The Crossbill News Desk
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday (March 25) approved India’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the period 2031–2035, setting out enhanced climate targets that will be communicated to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) under the Paris Agreement framework.
The decision, taken under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marks what the government described as a significant step toward strengthening India’s climate commitments while aligning economic development with environmental sustainability.
According to the official statement, the updated NDC “enhanc[es] the country’s ambition under the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement while reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development and climate justice.”
Under the revised targets, India has committed to reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 47 per cent by 2035 from 2005 levels. The country also plans to achieve 60 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2035 and create a carbon sink of 3.5 to 4 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through forest and tree cover.
The government said the commitments are aligned with the broader national vision of “Viksit Bharat @2047” and India’s long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. The press release noted that India’s NDC for 2031–35 is guided by the vision of Viksit Bharat, “which is not just a goal for 2047, but a commitment to act today to build a prosperous, and climate resilient Bharat for the future generations.”
Highlighting earlier progress, the government said India had already met its previous climate targets well ahead of schedule.
The original NDC submitted in 2015 aimed at a 33–35 per cent reduction in emissions intensity and a 40 per cent share of non-fossil fuel-based power capacity by 2030. Both goals were achieved years before the deadline, demonstrating what the statement described as “a credible and action-oriented approach to climate governance.”
Official data cited in the release showed that India’s emissions intensity declined by 36 per cent between 2005 and 2020, while non-fossil fuel capacity reached 52.57 per cent by February 2026.
The government added that India had already created 2.29 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent carbon sink by 2021 through afforestation and ecosystem restoration efforts. Independent agencies such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have acknowledged India’s progress, ranking the country third globally in net forest area gain.
The updated climate roadmap emphasises accelerated clean energy expansion, green manufacturing and sustainable infrastructure. The government said India’s climate strategy is being implemented through measures such as large-scale renewable energy deployment, battery storage systems, green energy corridors and cleaner industrial production. Key initiatives include the Green Hydrogen Mission, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, Production Linked Incentive schemes, PM-KUSUM and efforts in carbon capture, utilisation and storage along with expansion of nuclear energy.
Beyond mitigation, the government stressed adaptation and resilience measures, stating that India’s climate approach “extends beyond mitigation actions and focuses on scaling-up adaptation actions.”
These include mangrove restoration, early warning systems for cyclones, glacier monitoring, climate-resilient infrastructure in Himalayan regions, Heat Action Plans and community-based disaster preparedness programmes.
India’s climate action framework continues to operate through the National Action Plan on Climate Change and State Action Plans, supported by schemes such as Jal Jeevan Mission, National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture and MISHTI for mangrove restoration. The government also highlighted its people-centric approach based on the “Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)” initiative, describing it as an effort to transform sustainable living into a mass movement.
The statement said the updated NDC was prepared after extensive consultations involving ministries, experts, industry bodies and civil society through working groups under NITI Aayog.
The process, it added, ensured “a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, aligning national development priorities with climate objectives.”
The decision, taken under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marks what the government described as a significant step toward strengthening India’s climate commitments while aligning economic development with environmental sustainability.
According to the official statement, the updated NDC “enhanc[es] the country’s ambition under the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement while reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development and climate justice.”
Under the revised targets, India has committed to reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 47 per cent by 2035 from 2005 levels. The country also plans to achieve 60 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2035 and create a carbon sink of 3.5 to 4 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through forest and tree cover.
The government said the commitments are aligned with the broader national vision of “Viksit Bharat @2047” and India’s long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. The press release noted that India’s NDC for 2031–35 is guided by the vision of Viksit Bharat, “which is not just a goal for 2047, but a commitment to act today to build a prosperous, and climate resilient Bharat for the future generations.”
Highlighting earlier progress, the government said India had already met its previous climate targets well ahead of schedule.
The original NDC submitted in 2015 aimed at a 33–35 per cent reduction in emissions intensity and a 40 per cent share of non-fossil fuel-based power capacity by 2030. Both goals were achieved years before the deadline, demonstrating what the statement described as “a credible and action-oriented approach to climate governance.”
Official data cited in the release showed that India’s emissions intensity declined by 36 per cent between 2005 and 2020, while non-fossil fuel capacity reached 52.57 per cent by February 2026.
The government added that India had already created 2.29 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent carbon sink by 2021 through afforestation and ecosystem restoration efforts. Independent agencies such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have acknowledged India’s progress, ranking the country third globally in net forest area gain.
The updated climate roadmap emphasises accelerated clean energy expansion, green manufacturing and sustainable infrastructure. The government said India’s climate strategy is being implemented through measures such as large-scale renewable energy deployment, battery storage systems, green energy corridors and cleaner industrial production. Key initiatives include the Green Hydrogen Mission, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, Production Linked Incentive schemes, PM-KUSUM and efforts in carbon capture, utilisation and storage along with expansion of nuclear energy.
Beyond mitigation, the government stressed adaptation and resilience measures, stating that India’s climate approach “extends beyond mitigation actions and focuses on scaling-up adaptation actions.”
These include mangrove restoration, early warning systems for cyclones, glacier monitoring, climate-resilient infrastructure in Himalayan regions, Heat Action Plans and community-based disaster preparedness programmes.
India’s climate action framework continues to operate through the National Action Plan on Climate Change and State Action Plans, supported by schemes such as Jal Jeevan Mission, National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture and MISHTI for mangrove restoration. The government also highlighted its people-centric approach based on the “Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)” initiative, describing it as an effort to transform sustainable living into a mass movement.
The statement said the updated NDC was prepared after extensive consultations involving ministries, experts, industry bodies and civil society through working groups under NITI Aayog.
The process, it added, ensured “a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, aligning national development priorities with climate objectives.”
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