Write a review on India’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement (2015) and mention how these have been further strengthened in COP26 (2021). In this direction, how has the first Nationally Determined Contribution intended by India been updated in 2022?
Approach · directive: “write a review / mention / how”
What it asks · Review India’s Paris pledges and progress, show how COP26 raised ambition, and state exactly what the 2022 updated NDC changed.
It asks 3 things — answer each
- Review India's climate commitments under the Paris Agreement (2015), with their progress
- Mention how these commitments were strengthened at COP26 (2021)
- Explain how India's first NDC was updated in 2022
Open with · The Paris Agreement (2015) lets each country set its own Nationally Determined Contribution; India's first NDC balanced climate action with development and common but differentiated responsibilities, and has since been over-delivered, with emissions intensity down 36% between 2005 and 2020.
Cover
- 2015 pledge (by 2030): emissions intensity of GDP down 33–35% from 2005; 40% non-fossil power capacity; 2.5–3 billion tonnes CO2e additional carbon sink.
- Review: the non-fossil capacity and emissions-intensity goals were met well ahead of 2030; the forest-sink goal has progressed more slowly.
- COP26 ‘Panchamrit’: 500 GW non-fossil capacity, half of energy needs from renewables, one billion tonnes less emissions, 45% intensity cut, net zero by 2070.
- COP26 also launched LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and the Green Grids Initiative — One Sun One World One Grid.
- 2022 update (by 2030): emissions intensity down 45% from 2005; about 50% of installed power capacity non-fossil; LiFE written into the NDC.
- Follow-up: long-term low-emission development strategy (COP27), Green Hydrogen Mission, Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, ethanol blending.
- Gaps: climate finance and technology transfer from developed countries, coal dependence, adaptation needs.
Close with · India's climate record is one of over-delivery; the 2035 NDC now ties it to Viksit Bharat @2047 and net zero by 2070, while rightly insisting that developed countries deliver finance and equity under the Paris Agreement.
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- The 2022 updated NDC raised the 2030 targets to a 45% cut in emissions intensity and about 50% non-fossil power capacity.PIB, Cabinet — Cabinet approves India’s Updated Nationally Determined Contribution (3 August 2022) ↗“India now stands committed to reduce Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45 percent by 2030, from 2005 level and achieve about 50 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.”
- India’s next NDC (2031–2035), approved in March 2026, targets a 47% cut in emissions intensity and 60% non-fossil power capacity by 2035.PIB, Cabinet — Cabinet approves India’s NDC (2031-2035) (25 March 2026) ↗“India commits to reduce Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 47 percent by 2035 from 2005 level India to achieve 60 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2035”
- India's INDC (2015): emissions intensity of GDP down 33–35% by 2030 from 2005; about 40% cumulative installed power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.UNFCCC — India's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (2015) ↗“3. To reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 percent by 2030 from 2005 level. 4. To achieve about 40 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non- fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030”
- India's INDC (2015): an additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes CO2e through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.UNFCCC — India's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (2015) ↗“5. To create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.”
- COP26 Panchamrit (1 November 2021): 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030; 50% of energy requirements from renewables; one billion tonnes less emissions; 45% lower carbon intensity by 2030.PIB — National Statement by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at COP26 Summit in Glasgow (1 November 2021) ↗“First - India will reach its non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030. Second - India will meet 50 percent of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030. Third - India will reduce the total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from now onwards till 2030. Fourth - By 2030, India will reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by less than 45 percent.”
- PIB (March 2026): emissions intensity fell 36% during 2005–2020; non-fossil capacity reached 52.57% in February 2026, five years ahead of the 2030 target.PIB, MoEFCC — India's NDC for 2031–2035 approved (25 March 2026) ↗“Our emissions intensity has since reduced by 36% during 2005 to 2020, and the target has now been enhanced to 47% to be achieved by 2035. Towards the updated NDC’s goal on enhancing share of non-fossil fuel energy resources in installed electric power capacity, the country has achieved 52.57 % non-fossil capacity (February 2026), successfully meeting the target five years ahead of the timeline”
- PIB (March 2026): the 2015 intensity and non-fossil capacity targets were met 11 and 9 years ahead of time; forest and tree cover had created 2.29 billion tonnes CO2e of additional sink by 2021.PIB, MoEFCC — India's NDC for 2031–2035 approved (25 March 2026) ↗“Further on the NDC goal of creating additional carbon sink through forest and tree cover, India has already created 2.29 billion tonnes of CO 2 equivalent by 2021”
Question: UPSC's CS (Main) 2025, GS Paper III — paper ↗. Approach: Minimalist IAS, checked 3 Oct 2026 (how we verify) — UPSC publishes no model answers. ·
Model answer· 370words · Minimalist IAS
The Paris Agreement (2015) lets each country set its own Nationally Determined Contribution. India's first NDC balanced climate action with development and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and has since been over-delivered: emissions intensity fell 36% between 2005 and 2020.
India's commitments under the Paris Agreement (2015): a review
- Three quantified goals for 2030: emissions intensity of GDP down 33–35% from 2005; about 40% of installed power capacity from non-fossil sources; an additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through forest and tree cover.
- Qualitative goals: a sustainable way of living rooted in conservation, a cleaner growth path, adaptation, and mobilising finance and technology.
- Delivered early: the intensity and non-fossil goals were met 11 and 9 years ahead of time (PIB, 2026).
- Slower front: the forest sink reached 2.29 billion tonnes by 2021, short of the 2.5–3 billion range.
- 2015: INDC, 33–35% intensity cut, 40% non-fossil
- 2021: COP26 Panchamrit, net zero by 2070
- 2022: updated NDC, 45% and 50%
- 2026: NDC 2031–35, 47% and 60%
How COP26 (2021) strengthened them: Panchamrit
- Five pledges: 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030; 50% of energy requirements from renewables by 2030; one billion tonnes less projected emissions by 2030; carbon intensity down 45% by 2030; net zero by 2070.
- Movements launched: LiFE, Lifestyle for Environment, and the Green Grids Initiative, One Sun One World One Grid.
How the first NDC was updated in 2022
- Cabinet approval, August 2022: the emissions-intensity target rose to 45% below 2005 by 2030 (from 33–35%) and the non-fossil share of installed capacity to about 50% (from 40%).
- LiFE written in: a mass movement for mindful consumption as a key to combating climate change, framed as a step towards net zero by 2070.
- Outcome: non-fossil capacity reached 52.57% in February 2026, five years early; the NDC for 2031–35 (March 2026) targets a 47% intensity cut, 60% non-fossil capacity and a 3.5–4 billion tonne sink.
Gaps that remain
- Finance and technology: developed-country delivery lags; coal dependence and adaptation needs persist.
India's climate record is one of over-delivery; the 2035 NDC now ties it to Viksit Bharat @2047 and net zero by 2070, while rightly insisting that developed countries deliver finance and equity under the Paris Agreement.
Prepared by Minimalist IAS to the answer standard of Shivam Singh (mentor, 7 years) · facts checked against official sources (how we verify) · updated 3 Oct 2026. UPSC publishes no model answers: compare your structure and coverage with this, then write your own.
