Recognising Repair Work as Knowledge and Sustainability Practice

Why in the News?

1. In May 2025, the Indian government accepted a report proposing a Repairability Index for mobile phones and appliances.
2. The E-waste policy was updated to include incentives for formal recycling, aiming to reduce environmental impact.
3. The move aligns with India’s growing emphasis on sustainable consumption, circular economy, and Right to Repair frameworks.

Key Highlights

1. Repairability Index and Policy Inclusion
   1. The government has proposed a Repairability Index to rank products based on ease of repair, availability of spare parts, and software support.
   2. New e-waste rules provide minimum payments to encourage formal recycling practices.
2. Tacit Knowledge as a Cultural Asset
   1. Repair knowledge in India is largely tacit, passed down informally through observation and practice.
   2. Technicians often rely on muscle memory, sensory cues, and improvisation rather than manuals or certifications.
3. Gap in Digital and Policy Ecosystems
   1. Despite India’s advances in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and AI policy, informal repair ecosystems are overlooked.
   2. Initiatives such as PMKVY and NEP 2020 fail to adequately incorporate or support hands-on repair skills.
4. Global and Domestic Right to Repair Movements
   1. Globally, the EU mandates access to spare parts and repair documentation.
   2. In India, a Right to Repair framework was launched in 2022 and expanded via a national portal in 2023, covering key sectors.
5. Design for ‘Unmaking’ and AI Integration
   1. Emphasizes designing products that anticipate repair and reuse, rather than planned obsolescence.
   2. Suggests using AI systems like Large Language Models (LLMs) to digitize and disseminate tacit repair knowledge without losing its local essence.

Implications

1. Strengthening the Circular Economy
   1. Promotes reuse over disposal, extending the life cycle of products.
   2. Supports a shift from a linear to a circular economy, reducing resource consumption and waste.
2. Empowering Informal Workers
   1. Recognises informal repairers as knowledge workers, not marginal laborers.
   2. Integration into social protection schemes like e-Shram enhances dignity and economic security.
3. Sustainable Technology Ecosystem
   1. Encourages repair-friendly designs as part of sustainability standards.
   2. Helps align India’s AI and digital ambitions with environmental responsibility.
4. Preserving Indigenous Knowledge Systems
   1. Acknowledges repair as part of India’s experiential learning and knowledge traditions.
   2. Offers an opportunity to document and digitise tacit skills for future generations.
5. Policy Innovation and Inter-Ministerial Coordination
   1. Calls for the involvement of ministries such as:
      1. MeitY (for embedding repairability in procurement),
      2. MoLE (recognising informal workers),

• MSDE (designing relevant skill training),

1. DoCA (expanding the Right to Repair framework).

Challenges and Way Forward

Conclusion

India stands at a critical juncture where its sustainability goals, digital transformation, and traditional repair knowledge can converge meaningfully. Recognising repair work not just as a service but as intellectual and cultural knowledge strengthens the foundation for a just, resilient, and repair-ready future. As technology becomes more advanced, preserving and integrating this human-centric expertise becomes essential for inclusive innovation and environmental stewardship.