What to Read in Indian Express Editorial( Topic and Syllabus wise)

EDITORIAL 1: Could we soon have space-based solar panels? Not really

Context

Solar power is the fastest-growing renewable energy technology in the world. Between 2024 and 2030, solar capacity added is expected to account for 80% of the growth in renewable power globally, the International Energy Agency’s ‘Renewables 2024’ report stated.

Several limitations

• But this power source has several limitations. It can only operate in the day, is sensitive to the vagaries of weather, and requires a lot more space per unit of electricity produced than most other technologies.
• A silver bullet to solve these problems: space-based solar power (SBSP).This is not a novel idea.
• But recent technological advances have given it new wings. A latest study by researchers from King’s College, London has estimated that SBSP could supply up to 80% of Europe’s renewable energy needs by 2050.

Promise of SBSP

• The study, published in the journal Joule last week, says satellites in geostationary orbit could harvest continuous sunlight and beam it to Earth as microwaves,delivering dispatchable, zero-carbon power that sidesteps the intermittency plaguing wind and solar on the ground.
• To make its assessment, researchers carried out multiple simulations of two concepts developed by NASA.
• One, a nearly continuous heliostat swarm design and an intermittent planar array design, yielded positive results.
• This design uses mirror-like reflectors to collect sunlight in orbit, transmit this energy to stations on Earth, which then convert it to electricity.
• Such a design effectively addresses all major problems with solar power on Earth.
• In space, you potentially have the ability to position solar panels to always face the sun,which means power generation can be nearly continuous compared to the daily pattern on Earth.
• And, because it’s in space, the solar radiation is higher than on the Earth’s surface.

Reasons for scepticism

• While SPSB is based on existing technological principles and known physics, making it economically viable remains a challenge — one which the study does not tackle.
• The main issue is that such a system would require setting up very large structures on Earth and in space.
• A single solar power satellite at geostationary orbit might extend more than a kilometre across, with the receiver station on the ground needing a footprint more than ten times larger.
• A enormous number of launches — possibly running into the hundreds — would be required to set up a single solar satellite which could produce the equivalent of a conventional nuclear power station, according to ESA’s website.
• For context, the much smaller International Space Station was built with more than 40 assembly flights.

Some challenges

• Despite progressively declining launch costs, the sheer scale of space infrastructure required is an impediment to SPSB being viable.
• According to a report in The Guardian, it is unlikely that the potential cost-effectiveness of SBSP could be realised until 2050 because building, launching and maintaining it would be too expensive unless technological growth reduces its costs.
• The researcher’s modelling also does not take into account space-specific challenges such as orbital congestion, transmission interruptions or beaming variability, which could influence SBSP reliability and operational performance.

Conclusion

Apart from some challenges, the SBSP seems promising to bring a change in the solar sector.

 

EDITORIAL 2: Tourism, the tariff proof sector

Context

The recent decision by the US to impose higher tariffs on select Indian exports, from steel pipes to chemical products, is a reminder of the vulnerabilities that accompany overdependence on any single set of global trade relationships.

The case of India

• India has long pursued economic diversification, and this moment underscores the value of widening our growth base.
• Among the sectors that can deliver transformative results is tourism, not just as a showcase of our heritage and soft power, but as an economic enginecapable of generating growth, employment, and foreign exchange.
• Tourism is among the most labour-intensive industries in the world, generating livelihoods across transport, hospitality, food services, handicrafts, wellness and entertainment.
• Few sectors can create employment on such a scale, spanning highly skilled professionals in urban centres to semi-skilled youth in rural communities.

Tourism contribution

• At present, tourism contributes around 5 per cent to India’s GDP, compared to the global average of 10 per cent.
• Countries like Spain and the UAE, where tourism accounts for about 12 per cent of GDP, illustrate the potential when the sector is treated as a national growth priority.
• In 2024, tourism generated $28 billion or Rs 2,45,000 crore in foreign exchange earnings for India.
• This is only a fraction of our potential. Improving the inbound share of tourism GDP will not only strengthen our external account but also provide a steady buffer against fluctuations in merchandise trade.
• At the same time, outbound travel is growing rapidly. In 2024, over 28 million Indians travelled abroad, spending an estimated $28-31 billion.
• Indian travellers are among the highest spenders globally, with a growing appetite for luxury, leisure, and immersive experiences.
• This presents both a challenge and an opportunity: Unless we offer comparable or superior experiences within India, much of this spending will continue to flow outward.

The potentiality

• If we can raise tourism’s GDP contribution from 5 per cent to 10 per cent over the next decade, the results would be transformative — an additional $516 billion to the economy each year, 40 million new jobs, and foreign exchange earnings rising to $130-140 billion.
• Achieving this will require addressing capacity constraints.India currently has about 1,80,000 branded hotel rooms and 1.5 million unbranded rooms.
• Industry estimates indicate that we need to triple our capacity in both categories to meet demand, remain price-competitive, and position ourselves to host major global events and conventions.
• Unlike goods exports, it is shaped primarily by perception, infrastructure, and facilitation— all of which can be directly enhanced. There are some strategic pathways for this growth.

Some strategies

• The Union Budget’s announcement on developing 50 destinations in partnership with states is an important step.
• A world-class destination in each state, blending infrastructure, sustainability, and brand, can shift India’s positioning from a “place to see” to a “place to experience.”
• Two, simplifying e-visas, reducing immigration queues and delivering a seamless arrival experience are vital.
• With India’s airlines set to expand their fleet by 1,000 aircraft, improved connectivity can give a decisive boost to tourism.
• Three, the future lies in content-led promotion, influencer engagement and strategic digital storytelling.
• Four, it is important to unlock private investment. Expanding the tourism sector’s inclusion in the Harmonised Master List of Infrastructure can catalyse investments, including PPP projects like hotels, ropeways, wayside amenities, and convention centres.
• Five, the Dekho Apna Desh campaign can evolve into a national movement. Domestic tourism, accounting for 86 per cent of sector revenues, fosters cultural exchange, economic redistribution, and national integration.
• Making interstate travel more affordable and convenient will amplify these benefits.

Conclusion

Tourism has one of the highest economic multipliers of any sector. Every rupee spent flows through transport, crafts, food services and community enterprises. When developed sustainably, tourism is also a green growth driver, creating livelihoods without large-scale environmental costs.