UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — 75 Lakh Households Targeted for Rooftop Solar Installations by December 2026: Union New & Renewable Minister, Shri Pralhad Joshi

Q1. With reference to the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, consider the following statements:

  1. It is a Central Sector Scheme implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
  2. It has a total outlay of about Rs. 75,021 crore and targets one crore households by March 2027.
  3. Central Financial Assistance under the scheme is available for residential rooftop solar systems up to a capacity of 5 kW.
  4. The scheme aims to add about 50 GW of rooftop solar capacity in the residential sector.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4 only

Q2. The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is classified as a 'Central Sector Scheme'. In the context of the Government of India's classification of public expenditure schemes, the term 'Central Sector Scheme' most precisely refers to which one of the following?

  • A. Schemes that are fully funded by the Union Government and are implemented by Central Government agencies or machinery.
  • B. Schemes that are jointly funded by the Union and State Governments in a fixed sharing ratio and are implemented by the State Governments.
  • C. Schemes that are formulated by NITI Aayog and implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle constituted under the Companies Act.
  • D. Schemes that are financed through extra-budgetary resources raised by public sector undertakings under the administrative control of the Centre.

Q3. With reference to the announcements made by the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy at the second anniversary event of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana in June 2026, consider the following:

  1. An interim target of 75 lakh household rooftop solar installations by December 2026.
  2. Launch of the Utility-Linked Aggregation (ULA) model aimed at underserved households.
  3. Unveiling of the official PM Surya Ghar logo and a dedicated WhatsApp bot for beneficiaries.
  4. Union Cabinet approval of an enhanced scheme outlay of ₹75,021 crore.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. With reference to the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which of the following statements is/are NOT correct?

  1. It is a Central Sector Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Power.
  2. It provides up to 300 units of free electricity per month to beneficiary households.
  3. Its overall target is to cover one crore households by March 2027.
  4. The Utility-Linked Aggregation (ULA) model under the scheme is designed primarily to bring underserved and economically weaker households into rooftop solar coverage.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q5. Under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, what is the maximum Central Financial Assistance (CFA) admissible to a single household installing a rooftop solar plant of 3 kW or higher capacity?

  • A. ₹60,000
  • B. ₹78,000
  • C. ₹90,000
  • D. ₹1,20,000

Q6. With reference to the Central Financial Assistance (CFA) slabs under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, consider the following statements: 1. A household installing a 1 kW rooftop solar system is eligible for a CFA of ₹30,000. 2. A household installing a 2 kW rooftop solar system is eligible for a CFA of ₹60,000. 3. A household installing a 3 kW rooftop solar system is eligible for a CFA of ₹90,000. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A household installing a 1 kW rooftop solar system is eligible for a CFA of ₹30,000.
  2. A household installing a 2 kW rooftop solar system is eligible for a CFA of ₹60,000.
  3. A household installing a 3 kW rooftop solar system is eligible for a CFA of ₹90,000.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. Which of the following are among the 'Panchamrit' commitments announced by India at the COP26 Summit in Glasgow?

  1. Reaching 500 GW of non-fossil fuel based installed electricity capacity by 2030.
  2. Meeting 50 per cent of energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030.
  3. Reducing the carbon intensity of the economy by 45 per cent by 2030 over 2005 levels.
  4. Achieving the target of net zero emissions by 2050.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q8. The Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Programme Phase-II, the predecessor scheme to the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, was launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in which year?

  • A. 2014
  • B. 2019
  • C. 2022
  • D. 2024

Q9. With reference to the implementation framework of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, consider the following statements:

  1. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is the nodal ministry for implementation of the scheme.
  2. Under the Model Solar Village component, one Model Solar Village is to be developed per district with central financial assistance of Rs 1 crore per selected village.
  3. Under the Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) model, the beneficiary household bears the entire upfront capital cost of the rooftop solar system.
  4. Under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model, a third-party entity invests in the rooftop solar installation and the consumer pays only for the electricity consumed.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 4 only

Q10. PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which targets rooftop solar installations in one crore households, is implemented as a Central Sector Scheme by which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Power
  • B. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
  • C. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • D. Ministry of Science and Technology

Q11. With reference to the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana for promoting residential rooftop solar installations in India, which one of the following is the nodal Union Ministry for its implementation?

  • A. Ministry of Power
  • B. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • C. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
  • D. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Q12. With reference to the metering arrangements available for grid-connected residential rooftop solar PV systems in India, consider the following statements: 1. Under a net metering arrangement, only the surplus electricity exported to the grid after self-consumption is credited to the consumer's account. 2. Under a gross metering arrangement, the entire solar electricity generated is fed into the grid and purchased by the DISCOM at a pre-determined tariff. 3. As per the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, net metering for rooftop solar is permitted in India only for systems with capacity above 500 kW. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Under a net metering arrangement, only the surplus electricity exported to the grid after self-consumption is credited to the consumer's account.
  2. Under a gross metering arrangement, the entire solar electricity generated is fed into the grid and purchased by the DISCOM at a pre-determined tariff.
  3. As per the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, net metering for rooftop solar is permitted in India only for systems with capacity above 500 kW.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q13. With reference to solar institutions and missions in India, consider the following statements:

  1. The International Solar Alliance has its Secretariat headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana.
  2. The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) is a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power.
  3. The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission was launched in the year 2010.
  4. The PM-KUSUM scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q14. How many components does the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme comprise?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five