MAINS Current Affairs includes India’s Shift to Electric Vehicles and the Need for a Stronger Power Grid   & Artificial Intelligence in Judiciary: Ensuring Efficiency while Preserving Constitutional Values

ENERGY

1. India’s Shift to Electric Vehicles and the Need for a Stronger Power Grid

Context: Electric Vehicles (EVs) are increasingly being viewed as an important solution for reducing India’s dependence on imported oil and strengthening energy security. Rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, have highlighted India’s vulnerability to fluctuations in global crude oil prices.

Current and Future EV Landscape in India

• India is among the fastest-expanding EV markets globally. The growth is mainly led by electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers because of lower operating costs, rising fuel prices, government incentives, and suitability for short-distance urban travel.
• According to VAHAN data and NITI Aayog estimates, India has more than 420 million registered vehicles, with two-wheelers accounting for nearly three-fourths of the total fleet. EV adoption is currently highest among scooters, auto-rickshaws, and urban delivery vehicles.
• Government projections suggest that by 2030, around:
  • 80% of two-wheelers,
  • 70% of commercial vehicles,
  • 40% of buses, and
  • 30% of private cars

could become electric under an accelerated transition pathway.

However, complete electrification by 2047 may require an additional 900–1100 TWh of electricity annually.

Why India Needs EV Transition

• Energy Security
• India heavily depends on imported crude oil, making it vulnerable to international market shocks. Increasing EV adoption can significantly cut oil imports and enhance strategic independence.
• Climate Goals
• The transport sector contributes substantially to greenhouse gas emissions. EVs are crucial for meeting India’s Net Zero target by 2070, Panchamrit commitments, and obligations under the Paris Agreement.
• Reducing Urban Pollution
• Vehicular emissions are a major source of air pollution in Indian cities. EVs can help lower PM2.5 levels, nitrogen oxide emissions, and noise pollution.
• Economic Advantages
• Electric mobility reduces fuel expenses for consumers and opens new opportunities in battery manufacturing, charging infrastructure, renewable energy integration, and green mobility startups.
• Industrial Growth
• India aims to emerge as a global EV manufacturing center through initiatives such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, Make in India, and Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) manufacturing programs.

Major Challenges in India’s EV Transition

• Pressure on the Electricity Grid
• The primary challenge is not only producing EVs but also ensuring adequate clean electricity generation. Even if only half the vehicle fleet becomes electric by 2047, India may need nearly 500 TWh of extra electricity—almost one-third of its present annual generation capacity.
• Freight Electrification
• Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), though fewer in number, consume enormous energy. India has over 6.26 million HGVs, and electrifying them could require 450–565 TWh annually. This means electrifying transport also involves electrifying supply chains.
• Peak Demand Issues
• Most EV charging is expected during evening hours, which may increase stress on the power grid. Without effective management, this could lead to grid instability, power outages, and higher electricity tariffs. India currently lacks universally adopted smart-charging systems capable of balancing grid demand.
• Financial Weakness of DISCOMs
• Power distribution companies already suffer from heavy losses, infrastructure gaps, and transmission bottlenecks. Large-scale EV charging would require upgraded substations, smart meters, and high-capacity transmission networks, demanding major investments.
• Dependence on Coal
• If EVs are powered mainly by coal-generated electricity, the country merely shifts from oil dependence to coal dependence. This weakens both climate objectives and long-term energy security.
• Battery Recycling Concerns
• India still lacks adequate battery recycling infrastructure. Future challenges include dependence on lithium and cobalt imports, hazardous battery waste, and supply-chain vulnerabilities.

Government Initiatives Supporting EV Adoption

• FAME Scheme
• The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) Scheme provides subsidies for EV purchases and charging infrastructure development.
• PM E-DRIVE Scheme
• This initiative focuses on boosting EV adoption through public charging support and clean mobility expansion.
• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme
• The PLI Scheme promotes domestic EV production and Advanced Chemistry Cell manufacturing.
• National Electricity Policy
• The draft policy recognizes future EV-related electricity demand and emphasizes grid preparedness.
• Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS)
• The scheme aims to modernize DISCOMs through smart meters, infrastructure upgrades, and reduced transmission losses.
• Battery Swapping Policy
• The policy promotes interoperable battery-swapping systems, especially for two-wheelers and commercial fleets.

The Way Forward

Expand Renewable Energy and Storage

India must significantly increase electricity generation and ensure uninterrupted power supply for EV expansion.

• Solar and Wind Energy: Cost-effective and scalable, though they require storage backup because of intermittency.
• Nuclear Energy: Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and micro-modular reactors could provide stable low-carbon power for industrial corridors and freight hubs.
• Battery and Pumped Hydro Storage: Essential for balancing renewable-heavy grids and handling peak demand.
• Natural Gas Plants: Can support transitional peak-load management.

Integrate EV Demand into Power Planning

• Future electricity planning should account for varying EV adoption scenarios, including freight electrification requirements.

Promote Smart Charging

• Mandatory smart-charging systems should support time-of-use pricing, load balancing, and renewable energy integration.

Develop Freight Charging Infrastructure

• Dedicated charging corridors are needed along the Golden Quadrilateral and Dedicated Freight Corridors to support electric commercial vehicles and trucks.

Improve DISCOM Finances

• Strengthening DISCOM finances and reforming RDSS are essential for grid modernization and reliable charging infrastructure.

Build a Circular Battery Economy

• India should invest in battery recycling, rare-earth mineral recovery, and indigenous battery technologies to reduce import dependence and improve sustainability.

POLITY

2. Artificial Intelligence in Judiciary: Ensuring Efficiency while Preserving Constitutional Values

Context: The introduction of “Su Sahay” under the “One Case One Data” initiative reflects the expanding use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the judicial system to improve accessibility and efficiency. At the same time, courts are increasingly confronted with challenges arising from deepfakes, misinformation, and concerns related to data privacy.

Understanding AI in the Judiciary

• Artificial Intelligence refers to computer-based systems capable of carrying out functions that generally require human intelligence, including language understanding, data processing, prediction, and decision-making support.
• Within the judiciary, AI is being employed mainly as a supportive tool rather than as a substitute for judges. Its applications include:
• legal research and case-law identification,
• translation of judgments into regional languages,
• management and scheduling of cases,
• speech-to-text conversion,
• drafting support and summarisation,
• e-filing systems and virtual courts.
• However, judicial responsibilities often involve safeguarding minority rights, balancing individual liberty with national security, and interpreting constitutional principles according to changing social realities. Since AI functions mainly through pattern recognition and predictive analysis, it may not adequately address issues requiring ethical judgment, empathy, and contextual understanding.

Major Concerns and Challenges

Impact on Judicial Reasoning

One of the primary concerns is the growing influence of algorithms on judicial reasoning. Excessive dependence on AI-generated drafts and summaries may result in:

• superficial and standardised reasoning,
• weakening of analytical legal writing,
• reduced intellectual engagement among judges and legal professionals.

Fabricated Citations and Inaccuracies

• Generative AI systems can sometimes create non-existent judgments and false legal precedents with apparent confidence. Such fabricated information may:
• mislead courts,
• contaminate legal databases,
• increase the need for manual verification,
  thereby creating additional layers of scrutiny instead of reducing workload.

Bias and Opacity

AI systems are trained using historical datasets, which may contain social discrimination, institutional bias, and unequal practices. Opaque algorithms raise serious concerns regarding:

• fairness,
• accountability,
• explainability of judicial outcomes.

Privacy and Data Security

Court records often contain highly sensitive personal information. Using such data in AI systems raises concerns regarding:

• the Right to Privacy recognised in the Puttaswamy judgment,
• possible misuse of data,
• cybersecurity threats and breaches.

Constitutional and Ethical Issues

Justice requires compassion, ethical reasoning, and contextual sensitivity. AI lacks:

• human experience,
• moral accountability,
• democratic responsibility.

Unlike judges, AI systems cannot publicly explain or defend their decisions.

Important Initiatives Related to AI in Judiciary

• e-Courts Mission Mode Project

• Launched under the National e-Governance Plan by the Department of Justice, this initiative focuses on digitisation of court records, e-filing systems, and virtual hearings. Phase III seeks to build a “smart judiciary.”
  • Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software (SUVAS)
• An AI-driven translation platform designed to translate court judgments into regional languages.
  • Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Court’s Efficiency (SUPACE)
• A tool that assists judges in legal research by identifying relevant facts and precedents.
  • One Case One Data Initiative
• An initiative aimed at standardising judicial data management across courts. The associated “Su Sahay” chatbot improves access to judicial information for litigants and lawyers.
  • National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG)
• A real-time database monitoring case pendency and disposal, thereby improving transparency and assisting policy formulation.
  • Digital India and IndiaAI Mission
• These broader digital governance initiatives support the integration of AI into public institutions, including the judiciary.

Way Forward

Maintain AI as an Assistive Tool

• AI should only enhance administrative efficiency and should never replace judicial reasoning or constitutional interpretation.

Ensure Human Oversight

• Judges must retain final authority and responsibility for decisions. Human supervision should remain compulsory in all AI-assisted judicial processes.

Promote Algorithmic Transparency

AI tools used in courts should be transparent, explainable, and open to auditing by litigants and institutions.

Strengthen Data Protection

Sensitive judicial information must be safeguarded through:

• encryption,
• secure digital storage,
• strict compliance with data protection laws.

Capacity Building

Judges, lawyers, and court staff should receive proper training in:

• AI literacy,
• verification techniques,
• ethical and responsible use of technology.

Develop Regulatory Standards

India should establish dedicated judicial AI guidelines focusing on:

• ethical safeguards,
• reduction of algorithmic bias,
• protection of constitutional principles.

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