Sanjib Pohit

• phd
• Professor at National Council of Applied Economic Research

Employment Implications of the Energy Transition in India

The government’s initiatives reflect their approach towards sustainability through emphasis on renewable energy generation, which is evident from significant increase in allocation in solar sector development, while areas like domestic manufacturing of storage, electric mobility and grid modernization are also covered. With the constraint in resour...

Waste management is the responsibility of municipal bodies in urban India. But these local bodies have inadequate waste-disposal facilities and poor resources

National body needed for inter-State disputes

Capturing regional disparities is crucial

Trams outshine battery BEBs in sustainability, long-term cost efficiency, and environmental benefits. As Kolkata grapples with its urban transport challenges, trams emerge as a timeless yet forward-thinking solution to meet the city’s growing mobility needs while reducing its carbon footprint.

With increased focus on achieving the target of net-zero emission by 2070, Government of India is exploring different pathways of energy transition. The effect of such transition is not only limited to energy sectors but would have effect on employment in all sectors of the economy, through the strong interlinkage of energy sector with other sector...

The hybrid trolley bus, which can switch between using overhead lines and a battery, can offer reliable, clean transportation at low operating cost.

Kavach is modelled on the European train control system. In Europe, it is also used as a signalling system, a necessity in the European railways given the high cost of labour in the EU.

Seawater must be used for producing this clean fuel, else there will be further pressure on groundwater

The social accounting matrix (SAM) for India was historically constructed based on the input–output table (IOT). However, since 2011–2012, the Government of India has been publishing the supply–use table, instead of the IOT. While the erstwhile IOT, published by the Government of India, had the same number of products and industries, the supply–use...

Odisha must conduct deep-down power system analysis

There are several challenges but also opportunities.

The 2024 Union Budget of India, presented by the Finance Minister, articulates a grand vision for ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). At the heart of this vision lies the third priority of the budget: Inclusive Human Resource Development and Social Justice. The budget adopts a saturation approach, aiming to cover all eligible individuals under...

A focus on MSMEs as job creators is needed. Their problems with GST and credit need to resolved.

Key challenges are efficient utilisation of allocated funds, timely completion of projects, and a balance between urban and rural development.

This study analyzes the impact of COVID-19 on Indian economy with and without compensatory fiscal policy scenarios. Based on available evidences we have explained various channels of economic impact of COVID-19. A computable general equilibrium model with multiple households has been developed for empirical analysis with equity aspect. Further, we...

As India stands on the cusp of an unprecedented political milestone with the Prime Minister poised to win a historic third term, the nation’s gaze shifts towards the ambitious vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047. The cornerstone of the Viksit Bharat vision is achieving a $30 trillion economy by 2047, which would elevate India’s per...

How can India leverage its potential and implement effective strategies to become a developed nation by 2047? In his 2022 Independence Day speech, the Prime Minister (PM) outlined an ambitious vision for transforming the nation into a developed country by 2047—‘Viksit Bharat (VB)’. It aims to reshape India into a technologically advanced, economica...

The goal of achieving energy independence by 2047 is a pivotal aspect of the Viksit Bharat vision and projections suggest that India is on its way to attain that vision.

The European Union (EU) recently introduced the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) with the intention to impose a pricing mechanism on carbon emissions, originating during the production process of emission-intensive products, imported by EU from its non-EU trading partners. However, CBAM is facing a lot of criticism ̶ as an unfair, protecti...

Focus on grid balancing, optimal storage capacity and spatial distribution of power demand is needed

EVs’ growth may suffer due to problems of battery availability and disposal, just as biofuel has been hit by feedstock constraint

With environmental consciousness gaining ground, reducing carbon footprint in the sector will be vital to attract tourists.

As India has embarked on the journey of fulfilling the net-zero emissions target by 2070, the states of India are steering up too to meet the target. The per capita emission for Kerala is low in comparison to national average. Energy sector is the main contributor of the GHG emissions in Kerala. A major share of 76 per cent of electricity power is...

Rooftop solar systems, despite the potential, have not gained much popularity till now

The Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) for India was historically constructed based on Input-Output table (IO). But from 2011-12, Government of India, is publishing Supply�Use table, instead of input-output table. While erstwhile Input-Output Table published by Government of India had same number of products and industries, Supply-Use table provides o...

Recently, considerable research has been undertaken in India in policy circles to identify the pathway for achieving Net Zero Emission by the 2070s. However, as most of the studies focus on the overall national perspective, they do not take into account inter-State differences with respect to availability of the primary resources of land, mineral r...

Installation, maintenance in renewable energy will create jobs, even as energy transition poses challenges.

The number recently put forth by a government-constituted task force represents, at best, an interim assessment till the final report is out

Odisha is situated in the eastern part of India, with a geographical area of 1,55,707 square km, and population of 4.2 crore. Per capita net state domestic product (at constant prices with 2011-12 base) in Odisha is Rs. 79,607 in 2021-22, which is lower than the national average (Rs. 91,481). Though Odisha has the share of 3.47% population in Indi...

Many cities in urban India, particularly the metros, are major hotspots of air pollution with a PM2.5 concentration level ranging above the permissible limits defined by the World Health Organisation for most of the year. Since the transport sector is a main source of air pollution in urban India, the Government of India adopted BS-VI emission stan...

Large water bodies such as rivers and lakes are heterogenous and dynamic in nature, and the efficient management of their water quality has important consequences for the environment. Today, water quality measurement is overwhelmingly based upon traditional point sampling methods, with measurements often made far apart (>10s of kms), and infrequent...

India’s National Logistics Policy, launched on 17 September 2022, aims to reduce logistics costs in India in order to enhance efficiency and competitiveness, and foster innovation across various sectors of the economy. In this context, it is important to reliably measure the costs associated with logistics and identify ways to reduce these costs. S...

Challenges and Policy Implications for Low Carbon Pathway for Kerala: An Integrated Assessment Modelling Approach Sanjib Pohit, Chetana Chaudhuri, Somya Mathur, Devender Pratap National Council of Applied Economic Research P L Beena, Hrushikesh Mallik and Ritika Jain Centre of Development Studies Anindya Bhattacharya, Mohit Kumar Meena, Kumar and...

Global action. A body, akin to WTO, which can enforce rules to govern multilateral action on climate change is the need of the hour.

E-vehicle adoption needs changes in building bye-laws and huge charging infra. Complementing with biofuels is pragmatic

We find that EU's CBAM will have little impact on India's exports. But, India must oppose this trade-discriminatory move. Our recent Oped based on a variant of global trade (GTAP) model

It is important to consider multiple time zones for India, perhaps starting with two to keep things simple

जलवायु परिवर्तन और नदी प्रदूषण : भारत में उच्च गुणवत्ता के पर्यावरण डेटा की आवश्यकता

Controlling water pollution and protecting water resources in India requires comprehensive collection and monitoring of data. In this article, Pohit and Mehta describe a project undertaken by NCAER and TCD, which used automated sensors attached to boats to collect data on water quality parameters at key points along the Ganga river in Uttar Pradesh...

In the interplay between emission management and monetary returns, cost-effectiveness is a critical issue in the metric of a transport system.

Renewable power sources have several shortcomings which include lower efficiency in generating power and shorter life-span of the plants. Probably, India should focus on coal-based electricity with carbon capture as we have abundant coal reserves and are on stronger footing on the technology front. The emphasis should also be on nuclear energy as t...

Mission LiFE (life style for environment) was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi—at COP26 in Glasgow on 1 November 2021—as a mass movement for “mindful and deliberate utilization, instead of mindless and destructive consumption” to protect and preserve the environment. Mission LiFE envisions three core shifts towards sustainability in phas...

Maharashtra needs to reduce its fossil fuels dependency

Not factoring in climate risk will cost cities dear

This study uses a computable general equilibrium model to analyse whether the economic relief package offered by the Indian Government to the affected parties during the COVID-19 pandemic had any lacunae or alternative policies and institutional arrangements could have been devised to minimise the economic losses caused by the pandemic in the count...

There is a need for community-based approaches for resolving the water crisis and liberating women from the task of fetching it

Trams are more energy-efficient and economical

The viability of long-gestation transport projects hinges on rightly projecting future revenue flows. Big Data can help in this

Many cities in urban India, particularly the metros, are major hotspots of air pollution with a PM 2.5 concentration level ranging above the permissible limits defined by the WHO for most of the year. Since the transport sector is a major source of air pollution in urban India, the Government of India adopted BS-VI emission standards in 2016 for al...

This study has been motivated by the need to provide meaningful estimates of substitution parameter for various industry groups so as to reduce the scope of 'guess estimates' in CGE models. While doing so, we have been concerned with both theoretical and empirical issues involved with specification and estimation of aggregate production functions.

Understanding implications of India's Life mission on economy and GHG emissions

This paper analyses the drivers of agricultural growth with a special focus on the crop sector by applying the ‘resource decomposition method’ to identify the drivers of crop output growth and their relative con�tributions. The main observation is that, except paddy, net income obtained from the cultivation of other crops was positive during the p...

Exposure to nanoparticles, arising from both natural and man-made processes, can cause cardio and pulmonary problems

The oft-cited 14% of GDP is an overestimate, arrived at by a consulting firm using a model built for developed countries

Immersion of idols laced with harmful chemicals does an irreparable damage to a river, time to stop sinning against salvator It is that time of the year again, when the devout prepare fancy and exotic idols of gods and goddesses, venerate them for a few days and then consign them to the waters of our rivers. The immersion ritual, as witnessed durin...

Performance index based on 11 parameters shows ports in the east and south are lagging

Transport connectivity between India’s N-E and the eastern neighbourhood can improve. But trade gains per se seem limited.

The main objective of this article is to showcase the major activities/processes each exporter/importer needs to go through in any land port, seaport or air�port. The article looks into the processes, time taken during various processes, the perceptions of stakeholders about the extent of challenges they face during these processes and the logis...

Role of Policy interventions to limit vehicular emissions

The main objective of this article is to showcase the major activities/processes each exporter/importer needs to go through in any land port, seaport or airport. The article looks into the processes, time taken during various processes, the perceptions of stakeholders about the extent of challenges they face during these processes and the logistics...

In this paper, we develop a novel methodology for constructing price indices of India Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), which account for incompatible state-level taxation structure and policies across seven states in India . We use this price index to compute price and tax elasticity of IMFL in the seven states. We find that a 1% increase in price leads...

Informal trade barriers still prevail and impede upon trade flows in India. The factors responsible include complex procedures, capacity constraints and/or malpractices at the border ports. However, these are difficult to measure directly due to the absence of any fact-based evidence. This article attempts to measure the relevant costs resulting fr...

This NCAER study recommends the need to formally recognise the communities settled on river banks as part of the riverine ecosystem and to synchronise their local ecological knowledge with scientific knowledge for better water monitoring and control techniques. These communities should be integrated into river development and alternative skilling p...

In order to identify the binding constraints and hence policy priorities for Bihar, the NCAER team used the growth diagnostics framework pioneered by Hausmann et al (2008), developing a hybrid by combining it with the work of Minor et al. (2006). This framework explores a hierarchy of distortions from the largest to the smallest, and recommends sta...

Hybrid Trolley bus and trams are a way out

The latest data on alcohol consumption in India is bound to cause a mental hangover, unless the seriousness of the addiction at the national level is viewed with a clear rather than a befuddled mind.

A key point of discussion, currently, in India's renewable energy sector is the new targets announced at COP26 for installing 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity and sourcing 50 per cent of energy requirement from renewables by 2030. Energy sector experts discussed whether the target is achievable, the key obstacles and the policy reforms req...

Rather than bank on crop residue and used oilseeds, the focus must shift to a few feedstock crops to produce biofuels

Urban India, particularly metros, is a major hotspot of air pollution with a PM2.5 concentration level ranging above the permissible limits defined by the WHO for most of the year. Unsurprisingly, special efforts have been made by the Government of India in recent years to improve air quality. Since the transport sector is a major source of air pol...

The batteries would require frequent charging. Trolley buses, quite similar to trams, are a better option

Agriculture plays a significant role in economic development of underdeveloped regions. Multiple factors influence the performance of agricultural sector but a few of these have a strong bearing on its growth. This study develops a growth diagnostics framework for agricultural sector in Bihar, located in eastern India, to identify the most binding...

Fearing the risk of failure, very little R&D funding goes towards innovative ventures and emerging technologies

India needs to emphasize to the world where its scorecard is better than many of the developed countries, who frequently lecture India on emission flows

In the latest Global Innovation India, India's rank is 46. The good news is that, she has climbed 2 spots over the previous year's standing, and the performance is labelled as above expectations against the yardstick of the level of development. The bad news is that, Asian countries like Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand or the newly formed East European...

Agriculture plays a significant role in the economic development of the underdeveloped regions. Bihar in eastern India remains the poorest State despite the introduction of various policy reforms in the agricultural sector since the mid-2000s. We develop a growth diagnostics framework for the agricultural sector in order to identify the most bindin...

The growing protectionism globally and the outbreak of a major US–China trade war led Indian exports facing higher tariffs. This article has tried to investigate how India should react to the trade tensions between the two largest economies of the world. This will help policymakers in India to assess the impact of the likely developments and choose...

Relocate clearance procedures away from the border, and partner countries must adopt well-established practices

Agriculture plays a significant role in economic development of the underdeveloped region. Multiple factors influence the performance of agricultural sector but a few of these have a strong bearing on its growth. We develop a growth diagnostics framework for agricultural sector in Bihar located in eastern India to identify the most binding constrai...

Agriculture plays a significant role in economic development of the underdeveloped region. Multiple factors influence the performance of agricultural sector but a few of these have a strong bearing on its growth. We develop a growth diagnostics framework for agricultural sector in Bihar located in eastern India to identify the most binding constrai...

The article argues that industrial pollution is the principal factor for water pollution. While India already has a built in process for monitoring water pollution with human intervention, this system does not work due to various factors including collusion between industries and monitoring officials at lower level.. What we propose is a technology...

If in the end government has to step in, what is the point of privatisation push? Are we overlooking crucial issues in health eco-system?

Load balancing is a key factor for capacity expansion of power generation from renewable sources

Auto fuel pricing goes beyond taxes to re􀃺neries

After the agitation on the Farm Bills, one expected that the Budget would not include any more reform agenda. But this has happened and the allocation within the line item do not exhibit major changes. However, if one looks at the size of the pie for small and marginal farmers in the Budget, it emerges that they have received a raw deal. Here’s why...

Biggest challenges livestock sectorfaces is recent government policy forprotecting cattle, restrictions on itstrade and vigilantism by self-appointed cow protection groups