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The report argues that India's rural electrification must shift from simple access to improving reliability and quality through distributed renewable energy (DRE). While centralized projects are essential for national targets, DRE can address last-mile constraints. The authors develop a 'Model DRE Village Framework' that uses load typologies—such as agriculture-dominant versus residential-dominant—to determine system sizing, storage needs, and grid integration. Through techno-economic modelling in Hiware Bazar (Maharashtra) and Bamun Sualkuchi (Assam), the study demonstrates that solarization is generally cost-competitive compared to average power purchase costs (APPC), though battery energy storage systems (BESS) require careful sizing to remain affordable. The framework emphasizes a co-implementation model where distribution companies (DISCOMs) lead technical planning and ownership, while Gram Panchayats manage community governance and onboarding.

The report evaluates the PM-KUSUM scheme's grid-connected components (A and C-FLS), which aim to deploy decentralized solar power plants (1–10 MW) on farmers' land. While the economic case is strong—with land leases earning farmers an average of INR 30,000/acre annually and investments yielding 11%–16% returns—scaling has been gradual. The report identifies three primary barriers: governance challenges limiting state ownership, market barriers such as misaligned tariffs and thin financing, and structural constraints regarding land access and grid readiness. It recommends a flexible, cooperative federalism approach for the next phase, the adoption of competitive bidding for tariff discovery, and the creation of state-level 'incentive stacks' to complement Union Government incentives.

The report evaluates the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme, specifically Components A (decentralized solar plants) and C-FLS (feeder-level solarization). While these components offer significant benefits—including reliable daytime power for farmers, reduced agricultural subsidies for DISCOMs, and rural employment—they have seen low uptake, with only 7% and 34% achievement against targets respectively as of December 2025. Key barriers include a mismatch between regulatory tariffs and market costs, inadequate rural grid infrastructure, complex land acquisition and leasing laws, and poor institutional coordination between state agencies and distribution companies (DISCOMs). The report recommends shifting toward competitive bidding, implementing GIS-based land identification, adopting virtual feeder segregation via IoT, and enhancing the leadership role of DISCOMs in project implementation.

The report analyzes the role of Indian state governments in localizing the EV and battery supply chain, arguing that while central policies provide strategic direction, states control critical levers like land, power, and regulatory clearances. It finds that net localization for high-cost components like batteries and motors remains below 20%. The study categorizes 14 states into 'leading', 'aspirational', 'emerging', and 'differentiated' based on their policy strength and manufacturing competitiveness. Key recommendations include shifting toward indirect equity investment models to de-risk upstream battery production, establishing a design-linked incentive for R&D, and introducing phased zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandates to create demand certainty.

WRI India and the Tamil Nadu government developed a Climate Resilient Village model to address vulnerabilities such as extreme heat, droughts, cyclones, and flooding. The program was scaled across 11 districts, benefiting nearly 2.7 million people through a combination of infrastructure improvements, renewable energy, and waste management. Key interventions included solar panel installations, canal restoration, and the creation of jobs in recycling for marginalized groups. The Tamil Nadu government has since integrated these solutions into its broader state climate and restoration strategies.

The document introduces the Corporate Transition Assessment (CTA) framework, designed for financial institutions in India to move beyond surface-level disclosures and evaluate a company's transition readiness across strategy, feasibility, and accountability. It specifically applies this framework to a case study of a leading Indian primary steel producer ('Company X'), detailing the process of mapping transition vulnerability, assessing decarbonisation strategies, and evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of levers such as green hydrogen, scrap utilisation, and Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS). The guide also provides a broader analysis of the Indian steel sector's decarbonisation landscape, including the role of government policies and the potential of various technology pathways to reach net-zero targets.

The report analyzes the challenges and opportunities for financing nature-based solutions (NbS) in Indian cities, noting a heavy reliance on public funds and a lack of bankable project pipelines. It maps a wide array of financial and business mechanisms—ranging from green bonds and CSR funds to land value capture—and provides early recommendations to improve the enabling environment, project bankability, and the diversification of funding sources to enhance urban climate resilience.

The document addresses the financing gap for urban Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in India, where investment remains heavily dependent on public funds. It proposes a three-step guidance framework: identifying the enabling policy environment, leveraging financial and business mechanisms, and applying a nine-factor project evaluation framework. The guide maps existing Indian national and sub-national policies—including forestry, water, and infrastructure schemes—that can be leveraged for NbS. It also catalogues various financial instruments (such as municipal bonds, green bonds, and blended finance) and business models (including carbon credits and user-pay systems) to improve project bankability. A repository of nine global and domestic case studies, such as Chennai's municipal bonds for stormwater drainage and Chicago's Tax Increment Financing for green roofs, illustrates replicable approaches for Indian urban contexts.

The SET 2026 report assesses 21 Indian states on their electricity transition, finding that progress is fragmented and that leadership in one area, such as decarbonisation, does not automatically ensure system-wide readiness. While states like Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh lead in decarbonisation, and Delhi and Haryana excel in power ecosystem readiness, most states face structural gaps in areas like smart metering, energy storage, and DISCOM financial health. The report emphasizes the need for coordinated state-level interventions to align capacity additions with grid readiness and market-enabling policies.

The document outlines a framework for Indian businesses to transition to clean energy solutions over a two-to-five-year horizon. It emphasizes three core principles: prioritizing the reduction of energy demand, acting immediately while improving performance over time, and continuously improving data quality. The guide provides detailed action plans for measuring annual energy consumption through audits and benchmarking, optimizing logistics via supply chain redesign and modal shifts, and transitioning vehicle fleets to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) through baseline assessments and pilot projects. It also details various central and state-level government incentives available to support these transitions.

The report introduces the Just Transition Financing Framework (JTFF), a strategic model to manage the shift to a net-zero economy in fossil-fuel-reliant regions of India. Focusing on Jharkhand, the framework aims to prevent socioeconomic disruption by coordinating policy support, capacity building, project preparation, and capital mobilization. It outlines a governance structure involving a state-level Secretariat and a Project Management Unit (PMU) to channel diverse funding sources—including grants, concessional loans, and private equity—into targeted transition assistance for workers, communities, and industries.

India has struggled to launch its offshore wind market despite a decade of policy efforts, with two major auctions called off in 2025. The brief identifies rigid pricing structures, a lack of local supply chains for high-capacity turbines, and transmission risks as primary barriers. It argues that India should move away from blunt competitive auctions for first-of-a-kind projects and instead adopt global best practices, such as flexible tariffs, 'ready-to-build' tender packages, and compensation for grid delays, to attract investment and develop domestic industry.

The Gender Action Plan for the BEACON INDIA programme aims to integrate gender-transformative initiatives into the climate innovation ecosystem in India. Central to this is the 'Gender Inclusion Track,' which provides customized capacity building, mentorship, and pre-incubation services for women entrepreneurs, including those from vulnerable rural communities. The plan establishes specific targets for women-led ventures, such as aiming for 15-20% of incubated startups to be women-led and 10-15% of those receiving early-stage funding. To ensure implementation, the programme employs a dual oversight structure consisting of a Gender Oversight Team of external experts and a dedicated female Senior staff member as the Gender Focal Point within the Project Management Unit. The plan also emphasizes the prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH), targeting 100% orientation for all startups.

India's transition to electric mobility requires significant technology upgrades for automotive component MSMEs, who face structural barriers to affordable capital. CPI estimates that these MSMEs need INR 55,000 crore (USD 6.6 billion) in investment between FY2026 and FY2035 to maintain their industry share. To bridge this gap, the report proposes AC-TUFF, a blended-finance special purpose vehicle utilizing a tiered capital stack (first-loss, concessional, and commercial capital) and an integrated technical assistance wing. The facility aims to mobilize a total corpus of INR 5,000 crore to support the localization of EV components, which has a projected annual market potential of INR 3.86 lakh crore by FY2035.

The document analyzes the impact of generative AI on the spread of misinformation in India, highlighting a 550% increase in deepfake-related cybercrimes since 2019. It details the weaponization of AI for political campaigns and gendered disinformation, while evaluating the effectiveness of digital media literacy programs and AI detection tools in building community resilience.

The report examines how India can transition to cleaner EV charging by utilizing time-of-day (ToD) tariffs, green tariffs, rooftop solar, and open access. While states like Assam, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh use ToD tariffs to encourage charging during solar hours (10 AM to 4 PM), the prevalence of nighttime home charging and limited public charging infrastructure (approximately 26,367 stations) hinder effectiveness. Green tariffs are currently restricted to consumers with loads over 100 kW, and while rooftop solar is gaining traction in Delhi and Bengaluru, high deployment costs remain a barrier. Open access for renewable energy is available for operators with a 100 kW load, but high upfront and third-party charges limit its adoption.

India's electric vehicle (EV) market grew elevenfold between FY2020 and FY2025, driven by central and state government subsidies. The transport sector, particularly road transport, is a critical focus for India's goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2070. Key policy mechanisms include the FAME-I, FAME-II, and PM E-DRIVE schemes, alongside state-level policies in over 25 states.

The report argues that while India's shift to electric vehicles can reduce emissions by 33%-55% compared to internal combustion engines, full decarbonisation depends on increasing the share of clean electricity in the grid. It estimates that meeting the charging needs of the projected 2030 EV stock would require approximately 14 GW of dedicated wind and solar capacity. The analysis highlights significant regional disparities in the cleanliness of EV charging across 10 Indian states, with Karnataka leading in clean energy share and Uttar Pradesh, the largest market by volume, providing only 18.3% of charging electricity from clean resources.

The report analyzes green hydrogen production in India, finding that state-level transmission waivers and capital subsidies are critical for cost competitiveness. It compares on-site, ISTS-connected, and STU-connected project models, highlighting that while on-site projects avoid transmission costs, they face land and demand constraints. The study identifies Odisha as a leader in cost competitiveness due to aggressive incentive packages and emphasizes that off-site projects require at least a 50% cost reduction to compete with grey hydrogen.

The report examines how six Indian ports can transition into green hydrogen hubs by integrating hydrogen into their value chains and leveraging Common User Infrastructure (CUI). It identifies key challenges such as high production costs and land acquisition, while emphasizing the role of storage infrastructure and the repurposing of natural gas pipelines and LNG terminals to reduce capital expenditures.