- Why in news
- On 10 February 2026 NITI Aayog released the second set of four of its eleven study reports on scenarios towards Viksit Bharat 2047 and Net Zero 2070, covering transport, industry, power and critical minerals.
- What it is
- NITI Aayog is the Government of India's policy think tank. These reports are its first government-led, multi-sectoral, integrated scenario modelling that links Viksit Bharat 2047 with India's net zero pledge for 2070. They are meant to inform long-term policy planning.
- Nature of study
- India's first government-led, multi-sectoral, integrated study of development scenarios that meet Viksit Bharat 2047 and net zero GHG emissions by 2070.
- Inputs
- The study was informed by ten inter-ministerial working groups covering macroeconomics, sectoral transitions, finance, critical minerals, R&D and social implications.
- Power findings
- Electricity's share of final energy can rise to as much as 60% in 2070 from 21% in 2025; non-fossil generation share rises from 23% to 80-85%.
- Coal
- Coal consumption keeps rising till 2047 even as India meets net zero goals.
- Transport
- Electricity, biofuels and hydrogen can meet nearly 90% of transport energy demand by 2070.
- Industry demand
- Demand for steel, cement and aluminium is set to rise 4-6 times by 2070.
- Scope
- Eleven reports will be released on 9 and 10 February 2026. Three came out on the first day.
- Publisher
- NITI Aayog was set up in 2015 replacing the Planning Commission. The Prime Minister chairs it.
Don’t confuse with Viksit Bharat 2047 vs net zero 2070: Viksit Bharat targets a developed India by 2047; net zero emissions is India's pledge for 2070.
Don’t confuse with Net zero 2070 vs Viksit Bharat 2047: Viksit Bharat 2047 is the development goal for 100 years of independence. Net zero by 2070 is India's climate pledge made at COP26.
Reports and indices: 14 Prelims questions since 2013; they test who publishes a report and what it measures.
Why it matters
- Gives a long-term, integrated roadmap linking growth with climate goals, which India lacked since the 2008 Integrated Energy Policy.
- Shows development and green transition can go together, guiding ministries' planning for power, transport, industry and minerals.
- Gives India a long-term, integrated plan linking growth with the net zero pledge.
- Shows the funding needed and may support India's case for climate finance in global talks.
Problems
- Hard-to-abate industry sectors such as steel and cement are the toughest to decarbonise.
- Grid integration of renewables, storage and transmission, and the financial health of Discoms need heavy investment.
- Critical mineral imports will rise, and the technologies needed must become cheaper.
- A $6.5 trillion financing gap depends on external capital, which is uncertain.
- Rising coal use till 2047 and carbon-related trade barriers strain the transition.
Way forward
- Ministries should take up detailed policy work and implementation on the scenario pathways.
- Raise electrification, circularity, material efficiency and recycling, and build domestic and international critical mineral supply chains.
- Push electrification, clean power, circularity and Mission LiFE behaviour change.
- Reform domestic finance and seek cheaper external climate finance under common but differentiated responsibilities.
Put in your answer
Electricity share of energy: Electricity's share of final energy can rise from 21% in 2025 to as high as 60% in 2070.
Critical minerals recycling: Recycling could meet 20-25% of copper and graphite demand by mid-century.
Final energy demand: Electrification, circularity and efficiency can cut final energy demand by 20% in 2070.
Financing gap: Net Zero needs $22.7 trillion by 2070, with a $6.5 trillion gap.
Strategy for net zero: The CEO listed five steps: electrify energy use, green electricity, control demand via Mission LiFE, circularity and efficiency, and cheaper external finance.
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UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Single answer
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
With reference to the NITI Aayog study reports on scenarios towards Viksit Bharat 2047 and Net Zero 2070, released in February 2026, which one of the following statements is correct?
Select the correct answer.
True or false?
1 of 9
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.The NITI Aayog study is described as India's first government-led, multi-sectoral, integrated scenario study linking Viksit Bharat 2047 with net zero.
True. It is the first such government-led integrated study.
2.The study targets net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2047.
False. The net zero target year is 2070; 2047 is the Viksit Bharat year.
3.The study projects that India's coal consumption will keep rising till 2047 even while meeting net zero goals.
True. Coal use continues to rise till 2047.
4.The study estimates demand for steel, cement and aluminium will fall by 2070 because of circularity.
False. Demand is set to rise 4-6 times by 2070.
5.The study was informed by ten inter-ministerial working groups.
True. Ten inter-ministerial working groups fed the study.
6.The study is the first government-led, multi-sectoral integrated assessment of development scenarios in India aligned with Viksit Bharat and net zero.
True. The release calls it India's first such government-led study.
7.The Net Zero scenario needs capital mobilisation of about $22.7 trillion by 2070, including a financing gap of about $6.5 trillion.
True. $22.7 trillion needed, $6.5 trillion gap.
8.According to the CEO of NITI Aayog, India's coal consumption will peak and decline before 2047.
False. Coal consumption will keep rising till 2047.
9.NITI Aayog, the publisher of the study, is chaired by the Prime Minister.
True. The Prime Minister is the Chairperson of NITI Aayog.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Mains practice
15 marks · 250 words
NITI Aayog has released reports on scenarios towards Viksit Bharat 2047 and Net Zero 2070, covering transport, industry, power and critical minerals. Examine the challenges of reconciling India's development goals with its net zero pledge, and suggest a way forward.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.