- The Indian government is formulating comprehensive guidelines for the recycling and management of solar module waste to address emerging environmental concerns. - With massive targets for solar energy deployment under the national clean energy transition, the volume of discarded photovoltaic panels is projected to grow exponentially in the coming decades. - The upcoming framework aims to establish standardized procedures for safe collection, dismantling, recycling, and recovery of valuable materials like silicon, silver, and copper from expired solar panels. - This initiative supports India's broader goals of promoting a circular economy, reducing reliance on critical mineral imports through domestic recycling, and mitigating e-waste/hazardous waste risks. - **E-Waste Management Rules:** Regulatory framework under the Environment Protection Act that governs the safe collection, handling, and recycling of electronic and electrical waste, including solar photovoltaic modules. - **Ministry of New and Renewable Energy:** The nodal ministry of the Government of India responsible for formulating policies, programs, and regulations related to clean energy expansion, including solar power. - **Central Pollution Control Board:** A statutory organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change tasked with enforcing environmental standards, monitoring pollution, and issuing waste guidelines. **Introduction** The Indian government is developing guidelines for solar module waste recycling to address the exponential growth of photovoltaic waste from clean energy expansion. The framework will facilitate material recovery, reduce critical mineral dependency, and manage environmental hazards under circular economy principles. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - The Indian government is formulating comprehensive guidelines for the recycling and management of solar module waste to address emerging environmental concerns. - With massive targets for solar energy deployment under the national clean energy transition, the volume of discarded photovoltaic panels is projected to grow exponentially in the coming decades. - The upcoming framework aims to establish standardized procedures for safe collection, dismantling, recycling, and recovery of valuable materials like silicon, silver, and copper from expired solar panels. - This initiative supports India's broader goals of promoting a circular economy, reducing reliance on critical mineral imports through domestic recycling, and mitigating e-waste/hazardous waste risks. **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **E-Waste Management Rules:** Regulatory framework under the Environment Protection Act that governs the safe collection, handling, and recycling of electronic and electrical waste, including solar photovoltaic modules. - **Ministry of New and Renewable Energy:** The nodal ministry of the Government of India responsible for formulating policies, programs, and regulations related to clean energy expansion, including solar power. - **Central Pollution Control Board:** A statutory organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change tasked with enforcing environmental standards, monitoring pollution, and issuing waste guidelines.