Why in the news
India moved up to third place worldwide in installed renewable energy capacity by passing Brazil. Only China and the United States are ahead, a sign of India’s green-energy rise. The ranking draws on IRENA’s Renewable Energy Statistics 2026 and MNRE data.
Key facts
| Rank | Country | Capacity |
|---|
| 1 | China | 2,258 GW |
| 2 | USA | 468 GW |
| 3 | India | 250.52 GW |
- 50% non-fossil capacity was reached in June 2025, five years ahead of the 2030 NDC goal.
- Non-fossil capacity of about 283 GW at March 2026 equals 274.68 GW renewables plus 8.78 GW nuclear.
Renewable mix at 31 March 2026
| Source | Capacity |
|---|
| Solar | 150.26 GW (largest) |
| Wind | 56.09 GW |
| Large hydro | 51.41 GW (counted as renewable since 2019) |
| Bioenergy and small hydro | About 17 GW together |
Background
- Panchamrit (COP26, Glasgow): five elements announced by PM Modi, including 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030 and half of energy needs from renewables by 2030.
- NDCs: national climate plans under the Paris Agreement to cut emissions and adapt; India upgraded targets for 2031-2035.
- Non-fossil vs renewable: non-fossil means renewables (solar, wind, hydro, bio) plus nuclear.
New pledges for 2031-2035
- Emissions intensity cut of 47% from 2005 levels.
- 60% of electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2035.
- Carbon sink of 3.5 to 4 billion tonnes CO2 equivalent through extra forest and tree cover.
Exam angle
- Rank: 3rd, after China and USA; overtook Brazil.
- Nuclear counts as non-fossil but not as renewable in IRENA statistics.
- Related terms: Panchamrit, NDC, MNRE, IRENA.