<h2>Overview</h2> <p><strong>Dr. Jitendra Singh</strong>, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science &amp; Technology, addressed the 2nd Global Symposium on Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy in New Delhi. He underscored a global shift toward <span class="key-term" data-definition="Circular Economy – an economic model that keeps resources in use for as long as possible by recycling, remanufacturing and sharing, thereby reducing waste; a priority area in GS3: Economy for UPSC">Circular Economy</span>, where waste is re‑imagined as a source of value.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>Government earned **₹4,000 crore** from scrap, including <span class="key-term" data-definition="E‑Waste – discarded electronic devices such as phones and computers; recycling them yields valuable metals and reduces environmental hazards (GS3: Economy)">E‑Waste</span>, during the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Swachhata campaign – India’s nationwide cleanliness drive launched in 2014; it has generated revenue through waste collection and recycling (GS3: Economy)">Swachhata campaign</span>.</li> <li>The emerging model is powered by <span class="key-term" data-definition="Biotechnology – application of biological systems or organisms to develop products; in this context, it enables innovative recycling and bio‑based material production (GS3: Economy)">biotechnology‑driven innovations</span> and advanced recycling techniques.</li> <li>Materials once deemed waste—plastic, used cooking oil, steel slag—are now being converted into road‑construction inputs, bio‑fuels and commercial industrial materials.</li> <li>Start‑ups, MSMEs and informal sectors are increasingly participating, creating new livelihood opportunities.</li> <li>India’s transition aligns with its pledge to achieve <span class="key-term" data-definition="Net‑zero emissions – the balance between greenhouse gas emissions produced and removed from the atmosphere; India aims for net‑zero by 2070 (GS3: Environment)">net‑zero emissions by 2070</span>.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>The symposium brought together government officials, industry leaders, research institutions and delegations from European and German missions, as well as the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Alliance – a platform of industry and research bodies that promotes circular practices and policy coordination (GS3: Economy)">Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Alliance</span>. Dr. Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director of <span class="key-term" data-definition="BIRAC – Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, a DoST agency that supports biotech start‑ups and innovation (GS3: Economy)">BIRAC</span>, highlighted India’s cultural legacy of circular practices and the need to fuse it with modern science.</p> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> <p>Understanding the shift to a circular economy is essential for GS3 (Economy) as it links environmental sustainability with revenue generation, industrial policy and employment creation. The data on revenue from waste recycling illustrates how policy initiatives translate into fiscal gains. The discussion also touches upon GS4 (Ethics) – the role of public participation and behavioural change in achieving sustainable development.</p> <h3>Way Forward</h3> <p>The Minister called for greater public participation, stronger industry‑startup collaboration, and policy frameworks that incentivise recycling and bio‑based production. Continued investment in research, capacity building for informal waste collectors, and integration of circular‑economy metrics into national planning are required to realise the economic and environmental benefits.</p>