Climate change adaptation & mitigation in India

Story hook

On 30 June 2008, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stood at the Vigyan Bhawan podium in Delhi and released a 56-page document titled the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). The document was India's first comprehensive response to climate change — eight national missions ranging from Solar (eventually 100 GW by 2022) to Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem to Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change.

India's argument at the international stage at the time was elegant: "We will do our part — but we are a developing country with per capita emissions of 1.2 tonnes CO₂ compared to the US at 17.5." The NAPCC was both a statement of intent and a diplomatic shield. Within five years, all 28 states + 6 UTs had drafted State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs) — moving climate from the foreign-policy desk to the state-budget desk.

Sixteen years later, India is on its third round of NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) with the 2070 net-zero pledge announced at COP26 Glasgow. Solar capacity has crossed 94 GW (Dec 2024), the International Solar Alliance has 120 members, and Mission LiFE has gone global. Yet emissions are still 2.5 tonnes per capita — and the adaptation gap for India's 700 million climate-vulnerable citizens remains the harder, less-told story.

Why this matters for UPSC

NAPCC and the 8 missions are perennial Prelims fodder — 1-2 MCQs every year on mission names, lead ministry, and target numbers. Mains asks analytical questions on net-zero feasibility, just transition, climate finance. Interview boards probe ethics — "common but differentiated responsibility", climate justice, India's leadership at COP.