CURRENT AFFAIRS | MARCH 26, 2026
The Union Cabinet has approved India’s most ambitious climate targets yet, committing to a 47% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2035 (over 2005 levels) and 60% non-fossil electricity generation capacity by 2035 under the country’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) for 2031-2035. This is India’s third NDC commitment under the Paris Agreement.
India’s Three New Climate Targets (NDC 2031-2035)
- 47% Emission Intensity Reduction: Cut emissions intensity of GDP by 47% over 2005 levels by 2035 (previous target: 45% by 2030)
- 60% Non-Fossil Power Capacity: Achieve 60% of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2035 (previous: 50% by 2030, already achieved in 2025)
- Enhanced Carbon Sink: Create 3.5-4 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent carbon sink through forest and tree cover by 2035
Progress So Far
India has already made significant progress on its earlier targets:
- 36% emission intensity reduction already achieved from 2005 levels by 2020
- 52.57% non-fossil capacity achieved by February 2026 — the 50% target for 2030 was met five years early
- 2.29 billion tonnes CO2 equivalent carbon sink created by 2021
However, despite rising capacity, actual power generated from renewable energy (including hydropower) was only 22.36% of total generation in 2024-25 — highlighting the gap between installed capacity and actual electricity generation.
Constitutional Framework
- Article 48A (DPSP) — State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country
- Article 51A(g) (Fundamental Duty) — It shall be the duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife
- Article 253 — Parliament can make any law for the whole or any part of India for implementing any treaty, agreement, or convention (basis for implementing Paris Agreement commitments)
- Article 21 — Right to life includes the right to a clean and healthy environment (Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar)
Key Environmental Legislation
Key Facts
| Environment Protection Act | 1986 — umbrella legislation for environmental protection |
| Paris Agreement | Adopted 2015 (COP21), entered into force November 2016 |
| NDC Baseline Year | 2005 levels (for measuring emission intensity reduction) |
| Net Zero Target | 2070 (announced at COP26, Glasgow) |
| Key Case Law | M.C. Mehta v. UOI — polluter pays and precautionary principles |
Paris Agreement and NDCs
The Paris Agreement (2015) is a legally binding international treaty on climate change adopted at COP21. Under it, each country submits Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) — climate action plans outlining what they will do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Key features:
- Goal: Limit global temperature increase to well below 2 degrees C, preferably 1.5 degrees C, above pre-industrial levels
- NDCs are nationally determined (countries set their own targets) but progressively ambitious (each new NDC must be more ambitious)
- Not directly enforceable in Indian courts — requires domestic legislation under Article 253
- India follows the dualist approach to international law — treaties need domestic legislation to be enforceable
CLAT Angle
Environmental law is a recurring CLAT theme. Key areas for preparation:
- DPSP (Art. 48A) vs. Fundamental Duty (Art. 51A(g)) — distinction between state obligation and citizen duty
- Article 253 — Parliament’s power to implement international treaties overriding State List
- M.C. Mehta v. UOI — polluter pays principle and precautionary principle
- Distinction between emission intensity (per unit GDP) and absolute emissions
- Paris Agreement — structure, NDCs, difference from Kyoto Protocol (which had binding targets only for developed nations)
- Dualist vs. Monist approach to international law
Mnemonic: India’s Environmental Law Framework
D-F-A-C: DPSP (Art. 48A, state duty) → Fundamental Duty (Art. 51A(g), citizen duty) → Article 21 (right to clean environment, judicially expanded) → Case Law (M.C. Mehta, Vellore Citizens, Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action). Together they form a comprehensive constitutional basis for environmental protection.
Practice Quiz
Practice Quiz — 10 CLAT-Style Questions
Click an option to reveal the answer and explanation.
Conclusion
India’s updated NDC targets for 2031-2035 represent a strategic balance between climate ambition and developmental needs. While the targets are progressively ambitious, analysts note they are achievable given India’s current trajectory. For CLAT aspirants, this topic integrates constitutional provisions (Art. 48A, 51A(g), 253), international law (Paris Agreement, NDCs), environmental jurisprudence (M.C. Mehta), and the broader debate on sustainable development versus economic growth.
