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.
Experts hail the decision
Commenting on the cabinet decision, Dr Arunabha Ghosh, CEO, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) said, “At a time when conflict and energy security concerns are pulling countries away from climate commitments, India’s new NDCs send an important signal. A targeted 60% share of non-fossil electricity capacity in 2035 suggests that while India has raised its ambition to decarbonise the power sector, it is also doubling down on energy security and affordability for hundreds of millions of its citizens. It is important to note that India's power markets are rapidly evolving. If that trajectory is maintained and supply chain disruptions ease, we estimate that India will exceed its target, as it has repeatedly done in the past.’’
Anne-Sophie Cerisola, Distinguished Fellow Strategic Perspectives think tank & former Director of the Climate Action Team in the Executive Office of the United Nations Secretary-General said, “Whatever a country with 1.4 billion people does matters and whatever one of the fastest growing emerging economies in the world matters. India is shifting from a country addicted to coal to one with a fast-growing clean-tech sector - what matters is the direction and pace of travel and on those metrics this plan represents progress.’’
“It is good to see that India has increased all three major key quantitative goals -- emission reductions, non-fossil or clean power and carbon sinks. At a time when the world order stands diminished, and when there is little traction for climate - which seems to have lost its standing as a global public good - it is good to see that India is staying on track. And given that India is the BRICS chair, this announcement probably paves the way for a BRICS-led climate action,” commented Dhruba Purkayastha, Consultant, Standing Committee on Finance, UNFCCC; Visiting Professor, Grantham Research Institute; Adviser - Energy & Climate, ORF.
According to Suranjali Tandon, Associate Professor, National Institute for Public Finance and Policy, “The estimated finance for meeting the NZ requirements is USD 5.15 trillion between 2025 and 2050. Meeting the NDCs would require that growth remains steady and investment rates by the private sector pick up. While multilaterals loans are important they cannot be relied on to fill the gap.”
Aarti Khosla, Director, Climate Trends said, “India’s updated NDC targets reflect a forward-looking climate plan, especially coming at a time when the global order is fractured and the future of energy policy is very uncertain. Releasing the NDC at this juncture reinforces that as a country India respects multilateralism and equity, both aspects found wanting in the world today.”
“A 47% reduction in emission intensity by 2035, alongside achieving 60% non-fossil capacity, signals continuity while remaining grounded in domestic, developmental and geopolitical realities. The fact that India has already crossed 50% non-fossil capacity underscores there is room for improvement if global context changes,” she said.