Author: Satish Mishra

On 25 March 2026, the Cabinet approved India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2031–2035. Under this, India commits to reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 47 per cent by 2035 from 2005 levels. It also aspires to achieve 60 per cent of cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil-fuel-based energy resources by 2035. For a nation with a population of 140 crore, aspiring to become a Viksit Bharat by 2047, these goals are arguably far-fetched. Nonetheless, India’s success on the climate front depends on managing two distinct challenges: waste and critical minerals. Undeniably, the government has introduced several…