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A CAG performance audit of the National Mission for a Green India (GIM), tabled in Parliament on 13 August 2026, found the mission achieved only 0.03409 million hectares of forest-cover increase against a target of 1.4 million hectares — a shortfall of 97.57%.
On improving the quality of existing forest and tree cover the mission reached 0.114 million hectares against the same 1.4 million hectare target, a shortfall of 91.87%.
Budgetary support over the decade 2015-16 to 2024-25 was Rs 1,149.14 crore, only 47.88% of the approved outlay of Rs 2,000 crore under the 12th Plan plus Rs 400 crore from the 13th Finance Commission.
GIS-based checks of sampled plantation sites showed no discernible change attributable to the mission at about 70% of them; eight states and UTs did not maintain annual accounts.
The audit covered 16 states and Union Territories and matters because GIM is the forestry arm of India's NDC pledge to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030.
| Parameter | Target | Achievement | Shortfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Increase in forest and tree cover | 1.4 million hectares | 0.03409 million hectares | 97.57% |
| Improvement in quality of existing cover | 1.4 million hectares | 0.114 million hectares | 91.87% |
| Funds released (2015-16 to 2024-25) | Rs 2,400 crore approved (Rs 2,000 crore 12th Plan + Rs 400 crore 13th Finance Commission) | Rs 1,149.14 crore | 52.12% not released |
Appointed under Article 148, duties and powers laid down by Parliament under Article 149; audit reports on Union accounts are submitted to the President and laid before Parliament under Article 151, after which they go to the Public Accounts Committee
Nodal ministry for the Green India Mission and for India's NAPCC coordination
GIM is one of its eight national missions, alongside the solar, energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, water, Himalayan ecosystem, sustainable agriculture and strategic knowledge missions.
The 2.5-3 billion tonne additional carbon sink by 2030 is the target GIM feeds; a shortfall here transfers pressure onto compensatory afforestation and state programmes.
A CAG performance audit laid before Parliament is normally examined by the PAC, which can summon the ministry — the standard follow-up route to remember for polity answers.
Published biennially by the Forest Survey of India, Dehradun; it supplies the forest-cover baseline against which mission claims are checked.
GS Paper III > Environment — Conservation and climate change; GS Paper II > Governance — Accountability institutions and audit
General Awareness > Environment and Government Schemes
General Awareness > Environment and Current Events
General Awareness > Government Schemes and Reports
Which of the following best describes/describe the aim of 'Green India Mission' of the Government of India? 1. Incorporating environmental benefits and costs into the Union and State Budgets thereby implementing the 'green accounting' 2. Launching the second green revolution to enhance agricultural output so as to ensure food security to one and all in the future 3. Restoring and enhancing forest cover and responding to climate change by a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Answer: 3 only
A CAG audit that examines whether a programme achieved its objectives economically, efficiently and effectively — as distinct from a financial or compliance audit
A reservoir such as forest or soil that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it releases; India's NDC promises an additional 2.5-3 billion tonnes CO2e of it by 2030
Pooling funds and works of different schemes on the same landscape; the audit found GIM's convergence with other programmes weak
Planning restoration across a whole ecological landscape rather than isolated plots, the method GIM was designed around