- Why in news
- On 22 January 2026, NITI Aayog launched three reports on circular economy in end-of-life vehicles, waste tyres, and e-waste with lithium-ion batteries, at the MRAI's IMRC in Jaipur (release dated 27 January 2026).
- What it is
- NITI Aayog is the Government of India's policy think tank. It issues sector reports with recommendations for ministries and states. These three reports cover recycling and reuse in vehicles, tyres, and electronics and batteries, and rely on the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) approach.
- Launch
- Three reports were launched on 22 January 2026 at the MRAI International Material Recycling Conference in Jaipur.
- Recommendation areas
- The reports recommend infrastructure development, formalising the sector, a stronger EPR framework, and more revenue potential.
- EV growth
- EV sales rose from 50,000 in 2016 to 2.08 million in 2024; the target is a 30% EV share of vehicle sales by 2030.
- Battery demand
- Li-ion battery demand is projected to rise from 29 GWh in 2025 to 248 GWh by 2035.
- ELV numbers
- End-of-life vehicles are expected to rise from 23 million in 2025 to 50 million by 2030.
- E-waste projection
- E-waste is expected to rise from 6.19 MMT in 2024 to 14 MMT by 2030.
Don’t confuse with NITI Aayog vs Planning Commission: NITI Aayog replaced the Planning Commission in 2015; it advises and does not allocate funds.
Don’t confuse with Circular economy vs recycling: Recycling is one step. A circular economy also covers design, reuse, refurbishing and remanufacturing to keep materials in use.
Reports and indices: 14 Prelims questions since 2013; they test who publishes a report and what it measures.
Why it matters
- Reduces import dependence on critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt, improving material security.
- Supports the clean energy and EV transition and cuts pollution from unsafe waste handling.
- Formalising recycling can create jobs and revenue.
Problems
- A large informal sector handles much e-waste, tyres and scrap, with unsafe practices.
- Weak recycling infrastructure and uneven EPR enforcement.
- Rapidly growing volumes of ELVs, e-waste and batteries outpace capacity.
Way forward
- Build recycling infrastructure and integrate informal workers into the formal system.
- Strengthen EPR with clear targets, traceability and monitoring.
- Encourage design for recyclability and incentives for recovery of materials.
Put in your answer
EV growth data: EV sales rose from 50,000 in 2016 to 2.08 million in 2024, showing the scale of the coming battery waste.
E-waste projection: E-waste is expected to more than double, from 6.19 MMT in 2024 to 14 MMT by 2030.
- 2026Mains GS3 · Q17Challenges to solid waste management, governmental policy framework, and Delhi and Indore cases
- 2013Mains GS3 · Q20Legal provisions for management and handling of hazardous wastes in India
- 2019Prelims Q78Which rules first introduced extended producer responsibility in India, among four options
- 2025Prelims Q9Whether circular economy reduces emissions, raw material use and production wastage, with explanation
- 2019Prelims Q59Which statement about Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 is correct
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.NITI Aayog is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament.
- 2.The government seeks to attain a 30% share of electric vehicles in total vehicle sales by 2030.
- 3.The number of End-of-Life Vehicles in India is expected to increase from 23 million in 2025 to 50 million by 2030.
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.The reports were launched by NITI Aayog at an International Material Recycling Conference organised by the Material Recycling Association of India in Jaipur.
True. Launched at MRAI's IMRC, Jaipur, on 22 January 2026.
2.The reports recommend strengthening the Extended Producer Responsibility framework and formalising the recycling sector.
True. EPR strengthening and sector formalisation are among the recommendations.
3.Demand for Lithium-ion Batteries in India is projected to rise from 29 GWh in 2025 to 248 GWh by 2035.
True. 29 GWh in 2025 to 248 GWh by 2035.
4.E-waste in India is expected to rise from 6.19 MMT in 2024 to 14 MMT by 2030.
True. 6.19 MMT in 2024 to 14 MMT by 2030.
5.NITI Aayog is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament.
False. NITI Aayog was set up in 2015 by a Cabinet resolution; it is non-statutory and non-constitutional.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Mains practice
15 marks · 250 words
NITI Aayog has recently launched reports on circular economy in end-of-life vehicles, waste tyres, e-waste and lithium-ion batteries, as electric vehicle sales and e-waste volumes are rising fast in India. Examine the challenges in managing these waste streams and discuss how a stronger Extended Producer Responsibility framework and formalisation of the recycling sector can help.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.