Why in the News?

• At the mid-year climate talks in Bonn, Turkey proposed a global target of meeting at least one-third of the world's energy needs through electricity by 2035, highlighting the central role of electrification in achieving climate goals.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Energy Transition (Background, Climate Goals, Current Status, Challenges, Achieving Target, Implications for India)

Understanding Electrification

• Electrification refers to the process of replacing direct fossil-fuel use with electricity across different sectors of the economy.
• It involves shifting activities such as transportation, industrial production, cooking, heating, and other energy-consuming processes from coal, oil, and gas to electricity.
• Electrification is a critical component of the global energy transition because most clean energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydropower, and nuclear energy, generate electricity rather than directly supplying usable energy.
• As a result, achieving deep decarbonisation requires not only expanding renewable energy but also ensuring that end-use sectors increasingly rely on electricity.

Electrification and Climate Goals

• Climate change is driven primarily by greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels.
• Consequently, reducing emissions requires replacing conventional energy sources with cleaner alternatives.
• A key distinction exists between fossil fuels and renewable energy sources:

• Fossil fuels are direct sources of energy and can be used immediately through combustion.
• Renewable energy sources generally need to be converted into electricity before they can be utilised.

• Therefore, a complete transition away from fossil fuels is not possible without widespread electrification. Tracking electrification levels has become an important indicator of progress toward climate goals and energy transition.

Current Status of Global Electrification

• Despite the widespread presence of electricity in modern life, its contribution to overall energy consumption remains relatively limited.
• According to the International Energy Agency (IEA):

• Electricity accounted for only 21% of global Total Final Energy Consumption (TFEC) in 2025.
• The corresponding figure for India was about 23%.

• TFEC measures the energy ultimately consumed by end users and excludes energy used during extraction, conversion, transportation, and distribution processes.
• Although global electricity generation increased from around 24 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2015 to over 32 TWh in 2025, the share of electricity in final energy consumption increased only modestly, from 17.7% to 21% during the same period.

Challenges to Rapid Electrification

• Several sectors remain difficult to electrify because of technological and operational constraints. These include:

• Aviation and shipping
• Heavy-duty and long-haul transport
• Iron and steel manufacturing
• Cement production
• Glass and ceramics industries
• Certain residential heating applications

• Many of these sectors require high-temperature processes or energy-dense fuels that currently lack commercially viable electric alternatives.
• As a result, significant portions of global energy demand continue to rely on fossil fuels.

The Clean Electricity Challenge

• Electrification alone is not sufficient to achieve climate goals. The source of electricity also matters. According to IEA data:

• Only about 42% of global electricity generation in 2025 came from non-fossil fuel sources such as renewables, hydropower, and nuclear energy.

• This creates a major challenge:

• Only 21% of final energy consumption is electrified
• Only 42% of that electricity is generated from clean sources

• As a result, just over 8% of the world's total energy consumption currently comes from clean electricity, while more than 90% of global energy use still depends on fossil fuels.
• These figures underline the scale of the transition required to achieve international climate targets.

Turkey's Proposed Electrification Target

• At the Bonn climate talks, Turkey proposed that countries collectively aim to meet at least 35% of global energy demand through electricity by 2035. Currently, global electrification levels are around 20-23%.
• The proposal is based on a roadmap prepared by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). According to IRENA:

• 35% electrification rate by 2035 represents the minimum level required to keep the world on the 1.5°C pathway under the Paris Agreement.

• The proposal is expected to be discussed at COP31, which Turkey and Australia will jointly host in Antalya later this year.

Requirements for Achieving the Target

• Achieving the proposed electrification target will require substantial investments and infrastructure expansion. Key requirements include:

• Annual investments of approximately $1.2 trillion in electricity systems
• Rapid expansion of renewable energy capacity
• Large-scale deployment of battery storage systems
• Modernisation of transmission and distribution networks
• Electrification of transport and industrial sectors

• The challenge is further complicated by geopolitical conflicts, supply chain disruptions, and economic uncertainties that may affect investment flows and energy security priorities.

Implications for India

• India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing renewable energy markets and already derives approximately 23% of its final energy consumption through electricity.
• For India, accelerated electrification can contribute to:

• Reduced dependence on imported fossil fuels
• Improved energy security
• Lower greenhouse gas emissions
• Expansion of electric mobility
• Progress toward its net-zero target of 2070

• However, significant investments in renewable energy, energy storage, smart grids, and industrial decarbonisation will be required to sustain this transition.

Why in News?

• In a landmark judgment delivered, the Supreme Court of India held that the right to walk on safe and demarcated footpaths is a Fundamental Right under Part III of the Constitution.
• It declared that pedestrian rights take precedence over the movement of motorised vehicles and called for a comprehensive legal framework to protect walkers.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Constitutional Recognition of the Right to Walk
• Footpaths as an Enforceable Constitutional Right
• Pedestrian Rights Above Motorised Traffic
• Compensation and Legal Remedies
• The Case Behind the Judgment
• Critique of Existing Legal Framework
• Cultural and Democratic Significance of Walking
• Need for a Dedicated Law and Regulator
• Conclusion

Constitutional Recognition of the Right to Walk:

• The SC ruled that the right to walk is an intrinsic component of:
  • Article 19(1)(d) – Freedom of movement.
  • Article 19(1)(a) – Freedom of expression.
  • Article 19(1)(b) – Freedom of assembly.
  • Article 19(1)(c) – Freedom of association.
  • Article 21 – Right to life and personal liberty.
• The Court observed that walking is the most basic form of human movement and predates all motorised transport.
• Therefore, access to safe and well-maintained footpaths is an essential constitutional entitlement.

Footpaths as an Enforceable Constitutional Right:

• The judgment established that wherever a road exists, there is a corresponding legal duty to provide and maintain pedestrian infrastructure.
• Duty bearers identified:
  • The responsibility lies with the Urban Development Authorities, Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, and Panchayats.
  • These bodies must demarcate footpaths, construct and maintain pedestrian facilities, protect footpaths from encroachment and neglect, and ensure safe pedestrian movement.
• The Court made this obligation judicially enforceable, transforming pedestrian infrastructure from a governance concern into a constitutional requirement.

Pedestrian Rights Above Motorised Traffic:

• The Court unequivocally held that the fundamental right to walk on demarcated footpaths has priority over the privilege of movement by motorised vehicles.
• It criticised the prevailing urban planning approach that disproportionately favours automobiles while marginalising pedestrians.
• According to the Court, roads and public spaces cannot become the monopoly of the motorised class; equitable access must be ensured for all citizens.

Compensation and Legal Remedies:

• A significant aspect of the judgment is the recognition of independent remedies for violation of pedestrian rights.
• Citizens suffering injury, loss, or hardship due to absence of footpaths, encroached footpaths, and poorly maintained pedestrian infrastructure, can seek:
  • Constitutional remedies,
  • Restitution,
  • Compensation from public authorities.
• These remedies are separate from compensation available under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

The Case Behind the Judgment:

• The ruling emerged from a compensation dispute involving a five-year-old boy who died after being hit by a tanker while walking to school with his father.
• Compensation timeline:
  • Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT): ₹7.82 lakh compensation.
  • High Court: Reduced compensation to ₹4.70 lakh.
  • SC: Enhanced compensation to ₹11.44 lakh with directions for payment within two months.
• The Court noted that the accident site lacked both a footpath and a pedestrian crossing, highlighting systemic neglect of pedestrian safety.

Critique of Existing Legal Framework:

• The Court observed that the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 primarily regulates drivers and vehicles but does not adequately recognise pedestrian rights.
• Key observations:
  • Existing laws impose duties on drivers but fail to establish a right to walk safely.
  • Pedestrian interests have remained secondary to motor traffic.
  • Urban planning has historically prioritised roads for vehicles rather than people.
• The Bench described the neglect of walkers as a long-standing "civilisational problem".

Cultural and Democratic Significance of Walking:

• The judgment emphasised that walking is not merely a mode of transport but also:
  • A means of expression.
  • A form of social interaction and association.
  • An instrument of political mobilisation and resistance.
  • A part of India's cultural and freedom movement heritage.
• The Court linked walking to democratic freedoms protected under Article 19 and the constitutional duty under Article 51A to cherish the ideals of the freedom struggle.

Need for a Dedicated Law and Regulator:

• Recognising the absence of a comprehensive legal framework, the Court urged the government to enact legislation that would:
  • Formally declare the right to walk.
  • Clearly identify duty bearers.
  • Provide quick remedies for violations.
  • Protect and enhance pedestrian infrastructure.
  • Establish a full-time regulatory authority for planning, implementation, monitoring and enforcement.
• The Court stressed that institutional accountability and expert oversight are essential for meaningful implementation.

Conclusion:

• A truly inclusive democracy is measured not by the speed of its vehicles but by the safety, accessibility and dignity it affords its most vulnerable road users.
• Going forward, embedding pedestrian-centric urban planning within the framework of sustainable development and the right to the city can help create safer, healthier and more equitable public spaces.

About Mimeusemia kali:

• It is a new species of forester moth.
• It was discovered in Karnataka’s Kali Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghats.
• It marks the first addition to the genus Mimeusemia in nearly 30 years.
• The genus Mimeusemia belongs to the forester moth group within the Noctuidae family.
• These colourful moths are primarily active during the day, although some species are also seen at dusk and may occasionally be attracted to light.
• Mimeusemia kali is distinct from closely related species because of its unique physical characteristics, reproductive structures and genetic features.

Key Facts about Moths:

• Moths are a type of winged insect that belong to the order Lepidoptera, which they share with butterflies.
• Highly adapted, they live in all but polar habitats.
• Compared with butterflies, moths have stouter bodies and often duller coloring.
• Some, like the luna moth or atlas moth, are vividly colored.
• Moth antennae are often feathery, unlike the thin and clubbed antennae of butterflies.
• The wings, bodies, and legs of moths are covered with dustlike scales that come off if the insect is handled.
• Most moths are active at night, but some are diurnal.
• Although their larvae may be destructive to certain plants—and several moth species are economically significant pests—many moths are important pollinators of the world’s wild and domesticated flowering plants, and all stages of their life cycle are important to local food webs.

Key Facts about Kali Tiger Reserve:

• Kali Tiger Reserve, earlier known as Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve, is located in the Uttara Kannada (North Canara) district of Karnataka in the Western Ghats.
• It comprises two protected areas viz., Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi National Park
• It shares a border with Bhimghad Wildlife Sanctuary in the north, which is further connected to Radhanagari and Koyna wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra.
• To the west, it shares borders with five protected areas in Goa.
• River: The Kali River, which forms the major source of water for Uttara Kannada, flows through the tiger reserve, hence the name.
• Vegetation: Forests are primarily moist deciduous and semi-evergreen, with excellent patches of evergreen forests in the westernmost parts as well as in deep valleys.
• Flora: The reserve is rich in plant diversity, featuring species like teak, silver oak, eucalyptus, bamboo, and various medicinal plants.
• Fauna:
  • Animals found in the reserve include Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Bison, Wild dog, Sambar, Spotted deer, Sloth bear, Wild boar, Hanuman langur, Bonnet macaque, etc.
  • The area holds one of the highest populations of Great Indian Hornbills in the Western Ghats.
  • It is also home to rare black panthers. 

About Exercise Khaan Quest:

• It is an annual, multinational joint military exercise.
• It is hosted by the Mongolian Armed Forces and co-sponsored by the U.S. Pacific Command.
• It aims to enhance interoperability and cooperation among participating militaries in peace support operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
• It will enable the participating countries to share their best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures for the conduct of joint operations.
• Background:
  • The exercise first started as a bilateral event between the USA and Mongolian Armed Forces in the year 2003.
  • Subsequently, from the year 2006 onwards, the exercise graduated to a multinational peacekeeping exercise.
  • The last edition of Exercise KHAAN QUEST was conducted in Mongolia in 2025.
• 2026 Edition:
  • It is the 23rd iteration of the exercise.
    • It is scheduled to be held at the Five Hills Training Area in Ulaanbaatar (capital of Mongolia).
  • The exercise will focus on the conduct of joint planning and tactical drills such as establishment of static and mobile checkpoints, cordon and search operations, patrolling, evacuation of civilians from hostile areas, counter improvised explosive device drills, combat first aid, and casualty evacuation. 

About Strait of Messina:

• It is a narrow water body in the Mediterranean Sea in southern Italy.
• It is an example of a strait that runs through a country. It separates mainland Italy and the island of Sicily.
• It is named after the city of Messina, located on the northeastern tip of Sicily.
• It connects the Tyrrhenian Sea in the north with the Ionian Sea in the south. Both are parts of the larger Mediterranean Sea.
• The waters of the strait are known for strong currents, whirlpools, and tidal flows.
• The strait was greatly feared by sailors in antiquity, mainly because of the rocks and whirlpools known as Scylla and Charybdis, which were personified as female monsters in Greek mythology.
• It has a unique marine ecosystem due to its strong water currents.
• The alternating and intense current, abundant phosphorus and nitrogen, and low water temperature support abundant and diverse species.
• It is a migratory route used by fish and other species to access the Mediterranean Sea.
• Every year, several bird species pass through the strait to their breeding grounds in Europe.

About Etalin Hydroelectric Project:

• It is a 3,097 MW hydropower project planned on the Dri and Talo rivers (tributaries of the Dibang River) in Arunachal Pradesh’s Dibang Valley.
• It is one of the largest hydropower projects proposed in the country in terms of installed capacity.
• It is proposed to be developed as a combination of two run-of-the-river schemes, involving the construction of concrete gravity dams on the Dri River and Talo River, with an underground powerhouse near their confluence close to Etalin village.
• The project area falls under the “richest biogeographical province of the Himalayan zone” and “one of the mega-biodiversity hotspots of the world”.
• The project area is dominated by indigenous populations belonging to Idu-Mishmi tribes.
• The project is being executed by NHPC Limited (formerly known as the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation).
  • The project will be implemented on a Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) basis.
  • NHPC will be responsible for developing and operating the project for a lease period of 40 years from the Commercial Operation Date (COD).

About Spilomena malabarica:

• It is a new species of aphid wasp that hunts plant pests.
• It was discovered in the Kozhikode district of Kerala.
• The scientists chose the specific name malabarica in honour of the historic Malabar region of Kerala, where the type specimen was collected.
• It stands out from its closest relatives due to a specific wing pattern.
• It possesses only a single submarginal cell, a distinct enclosed area formed by veins on its front wing.

About National Internet Exchange of India:

• It is a not-for-profit organization set up under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India.
• It was established under the Companies Act 2013.
• Aim of NIXI: To promote internet penetration in the country as well as across the globe.
• Its Primary purpose is to facilitate exchange of domestic Internet traffic between the peering ISP, Content players and any other organizations with their own AS number.
• Functions of National Internet Exchange of India:
  • NIXI plays a critical role in strengthening India’s Internet infrastructure by facilitating efficient exchange of domestic Internet traffic, managing the ‘.IN’ and (.Bharat) country-code top-level domains.
  • It facilitates Internet Exchange services, and delegating IP addresses (IPv4/IPv6) through the Indian Registry for Internet Names and Numbers (IRINN).
  • Through its initiatives, NIXI supports a secure, resilient, and inclusive Internet ecosystem aligned with India’s digital growth ambitions.
  • It operates 79 Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) across the country and supports domain names in 22 Indian languages, furthering its vision of a secure, resilient and inclusive internet ecosystem.

About United Arab Emirates:

• Location: It is a Middle East country that is located on the north east edge of the Arabian Peninsula.
• Bordering Countries: It is bordered by the Saudi Arabia (South and West) and Oman (East).
• Maritime Boundary: Gulf of Oman (East), Persian Gulf (North).
• Capital City: Abu Dhabi
• Geographical Features of United Arab Emirates:
  • Terrain: The emirates comprise a mixed environment of rocky desert, coastal plains and wetlands, and waterless mountains. 
  • Climate: The climate is hot and humid along the coast and is hotter still, but dry, in the interior. 
  • Highest point: Jabal Bil ‘Ays Mountain
  • Major Ports: Port Rāshid and Port Jebel Ali
  • Natural Resources: It mainly consists of petroleum and natural gas.
  • Tropic of Cancer passes through UAE, specifically Abu Dhabi emirate.

About SHe-Box Portal:

• It is a centralized platform for registering and monitoring complaints of sexual harassment of women in the workplace.
• SHe-Box (Sexual Harassment electronic Box) portal was launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) in 2024.
• It has been developed to operationalise the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
• Key Features:
  • It serves as a centralized repository of information related to Internal Committees (ICs) and Local Committees (LCs) formed across the country, encompassing both the government and private sectors.
  • It provides assured redressal of complaints and a streamlined process for all stakeholders. 
  • The portal enables real-time monitoring of complaints through a designated nodal officer.
  • It provides single-window access for women across all organised, unorganised, public and private sectors to register and track complaints of sexual harassment at the workplace.
  • The portal enables seamless coordination among stakeholders and strengthens the implementation framework of the SH Act by providing a more structured monitorable system.
  • It provides a secure, confidential and user-friendly interface that enables women to report incidents without fear of stigma or retaliation.
  • The portal is available in 22 languages, including Hindi and English, ensuring inclusivity and wider accessibility across diverse user groups.