shocks.
• Promote Distributed Solar
  • Rooftop solar and decentralized generation reduce pressure on grids.
• Reduce Dependence on Coal
  • Flexible renewable systems with storage can gradually replace coal peaking plants.

Conclusion

The emerging 2026–27 El Niño is not merely a meteorological event but a stress test for India’s energy system. As climate variability increasingly influences both electricity demand and renewable generation, India’s future power planning must move beyond capacity addition towards energy storage, grid flexibility and climate resilience to ensure reliable and sustainable energy security.

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

2. Allahabad High Court Upholds Uniform Legal Marriage Age

Context: Recently, the Allahabad High Court ruled that no personal law or religious custom can override the provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. The judgment reaffirmed that the legally prescribed age of marriage applies uniformly to all citizens irrespective of religion or personal law.

Background of the Issue

The case revolved around the conflict between:

• Statutory law enacted by Parliament, which prohibits child marriage; and
• Certain interpretations of personal laws, particularly under Muslim personal law, which consider marriage permissible after attaining puberty (generally presumed at 15 years of age).

The Court clarified that in matters concerning child rights and protection, Parliamentary laws take precedence over personal laws.

Key Observations of the Allahabad High Court

1. Prohibition of Child Marriage Act Has Universal Application

The Court observed that:

• The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 is a secular legislation applicable to every citizen of India irrespective of religion.
• The minimum legal age of marriage cannot differ according to personal laws or religious customs.
• Parliament enacted the law to protect children and promote their welfare, making it universally binding.

Therefore:

• Marriage below the prescribed age is illegal regardless of religious affiliation.

2. Personal Laws Cannot Override Parliamentary Legislation

The Court held that:

• Religious customs and personal laws cannot supersede laws passed by Parliament.
• Once Parliament legislates on matters involving public welfare and child protection, those provisions become binding on all citizens.

The judgment reinforces the constitutional principle that:

Statutory laws enacted in public interest prevail over personal laws when conflicts arise.

3. Child Marriage and POCSO Are Closely Linked

The Court highlighted the relationship between:

• PCMA, 2006, and
• POCSO Act, 2012.

Under POCSO:

• Every person below 18 years of age is considered a child.
• Any sexual activity involving a child constitutes an offence irrespective of consent or marital status.

Thus:

• Even if a child marriage takes place under personal law, sexual relations with a spouse below 18 years may attract criminal liability under POCSO.

4. Protection of Children Overrides Consent

The Court emphasized that:

• A minor cannot legally provide valid consent for marriage or sexual relations.
• Child protection laws are intended to safeguard children from exploitation and abuse.

Therefore:

• The issue is not merely about marriage validity but also about protection of childhood, health and dignity.

Legal Framework

• Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006: The Act clearly states that a “child” is a male under 21 years or female under 18 years. Child marriage involves either party being a child.
• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012: It defines a child as any person under 18 years of age.
• Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937: It dictates that matters concerning marriage, dower, divorce, and inheritance among Muslims are governed by Islamic personal law (Shariat).
  • Under traditional Muslim personal law, a boy or a girl who has attained puberty( presumed at 15 years of age) is considered competent and legally eligible to enter into a contract of marriage.

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 14:The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.
• Article 15(3)empowers the State to create special provisions for women and children.
• Article 21:No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.
• Article 44:The state shall endeavor to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.

Significance of the Judgment

• Strengthens Child Protection Laws:The ruling reinforces that child protection statutes have overriding authority over personal practices permitting early marriage.
• Gender Equality:The judgment will promote women empowerment by preventing child marriages, ensuring greater access to education and strengthening women’s autonomy, dignity, and decision-making capacity.

What are the Concerns?

• Conflict with Personal Laws: The decision overriding personal laws raises questions about religious autonomy under Article 25 of the Constitution.
• Implementation Challenges:Despite legal prohibition, child marriage continues due to social customs, poverty, lack of education, and gender inequality.

Way Forward

• Strengthen Enforcement
  • Strict implementation of PCMA and POCSO provisions is essential.
• Promote Girls’ Education
  • Education remains the most effective deterrent against child marriage.
• Economic Empowerment
  • Providing livelihood opportunities and financial security to families can reduce incentives for early marriage.
• Community Awareness
  • Religious leaders, Panchayats, schools and civil society organizations should participate in awareness campaigns.
• Harmonising Personal Laws and Constitutional Values
  • A balanced approach should ensure that:
• Religious freedoms are respected, while
• Child rights, dignity and equality remain paramount.

Conclusion

The Allahabad High Court judgment represents a significant reaffirmation of the principle that child protection, dignity and constitutional rights must prevail over personal laws and social customs. By upholding a uniform legal age of marriage, the Court strengthens the foundations of gender justice, child welfare and constitutional morality, while moving India closer towards a society where every child enjoys the right to education, health, safety and informed life choices.

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