MAINS Current Affairs includes NITI Aayog Releases Report to Strengthen India’s Caregiving Workforce & Rise of India’s Electric Vehicles Ecosystem

Society / Economy

1. NITI Aayog Releases Report to Strengthen India’s Caregiving Workforce

Context: NITI Aayog released the report “Reimagining Care: Strategies for Empowering Caregivers in Viksit Bharat @2047.”

• The report recommends establishing a National Carer Council (NCC) to regulate, standardize, and professionalize caregiving services in India.

What is the Care Economy?

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), caregiving includes the physical, emotional, and social support provided to individuals who cannot independently perform daily activities due to age, illness, or disability.

Types of Caregivers

1. Formal Caregivers

• Trained professionals providing non-medical assistance and support.
• Assist:
  • Elderly persons
  • Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)
  • Patients with chronic or terminal illnesses
• Help with daily living activities and personal care.

2. Informal Caregivers

• Family members, friends, neighbors, or volunteers.
• Usually provide unpaid care and support.

Care Economy in India

• Indian care services market value (2023): USD 29.62 billion
• Expected value by 2030: USD 72.31 billion
• Projected CAGR: 76%

Why is Demand for Care Services Rising?

1. Demographic Transition

• Growing elderly population increases demand for:
  • Long-term care
  • Home-based care
  • Assisted living services

2. Urbanisation and Migration

• Decline of traditional joint family systems.
• Nuclear families often lack informal caregiving support networks.

3. Rising Female Workforce Participation

• More women entering paid employment.
• Increased demand for:
  • Childcare services
  • Eldercare services
  • Professional caregiving support

Government Initiatives Related to the Care Economy

• SHATAYU (Senior Holistic Care Assistance and Training for Your Utility) Dashboard:A Dashboard, developed to support and strengthen caregiving services for senior citizens across the country, was also launched during the National Workshop on “Creating a Well-Functioning Care Economy” in 2026.
• JEEVAN (Joint Elderly Empowerment & Virtual Assistance Network) Application:It is an accessible, citizen-facing mobile application engineered to serve as a single-window support ecosystem for senior citizens.
  • The app consolidates information on government welfare schemes, senior citizen homes, and support services.
• Vayo Manasa Sanjeevani:It is an initiative to spread awareness and provide online education to promote mental health support among elderly persons and support healthy ageing.

Initiatives Taken by the State Government

• Geriatric Caregiver Training Programme: The Government of Odisharuns a 3-month certificate course, which provides training for extending physical and mental health support to elderly persons.
• Monthly Allowance for Unpaid Caregivers: Karnatakabecame the first state in India to introduce a scheme titled “Carer’s monthly allowance scheme” which provides a monthly allowance of 1,000 to parents of individuals with severe disabilities such as Cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.

Challenges in Implementing Care Economy Reforms

• Fiscal Constraints:The expansion of the care infrastructure and staff training will require significant public investment and a long-term commitment to funding.
• Social Attitudes to Care Work: Care work is still perceived as a private family responsibility and not a public policy issue. Societal patriarchal traditionsthat are highly ingrained curtail the acknowledgement of unpaid caring work.
• Weak Regulatory Capacity: Ensuring quality standards and monitoring care institutions across India is an administrative challenge.
• Lack of Skilled Care Workforce:India does not have a properly trained care workforce, particularly in the areas of eldercare, disability care and early children care.

Way Ahead

• Establish a National Caregiving Policywith adequate legal structure.
• Establish the National Carer Council as the highest regulating body.
• Scale up carer training initiatives across the country through public-private partnerships.
• Integrate caring with health, social protection and skills development programs.

Conclusion

India’s rapidly ageing population, changing family structures, and increasing workforce participation of women are driving the need for a robust care economy. Establishing a National Caregiving Policy, creating a National Carer Council, expanding caregiver training, and integrating caregiving into health and social protection systems can transform caregiving into a professional, regulated, and economically significant sector, contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

Energy Infrastructure

2. Rise of India’s Electric Vehicles Ecosystem

Context: e-Mobility is emerging as a key driver of economic growth, energy security, and environmental sustainability in India.

• India is rapidly transitioning towards Electric Vehicles (EVs) to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and achieve climate goals.

What is an Electric Vehicle (EV)?

An Electric Vehicle (EV) is a vehicle powered by an electric motor using energy stored in batteries, which can be recharged from an external source.

Types of EVs

• Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) – Fully electric vehicles.
• Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) – Combination of electric motor and internal combustion engine.
• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) – Hybrid vehicles with rechargeable batteries.
• Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) – Use hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity.

Why are EVs the Smart Choice?

Economic Benefits

• Lower fuel costs.
• Reduced maintenance expenses.
• Tax incentives and lower registration charges.

Environmental Benefits

• Zero tailpipe emissions.
• Reduced carbon footprint.
• Improved urban air quality.

User Convenience

• Smooth and silent driving experience.
• No clutch or gear mechanism.
• Home and public charging options.

Last Decade of India’s EV Revolution

• India’s journey towards electric mobilitybegan in 2015 marked by the launch of the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan and FAME Scheme to incentivize the adoption of EVs.
• It was driven by clear strategic priorities like reducing the rising import bill on petroleum fuels and tackling worsening urban air pollution.
• It aimed to lower greenhouse gas emissionsfrom the transport sector, which accounts for ~9% of India’s total emissions.

EV Adoption in India

• It has seen a multifold surge, growing from 0.08% in FY15-16 to 8.26% in FY25-26.
  • It was driven by motorised two-wheelers (12.8 lakh units)and three-wheelers (8 lakh units) sold in 2025.
• Exports have risen from USD 1.2 million in 2020 to USD 84 million in 2024. Top export destinationsincluded Nepal, Indonesia and Japan.
• In 2025, Uttar Pradeshemerged as the largest EV market with more than 4 lakh units, representing 18% of national EV sales.
  • It was followed by Maharashtrawith 2.66 lakh units (12%) & Karnataka with 2 lakh units (9% of total sales).
• Expanding Infrastructure: According to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), 16,561 of the 52,718 public charging stations available as of July 2026 are equipped with fast EV charging facilities.
  • The e-Amrit toolhelps locate charging stations based on one’s location.

Future Prospects

Market Growth

• EV market size:
  • USD 3.71 billion (2025)
  • Expected to reach USD 191.04 billion (2034).

National Target

• 30% of vehicle sales electric by 2030
• Aligned with global EV30@30 Initiative.

Infrastructure Goal

• 32 million charging stations by 2030

Key Concerns Over Electric Vehicles (EVs) in India

• High Initial Cost: EVs are still costlier than conventional petrol/diesel vehicles. Batteries account for 35–40% of the total vehicle cost, making EVs expensive.
• Charging Infrastructure Gap: Limited availability of public charging stations, especially in rural and remote areas.
• Range Anxiety: Many consumers worry that EVs may not have enough battery range for long-distance travel. Lack of charging stations reinforces this concern.
• Battery Life and Replacement Cost: Concerns about battery degradation over time. Battery replacement is expensive.
• Dependence on Critical Minerals: India depends on imports of lithium, cobalt, nickel, and other critical minerals.
  • Supply chain disruptions can increase battery costs and affect manufacturing.
• Domestic Manufacturing Challenges: India is still building indigenous battery and component manufacturing capacity.
• Electricity Demand: Large-scale EV adoption will increase electricity demand.
  • Requires strengthening of the power grid and promotion of renewable energy integration.
• Environmental Concerns: EVs have zero tailpipe emissions but battery manufacturing and disposal pose environmental challenges.
• Battery Recycling and Disposal: Safe recycling infrastructure is still developing. Improper disposal may create environmental and health hazards.
• Consumer Awareness and Misconceptions: Many consumers believe EVs have very limited range, unsafe, difficult to maintain and cannot perform in Indian conditions.
• Financing and Insurance: Higher upfront cost affects affordability.
• Policy and Regulatory Challenges: Long-term policy stability is needed to encourage investment.

Strategic Policy Interventions for India’s EVs

• National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP 2020): It outlines a strategic roadmap to accelerate the adoption and domestic manufacturing of EVs in India.
  • It has the twin objective of strengthening energy security and promoting clean,sustainable mobility.
• FAME India: It was launched in 2015 to drive EV adoption under the NEMMP 2020 framework.
  • It offers incentives to buyers, supports creation of charging infrastructure, and manufacturing.
  • Phase I continued until March 2019, followed by Phase II, implemented over five years until April 2024.
• National Mission on Manufacturing (NMM): It identifies EVs as a key ‘seed’ sector for innovation-led growth. It has ambitious targets for 2035. It aims to double the manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP from9% (2023) to 25% by 2035.
  • It strengthens India’s EV ecosystem by promoting advanced manufacturing, fostering technology development, and integrating EV production into global value chains.
• India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) by NITI Aayog: It is a first-of-its-kind framework. It tracks and compares the progress of States and Union Territories in advancing electric mobility.
  • It evaluates performance across 16 indicators across three pillars-transport electrification, charging infrastructure readiness, and EV research & innovation. This offers a clear snapshot of each region’s ecosystem strength.
  • Based on scores, regions are classified as Frontrunners(leading with robust ecosystems), performers (making progress) and aspirants (requiring intervention).
• PM E-DRIVE Scheme, 2014: It is a key initiative of the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI). It aims to accelerate EV adoption through targeted demand incentives, support for domestic manufacturing, and expansion of charging infrastructure.
• PM e-Bus Sewa-Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) Scheme, 2024:It provides payment security coverage to each bus deployed for up to 12 years.
  • A total of 10,000 electric buses are to be deployed via the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
• Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI), 2024:It promotes electric car manufacturing. It mandates a minimum investment of ₹4,150 crore.
  • They need to achieve at least 25% Domestic Value Addition (DVA) by year three and 50% by year five.
• PLI-Auto Scheme: It aims to strengthen India’s manufacturing capabilities in Advanced Automotive Technology (AAT), including EVs.
  • It provides financial incentives to promote domestic manufacturing with a minimum 50% domestic value addition.
• PLI For Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage: It aims to promote domestic battery manufacturing.
  • It intends to establish a cumulative ACC capacity of 50 GWh in India. It supports development of advanced, long-range EV batteries through incentives linked to sales.
• Low GST on EVs: EVs in India attract a concessional GST rate of 5%, which applies to all electric cars, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers.

Importance of EVs for India

• Energy Security: Reduced oil import dependency.
• Environmental Sustainability: Supports climate commitments and cleaner air.
• Economic Growth: New investments and employment generation.
• Technological Advancement: Encourages innovation in batteries, electronics, and manufacturing.
• Global Competitiveness: Positions India as an EV manufacturing hub.

Way Forward

• Strengthen domestic battery manufacturing and recycling ecosystem.
• Secure supply chains for critical minerals.
• Expand charging infrastructure across rural and urban areas.
• Promote renewable energy-powered charging.
• Increase R&D in battery technology and energy storage.
• Enhance consumer awareness and financing options.
• Ensure stable and long-term policy support.

Conclusion

India’s EV ecosystem is entering a decisive growth phase supported by policy reforms, manufacturing incentives, infrastructure expansion, and rising consumer acceptance. With continued investments in batteries, charging networks, and indigenous manufacturing, India has the potential to become a global EV manufacturing hub while advancing its goals of energy security, reduced oil imports, sustainable mobility, and Net Zero emissions by 2070.

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