PM-KUSUM (PM Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan)

✦Key Features

• Component A: 10,000 MW decentralized renewable power plants (≤2 MW) on barren land near sub-stations
• Component B: 20 lakh standalone solar pumps (capacity 7.5 HP); 60% subsidy (30% Centre + 30% State)
• Component C: 15 lakh grid-connected agriculture pumps solarized; farmers sell surplus to discoms
• Budget: ₹34,422 crore; farmer's own contribution only 10% (60% subsidy + 30% bank loan)
• Target: 30.8 GW total solar; 35+ lakh farmers to benefit
• Extended to March 2026; over 3.5 lakh solar pumps installed under Component B (2025)
• PM-KUSUM revised norms (2024): increased pump capacity limit to 7.5 HP

✓Eligibility Criteria

• Individual farmers, groups of farmers, and cooperatives are eligible for setting up solar plants on barren or fallow land.
• Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Water User Associations (WUAs) can apply for collective solar power projects.
• Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and Panchayats are eligible to participate in the community-based solar initiatives.
• Landowners with land located within 5 kilometers of a functional sub-station are prioritized for Component A.

★Benefits

• Farmers receive a 30 percent subsidy from the Central Government and an additional 30 percent from the State Government for solar pumps.
• Provides a reliable source of irrigation during daytime, reducing dependence on the erratic power supply.
• Farmers can earn extra income by selling surplus solar energy generated on their barren land to the grid at fixed tariffs.
• Reduces the carbon footprint of the agriculture sector by replacing diesel-powered pumps with clean energy alternatives.

▶Application Process

• Applicants must register on the official state portal of the respective State DISCOM or implementation agency.
• Detailed project reports and land documents must be uploaded for technical feasibility assessment by the authorities.
• Selected beneficiaries must pay the required beneficiary contribution to the empanelled vendor after site survey.
• The solar system is installed by certified vendors followed by inspection and grid synchronization by the DISCOM.

₹ Budget Allocation

34422

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 30% Central Subsidy; 30% State Subsidy; 40% Farmer Contribution (Bank loan up to 30% possible)

Historical Context

Launched in 2019 to provide energy security to farmers and promote the use of renewable energy in the irrigation sector.

Sub-Schemes

Challenges

• High upfront cost for small and marginal farmers (30% share)
• Potential for over-extraction of groundwater due to zero marginal cost of solar power
• Technical issues in grid synchronization for Component A and C
• Difficulty in obtaining collateral-free loans for solar installations

Reforms & Recommendations

• Mandatory coupling of solar pumps with drip/sprinkler irrigation systems
• Introduction of 'Feeder Level Solarization' to simplify implementation
• Community-based solar pump models for marginal farmers

Performance Statistics

SDG Linkages

Constitutional Backing

Technology Used

Success Stories

Key Takeaways

• Target: Add solar capacity of 34,800 MW by 2026
• Component A: 10,000 MW of small solar power plants on barren land
• Component B: 20 lakh standalone solar pumps
• Component C: 15 lakh grid-connected pumps solarization

Convergence Schemes

• PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (Micro-irrigation)
• Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
• National Solar Mission

Sector Tags