On-grid solar PV project in Assam by Arrays Ingenieria
Guide · Schemes

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana 2026: Subsidy, Eligibility and How to Apply

India's rooftop solar scheme for homes: up to Rs 78,000 central subsidy, support for housing societies, low-cost loans and the national portal. What you get, who qualifies, and the steps from application to subsidy.

Key takeaways
  • Central subsidy: Rs 30,000 for 1 kW, Rs 60,000 for 2 kW, Rs 78,000 for 3 kW or more
  • Housing societies and RWAs get Rs 18,000 per kW for common facilities, up to 500 kW
  • Approved by the Cabinet on 29 February 2024 with an outlay of Rs 75,021 crore; the government's target is 75 lakh households by December 2026, on the way to 1 crore
  • Modules must be Indian-made (DCR), installed by a registered vendor, and the application made on the national portal
  • Many states add their own top-up subsidy; check your DISCOM

What the scheme offers

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana was launched by the Prime Minister on 13 February 2024 and approved by the Union Cabinet on 29 February 2024 with an outlay of Rs 75,021 crore. It aims to put rooftop solar on one crore homes so that each can generate up to about 300 units a month, and the government's milestone is 75 lakh households by December 2026.

Central financial assistance under PM Surya Ghar
CategorySupportNotes
Homes, 1 kWRs 30,00060% of benchmark cost for the first 2 kW
Homes, 2 kWRs 60,000
Homes, 3 kW or moreRs 78,000 (cap)40% of the additional cost between 2 and 3 kW; no extra subsidy above 3 kW
Housing societies / RWAs (common facilities, EV charging)Rs 18,000 per kWUp to 500 kW, at 3 kW per house
Special category states and UTsHigher benchmark support where notifiedIncluding the North-Eastern states
Rs 78,000Maximum central subsidy per home
1 croreHomes targeted
Rs 75,021 crScheme outlay
~300 unitsFree power a month, the aim

Who can apply

  • An Indian household with its own roof suitable for solar panels
  • A valid electricity connection in the household's name
  • No earlier central subsidy for rooftop solar on the same connection
  • Housing societies and RWAs for common loads, through the society

How to apply, step by step

  1. RegisterOn the national portal (pmsuryaghar.gov.in) with your state, DISCOM, consumer number and mobile number.
  2. ApplyFill in the rooftop solar application; the DISCOM checks feasibility.
  3. Choose a registered vendorPick a vendor registered with your DISCOM; agree capacity and price.
  4. InstallThe vendor installs the system with DCR modules and a compliant inverter.
  5. Net meter and inspectionSubmit plant details, apply for the net meter; the DISCOM inspects and commissions.
  6. SubsidyAfter the commissioning certificate is generated on the portal, submit bank details; the subsidy is credited to your account.

Collateral-free loans of around 7% are available from public-sector banks for residential systems up to 3 kW, and the portal links to lenders. Model solar villages in each district receive additional support.

Getting the most from a home system

  • Size to your consumption: a 3 kW system typically generates around 12 units a day in most of India, depending on sunshine and orientation.
  • Use a shade-free, south-facing area where you can; avoid water tanks and parapets casting shadows.
  • Ask for the DCR module certificate, inverter BIS certificate and warranty documents.
  • Keep the panels clean: dust can cut output noticeably in dry months (see O&M and module cleaning).

Where Arrays Ingenieria fits

PM Surya Ghar is a scheme for homes and housing societies. Arrays Ingenieria focuses on commercial, industrial and tea-estate plants, which fall outside it, and on installation & commissioning for developers. For businesses, the equivalent levers are accelerated depreciation, the 5% GST rate and net metering or open access.

Running a business, school, hospital or housing society with a large roof? We can design a plant that pays back fast.

Get a free solar quote

Frequently asked questions

How much subsidy do I get under PM Surya Ghar?
Rs 30,000 for 1 kW, Rs 60,000 for 2 kW and Rs 78,000 for 3 kW or more. Housing societies get Rs 18,000 per kW for common facilities up to 500 kW.
Can a business get the PM Surya Ghar subsidy?
No. The scheme is for residential households and housing societies. Businesses benefit instead from accelerated depreciation, 5% GST and net metering or open access.
Do I need Indian-made panels?
Yes. Systems under the scheme must use domestically manufactured (DCR) modules and be installed by a vendor registered with your DISCOM.
How long does the subsidy take?
After installation, inspection and net-meter commissioning, the commissioning certificate is generated on the portal and the subsidy is paid to your bank account, typically within weeks.

Sources

  1. PIB, 29 Feb 2024: Cabinet approves PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana
  2. PIB: 75 lakh households targeted for rooftop solar by December 2026
  3. PM Surya Ghar national portal

This guide explains public policy in plain language for planning purposes. Rules, rates and deadlines change: confirm the current position with the notifying authority, your DISCOM and your tax adviser before you commit. Last checked 11 Oct 2026.

Ingenieria wordmark, Arrays Ingenieria

About the authors. Arrays Ingenieria is an ex-servicemen-led solar EPC and installation & commissioning company working Pan-India, from Assam's tea estates to industrial rooftops. Our story · Our projects

From Our Sites

Case Studies on This Topic

Real plants our veteran-led crews have built, with the scope of work in detail.

Talk to an engineer

Planning a solar plant? Let's build it together.

CAPEX solar EPC, installation & commissioning and civil works, delivered by an ex-servicemen-led team across India. Tell us about your site and an engineer will get back to you.