Cabinet approves India's NDC for 2031-35: 47% cut in emissions intensity, 60% non-fossil power capacity by 2035
On 25 March 2026 the Union Cabinet approved India's Nationally Determined Contribution for 2031-2035 under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement, targeting a 47% cut in the emissions intensity of GDP from the 2005 level by 2035.
Summary
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 March 2026 approved India's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2031-2035, to be communicated to the UNFCCC. By 2035 India commits to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 47% from the 2005 level, to reach 60% of cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil sources, and to create a carbon sink of 3.5 to 4.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through forest and tree cover from the 2005 level. The government said emissions intensity fell 36% between 2005 and 2020, and non-fossil capacity reached 52.57% in February 2026. The targets are aligned with Viksit Bharat @2047 and net-zero by 2070.
Key facts
- Period
- NDC for 2031-2035, under UNFCCC / Paris Agreement
- Emissions intensity
- 47% reduction by 2035 from 2005 level
- Non-fossil capacity
- 60% of installed power capacity by 2035
- Carbon sink
- 3.5-4.0 billion tonnes CO₂ eq. by 2035 (forest and tree cover)
- Progress
- Intensity down 36% (2005-2020); non-fossil 52.57% (Feb 2026)
- Long-term goal
- Net-zero by 2070
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Under its NDC for 2031-2035 approved in March 2026, India aims to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 2035, from the 2005 level, by:
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 47%
The new NDC targets a 47% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2035 over 2005. 33-35% was the 2015 NDC target for 2030.
Consider the following about India's NDC for 2031-2035: 1. It targets 60% of cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil sources by 2035. 2. It targets an additional carbon sink of 3.5-4.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through forest and tree cover by 2035 from the 2005 level. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are targets of the NDC 2031-35, alongside the 47% emissions-intensity target.
According to the government (March 2026), what share of India's installed electric power capacity was from non-fossil sources in February 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 52.57%
Non-fossil capacity reached 52.57% in February 2026, meeting the updated NDC target five years ahead of the timeline; the new target is 60% by 2035.