India has made remarkable progress in transforming its energy landscape over the past decade. From achieving near-universal household electrification and expanding access to clean cooking fuel to becoming one of the world’s fastest-growing renewable energy markets, it has demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring energy access while advancing sustainable development.As India looks ahead to the goals of energy self-reliance by 2047 and net-zero emissions by 2070, the next phase of the energy transition will require an increasingly integrated approach to planning and governance. A policy brief released by the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) in May 2026 highlights the importance of a unified national energy framework that can help align diverse energy resources, technologies and institutions towards common national objectives.The complexity of India’s energy systemThe need for such an approach is evident from the scale and complexity of India’s energy system. While domestic energy production continues to expand, there is a dependence on imports for a significant share of oil and natural gas requirements. At the same time, energy demand is expected to grow steadily as economic development, industrialisation and urbanisation continue. Managing these multiple priorities, energy security, affordability, sustainability and economic growth, requires coordinated planning across sectors and fuels.India has already established strong foundations through initiatives such as the Saubhagya Scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, and ambitious renewable energy programmes. Renewable energy installed capacity has grown from approximately 40 GW in 2015 to approximately 260 GW by 2025, reflecting a determination to diversify the energy mix. As the energy ecosystem becomes more diverse, however, greater coordination among generation, transmission, storage, distribution and emerging technologies will become increasingly important.How the framework worksThe INSA policy brief proposes a framework built around four mutually reinforcing pillars: adequacy, access, affordability and appropriate sustainability.First, adequacy focuses on ensuring reliable and diversified energy supplies through a balanced portfolio of conventional and emerging energy sources, supported by modern infrastructure, energy storage and digital technologies. The objective is to strengthen energy resilience while reducing long-term vulnerabilities.Second, access emphasises reliable and equitable energy services for all citizens. Building on the country’s achievements in electrification and clean cooking access, the framework advocates strengthening last-mile delivery, improving service quality and expanding decentralised energy solutions where appropriate.Third, affordability recognises that a successful energy transition must remain economically viable for households, businesses and industries. The framework highlights the role of innovative financing mechanisms, efficient markets and consumer-focused safeguards in supporting an inclusive transition.The fourth pillar, appropriate sustainability, underscores the importance of pursuing sustainability in a manner that is aligned with India’s developmental priorities and resource endowments. Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, the framework advocates solutions that reflect India’s unique social, economic and environmental context. This includes support for local communities, workforce development and region-specific transition pathways.The policy brief also identifies circular economy practices and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) as important cross-cutting enablers that can complement renewable energy deployment and contribute to reducing emissions from industrial sectors.Recognising that energy transitions occur over decades, the framework proposes a phased approach. Near-term priorities include strengthening infrastructure, accelerating renewable energy deployment, supporting emerging technologies such as green hydrogen, and developing institutional mechanisms that can facilitate long-term coordination. Over time, the emphasis would shift toward deeper integration of low-carbon technologies, expanded use of bio-resources and the development of a more interconnected and resilient energy ecosystem.Viewing energy as wholeAt its core, the framework highlights the value of viewing India’s energy system as an integrated whole. Coal, renewables, biomass, natural gas, waste-to-energy systems and emerging clean technologies each have a role to play in supporting the country’s development aspirations. Their effectiveness can be enhanced through greater coordination and long-term strategic planning.India’s energy transition is not only about expanding capacity; it is about creating a resilient, affordable and sustainable energy system capable of supporting future growth. By providing a common framework for aligning diverse energy pathways, the proposed approach offers a constructive road map for advancing national priorities while strengthening energy security for generations to come.Anjan Ray is Investment Partner, Navam Capital and former Director, CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum. Famida Khan is Project Scientist-II, Indian National Science Academy. This article is based on the INSA Policy Brief, “A Unified National Energy Policy Framework for India: Adequacy, Access, Affordability and Appropriate Sustainability,” released in May 2026 by the INSA-Centre for Science, Technology, Innovation and Policy (CSTIP)