Context:

India has reached 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources—five years ahead of the target set under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement.  As of 30 June 2025, India's total installed electricity capacity is 484.82 GW. The share between fossil and non-fossil sources is:

• Fossil fuel (Thermal): 242.04 GW (49.92%)
• Non-fossil fuel (RE + Large Hydro + Nuclear): 242.78 GW (50.08%)

About Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs):

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are non-binding climate action plans submitted by countries under the Paris Agreement. They outline each nation’s strategies to:

·         Cut greenhouse gas emissions

·         Adapt to climate impacts

·         Contribute to the global goal of limiting warming to well below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C

Though not legally enforceable, NDCs are critical because they translate global climate goals into national action plans, guiding investments and policymaking across sectors.

India's NDC:

        i.            Reach 500GWNon-fossil energy capacity by 2030.

     ii.            50 per cent of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030.

   iii.            Reduction of total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from now to 2030.

   iv.            Reduction of the carbon intensity of the economy by 45 per cent by 2030, over 2005 levels.

      v.            Achieving the target of net zero emissions by 2070.

Policies and schemes have driven this clean energy growth:

India's clean energy rise has been fuelled by targeted policies and initiatives, including:

• PM-KUSUM: Empowers farmers with solar-powered pumps and enables feeder-level solarisation.
• PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana: Launched in 2024 to support rooftop solar adoption by one crore households.
• National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy and solar park development: Promote large-scale, cost-effective renewable energy.
• Support for bioenergy: Integrates rural livelihoods with clean energy, contributing to circular economy goals.

Benefits of India’s renewable energy transition:

India’s renewable expansion has resulted in multiple co-benefits beyond decarbonisation:

• Energy access: Especially in rural and remote areas.
• Employment generation: Through bioenergy, solar rooftop installation, and maintenance.
• Health improvements: Reduced air pollution and associated health risks.
• Economic upliftment: Solarising agriculture and enabling citizens to become prosumers (energy producers + consumers).

Conclusion:

As India celebrates this milestone, it is clear that the country is poised to become a global leader in clean energy and sustainable development. With a strong foundation in place, India is well-equipped to achieve its ambitious targets and inspire a cleaner, greener future for generations to come.