NITI Aayog, in collaboration with multiple ministries and international experts, released a landmark 11-report series titled "Scenarios Towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero" on February 9–10, 2026. This is India's first government-led integrated study that simultaneously models climate action and economic development pathways up to 2070.
The 11 sector-specific reports cover power, transport, industry, buildings, agriculture, financing, and critical minerals, among other domains. Each report maps out decarbonisation trajectories while aligning with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision — India becoming a developed nation by its centenary of independence.
Key projections include India's GDP reaching USD 30 trillion by 2047 under the Viksit Bharat scenario. Achieving Net Zero by 2070 would require USD 8.1 trillion in incremental investment beyond the business-as-usual pathway, with annual incremental needs rising to around USD 290 billion during 2050-70.
The study emphasises co-benefits: simultaneously pursuing Net Zero and Viksit Bharat would reduce energy import dependence, create millions of green jobs, and improve public health outcomes through reduced air pollution. The financing report highlights the need for domestic capital market deepening, international climate finance mobilisation, and blended finance instruments to bridge the investment gap.
For critical minerals — essential for solar panels, batteries, and EVs — India's requirements will surge 13-fold by 2047. The agriculture report outlines pathways to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions while increasing productivity.
This study is significant for RAS aspirants as it represents India's most comprehensive official articulation of the climate-development nexus, directly relevant to environment, economy, and governance papers.