India rises to third in the world for renewable energy capacity, overtaking Brazil
India ranks third in the world for installed renewable energy capacity, ahead of Brazil, according to IRENA's Renewable Energy Statistics 2026, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said on 8 April 2026.
Summary
India now ranks third in the world for installed renewable energy capacity, ahead of Brazil, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency's Renewable Energy Statistics 2026 (data as of December 2025), Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said on 8 April 2026. IRENA lists China (2,258.02 GW), the USA (467.92 GW) and India (250.52 GW) at the top, followed by Brazil (228.20 GW). India added a record 55.29 GW of non-fossil capacity in 2025-26, against the previous high of 29.5 GW in 2024-25, and wind additions of 6.05 GW were also the highest ever. Non-fossil capacity reached 283.46 GW on 31 March 2026, including 150.26 GW solar and 8.78 GW nuclear. India reached 50% of installed capacity from non-fossil sources in June 2025, five years ahead of its 2030 target under the Paris Agreement, and is working towards 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030.
Key facts
- Rank
- 3rd in RE installed capacity (IRENA RE Statistics 2026, data Dec 2025)
- Overtook
- Brazil
- Non-fossil capacity
- 283.46 GW on 31 March 2026
- 2025-26 addition
- 55.29 GW non-fossil (record); wind 6.05 GW (record)
- NDC milestone
- 50% non-fossil capacity in June 2025
- Target
- 500 GW non-fossil by 2030
Practice MCQs 3 questions
According to IRENA's Renewable Energy Statistics 2026, India moved ahead of which country to rank third in installed renewable energy capacity?
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Correct answer: B — Brazil
Pralhad Joshi said India moved ahead of Brazil; IRENA lists India at 250.52 GW and Brazil at 228.20 GW, behind China and the USA.
What was India's total installed non-fossil fuel capacity as on 31 March 2026, according to MNRE?
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Correct answer: D — 283.46 GW
MNRE put non-fossil capacity at 283.46 GW on 31 March 2026: 274.68 GW renewable (incl. large hydro) plus 8.78 GW nuclear. 250.52 GW is IRENA's renewable figure as of December 2025.
Consider the following statements: 1. India reached 50% of its cumulative installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources in June 2025, five years ahead of its 2030 NDC target. 2. Wind capacity additions of 6.05 GW in 2025-26 were the highest ever in a single year. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per MNRE: the 50% milestone came in June 2025, and 6.05 GW of wind in 2025-26 was the highest ever (4.15 GW the year before).