State Carbon Credit Schemes in India: Why They Aren't CCTS
Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat and others now run their own carbon credit programmes. None mentions CCTS. What that means for obligated companies.
India now has two kinds of carbon credit programme running side by side: the national Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) and a growing set of state and city schemes. They are not the same thing, and an obligated company can't assume a state credit will count.
The State and City Programmes So Far
| Programme | What happened | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | e-RFP to empanel 3 agencies for 3 years to monetise credits from e-buses, tree planting and waste | 15 Sep 2026 |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Carbon credit framework reviewed by the Chief Secretary; 180-day roadmap | 25 Sep 2026 |
| BMC, Gujarat, Himachal, Indore | Earlier programmes cited at the J&K review: ₹27 cr, ₹22 cr, ₹20 cr, ₹8.34 cr | Reported Sep 2026 |
Sources: Business Standard (16 Sep 2026); Greater Kashmir (26 Sep 2026).
Same Word, Different System
Delhi's tender says projects will use "recognised carbon standards" but names no registry. J&K's framework names its own Green Fund and revenue split. Neither mentions BEE, Grid-India or CCTS. A CCTS offset credit, by contrast, needs a BEE methodology, ACVA validation, issuance into the Grid-India registry and a project that isn't registered in another carbon market.
Who Gets the Money?
J&K proposes 35% to growers or community owners, 30% to a J&K Green Fund, 15% to FPOs and aggregators, and 10% each to district climate work and sector accounts. Its priority sectors, hydropower and rooftop solar among them, overlap CCTS offset categories, so the same asset could be pitched to two systems. That is the double counting question again. As of 22 October 2026, no CCC has traded and none of these schemes is linked to CCTS.
ICT helps companies and project owners sort credits into the right system: we check CCTS offset eligibility, registry status and exclusivity before anyone signs.
Free eligibility check: send your state or municipal project details to contact@internationalcarbontrade.com and we'll tell you whether it could qualify as a CCTS offset.
Keep Reading
- CCTS Offset Projects: Why an Approved Project Isn't a CCC Yet
- Double Counting Carbon Credits in India: CCTS, JCM and RECs
- Carbon Credit Certificate (CCC) in India: Complete CCTS Guide
Our CCTS Services
International Carbon Trade (ICT) is an India-based CCTS marketplace and dMRV platform offering 18 end-to-end services, from BEE ICM Portal registration and ACVA verification to buying, selling and banking CCCs on India's power exchanges.
| Register and Set Up | Monitor, Verify, File | Trade and Plan |
|---|---|---|
| BEE ICM Portal registration | dMRV platform, monthly data | Buying CCCs on power exchanges |
| Grid-India registry account | ACVA selection and booking | Selling or banking surplus CCCs |
| IEX / PXIL / HPX onboarding | Verification evidence pack | Offset CCC sourcing |
| Monitoring plan (BEE template) | E2 form and GHG emission report | Risk profiling (AAA–B) |
| Target gap and penalty analysis | Form A and Form D filings | Abate, buy or bank strategy |
| Five-year GHG reduction plan | BEE and registry query handling | CBAM and BRSR reporting |
For any services related to CCTS, contact International Carbon Trade:
- Email: contact@internationalcarbontrade.com
- Phone: +91 90544 01707
- Website: internationalcarbontrade.com
- LinkedIn: Follow International Carbon Trade
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which Indian states have carbon credit programmes?
- Reported programmes include Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Indore and the BMC, as of September 2026.
- Are state carbon credits the same as CCTS credits?
- No. CCTS offset credits need a BEE methodology, ACVA validation and issuance in the Grid-India registry. The state schemes reported so far do not mention CCTS.
- Can an obligated company use a state carbon credit for CCTS compliance?
- Only Carbon Credit Certificates issued under CCTS count for compliance. A state credit would need to qualify separately under the CCTS offset mechanism.
- What did Delhi's carbon credit tender involve?
- An e-RFP dated 15 September 2026 to empanel three agencies for three years to monetise credits from e-buses, tree planting and waste projects.
- How will Jammu and Kashmir split carbon credit revenue?
- The proposal gives 35% to growers, 30% to a Green Fund, 15% to FPOs and aggregators, and 10% each to district and sector accounts.
- How can ICT help with state carbon credit projects?
- International Carbon Trade checks CCTS offset eligibility, registry status and exclusivity. Contact contact@internationalcarbontrade.com or +91 90544 01707.