Right to Repair: a consumer right

India to launch Repairability Index; experts highlight the need to integrate informal repairers into Right to Repair and digital policies.

Right to Repair: India’s Step Towards Sustainable Consumption

Syllabus: Environment (UPSC GS III)
Source: The Hindu

Context:

India has accepted a proposal to introduce a Repairability Index for electronic products. This is a key step toward recognising the Right to Repair as a consumer right.
However, experts caution that India’s informal repair economy, rich in generational skills, is being ignored in current digital and AI policies.

What is the Right to Repair?

Definition: It is the right of consumers to repair and modify their own products or go to independent repair service providers.
Global Examples:
- The EU requires companies to provide spare parts and repair manuals.
- Several U.S. states and the UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 support repair as part of sustainable consumption.
India’s Initiatives:
- In 2023, the Department of Consumer Affairs launched the Right to Repair portal for sectors like electronics, automobiles, and agriculture equipment.

Why Repair Culture is Important for India

1. Informal Repair Economy Holds Traditional Knowledge

Local repairers learn by observing and practicing — not through formal training.
Examples: Repair hubs in Karol Bagh (Delhi) and Ritchie Street (Chennai).
These communities preserve intergenerational knowledge that is at risk of being lost.

2. Repair Promotes Sustainability

India’s “jugaad” culture reflects innovation and frugality.
Repairing extends product life and reduces e-waste.

3. Invisible but Crucial Workforce

Informal repairers lack recognition in labour laws.
They are key to India’s circular economy, yet remain unprotected.

4. Repair as a Cultural Identity

Repair work reflects local creativity and innovation.
It is part of India’s technological heritage.

5. Decline in Repair Skills

Rise in disposable products and sealed gadgets has led to a loss of repair literacy.

Gaps in Current Policies

1. E-Waste Rules (2022)

Focus more on recycling than on repair and reuse.

2. Skill Development Challenges

Programs like PMKVY offer standard training, but don’t fit the flexible nature of local repair work.

3. AI & Digital Policy Overlook Informal Knowledge

Policies around AI and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) miss the value of human expertise and informal learning.

4. NEP 2020 Shortcomings

Although experiential learning is encouraged, repair is not considered a valid skill-based education.

5. Lack of Legal Support

Informal repair workers have no legal rights, certification systems, or inclusion in digital policy planning.

Way Forward: Building an Inclusive Repair System

1. Integrate Repair in Digital Policies

Make repairability a norm in public procurement and hardware standards.

2. Expand the Right to Repair

Classify products based on how easily they can be repaired.
Ensure access to parts, manuals, and promote community repair hubs.

3. Recognize and Reskill Informal Repairers

Use platforms like e-Shram to register and upskill repair workers.

4. Preserve Traditional Knowledge through AI

Use AI tools to document and translate repair knowledge into digital learning tools.

5. Policy Collaboration

Ministries like Labour (MoLE), Electronics & IT (MeitY), and Rural Development (MoRD) should coordinate to build a unified repair framework.

Importance for India’s Development

Sustainability: Aligns with SDG-12 and Mission LiFE to reduce waste and promote reuse.
Labour Empowerment: Gives dignity to informal workers as skilled contributors.
Digital Inclusion: Recognizes human effort in AI and machine learning processes.
Economic Security: Supports local livelihoods and bridges grassroots innovation with digital growth.
Global Model: Can position India as a leader in circular economy by mainstreaming repair culture.

Conclusion

As India progresses in AI and digital infrastructure, it must also recognize repair as both a right and a responsibility. Repair work reflects traditional wisdom that should not be forgotten.
As philosopher Michael Polanyi said, “We know more than we can tell.” India must preserve this untold knowledge for a just and sustainable future.