PM-KUSUM Benefits Reach Over 21.77 Lakh Farmers Across the Country

1. At a Glance

• PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) is the Centre's flagship scheme for solarisation of the agriculture sector under the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) [S2][S3].
• Targets 34.8 GW of solar capacity addition by 31.03.2026 with Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of ₹34,422 crore; demand-driven, implemented by State Implementing Agencies (SIAs) [S1][S3].
• Cumulative beneficiaries crossed 21,77,369 farmers as on 31.12.2025 — significant for GS-III (agriculture + energy + climate) and Prelims (scheme facts) [S1].

2. Why in the News

• PIB release dated 24 March 2026 by MNRE announced that PM-KUSUM benefits have reached over 21.77 lakh farmers as on 31.12.2025, with Component-wise installation data placed in Parliament [S1].

3. Background & Evolution

• Launched March 2019 by MNRE to provide energy & water security, de-dieselise farm sector, raise farm incomes [S2].
• Feeder Level Solarisation (FLS) introduced under Component-C via MNRE guidelines (2020) [S3].
• Scaled up in January 2024 with revised targets and extended timeline up to 31.03.2026 [S2][S3].

4. Core Static Facts

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) [S2].
• Implementation: State Implementing Agencies (SIAs) responsible for beneficiary selection [S1].
• Total target: 34.8 GW by 31.03.2026; CFA ₹34,422 crore [S3].
• Three Components [S2][S3]:
• Component-A: Decentralised ground/stilt-mounted grid-connected solar plants up to 2 MW on farmer land; sanctioned 10,000 MW, installed 720.91 MW [S1][S2].
• Component-B: Standalone off-grid solar pumps; sanctioned 13,15,190, installed 9,75,227 (4,398.57 MW) [S1].
• Component-C: Solarisation of grid-connected pumps (Individual Pump Solarisation + Feeder Level Solarisation); sanctioned 35,82,884, installed 12,01,552 (5,829.98 MW); target 15 lakh pumps [S1][S3].
• Subsidy pattern (Components B & C-IPS): 30% CFA + 30% State + 40% farmer; 50% CFA in NE States, hilly States/UTs, Island UTs [S3].
• Feeder Level Solarisation: 30% CFA (50% in special category) under CAPEX/RESCO mode; balance via NABARD/PFC/REC loans [S3].
• Cumulative beneficiaries: 21,77,369 farmers (as on 31.12.2025) [S1].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic - Reduces farmers' diesel/electricity bills; surplus solar power saleable to DISCOMs (Component-A) creates additional farm income [S2]. - Cuts agricultural power subsidy burden on State DISCOMs [S3].

Environmental - De-dieselisation of pumps cuts CO₂ emissions; earlier MNRE data: 89.45 MW installed avoided 0.67 MT CO₂ and 143 million litres diesel/year [S2]. - Aids India's 500 GW non-fossil by 2030 target and Panchamrit commitments [S3].

Administrative / Federal - Demand-driven allocation — capacities depend on State proposals & milestones; SIAs handle execution → uneven uptake across States [S1]. - Skewed installation vs. sanction (Component-A only 7.2% installed) indicates State-level absorptive capacity gaps [S1].

Social - Targets small/marginal farmers in off-grid areas (Component-B); special 50% CFA for NE, hilly & island UTs addresses regional equity [S3].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• January 2024: Scheme scaled up; target revised to 34.8 GW by March 2026 [S3].
• 31 December 2025: Cumulative tally — 720.91 MW (A), 9.75 lakh pumps (B), 12.01 lakh pumps (C) [S1].
• 24 March 2026: PIB statement — 21.77 lakh farmers benefited [S1].

7. Prelims Hooks

• PM-KUSUM full form: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan [S2].
• Launched in March 2019 by MNRE (not Ministry of Agriculture) [S2].
• Component-A cap on solar plant size on farmer land: 2 MW [S2].
• Total target capacity by 31.03.2026: 34.8 GW [S3].
• Total CFA outlay: ₹34,422 crore [S3].
• Subsidy split (B & C-IPS): 30% Centre + 30% State + 40% farmer; 50% CFA for NE/hilly/island States [S3].
• Component-C includes Feeder Level Solarisation (FLS) introduced via 2020 MNRE guidelines [S3].
• Loans for FLS routed via NABARD / PFC / REC [S3].
• Component-C target: 15 lakh grid-connected pumps [S3].
• Cumulative beneficiaries as on 31.12.2025: 21,77,369 [S1].
• Component-B installed pumps: 9,75,227; Component-C installed: 12,01,552 [S1].
• Implementation entity: State Implementing Agency (SIA) [S1].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III: Agriculture (irrigation, farmer income), Energy (renewables), Environment (climate mitigation).
• GS-II: Welfare schemes; Centre–State implementation issues.
• Possible stems: 1. "PM-KUSUM marries the twin objectives of energy security and farm income, yet its uptake remains uneven. Examine." 2. "Discuss the role of solarisation of agriculture in achieving India's 500 GW non-fossil capacity target by 2030." 3. "Evaluate the federal architecture of PM-KUSUM and bottlenecks faced by State Implementing Agencies."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• National Solar Mission (JNNSM) — parent solar policy framework.
• PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (2024) — rooftop solar counterpart for households.
• Panchamrit commitments / 500 GW by 2030 — climate context.
• RDSS (Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme) — DISCOM reform aiding feeder solarisation.
• Green Energy Corridors — evacuation infrastructure for renewables.
• Agricultural power subsidies & free-power politics — fiscal context.
• NABARD / REC / PFC — financing mechanisms cited in PM-KUSUM.
• CO₂ emission intensity targets (NDCs) — climate linkage.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Wrong ministry → it is MNRE, NOT Ministry of Agriculture or Power.
• Component-A is decentralised plants on farmer land up to 2 MW, not utility-scale solar parks.
• Subsidy split is 30:30:40, not 60:40 or 50:50 (except NE/hilly = 50% CFA).
• Launched 2019, scaled up in 2024; extended till March 2026 (not 2022 original sunset).
• PM-KUSUM ≠ PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (latter is household rooftop, launched Feb 2024).

11. Sources

• [S1] PM-KUSUM Benefits Reach Over 21.77 Lakh Farmers — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2244667 — (tier: 1)
• [S2] PM-KUSUM Scheme (PIB) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2042069 — (tier: 1)
• [S3] PM-KUSUM Factsheet / Feeder Level Solarisation Guidelines — https://www.pib.gov.in/FactsheetDetails.aspx?Id=148576 ; https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1678286 — (tier: 1)