The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved India's updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the period 2031–2035, to be submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This new NDC builds on India's earlier climate commitments and charts an ambitious path toward sustainable development.
Key targets under the new NDC include: reducing emissions intensity of GDP by 47% from 2005 levels by 2035; achieving 60% of cumulative electricity installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2035; and creating an additional carbon sink of 3.5–4 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through forest and tree cover by 2035. India also reaffirmed its long-term goal of reaching Net Zero emissions by 2070.
India has already over-achieved its earlier Paris Agreement targets — as of February 2026, 52.57% of installed electricity capacity comes from non-fossil sources, surpassing the 2030 target of 50%. The carbon sink target of 2.5–3 BT set under the previous NDC has seen strong progress through Green India Mission and CAMPA afforestation drives.
The new NDC reflects India's principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR), emphasising that developed nations must lead in climate finance and technology transfer. India continues to advocate for climate justice at international forums, arguing that developing nations should not bear a disproportionate burden for historical emissions they did not cause. This approval signals India's continued global climate leadership ahead of COP 31.