{"id":94945,"date":"2026-03-26T11:29:17","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T05:59:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=94945"},"modified":"2026-03-26T11:37:41","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T06:07:41","slug":"nationally-determined-contributions-upsc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/nationally-determined-contributions-upsc\/","title":{"rendered":"Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) &#8211; India\u2019s Updated Climate Commitments Balancing Development and Decarbonisation"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) Latest News<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India has unveiled its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for <\/span><b>2035 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (<\/span><b>UNFCCC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), in line with its obligations under the <\/span><b>Paris Agreement<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These targets reflect a progression over earlier commitments and aim to reconcile climate ambition with developmental priorities and energy security.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Key Highlights of India\u2019s 2035 NDC Targets<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Expansion of non-fossil energy capacity:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Target<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 60% of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2035.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Current status<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: India already achieved about 52% (2025). Target was to achieve 50% by 2030.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Sources include<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Solar, wind, hydro, biomass, nuclear.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Indication<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Early achievement of 2030 target (50%), showcasing rapid renewable expansion.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Reduction in emissions intensity:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Target<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 47% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP (from 2005 levels) by 2035.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Current progress<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 36% reduction achieved (2005\u20132020) and the 2030 target is 45% reduction.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This reflects continued emphasis on energy efficiency and low-carbon growth.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Enhancement of carbon sink:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Target<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 3.5\u20134 billion tonnes CO\u2082 equivalent carbon sink.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Current progress<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: About 2.3 billion tonnes achieved by 2021 (2.5\u20133 bn tonnes to be achieved by 2030).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Focus on afforestation, reforestation, and ecosystem restoration.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Understanding NDC and Climate Governance<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>What are NDCs? <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are <\/span><b>voluntary <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">climate action plans under the Paris framework, updated every 5 years with increasing ambition, reflecting national circumstances and capabilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>India\u2019s NDC evolution: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Demonstrates incremental progression principle.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>2015<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: First NDC (targeting 2025)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>2022<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Updated NDC (targets for 2030)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>2026<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Third NDC (targets for 2035)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Global stocktake (GST) influence: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Based on findings of the Global Stocktake (GST) (initiated 2021), it was held that the world is not on track for the 1.5\u00b0C goal.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>India\u2019s targets<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: These are shaped by equity and CBDR-RC principle (Common But Differentiated Responsibilities), developmental needs and energy security. India is on track or ahead in several parameters.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Significance of India\u2019s Climate Strategy<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Leadership of Global South: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India positioned as a climate leader among developing countries. This signals commitment despite the historical responsibility of developed nations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Balancing growth with sustainability: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Focus on energy access, industrial growth, and climate mitigation, and reflecting \u201c<\/span><b>climate justice<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d approach.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strategic autonomy in climate policy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: NDCs are self-determined, not externally imposed, aligning with domestic priorities like energy security and affordable power.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Main Pillars of India\u2019s Climate Strategy<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s NDC is operationalized through the National Action Plan on Climate Change (<\/span><b>NAPCC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) and its nine national missions, as well as the State Action Plans on Climate Change (<\/span><b>SAPCC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s climate action is being implemented at local level through <\/span><b>various schemes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and programme such as\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jal Jeevan Mission,\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture, Sustainable Habitat,\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>MISHTI <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats &amp; Tangible Incomes),\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Disaster Management Plan,\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soil Health Card and\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), etc.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>People-centric approach:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s climate efforts are centered around the principle of \u201cLifestyle for Environment (<\/span><b>LiFE<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">),\u201d which is transforming sustainable living into a mass movement.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The initiatives like \u2018<\/span><b>Ek Ped Maa Ke Nam<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019 transformed tree plantation into a people-driven climate action.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Challenges and Concerns<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Modest ambition: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Critics argue that targets do not match India\u2019s current progress. For example, 60% non-fossil capacity is seen as under-ambitious.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Gap between capacity and generation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though 52% capacity is non-fossil, only ~25% actual generation due to intermittency of renewables.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Land and infrastructure constraints: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Renewable expansion faces land acquisition issues, and transmission bottlenecks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Forest cover limitations: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Current forest and tree cover (~24.6%) is lower than the target of 33% (National Forest Policy).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Global inequities: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Developed countries allegedly rolling back climate commitments, and imposing unilateral trade measures (e.g., carbon border taxes).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Way Forward<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Enhancing renewable energy ecosystem: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Invest in grid infrastructure, energy storage technologies, and green hydrogen.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Bridging capacity-generation gap<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Improve efficiency and reliability of renewables. Promote hybrid systems (solar + wind + storage).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strengthening carbon sink: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expand agroforestry, urban forestry, and community-led conservation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Climate finance mobilisation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Push for international climate finance, technology transfer, and leverage initiatives like green bonds.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Policy and institutional reforms: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Streamline approvals for renewable projects. Strengthen climate governance frameworks.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s updated 2035 NDCs reflect a measured yet pragmatic escalation in climate ambition, rooted in equity and developmental realities.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the country is on track to meet or exceed several existing targets, concerns remain about the adequacy of ambition in the face of the global climate crisis.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Going forward, India\u2019s role will be crucial in shaping a <\/span><b>just, inclusive, and sustainable<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> global climate order, particularly as a voice of the Global South.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Source: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/energy-and-environment\/india-raises-clean-energy-ambition-with-60-non-fossil-fuel-power-goal-by-2035\/article70784465.ece\/amp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><b>TH<\/b><\/a><b>\u00a0| <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/india\/india-emission-intensity-cut-electricity-capacity-non-fossils-2035-10601246\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><b>IE<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>India has unveiled its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for 2035 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":94957,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[287,3837,59],"class_list":{"0":"post-94945","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-upsc-mains-current-affairs","8":"tag-mains-article","9":"tag-nationally-determined-contributions","10":"tag-upsc-mains-current-affairs","11":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94945","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=94945"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94945\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":94978,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94945\/revisions\/94978"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/94957"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=94945"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=94945"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=94945"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}