Dr Jitendra Singh on Green Infrastructure, SHANTI Act & India's Net‑Zero Goal at Business Futures Summit

<h2>Union Minister Highlights India's Green Transition</h2> <p>Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for <span class="key-term" data-definition="Ministry of Science &amp; Technology — Government body responsible for formulation and implementation of science and technology policies, crucial for innovation and R&amp;D (GS3: Economy)">Ministry of Science &amp; Technology</span>, <span class="key-term" data-definition="Earth Sciences — Scientific discipline dealing with the study of the Earth’s physical constitution and processes (GS3: Science &amp; Technology)">Earth Sciences</span>, and other portfolios, <strong>Dr Jitendra Singh</strong>, addressed the 10th Sustainable Business Futures Summit 2026 in New Delhi. He underscored that India’s 1.4 billion‑strong population positions the country as a decisive player in the global “green world” transition.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>India will leverage <span class="key-term" data-definition="Green Infrastructure — Network of natural and semi‑natural assets such as forests, wetlands and green spaces that provide ecosystem services and support sustainable development (GS3: Environment)">Green Infrastructure</span> as a central pillar of future economic growth.</li> <li>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="SHANTI Act — Sustainable Harnessing and Accelerating Nuclear Transformation of India Act, a reform opening the nuclear sector to private participation and boosting clean, reliable energy generation (GS3: Energy, Environment)">SHANTI Act</span> was announced as a landmark reform to invite private players into nuclear power.</li> <li>India re‑affirms its commitment to achieve <span class="key-term" data-definition="Net Zero — Target of balancing greenhouse‑gas emissions with removal, resulting in zero net emissions; India aims for 2070 (GS3: Environment, Climate Change)">Net Zero</span> by 2070 and promotes the <span class="key-term" data-definition="LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) — Government initiative encouraging sustainable consumption and living practices to reduce environmental impact (GS3: Environment, Polity)">LiFE</span> concept.</li> <li>Emphasis on a <span class="key-term" data-definition="circular economy — Economic model that prioritises reuse, recycling and waste‑to‑wealth, reducing resource extraction and environmental impact (GS3: Environment, Economy)">circular economy</span> to convert waste into economic value.</li> <li>Call for <span class="key-term" data-definition="climate resilience — Ability of infrastructure and communities to withstand and recover from climate‑related stresses, essential for sustainable development (GS3: Environment, Disaster Management)">climate‑resilient</span> infrastructure, clean mobility, water security and coordinated public‑private‑research collaboration.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>• India’s startup ecosystem now exceeds <strong>200,000</strong> enterprises, with nearly half originating from Tier‑II and Tier‑III cities, indicating a broad‑based innovation drive.<br> • The clean‑energy ecosystem is being expanded to meet the round‑the‑clock power needs of emerging sectors such as <span class="key-term" data-definition="data centres — Large facilities that house computer systems and associated components, requiring reliable, uninterrupted power (GS3: Technology, Economy)">data centres</span> and <span class="key-term" data-definition="artificial intelligence — Branch of computer science focused on creating systems that can perform tasks requiring human intelligence, driving new energy demand (GS3: Technology, Economy)">artificial intelligence</span>.<br> • The integrated strategy includes next‑generation energy systems, advanced storage, digitally enabled grids capable of handling solar, wind, nuclear and hydrogen sources.</p> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> <p>The speech touches upon several GS‑paper themes: <strong>environmental sustainability</strong> (green infrastructure, net‑zero, circular economy), <strong>energy security</strong> (nuclear reforms, diversified grid), <strong>innovation &amp; entrepreneurship</strong> (startup surge), and <strong>policy implementation</strong> (SHANTI Act, LiFE). Understanding these linkages helps answer questions on India’s climate commitments, renewable energy policy, and the role of public‑private partnerships in achieving sustainable development.</p> <h3>Way Forward</h3> <p>Dr Singh urged a shift from siloed approaches to collaborative action among government, industry and research institutions. Priorities include:</p> <ul> <li>Operationalising the <span class="key-term" data-definition="SHANTI Act — Sustainable Harnessing and Accelerating Nuclear Transformation of India Act, a reform opening the nuclear sector to private participation and boosting clean, reliable energy generation (GS3: Energy, Environment)">SHANTI Act</span> to attract private investment in nuclear power.</li> <li>Scaling up <span class="key-term" data-definition="Green Infrastructure — Network of natural and semi‑natural assets such as forests, wetlands and green spaces that provide ecosystem services and support sustainable development (GS3: Environment)">Green Infrastructure</span> projects that generate employment and enhance climate resilience.</li> <li>Embedding circular‑economy principles in industrial policies to turn waste streams into wealth.</li> <li>Strengthening grid flexibility and storage to integrate renewable and nuclear sources, ensuring reliable power for data‑intensive sectors.</li> </ul> <p>Collective effort, backed by clear policy direction, will enable India to emerge as a global leader in sustainable development.</p>