India rolls out comprehensive R&D roadmap to accelerate carbon capture technology

India has rolled out a comprehensive R&D roadmap aimed at accelerating Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies—an essential pillar of the country’s 2070 net-zero ambition. The new framework is designed to unify national efforts, attract investment, and fast-track scalable solutions that can reduce emissions across hard-to-abate sectors such as cement, power, and steel.

The initiative was introduced by the government’s Principal Scientific Adviser, Ajay Kumar Sood, who noted that the roadmap will leverage India’s ₹1 lakh crore ($12 billion) Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) funding pipeline. By strengthening research and commercialization pathways, the plan seeks to bridge the critical gap between lab-scale innovation and large-scale industrial deployment.

Understanding the Technology and Global Context

CCUS methods broadly involve capturing carbon dioxide from industrial or energy-related sources and either storing it in deep geological formations (Storage) or repurposing it as a raw material for industrial goods (Utilization).

While the technology has drawn global attention, it also faces debate—mainly due to concerns that large-scale deployment could be cost-prohibitive or potentially prolong dependence on fossil fuels if not managed effectively. Despite these concerns, major economies—including India, China, the US, and several European nations—view CCUS as indispensable for decarbonizing industries where renewable energy or electrification alone cannot meet climate goals.

The roadmap, prepared by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), proposes a structured, multi-phase R&D program extending from 2025 to 2045.

Building on Early Momentum

The new roadmap builds on efforts launched earlier this year. In early 2025, India established five pioneering Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) testbeds in the cement sector—creating a first-of-its-kind research ecosystem focused on industrial emissions through a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model.

These testbeds, which involve top research institutes (like IITs) and leading cement companies (like UltraTech and JSW Cement), are expected to strengthen technical expertise, shape regulatory standards, and lay the foundation for the shared infrastructure essential for nationwide CCUS adoption, aligning the country with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.

Brief Summary:

India has unveiled a national R&D roadmap to accelerate Carbon Capture (CCUS) technologies, backed by the ₹1 lakh crore RDI fund. The initiative targets hard-to-abate sectors like steel and cement, aiming to balance climate goals with industrial growth despite global debates over the technology's cost and efficacy.

FAQs

Q1: What is the purpose of India’s new CCUS R&D roadmap?

To coordinate research, innovation, and investment that will accelerate the development and deployment of carbon capture technologies, which are essential for achieving India’s 2070 net-zero target.

Q2: Which industries benefit the most from CCUS?

The roadmap targets "hard-to-abate" sectors such as cement, power generation, steel, refining, and chemicals—industries where emissions are difficult to eliminate through conventional clean-energy pathways.

Q3: How will India fund CCUS research and scale-up?

The initiative leverages the government's ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) funding pipeline, which supports pilot projects, commercialization, and public–private partnerships.

Q4: Why is CCUS sometimes considered controversial?

Critics and some climate studies argue that over-reliance on the technology may be prohibitively expensive and could incentivize the continued use of fossil fuels rather than a complete transition to renewables.

Q5: What are CCU testbeds and why do they matter?

Testbeds are industrial-scale facilities designed to validate technologies in the real world. India established five of these in the cement sector to help build regulatory standards, train talent, and prove the technology works before nationwide rollout.

Q6: Will CCUS become cost-effective in the future?

While costs are currently high, the roadmap aims to reduce expenses over time through consistent R&D, economies of scale, and the development of shared infrastructure as technologies mature.