NITI GearShift Challenge For UPSC IAS Exam

NITI GearShift Challenge was launched by NITI Aayog in collaboration with IIM Bangalore, Smart Freight Centre India, CALSTART/Drive to Zero, and WRI India.
The main objective of the challenge is to foster innovative business models for zero-emission trucks (ZETs) adoption in India, addressing economic and environmental challenges.
It Invites students, transport professionals, academics, and researchers to create innovative business models that address financial, technical, and operational challenges in the adoption of electric trucks.
It has attracted participation from e-FAST India partners, financial institutions, and industry groups.

Round 1: Participants present initial business plans that tackle specific technical, operational, or financial challenges hindering the widespread use of zero-emission trucks (ZETs), supported by research.
Round 2: Shortlisted teams refine their proposals into complete business models with detailed implementation plans and additional research. Industry experts provide guidance to enhance the feasibility and impact of these ideas.

India’s Freight Sector plays a crucial role in delivering goods to over 1.4 billion people, with road freight accounting for 55% of diesel use and nearly 40% of CO2 emissions.
Electrifying Freight Transportation can significantly reduce emissions, improve air quality, and enhance energy security.
Practical Solutions: The hackathon will provide practical solutions to accelerate ZET adoption, benefiting both the economy and the environment.

Basics about e-FAST India Initiative

e-FAST India was launched in September 2022 to decarbonize road-based freight transportation in India and achieve its 2070 net-zero commitments.
This innovative platform aims to:
- Galvanize the transition towards cleaner and greener freight transportation
- Facilitate national and international collaborations, ideation, and development of scalable pilot programs
- Explore technology integration and research
As a stakeholder-centric platform, e-FAST India brings together the government, industry experts, Original Equipment Manufacturers, Logistics Service Providers, Shippers, and other key players to:
- Foster deliberation, debates, and collaboration
- Enable the development and adoption of electric technology in the freight sector at scale
Supported by 12 knowledge partners, e-FAST India is poised to revolutionize the freight transportation landscape in India.

16 July 2024:
- NITI Aayog has launched the NITI GearShift Challenge, a pioneering hackathon, to encourage innovative business models for adopting zero-emission trucks (ZETs) in India, tackling key economic and environmental challenges.