- Why in news
- On 16 September 2026, the Environment Ministry held the 32nd World Ozone Day event in Mumbai, themed 'Global Action for a Cooler Planet'. It launched a Net Zero Portal and an NAPCC Dashboard.
- What it is
- The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is a global treaty that phases out chemicals such as CFCs, halons and HCFCs. It operates under the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. The Kigali Amendment extends it to phase down HFCs, which are potent greenhouse gases.
- India's status
- India has been a Party to the Vienna Convention, the Montreal Protocol and all its amendments since 1992.
- Substances phased out
- CFCs, carbon tetrachloride and halons are phased out for controlled uses. HCFCs are being phased out on the accelerated schedule.
- Kigali Amendment in India
- India ratified it in September 2021. It came into force for India on 26 December 2021.
- HFC phase-down schedule
- India's HFC phase-down has four steps from 2032: 10% in 2032, 20% in 2037, 30% in 2042 and 85% in 2047.
- Treaty adoption
- The Montreal Protocol was adopted in 1987 and the Vienna Convention in 1985. World Ozone Day is observed on 16 September.
- Funding
- The Multilateral Fund helps developing countries meet Montreal Protocol obligations.
Don’t confuse with Montreal Protocol vs Kyoto Protocol: Montreal covers ozone-depleting substances; Kyoto (UNFCCC) covers greenhouse gas emissions. Kigali brings HFCs into Montreal because of their warming effect.
Don’t confuse with CFC/HCFC vs HFC: CFCs and HCFCs deplete ozone. HFCs do not deplete ozone but have high global warming potential.
International bodies and relations: the largest group of news questions in Prelims (61 since 2013), often about background, members and location. In Mains, 27 news-triggered questions, mostly on India's interests.
Why it matters
- Shows that treaty obligations can be met alongside economic growth.
- Kigali phase-down cuts potent greenhouse gases, helping climate goals.
Problems
- Cooling demand is rising fast with heat and urbanisation, which raises energy use.
- Servicing sector needs many skilled technicians to handle new refrigerants safely.
Way forward
- Train and certify technicians, as planned under HCFC Phase-out Management Plan Stage III (2025-2030).
- Promote low-GWP, energy-efficient cooling under the India Cooling Action Plan.
Put in your answer
HFC phase-down steps: India's HFC cuts: 10% (2032), 20% (2037), 30% (2042), 85% (2047).
Technician training target: A certification system for AC technicians aims to train 25,000 technicians by 2030.
- 2022Mains GS3 · Q17Discuss global warming and control measures for greenhouse gases under the Kyoto Protocol.
- 2022Mains GS3 · Q7Discuss photochemical smog's formation, effects, mitigation, and the Gothenburg Protocol.
- 2015Prelims Q40Which is associated with controlling and phasing out ozone-depleting substances? Montreal Protocol is an option.
- 2001Prelims Q52Match important days, including World Ozone Day, with their correct dates.
- 2005Prelims Q6Statements on Kyoto Protocol's entry into force, ozone depletion, and methane's harm.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
- 1.India has been a Party to the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol since 1992.
- 2.Under the Kigali Amendment schedule, India's first HFC reduction step of 10 per cent falls in 2028.
- 3.India is currently phasing out CFCs on the accelerated schedule of the Montreal Protocol.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 5
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.India has been a Party to the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol since 1992.
True. India has been a Party since 1992.
2.The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol seeks to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
True. Kigali targets HFCs, which are potent greenhouse gases.
3.India's Kigali schedule reaches an 85 per cent reduction against the baseline by 2047.
True. The final step is 85 per cent in 2047.
4.The Montreal Protocol was adopted in 1987 under the Vienna Convention framework.
True. The Protocol was adopted in 1987; the Vienna Convention dates to 1985.
5.India is currently phasing out CFCs on the accelerated schedule of the Montreal Protocol.
False. CFCs, CTC and halons are already phased out for controlled uses; HCFCs are the ones being phased out now.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Source: PIB, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change., 16 Sep, 15:11 IST · Release 294761
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.