MAINS Current Affairs includes WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies & Hydrogen Trains in India: A Green Transition or a Technological Experiment

ECONOMY

1. WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

Context: India has deposited its Instrument of Acceptance of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, becoming the 123rd WTO Member to formally accept the Agreement.

India’s acceptance reflects its commitment to sustainable fisheries, marine biodiversity conservation, responsible ocean governance and a rules-based multilateral trading system, while safeguarding the interests of millions of traditional and small-scale fishers.

WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

• The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies is the first multilateral agreement in the history of the WTO with an explicit environmental sustainability objective.
• It seeks to regulate harmful fisheries subsidies that contribute to overfishing, depletion of marine resources and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
• The Agreement was adopted by consensus during the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) held in Geneva in June 2022 and entered into force on 15 September 2025 after receiving acceptance from two-thirds of WTO Members.
• It represents a major step in integrating international trade rules with sustainable development and ocean conservation.

Objectives of the Agreement

• To eliminate subsidies that encourage Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
• To discourage subsidies contributing to the overfishing of depleted fish stocks.
• For the sustainable use and long-term conservation of marine resources.
• To establish a rules-based global fisheries governance framework.
• Scope of Agreement:The Agreement covers marine wild capture fisheries and fishing-related activities conducted at sea.
• Itexcludes aquaculture and inland fisheries.

Why is India’s Acceptance Significant?

1. Protection of Small-Scale and Traditional Fishers

• India’s fisheries sector is fundamentally different from many developed countries.
• Unlike industrial fishing nations that operate large distant-water fishing fleets, India’s fisheries are dominated by:
• Traditional fishers;
• Artisanal fishing communities; and
• Small-scale coastal fishermen.
• The Agreement primarily targets harmful subsidies encouraging industrial-scale fishing rather than sustainable small-scale fishing.
• Consequently, India’s acceptance helps protect the livelihoods of millions of traditional fishers while promoting equitable global fisheries governance.

2. Supports Sustainable Fisheries
   • India’s acceptance aligns closely with its commitments under:

• Blue Economy initiatives; and
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 – Life Below Water.
  • The Agreement encourages:
• Sustainable harvesting;
• Conservation of marine biodiversity;
• Responsible fisheries management; and
• Long-term protection of fish stocks.

These measures contribute to healthier marine ecosystems.

3. Enhances India’s Seafood Export Competitiveness

Global seafood markets increasingly demand:

• Sustainable sourcing;
• Traceability;
• Environment-friendly production; and
• Responsible fishing practices.

India’s participation enhances its international credibility as a responsible seafood exporter.

This is expected to:

• Improve access to premium export markets;
• Increase confidence among importing countries; and
• Strengthen India’s export reputation.

Importantly, the Agreement is unlikely to adversely affect India’s export competitiveness because India’s seafood exports are largely aquaculture-based, which lies outside the Agreement’s scope.

4. Strengthens India’s Position in Global Trade

India’s acceptance demonstrates its commitment to:

• Rules-based multilateral trade;
• Sustainable development;
• Responsible ocean governance; and
• International environmental cooperation.

This strengthens India’s role as a responsible stakeholder in global economic governance.

Fisheries Management System in India

• Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025: It provides for fishing in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)and promotes sustainable harvesting practices.
• Guidelines for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas (2025): It regulates the functioning of vessels flying the Indian flag in international waters, and promotes responsible fishing.
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): It aims at capacity building, infrastructure development, sustainable fisheries, fisheries value chains and welfare of fishers.
• These measures ensure marine conservation and maintain sufficient policy space for traditional and small-scale fishers.

Benefits for India

• Economic:Increased market access; improved export reputation; and continued competitiveness of prawn exports.
• Environmental: Decreased pressure on marine ecosystems; conservation of fish stocks; and improved marine governance.
• Social:Livelihoods, support to coastal communities, equitable resource use.
• Strategic: Supports India’s commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system; and shows leadership in sustainable ocean governance.

Challenges Ahead

1. Monitoring Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing

• Effective implementation requires robust systems to detect and prevent IUU fishing.
• Strengthening surveillance and enforcement mechanisms remains a major challenge.

2. Surveillance of India’s EEZ

• India possesses an extensive coastline and a vast Exclusive Economic Zone.
• Continuous monitoring of fishing activities through satellite surveillance, vessel tracking and digital monitoring systems requires substantial institutional capacity.

3. Balancing Conservation with Livelihoods

• While conservation measures are essential, they should not adversely affect the livelihoods of traditional and small-scale fishing communities.
• A balanced policy approach is necessary.

4. Supporting Small Fishers

• Small and artisanal fishers require:

• Financial assistance;
• Alternative livelihood support;
• Skill development;
• Technology adoption; and
• Market access

to adapt successfully to evolving fisheries regulations.

5. Pending WTO Negotiations

• The present Agreement addresses only a part of the broader fisheries subsidy issue.
• Negotiations continue regarding disciplines on:
• Fisheries overcapacity;
• Overfishing subsidies; and
• Other forms of fisheries support.

India will need to safeguard its developmental and livelihood interests during these future negotiations.

Way Forward

• India should strengthen scientific fisheries management through enhanced surveillance of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), adoption of digital vessel monitoring systems and effective action against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
• Greater investment is needed in sustainable fishing practices, marine conservation, traceability systems and value-chain infrastructure to improve export competitiveness.
• At the same time, policy support must continue for traditional and small-scale fishers through capacity building, financial assistance, social security and alternative livelihood opportunities.
• India should also actively engage in ongoing WTO negotiations to ensure that future fisheries subsidy rules balance environmental sustainability, food security, livelihood protection and the developmental needs of developing countries, while advancing the vision of a sustainable Blue Economy.

Conclusion

The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies marks a historic milestone by integrating international trade with environmental sustainability. India’s acceptance reflects its commitment to responsible fisheries governance, conservation of marine biodiversity and sustainable utilisation of ocean resources.

By protecting the interests of traditional fishers while promoting sustainable fishing practices and strengthening global trade credibility, the Agreement supports India’s broader objectives of Blue Economy development, SDG 14 (Life Below Water), inclusive coastal livelihoods and a rules-based multilateral trading system.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2. Hydrogen Trains in India: A Green Transition or a Technological Experiment

Context: India recently entered a new phase in sustainable rail transport with the flagging off of its first hydrogen-powered passenger train at Jind Railway Station, Haryana. With this, India became the third country after Germany and China to introduce hydrogen trains in commercial passenger service.

The initiative is part of Indian Railways’ decarbonisation strategy and aligns with the National Green Hydrogen Mission, aiming to reduce dependence on fossil fuels while promoting indigenous clean-energy technologies.

However, the project has also sparked debate regarding the economic viability, technological suitability and long-term role of hydrogen in India’s already highly electrified railway network.

What is a Hydrogen Train?

A hydrogen train is a railway system powered by hydrogen fuel-cell technology instead of diesel.

Unlike conventional diesel locomotives, hydrogen trains generate electricity onboard by converting hydrogen into electrical energy through fuel cells.

How Does a Hydrogen Train Work?

The propulsion system functions through the following process:

• Hydrogen stored in onboard tanks is supplied to a fuel-cell stack.
• Inside the fuel cell, hydrogen reacts chemically with oxygen from the atmosphere.
• This electrochemical reaction produces:
  • Electricity,
  • Water vapour, and
• The electricity powers electric traction motors that drive the train.
• Rechargeable batteries provide additional power during acceleration and store energy recovered through regenerative braking.

The only direct emission from hydrogen fuel cells is water vapour, making hydrogen trains environmentally cleaner at the point of use.

Hydrogen: An Energy Carrier, not a Fuel

It is important to note that hydrogen is an energy carrier rather than a primary energy source.

Unlike coal, petroleum or natural gas, hydrogen does not exist freely in nature in usable quantities.

It must first be produced using processes such as:

• Electrolysis of water;
• Natural gas reforming; or
• Biomass conversion.

Therefore, the environmental benefits of hydrogen depend largely on how it is produced.

Global Experience with Hydrogen Rail

• Across the world, hydrogen trains are mainly for regional lines without electrificationwhere electrification is not economically feasible.
• Germanyled the way with commercial hydrogen rail (Alstom Coradia iLint, 2022).
  • But many operators have since moved to battery-electric trains because of fuel-cell degradation, maintenance difficulties, hydrogen supply issues and operational costs.
• Chinahas introduced hydrogen trains on selected routes.
• Countries such as Japan, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Statescontinue to operate mostly pilot or demonstration projects while assessing long-term viability.

India’s First Hydrogen Train Project

• Indian Railways is set to launch hydrogen-powered trains as part of its decarbonisation strategy.
• The first prototype is being trialled on the Jind-Sonipat sectionof the Northern Railway.
• India has announced plans to build 35 ‘Hydrogen for Heritage’trains for eight narrow-gauge and metre-gauge heritage routes, where conventional electrification may be environmentally undesirable.
• The project aims to build expertise in hydrogen propulsion, safety, storage and maintenance, while supporting the objectives of theNational Green Hydrogen Mission.

Significance of Hydrogen Trains

• Environmental Benefits:At the point of use, fuel cells emit only water vapour, reducing local air pollution and dependence on diesel.
• Technological Capability:Indigenous development of propulsion and control systems strengthens India’s railway manufacturing eco-system and supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
• Energy Diversification:Hydrogen offers a different clean-energy route for transport, cutting long-term reliance on fossil fuels.
• Strategic Learning: Operational experience from the prototype will help Indian Railways build expertise in hydrogen storage, safety procedures, maintenance and system integration.

Issues and Concerns

1. Questionable Route Selection

• Globally, hydrogen trains are generally introduced on non-electrified railway routes.
• However, India’s first hydrogen passenger train is being tested on the fully electrified Jind–Sonipat corridor.
• This raises questions regarding the appropriateness of route selection.

2. Infrastructure Challenges

Hydrogen deployment requires an entirely new ecosystem including:

• Hydrogen production facilities;
• Storage infrastructure;
• Compression systems;
• Transportation networks; and
• Refuelling stations.

Establishing this infrastructure across multiple heritage routes will require significant investment.

3. Low Energy Efficiency

Hydrogen undergoes multiple energy-intensive stages before it powers a train.

These include:

• Hydrogen production;
• Compression or liquefaction;
• Transportation;
• Storage; and
• Reconversion into electricity.

Each stage results in energy losses, making hydrogen considerably less energy-efficient than direct battery-electric systems.

4. Green Hydrogen Constraints

• Currently, more than 95% of global hydrogen production comes from natural gas, resulting in significant carbon emissions.
• Green hydrogen produced through renewable-energy-based electrolysis remains considerably more expensive.
• Thus, hydrogen trains can become truly environmentally sustainable only if powered by affordable green hydrogen.

5. Slow Progress

• Despite an allocation of approximately ₹2,800 crore for hydrogen train development, deployment of hydrogen-powered heritage trains has progressed relatively slowly.
• Questions remain regarding scalability and commercial viability.

Is Hydrogen the Best Green Fuel for Railways?

• Hydrogen is not always the best solution for rail transportespecially where railway electrification is already in place.
• Indian Railways has electrified more than 99% of its routes, which reduces the need for hydrogen on main line corridors.
• Battery-electric trainsare more energy efficient, have lower operating costs and simpler infrastructure for short and medium-distance routes.
• However, hydrogen still holds promise for use in applications where batteries are not practical, such as steel and fertilizer production, long-distance shipping and possibly aviation.
• Therefore, hydrogen should be seen as a complementary technologyand not as a universal replacement for railway electrification.

Way Forward

Hydrogen train deployment should primarily focus on non-electrified and heritage railway routes where conventional electrification is either environmentally sensitive or economically unviable.

India must simultaneously expand green hydrogen production using renewable energy to maximise the environmental benefits of hydrogen-based transportation.

Before large-scale deployment, comprehensive cost-benefit analysis, lifecycle assessment and operational evaluation should be undertaken to determine economic feasibility.

Wherever technically feasible, battery-electric trains should continue to be preferred for regional passenger services due to their higher energy efficiency and lower operational costs.

The country should also strengthen indigenous capabilities in:

• Fuel-cell manufacturing;
• Hydrogen storage technologies;
• Safety standards;
• Refuelling infrastructure; and
• Railway system integration.

Finally, the Jind–Sonipat hydrogen train should be treated as a technology demonstrator, enabling evidence-based policymaking before nationwide expansion.

Conclusion

• India’s hydrogen train is an important technological milestone and augments domestic engineering capabilities.
  • International experience suggests, however, that hydrogen is not a universal solution for railways.
• Future expansion should be based on operational evidence and economic viability and sustainability rather than on technological enthusiasm alone.
• Indian Railways is exploring the deployment of hydrogen technology on heritage railways, including the Kalka–Shimla route,by leveraging the experience gained through the Jind–Sonipat Hydrogen Train project.

Download Pdf | Study Material | Downloads | Daily Quiz  | FREE Youtube Videos