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GS3 · Renewable energy

India third in renewable energy capacity; 55.3 GW non-fossil added in FY26

1 min readEnergy
Battle IAS current affairs title card: India third in renewable energy capacity; 55.3 GW non-fossil added in FY26 (GS3 · Renewable energy, 8 April 2026)
Asked by UPSCPrelims 20251 PYQ

UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.

What happened

  • India surpassed Brazil to rank third globally in installed renewable capacity, and added 55.3 GW of non-fossil capacity in FY 2025-26 [PIB].

Background

  • India met its 50% non-fossil capacity NDC target in 2025, five years early.

Why it matters

  • Capacity added in a year is the best measure of how fast the transition is going.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Infrastructure: energy, ports, roads, airports, railways; investment models

  1. As per PIB (2026-04-08): india surpassed Brazil to rank third globally in installed renewable capacity, and added 55.3 GW of non-fossil capacity in FY 2025-26.
  2. Capacity added in a year is the best measure of how fast the transition is going.
Quotable data point

India surpassed Brazil to rank third globally in installed renewable capacity, and added 55.3 GW of non-fossil capacity in FY 2025-26.

PIB: MNRE: India third in RE, 8 Apr 2026

Exam angle

UPSC

Prelims: RE targets.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

India's global RE rank

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

Non-fossil added FY26

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

Overtook

Answer (a) & explanation

PIB.

Go deeper

ExplainerRenewable Energy in India: Potential, Installed Capacity, 500 GW Target, Key Schemes (PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar), Challenges and Way Forward (UPSC Notes + PYQs)ExplainerGreen Hydrogen: Colours of Hydrogen, Electrolysis, National Green Hydrogen Mission, Uses, Costs and Challenges (UPSC Notes + PYQs)

Official source: PIB: MNRE: India third in RE, 8 Apr 2026

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending