Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC): 2035 Targets
Context:
Updating its climate goals under the Paris Agreement, the Union Cabinet recently approved India’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2035.
These voluntary pledges, to be communicated to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), spell out India’s transition away from fossil fuels.
Key Targets for 2035:
India has raised its clean-energy ambitions significantly compared to its 2030 goals:
Non-Fossil Fuel Capacity:
India pledges that by 2035, 60% of its installed electric capacity will comprise non-fossil sources (Solar, Wind, Hydropower, Biomass, and Nuclear).
This is an increase from the 2030 goal of 50%.
Emissions Intensity:
Aiming to reduce the intensity of emissions per unit of GDP by 47% from 2005 levels.
The earlier 2030 target was a 44% reduction.
Carbon Sink:
To increase the carbon sink to between 3.5 billion and 4 billion tonnes of CO 2 equivalent through forest and tree cover.
The 2030 target was 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes
Current Progress and Status:
India and Argentina were the only two G-20 countries that had not announced a 2035 NDC as of December 31, 2025.
With this update, India joins 128 other parties representing 78% of global emissions who have submitted new NDCs.
Currently, about 52% of India's installed electric capacity comes from non-fossil sources—a target achieved well before the 2030 deadline.
However, non-fossil sources currently generate only about 25% of the actual power produced. (As per Ministry of New and Renewable Energy)
While a carbon sink of 1.97 billion tonnes was created by 2019, forest and tree cover currently stands at 24.6% of India's geographical area.
This remains below the national policy goal of 33%.