India's Ranking on the Energy Transition Index 2025

Energy Transition Index 2025: India’s Performance and Challenges

1. What is the Energy Transition Index (ETI)?

The Energy Transition Index is a global benchmarking framework published by the World Economic Forum. It assesses how well countries are progressing towards affordable, secure, and sustainable energy systems. The index evaluates 118 countries based on energy system performance and transition readiness.

2. How has India performed on the ETI in 2025?

India ranked 71st in 2025, a drop from 63rd in 2024, with an ETI score of 53.3. Sweden retained the top spot with a score of 77.5.

3. India’s achievements in energy transition

• Improved energy efficiency
• Increased clean energy investment
• Progressive energy regulations
• Third largest global renewable energy capacity (1.77 exajoules), after China and the US

4. Structural challenges India still faces

• Heavy dependence on fossil fuels
• Inequitable access to clean energy between rural and urban populations
• Rising coal and petroleum consumption
• Limited adoption of clean cooking fuels

5. Why is clean cooking fuel adoption low in rural areas?

Despite schemes like Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, many rural and low-income households continue to use traditional fuels due to cost, availability, and convenience.

6. How is India progressing in renewable energy adoption?

India’s renewable capacity rose from 48 GW in 2009 to 144 GW in 2024, growing at an average annual rate of 10%. It is expected to add 188–278 GW in solar PV capacity from 2025 to 2029.

7. Major risks during the energy transition

• Grid stability issues
• Lack of storage solutions
• Insufficient interconnectors
• Challenges in remote area electrification

8. Government schemes supporting household energy transitions

The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a key initiative supporting household-level solar energy adoption and improving energy accessibility.

9. Role of policy in the energy transition

A stable and adaptive policy framework is essential to attract long-term private investment and reduce systemic risks in clean energy projects.

10. Recommended further steps

• Co-financing from institutions like the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund
• Focus on localized solutions for rural electrification
• Enhanced monitoring and accountability of clean energy schemes

“A strong nation must harness its energy not just from fuels, but from its commitment to equity, innovation, and inclusion.”