India’s agricultural sector has long been dependent on diesel and grid electricity to power irrigation pumps. This not only leads to high input costs for farmers but also contributes to environmental degradation. To address these challenges, the Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) in 2019. The scheme is a transformative step toward promoting solar energy in agriculture, reducing carbon emissions, and doubling farmers’ income.
Objectives of PM-KUSUM
PM-KUSUM is designed to promote the use of solar energy in the agricultural sector. Its core objectives are:
- To add solar and other renewable capacity of 30.8 GW by 2025–26.
- To reduce dependence on diesel and conventional electricity.
- To provide income support to farmers through excess electricity sale.
- To enhance water security through reliable solar-powered irrigation.
- To create decentralized solar power infrastructure in rural areas.
Components of the PM-KUSUM
PM-KUSUM operates under three key components, each targeting a different aspect of rural solar energy deployment:
1. Component A
Installation of 10,000 MW of decentralized ground-mounted grid-connected solar power plants, each up to 2 MW capacity. These are installed by farmers, cooperatives, panchayats, or Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) on barren or fallow land.
2. Component B
Provision of standalone solar-powered agricultural pumps to farmers with no grid access or unreliable electricity. The goal is to install 20 lakh standalone solar pumps.
3. Component C
Solarization of existing grid-connected agricultural pumps, enabling farmers to generate solar energy and sell excess electricity to the grid. The target is to solarize 15 lakh existing pumps.
Financial Structure and Subsidy Model of PM-KUSUM
PM-KUSUM is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with financial assistance structured as follows:
- Central Government Subsidy: 30%
- State Government Subsidy: 30%
- Farmer Contribution: 40% (with access to loans and NABARD assistance)
The total financial outlay for PM-KUSUM is ₹34,422 crore, including service charges and administrative costs. The scheme is also aligned with India’s commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement and aims to reduce carbon emissions significantly
Current Performance (As of 2025)
By 2025, PM-KUSUM has made strong progress, though challenges remain:
- Over 3.7 lakh standalone solar pumps have been installed.
- Around 90,000 grid-connected pumps have been solarized under Component C.
- 1,150 MW capacity installed under Component A projects.
- More than 22 states are actively participating, with Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh leading in implementation.
While the initial targets have been revised to match ground realities, the scheme continues to scale rapidly with strong central and state cooperation.
Benefits for Farmers and the Nation
PM-KUSUM provides multiple benefits for both the rural economy and environmental sustainability:
- Reduced Input Costs: Farmers save on diesel and electricity bills.
- Extra Income: Surplus electricity sold back to DISCOMs gives farmers an additional revenue stream.
- Reliable Irrigation: Solar pumps ensure uninterrupted daytime power.
- Employment Generation: The scheme is expected to create 7.5 lakh jobs in rural India through installation and maintenance of solar systems.
- Climate Resilience: It reduces carbon emissions and contributes to India’s renewable energy goals.
Challenges in Implementation
Despite its promise, PM-KUSUM has faced several hurdles:
- High Upfront Cost: Despite subsidies, many small and marginal farmers find the initial investment unaffordable.
- Lack of Awareness: Farmers in remote areas often lack information about application procedures.
- Delays in Subsidy Disbursement: Bureaucratic delays have been reported in several states.
- Land Acquisition Issues: For Component A, finding suitable barren land can be challenging.
- Grid Integration Issues: Technical and policy barriers exist in net metering and power purchase agreements.
The government is working on policy reforms, simplifying application processes, and encouraging private sector participation to resolve these challenges.
Future Roadmap
The government aims to make PM-KUSUM more inclusive and scalable. Key future initiatives include:
- Launching digital portals for application tracking and transparency.
- Linking with Kisan Credit Cards and Agri Infrastructure Fund for easy credit.
- Simplifying state-level nodal agency operations.
- Focusing on cluster-based solarization for better grid management.
- Enhancing private sector partnerships for Component A implementation.
With these reforms, PM-KUSUM is expected to meet its revised targets by 2026 and significantly boost India’s renewable energy portfolio.
Conclusion
The PM-KUSUM Scheme stands at the intersection of clean energy, agriculture, and rural empowerment. By encouraging farmers to become energy producers, it offers a win-win solution — ensuring sustainability, economic upliftment, and food security. As India marches toward its goal of net-zero emissions by 2070, PM-KUSUM will play a critical role in making agriculture both energy-efficient and profitable.
Further Information
For official scheme guidelines and updates, visit:
https://mnre.gov.in
