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Dr. Deepali Saluja,
Ms. Bhavya Nagwani,
- Professor, Department of Management Studies, Institute of Information Technology & Management, New Delhi, India
- Student, BBA, Institute of Information Technology & Management,, New Delhi, India
Abstract
The concept of the Circular Economy represents an important shift away from the linear & take-make-dispose” model toward a regenerative system, with quite a number of aspects in which circularity is needed in India, due to recent decades of rapid industrialization and rising consumption. Despite supportive policy initiatives such as the National Resource Efficiency Policy and Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks, India’s transition to CE remains fragmented. This synthesis aims to identify and analyze existing policy gaps and sector- specific challenges-particularly related to waste management, textiles, construction, and electronics (e-waste)-to highlight value generation potentials that are high, and ultimately to contribute to proposing novel research paper topics. This paper uses a qualitative and exploratory research design; it synthesized secondary data from policy documents, academic literature published within a time frame from 2018 to 2025, and comparative policy analysis. The synthesis revealed that the main barriers are policy incoherence across ministries, a focus on downstream waste management rather than upstream eco-design, and technological/financial barriers to the scalability of CE models, especially for SMEs. Sector- specific challenges include the dominance of the informal recycling sector, limited recycling infrastructure for textiles, and weak EPR enforcement in electronics. High-potential areas identified include the integration of the informal sector, leveraging digital platforms for traceability, and valorization of construction waste. The findings presented in the report affirm the central hypothesis that focused research interventions could accelerate the transition in India. Synthesis concludes that India needs to address the policy-practice divide through evidence-based interventions. The work generates a strategic research agenda that guides policymakers and industry on integrated policy instruments, formal-informal sector linkages, and infusion of technology.
Keywords: Circular Economy, India, Policy Gaps, Sectoral Challenges, Waste Management, Extended Producer Responsibility, EPR, Research Agenda, SDGs.
Dr. Deepali Saluja, Ms. Bhavya Nagwani. Synthesizing Policy Gaps, Sector-Specific Challenges, and Emerging Opportunities to Develop Novel Research Themes in India’s Circular Economy. Journal of Energy, Environment & Carbon Credits. 2026; 16(01):-.
Dr. Deepali Saluja, Ms. Bhavya Nagwani. Synthesizing Policy Gaps, Sector-Specific Challenges, and Emerging Opportunities to Develop Novel Research Themes in India’s Circular Economy. Journal of Energy, Environment & Carbon Credits. 2026; 16(01):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/joeecc/article=2026/view=240859
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Journal of Energy, Environment & Carbon Credits
| Volume | 16 |
| 01 | |
| Received | 02/04/2026 |
| Accepted | 03/04/2026 |
| Published | 24/04/2026 |
| Publication Time | 22 Days |
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