India’s Union Budget for 2025-2026 delivers a mixed verdict on environmental sustainability. While there are commendable initiatives, the overarching narrative reflects a lack of ambition in tackling the country’s escalating ecological crises. The Budget nods to renewable energy, clean-tech manufacturing, and water resource management, but the financial allocations and policy depth fall short of what’s needed to combat climate change and promote sustainable development.One of the standout elements is the focus on nuclear energy, with plans to develop 100 GW of capacity by 2047. This ambitious target, supported by increased private sector involvement and the development of small modular reactors, promises to deliver round-the-clock clean power, reducing reliance on energy storage for intermittent renewable sources. The Budget also boosts clean-tech manufacturing, particularly in solar cells and grid-scale batteries, enhancing energy security. However, it misses an opportunity to expand the solar power value chain to upstream components like polysilicon, ingots, and wafers—critical for a self-reliant solar ecosystem.
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