India’s Updated NDC (2031–2035): A Strong Step Towards Climate Leadership

The Union Cabinet’s approval of India’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) for the period 2031–2035—under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement—serves as a clear indication of the country’s growing climate commitments. This decision not only reflects India’s responsibility toward global climate goals but also reinforces its long-term vision for sustainable development and a green economy.

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¨     India has announced enhanced climate targets for 2035, aligning development priorities with climate responsibility and the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 and net-zero by 2070.

¨    These targets build upon earlier commitments (2015, updated in 2021–22), many of which were achieved ahead of schedule, demonstrating India’s credible climate track record.

¨   India’s approach reflects a balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability, especially as a developing country with low historical emissions (~3.5%).

¨  The formulation process involved extensive stakeholder consultations, led by NITI Aayog, ensuring a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

India’s NDCs Targets for 2035

¨    Reduce Emissions Intensity: Target 47% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2035 compared to 2005 levels. By 2020, India had already achieved 36% reduction.

¨     Expand Non-Fossil Power Capacity: Achieve 60% of cumulative installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2035. Previous 2030 target: 50% (already achieved ahead of time). As of February, more than 52% capacity is non-fossil-based.

¨     Enhance Carbon Sink: Create an additional 3.5–4 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent carbon sink through forest and tree cover by 2035 (from 2005 levels).

¨     Previous 2030 target: 2.5–3 billion tonnes. By 2021, 2.3 billion tonnes already achieved.

¨     Progressive Enhancement: The new NDC (2031–2035) strengthens the climate pledges made in India’s first NDC (2015), which were further revised and updated in 2021–2022, reflecting a progressively ambitious approach.

The updated NDC also includes five qualitative goals, focusing on

¨     Climate-resilient development pathways

¨     Clean and sustainable economic growth

¨     Climate finance mobilisation

¨     Technology, innovation, and capacity building

¨     Promotion of sustainable lifestyles (LiFE)

Comparison across successive NDC commitments

Commitment Area

First NDC (2015)

Updated
NDC
(2021–2022)

India’s fourth Biennial Update report (2025)

Updated
NDC
(2031-2035)

Emissions intensity:

Reduce emissions intensity
of GDP by 33–35%
below 2005 levels.

Reduce emissions intensity
of GDP by 45% below 2005 levels by 2030.

Emissions intensity
India’s GDP has reduced by 36% from 2005 levels (as of 2020).

Target 47%
reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2035 compared to 2005 levels.

Non-fossil power capacity:

Achieve 40% of installed electric power capacity
from non-fossil sources by 2030.

Achieve 50% of
cumulative installed power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.

Non-fossil sources
accounted for 50% of installed capacity (June 2025).

Achieve 60%
of cumulative installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2035.

Carbon sink (forests):

Create an additional carbon
sink of 2.5–3 GtCO₂e by 2030 through increased forest and tree cover

 

An additional carbon sinkof 2.29 billion tonnes of CO₂e was achieved between 2005 and 2021.

Create 3.5-4 billion tonnes
CO2e carbon sink through increased forest and tree cover.

Long-term target:

 

Net-zero emissions by 2070