Operationalizing the Circular Economy:  A PRISMA- Based Review of EPR and C&D Waste Governance in India

The construction and demolition (C&D) sector is a major contributor to material consumption and waste generation, making it a critical focal point for circular economy (CE) transitions. In India, the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) under the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules 2025 represents a significant policy shift toward lifecycle-based material governance. However, the effectiveness of EPR in delivering circular outcomes remains uncertain. This study presents a systematic review of academic literature and policy documents to critically examine the design, implementation, and performance of EPR oriented C&D waste governance in India within a global context. Following the PRISMA 2020 protocol, 130 sources, including peer reviewed studies and official policy documents, were systematically analyzed. The review develops a conceptual framework that links policy intent, EPR design, enterprise readiness, and circular outcomes, highlighting enterprise readiness as a key mediating factor. A critical policy analysis reveals that while India’s regulatory framework aligns with international circular economy principles, significant implementation gaps persist due to ambiguous responsibility allocation, weak enforcement mechanisms, and underdeveloped markets for secondary construction materials. Comparative analysis with the European Union and Japan demonstrates that EPR effectiveness is strongly associated with institutional clarity, capability building mechanisms, and enforcement intensity. To address these gaps, the study proposes a Circular Capability Maturity Model (CCMM) as a structured pathway for assessing and enhancing enterprise readiness for EPR implementation. By shifting the focus from compliance-based regulation to capability oriented governance, the paper contributes a theoretically grounded and policy relevant framework to advance circular construction transitions in emerging economies.