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PM Surya Ghar (Muft Bijli Yojana) Hits 40 Lakh Rooftop Solar Installations, Adds 12 GW; Domestic Cell Mandate (DCR) Creates Supply Crunch

EnvironmentEconomyPolityHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
11 Jun 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:40 lakh installations12 GW capacity75 lakh target1 June 2026 mandate30 GW cell capacity60-65 GW module capacity
Bodies:MNREREC LimitedNational Institute of Solar Energy (NISE)
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What This Article Covers

1.PM Surya Ghar rooftop solar scheme has achieved 40 lakh installations, generating 12 GW capacity, but faces delays due to a shortage of domestically-manufactured solar cells (DCR modules).

2.From June 1, 2026, the government mandated the use of only locally-made solar cells for all projects, exposing a supply gap where India's cell manufacturing capacity (30 GW) is half its module production capacity (60-65 GW).

3.The Domestic Content Requirement (DCR), while aimed at reducing import dependence, has led to 25-30 day waiting periods and price hikes, potentially slowing down India's distributed renewable energy projects and its 500 GW non-fossil fuel target.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

India's flagship PM Surya Ghar scheme has installed rooftop solar in 40 lakh households, adding 12 GW capacity. However, a mandatory rule to use domestically-made solar cells from June 1, 2026, has created a severe supply shortage and price rise, threatening the scheme's 75 lakh household target. This highlights the tension between boosting domestic manufacturing and achieving rapid renewable energy deployment.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

PM Surya Ghar Installations40 lakh households
Capacity Added12 Gigawatts (GW)
Target by Year-End75 lakh households
Domestic Cell Capacity (2025-26)~30 GW
Domestic Module Capacity (2025-26)60-65 GW
DCR Mandate Effective1 June 2026

1-Minute Revision

  • ›PM Surya Ghar Installations: 40 lakh households
  • ›Capacity Added: 12 Gigawatts (GW)
  • ›Target this Data: 40 lakh installations & 12 GW capacity added under PM Surya Ghar.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and its Secretary (Santosh Kumar Sarangi).
  • ›Target this Policy Date: Domestic cell sourcing mandate for all projects effective from 1 June 2026.

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which ministry is the nodal agency for the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the news on PM Surya Ghar scheme:

1. The scheme has achieved its target of installing rooftop solar in 75 lakh households.

2. The Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) for solar cells became mandatory for all solar projects from June 1, 2026.

3. India's annual solar cell manufacturing capacity is higher than its solar module production capacity.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, what is the approximate solar power capacity added through the 40 lakh installations under the PM Surya Ghar scheme?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary challenge currently faced by the PM Surya Ghar scheme, as discussed in the article?

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