<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reading Comprehension passages are an integral part of the English section of government exams. However, for beginners, such passages can seem difficult. The Hindu Editorial is an excellent tool to improve the reading and understanding of passages. The language is very similar to the passages that generally appear in the English section of government exams, and each paragraph is filled with exam-relevant vocabulary and real-world topics. First, go through the vocabulary section and read the meanings of the words, their Hindi translations, synonyms, and antonyms. Once you know the meanings of the words, read the passage carefully, and you will feel that it is much easier to understand the main idea and tone of the passage. This method not only improves the understanding of reading comprehension passages but also builds a strong vocabulary base for cloze tests and sentence fillers in the exam. Doing this every day will boost your confidence in the English section and help improve your scores in sections such as Reading Comprehension, Cloze Tests, and Sentence Fillers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Falling short: on India\u2019s EV journey <\/p>\n\n\n\n On June 2, India took a turn for the better<\/strong> in its transport electrification journey by offering a concessional import duty of 15% on completely built-up units. This is contingent on <\/strong>the EV manufacturer investing a minimum of about \u20b94,150 crore over three years to localise manufacturing in India, with a base domestic value add of 25% in three years, going up to 50% in another two years. The notification, under the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI) announced in March 2024, allows for a maximum import of 8,000 completely built units annually for each manufacturer for five years. The SPMEPCI adds to the bouquet of policies that attempts to boost EV adoption and manufacturing. However, these policies put together fall short of <\/strong>addressing a pressing<\/strong> issue in India\u2019s journey to decarbonise and transform mobility \u2014 technology transfer. India began this journey in 2015, about five years later than most large economies. An outlay of \u20b9895 crore for the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME) scheme, for five years, expanded to \u20b910,000 crore in 2019. China announced its ambitious New Energy Vehicle subsidy programme in 2009, which, coupled with<\/strong> mandatory joint venture manufacturing of EVs until 2022, enabled technology transfer. In addition, a reduced import duty on EVs (25% in 2010 to 15% in 2018), and cumulative <\/strong>incentives of about $230 billion in the past 15 years \u2014 the most by any country \u2014 enabled China to achieve the highest global EV adoption rate. This also supported rapid charging infrastructure deployment, making China the largest producer and consumer of EVs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.S. began this journey in 2010 with an initial outlay of $25 billion for its Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loans Program. This was greatly expanded under the Biden administration\u2019s Inflation Reduction Act. But its EV adoption rate is much lower than China\u2019s. In 2024, out of 17 million global EV car sales, China alone accounted for 11.3 million, followed by Europe with 3.2 million, the U.S. with another 1.5 million, and the rest of the world accounting for<\/strong> the remainder. China\u2019s vertical integration of battery manufacturing, from mining, processing to assembling, has aided<\/strong> economies of scale <\/strong>with competitive pricing of EVs against conventional <\/strong>ICE vehicles. For now, the 25% DVA that India could aim for under the just announced scheme would be repurposing locally made auto components meant for ICE vehicles to EVs and layering it with Software-as-a-service. But to obtain the crucial <\/strong>technology for the heart of the EV \u2014 its battery \u2014 India must replicate<\/strong> its approach to localising ICE manufacturing, which is to mandate joint ventures with local ICE or EV makers, and gradually allow for a complete open market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n
India must ensure technology transfer in the EV<\/strong> segment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n