MAINS Current Affairs includes Potential of Floating Solar Systems in India & Progress in India’s School Education System

Environment

1. Potential of Floating Solar Systems in India

Context: The recent approval of the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY) reflects the government’s efforts to promote land-neutral solar energy projects.

• The scheme focuses on expanding floating solar photovoltaic (FSPV) systems integrated with energy storage.

Background and Need

• India’s solar capacity has increased from around 3 GW in 2016 to more than 160 GW in 2026.
• Most of this growth has come through large utility-scale solar projects.
• However, availability of suitable land is becoming an increasing constraint because solar projects compete with:
  • Agriculture;
  • Urbanisation; and
  • Ecological conservation.
• This has increased the importance of land-neutral approaches such as floating solar systems.

Floating Solar Systems

• Floating solar involves installing solar panels on floating platforms placed over water bodies such as reservoirs and lakes.
• The floating platforms are anchored or moored to the reservoir bed or shoreline to maintain their position.
• Depending on the system design, inverters and other electrical equipment may be located on floating platforms or onshore.
• Electricity generated by the panels is transmitted to land through electrical cables.
• Since these systems do not require large tracts of land, reservoirs and other suitable water bodies offer significant deployment opportunities.

Benefits of Floating Solar

1. Land Conservation

• Floating solar reduces dependence on land for solar installations.
• This helps minimise competition between renewable-energy projects, agriculture, urban development and ecological conservation.

2. Water Conservation

• Solar panels provide partial surface coverage over reservoirs and can reduce evaporation losses.
• However, the extent of water savings depends on:
  • Percentage of water surface covered;
  • Local climate; and
  • Characteristics of the reservoir.

3. Higher Solar Efficiency

• Water surrounding the floating platforms can provide a cooling effect.
• Lower operating temperatures can improve the performance and efficiency of solar panels, particularly during hot weather.

India’s Progress

• NTPC Limited commissioned two major floating solar projects in 2022:
  • 100 MW Ramagundam Floating Solar Project – Telangana;
  • 92 MW Kayamkulam Floating Solar Project – Kerala.
• Another major project is the 600 MW Omkareshwar Floating Solar Park in Madhya Pradesh, of which 278 MW is currently operational according to the source.
• India currently has around 700 MW of floating solar capacity, while the estimated potential is around 102 GW, assuming only 20% of suitable reservoir area is utilised.

Challenges

• Weather-related vulnerability: Floating solar systems are exposed to extreme winds, waves, and rapidly changing water levels, making climate-resilient system design crucial.
• Cost:  Floating solar is generally more expensive than traditional ground-mounted solar because of the cost of floating platforms, anchoring systems, specialised electrical equipment, and installation.
• The inclusion of energy storage systems will further increase overall capital costs.
• Coordination among multiple institutions (including state agencies, municipal authorities, electricity utilities, water resources and irrigation departments, environmental authorities, and industries) is complex.

Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY)

• The Union Cabinet has approved the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY) with an outlay of ₹5,070 crore.
• It aims to accelerate the deployment of floating solar photovoltaic projects integrated with energy-storage systems.

Key Features

• Floating Solar Target: Development of 5,000 MW of floating solar capacity.
• Energy Storage: Creation of 10,000 MWh of co-located energy-storage capacity.
• Minimum Storage Duration: 2 hours.
• Project Sanction Period: Projects will be sanctioned between FY 2026–27 and FY 2030–31.
• Financial Assistance: Financial assistance will continue to be disbursed until FY 2032–33.
• Central Financial Assistance: The Centre will provide ₹1 crore per MW for eligible floating solar projects after successful commissioning.

Suggestions / Way Forward

• Ecological Screening: Ecologically sensitive water bodies should be carefully assessed before permitting floating solar projects.
• Protect Biodiversity: Special attention should be given to:
  • Bird habitats;
  • Fisheries;
  • Wetlands; and
  • Biodiversity-rich areas.
• Scientific Site Selection: Develop clear criteria for identifying water bodies suitable for floating solar deployment.
• Clear Institutional Responsibilities: Define the roles of water-resource departments, electricity utilities, environmental authorities and other stakeholders.
• Streamline Approvals: Establish coordinated and time-bound approval mechanisms to reduce administrative delays.
• Climate-Resilient Design: Strengthen standards for anchoring, mooring and electrical systems to withstand extreme weather and changing water levels.
• Integrated Storage: Greater integration of energy storage can help address the intermittent nature of solar power and improve grid reliability.

Conclusion

• Floating solar offers India an opportunity to expand renewable-energy capacity while reducing pressure on scarce land resources.
• With substantial reservoir potential, appropriate technology and supportive policies such as PM-SSY, India can significantly scale floating solar.
• However, its expansion must follow a “suitable water body, suitable technology” approach so that renewable-energy development does not compromise aquatic ecosystems, fisheries and biodiversity.

Education

2. Progress in India’s School Education System

Context: The UDISE+ 2025–26 Report highlights the substantial expansion of India’s school education system while also pointing to persistent regional, social, infrastructural and teacher-related disparities.

• The key challenge is gradually shifting from merely expanding access to ensuring retention, equity, learning outcomes and quality education.

About India’s School Education System

• India has one of the world’s largest school education systems, comprising nearly 47 million schools, 24 crore students and 1.02 crore teachers.
• The system covers:
  • Foundational stage;
  • Preparatory stage;
  • Middle stage; and
  • Secondary stage.
• It includes government, aided and private institutions.
• The Right to Education Act, 2009 guarantees free and compulsory education for children aged 6–14 years.
• The present challenge is therefore to move beyond access towards quality, inclusion, retention and meaningful learning.

Constitutional & Policy Perspectives

• Education is included in the Concurrent List (Entry 25), allowing both the Union and States to formulate and implement policies.
• Important constitutional provisions include:
  • Article 21A: Right to free and compulsory education for children aged 6–14 years.
  • Article 45: Provision for early childhood care and education.
  • Article 46: Promotion of the educational and economic interests of SCs, STs and other weaker sections.
  • Articles 15(4) & 15(5): Special provisions for disadvantaged groups in education.
• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 focuses on:
  • Foundational literacy and numeracy;
  • Multidisciplinary learning;
  • Vocational exposure;
  • Technology integration; and
  • Equitable access to education.

Key Findings of UDISE+ 2025–26

1. Expansion with Uneven Access

• School participation and retention have improved, but substantial geographical disparities
• Aadhaar seeding varies significantly:
  • Andhra Pradesh: 6%
  • Chandigarh: 99%
  • Meghalaya: 35%
  • National average: 2%
• The Foundational GER varies considerably:
  • Meghalaya: 131
  • Bihar: 24
• At the secondary stage:
  • Chandigarh: 109
  • Bihar: 48

2. Persistent Social Disparities

• Nationally, GER is highest among:
  • OBC students: 49%
  • General category: 27%
  • SC: 17%
  • ST: 10%
• ST enrolment has a particularly significant presence in regions such as Mizoram, Meghalaya, Ladakh and Lakshadweep.
• SC representation is particularly high in Punjab.
• The Gender Parity Index (GPI) indicates higher female participation than male participation across most States and UTs, reflecting progress in gender inclusion.

3. Uneven Teacher Availability

• The Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) differs considerably across States.
• At the secondary level:
  • Jharkhand: PTR 43
  • Sikkim: PTR 6
• Rural and remote schools continue to experience:
  • Teacher shortages;
  • Multi-grade teaching; and
  • Additional non-teaching responsibilities.

4. Dropout Remains a Concern

• Bihar records:
  • Highest preparatory-stage dropout: 9%
  • Middle-stage dropout: 9%
• At the secondary level, Ladakh records the highest dropout rate at 8%, followed by Karnataka.
• These trends indicate difficulties in ensuring smooth transition and retention at higher levels of schooling.

5. Infrastructure and Inclusion Gaps

• Access to electricity and drinking water has improved.
• However, remote, tribal, hilly and border areas continue to face difficulties relating to:
  • Transport;
  • School accessibility;
  • Basic infrastructure; and
  • Inclusive facilities.
• SC/ST communities, minorities, economically weaker households and children with disabilities continue to face additional barriers.

Key Issues & Concerns

• Regional Disparities: Enrolment, dropout rates, school availability, infrastructure and teacher-student ratios vary significantly across States and UTs.
  • Hilly, tribal, border and geographically isolated areas face greater difficulties in school access and transportation.
• Social Inequalities: SC, ST, minority and economically disadvantaged students continue to experience unequal educational opportunities.
• Teacher Shortage and Workload: Rural, remote and disadvantaged areas continue to face shortages of trained teachers.
  • High teacher workloads, particularly at the secondary level, can reduce individual attention to students.
• Infrastructure Deficits: Although electricity and drinking-water availability has improved, several schools continue to lack:
  • Accessible classrooms;
  • Inclusive infrastructure; and
  • Facilities suited to children with disabilities.
• Digital Divide: Unequal access to digital devices, connectivity and digital learning resources creates disparities in educational opportunities.
• Gender and Inclusion Challenges: Female participation has improved, but ensuring lower dropout rates and smooth transition to secondary education remains important.
• Poor Transition to Higher Grades: Increased enrolment at lower levels does not automatically translate into effective retention and completion at secondary levels.

Related Reforms & Initiatives

• NEP 2020: Provides the overarching framework for transforming school education.
• Samagra Shiksha: Supports integrated development of school education.
• PM SHRI Schools: Seeks to develop exemplar schools aligned with NEP 2020.
• NIPUN Bharat: Focuses on foundational literacy and numeracy.
• PM POSHAN: Supports nutrition and school participation.
• DIKSHA: Promotes digital learning and teacher resources.
• UDISE+: Provides data for monitoring and planning in school education.
• National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme: Supports deserving students from economically weaker sections and helps reduce dropout.

Way Forward: Strengthening India’s School Education System

• India needs to shift from an access-centric approach to an equity-, quality- and learning-centric approach.

1. Target Educationally Deprived Regions

• Direct infrastructure and transport investments towards educationally backward and geographically difficult districts.

2. Rationalise Teacher Deployment

• Improve teacher distribution and provide incentives for teachers serving in rural, tribal, remote and difficult areas.

3. Strengthen Foundational Learning

• Prioritise foundational literacy and numeracy while improving transition from elementary to secondary education.

4. Bridge the Digital Divide

• Expand affordable connectivity and access to digital devices while ensuring that technology supplements rather than replaces classroom learning.

5. Ensure Disability-Inclusive Education

• Make schools accessible through:
  • Barrier-free infrastructure;
  • Assistive technologies; and
  • Specially trained teachers.

6. Use Data-Driven Governance

• Utilise UDISE+ data for district-level identification of gaps, targeted interventions and outcome-based monitoring.

7. Integrate Education with Social Protection

• Link educational interventions with:
  • Nutrition;
  • Poverty reduction;
  • Social protection; and
  • Gender-sensitive policies.

Conclusion

• UDISE+ 2025–26 reflects considerable progress in school expansion, participation and infrastructure.
• However, persistent regional and social inequalities demonstrate that universal access does not automatically ensure equal educational opportunity.
• Achieving the objectives of NEP 2020 and SDG 4 (Quality Education) requires targeted investment, equitable teacher deployment and stronger support for disadvantaged communities.
• India’s next phase of educational development must therefore move from expansion to equity, quality and improved learning outcomes.

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