In a major push to strengthen its climate commitments, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved India’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the period 2031-2035. The revised targets will be communicated to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) under the Paris Agreement framework.
As part of its updated commitments, India has pledged to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 47 percent by 2035 from 2005 levels. This marks a substantial increase from its earlier target, reflecting the country’s accelerating efforts to decarbonise its economy.
India has also set a higher target for clean energy, aiming to achieve 60 percent of its cumulative installed electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2035. Notably, the country has already achieved over 52 percent non-fossil fuel capacity as of February 2026, meeting its previous target well ahead of schedule.
Another key pillar of the updated NDC is the creation of a carbon sink of 3.5 to 4.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through forest and tree cover by 2035. India has already made significant progress in this area, having created 2.29 billion tonnes of carbon sink by 2021 through afforestation and ecosystem restoration efforts.
India’s climate track record has been marked by early achievement of targets. Its initial NDC submitted in 2015 aimed at reducing emissions intensity by 33-35 percent and achieving 40 percent non-fossil power capacity by 2030, both of which were met years in advance. Emissions intensity has already declined by 36 percent between 2005 and 2020.
The new NDC significantly enhances India’s climate ambition, aligning with the broader vision of “Viksit Bharat @2047” and the long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. It focuses on sustainable development, climate resilience, and a just transition across sectors.
The government highlighted that the updated targets are designed to integrate sustainability into governance and daily life, while promoting inclusive growth and protecting livelihoods. India’s continued progress underscores its commitment to balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility and delivering on global climate goals.