BharatNotes
What is India's Renewable Energy Target?
India has set an ambitious target of achieving 500 GW of installed renewable energy (non-fossil fuel) capacity by 2030, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at COP26 in Glasgow (November 2021). This target is part of India's broader climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, which also include achieving 50% of cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030 and reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. India plans to add approximately 50 GW of renewable energy capacity annually for the next five years.
India's renewable energy portfolio comprises primarily solar energy, wind energy, small hydro, and biomass. Solar energy has emerged as the fastest-growing segment, with installed capacity crossing 100 GW in January 2025 and reaching 132.85 GW by November 2025 -- a 41% year-on-year increase. Wind energy capacity reached 53.99 GW by November 2025 (crossing the 50 GW mark in March 2025). Together, India's total non-fossil fuel installed capacity reached 262.74 GW in November 2025, constituting 51.5% of total installed electricity capacity.
A major milestone was achieved in June 2025 when India crossed the 50% non-fossil fuel capacity mark -- five years ahead of the 2030 target under its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). In 2025 (through November), India added a record 44.51 GW of renewable capacity, nearly double the 24.72 GW added during the same period in 2024. Additionally, 169.40 GW of renewable projects are under implementation and 65.06 GW have been tendered.
Key Features
| # | Feature | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Target | 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 |
| 2 | Announced At | COP26 Glasgow, November 2021 |
| 3 | Solar Capacity (Nov 2025) | 132.85 GW (crossed 100 GW in Jan 2025) |
| 4 | Wind Capacity (Nov 2025) | 53.99 GW (crossed 50 GW in March 2025) |
| 5 | Total Non-Fossil (Nov 2025) | 262.74 GW = 51.5% of total installed capacity |
| 6 | 2025 Capacity Addition | 44.51 GW (Jan-Nov); nearly double 2024 pace |
| 7 | Net-Zero Target | 2070 |
| 8 | Key Schemes | PM-KUSUM, Rooftop Solar, Green Hydrogen Mission, ISA |
Current Status / Latest Data
- India achieved 50% non-fossil fuel capacity in June 2025 -- five years ahead of the 2030 NDC target.
- Pipeline: 169.40 GW under implementation + 65.06 GW tendered, including hybrid, round-the-clock, and thermal+RE bundled projects.
- Experts note India needs to double annual deployment to meet the full 500 GW target -- requiring ~15% year-on-year growth in capacity additions.
- PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (launched 2024) targets 1 crore rooftop solar installations with subsidies of Rs 78,000 crore.
- India's National Green Hydrogen Mission (Rs 19,744 crore) targets 5 million tons per annum (MTPA) of green hydrogen production by 2030.
- International Solar Alliance (ISA), headquartered in Gurugram, was co-founded by India and France at COP21 (2015) and has 120+ member countries.
UPSC Exam Corner
Prelims: Key Facts
- India's RE target: 500 GW by 2030 (COP26, Glasgow)
- Solar: 132.85 GW (Nov 2025); Wind: 53.99 GW (Nov 2025)
- 50% non-fossil milestone achieved June 2025 -- 5 years ahead of target
- Net-zero target: 2070
- ISA: headquarters in Gurugram, India; 120+ member countries
- National Green Hydrogen Mission: 5 MTPA green hydrogen by 2030
Mains: Probable Themes
- Feasibility of the 500 GW target -- progress, gaps, and challenges (land acquisition, grid integration, storage)
- India's climate diplomacy -- NDC targets, COP commitments, and the equity argument
- Green hydrogen as the next frontier in India's energy transition
- Challenges: intermittency, energy storage, transmission infrastructure, rare earth dependence
- Just transition: impact on coal-dependent regions and workers as India shifts to renewables
Sources: PIB - India's RE Capacity Growth FY 2024-25, PIB - India Adds Record 44.5 GW, PIB - India's Power Capacity Hits 5.05 Lakh MW
