Key Terms & Concepts — UPSC Mains
Panchamrit
"Five climate action commitments announced by PM Modi at COP26 Glasgow (November 2021) that formed the basis of India's updated NDC 2.0"
Panchamrit ('five nectar elements') refers to the five climate targets announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, in November 2021. These commitments were formally translated into India's updated NDC 2.0, submitted to the UNFCCC in August 2022. The five goals are: (1) 500 GW of non-fossil fuel installed energy capacity by 2030, (2) 50% of energy from renewable sources by 2030, (3) reduction of one billion tonnes in total projected carbon emissions by 2030, (4) 45% reduction in carbon intensity of the economy by 2030 (from 2005 levels), and (5) achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. India achieved the 50% non-fossil capacity target in early 2025 — five years ahead of schedule — with 52.57% non-fossil capacity by February 2026.
Panchamrit is a high-frequency UPSC Prelims topic (all five targets must be memorised) and essential for Mains GS-3 (Environment — India's climate commitments). The early achievement of the 50% target and the progression to NDC 3.0 (60% by 2035) demonstrate India's climate action trajectory.
- 1 Announced at COP26, Glasgow (November 2021) by PM Modi
- 2 Five targets forming India's enhanced climate ambition
- 3 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030
- 4 50% energy from renewables by 2030
- 5 One billion tonnes reduction in projected emissions by 2030
- 6 45% carbon intensity reduction from 2005 levels by 2030
- 7 Net zero by 2070
- 8 Formally incorporated into NDC 2.0 (August 2022)
- 9 50% non-fossil target achieved five years early (52.57% by February 2026)
India's Panchamrit goal of 50% non-fossil installed capacity was achieved in early 2025, prompting the NDC 3.0 to set an even more ambitious 60% target for 2035.