- Why in news
- On 6 July 2026, MoSPI released the report of its Expert Committee on Energy Statistics. It recommends methods to fix gaps and inconsistencies in India's energy data.
- What it is
- The Expert Committee on Energy Statistics was set up by MoSPI to review the annual publication 'Energy Statistics India' and the national energy database. That publication shows the national flow of energy with tables, graphs and sustainable energy indicators based on international standards. The review covered coverage, definitions, classifications, data sources and estimation methods.
- Chair and members
- Dr. Rangan Banerjee of IIT-Delhi chaired the committee. Members included line energy-ministry officials and experts from bodies such as TERI and AEEE.
- Publisher of Energy Statistics India
- MoSPI brings out Energy Statistics India every year. It is the base publication the committee reviewed.
- International classifications
- The committee urged tabulation aligned with ISIC Rev. 5, NIC-2025 and SIEC, plus uniform conversion factors across energy ministries.
- Biofuel data gap
- UNSD's World Energy Balance estimates India's biofuel use at about 31-34% of total energy consumption, as India has no consolidated national data. The committee proposed a method to include biofuels in India's energy balance.
- Use of ASI and BEE role
- The committee suggested using Annual Survey of Industries data to refine industry-wise coal and electricity use. It asked BEE to maintain a database under the PAT scheme.
- Captive power and EVs
- Captive/off-grid electricity use and EV electricity use are major data gaps. The committee gave an initial framework that needs further refinement.
Don’t confuse with MoSPI vs energy ministries: MoSPI compiles and harmonises energy statistics. Ministries such as Coal, Power and Petroleum generate the underlying sector data.
Don’t confuse with ISIC vs NIC: ISIC is the UN international industry classification. NIC is India's national version aligned to it.
Reports and indices: 14 Prelims questions since 2013; they test who publishes a report and what it measures.
Why it matters
- A single harmonised energy database supports evidence-based policy and tracking of the energy transition and Net Zero goals.
- Better international comparability improves India's reporting under global standards.
Problems
- Different ministries use different definitions and conversion factors, so data conflict.
- Data on captive power, off-grid use, biofuels and EV charging is hard to capture.
Way forward
- Ministries should adopt uniform standards and conversion factors and coordinate regularly.
- Refine the initial EV and captive power methods through further research and surveys.
Put in your answer
Biofuel share estimate: UNSD estimates biofuels at about 31-34% of India's energy use, showing how large the data gap is.
Imported coal share: Imported coal is about 20% of India's coal consumption, and its end-use needs better classification.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: A lasting statistics reform on the syllabus. Reports and indices were 14 of 327 news-linked Prelims questions, and the release gives few testable facts.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.