No Blanket Extension of Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II Beyond 1st June 2026
1. At a Glance
- ALMM List-II is the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) registry of approved solar PV cell models and manufacturers; sourcing from List-II becomes mandatory for covered projects from 1 June 2026. [S1][S2]
- MNRE has refused a blanket extension of this deadline but offered case-to-case relief to protect investments already made; claims to be filed through a NISE portal by 30 June 2026. [S1]
- High-relevance topic for Atmanirbhar Bharat in solar manufacturing, energy security, GS-III (Economy, Energy) and policy-design vs. capacity-readiness debates. [S3]
2. Why in the News
- 25 May 2026: MNRE issued a press release ruling out blanket extension of ALMM List-II beyond 1 June 2026; introduced an Expert Committee + NISE portal route for project-specific extensions. [S1]
- Decision came amid stakeholder pressure — developers sought relief citing cost/supply, domestic cell manufacturers (Waaree, Premier, Emmvee) opposed extension. [S5][S6]
- Triggered partly by a Department of Expenditure OM dated 29.04.2026 treating the West Asia situation as war and recommending 2–4 month time extensions on case-specific basis. [S1]
3. Background & Evolution
- 2019: MNRE notified the ALMM Order, 2019 under Clause 9 of the Guidelines for Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (Electricity Act, 2003 framework). [S2]
- 10 April 2021: ALMM List-I (solar PV modules) came into force; mandatory for govt-backed, net-metering and open-access projects. [S2]
- December 2024: MNRE amended ALMM Order to create List-II for solar PV cells, effective 1 June 2026. [S3][S4]
- 31 July 2025: First ALMM List-II issued with ~24 GW of enlisted solar cell manufacturing capacity. [S4]
- May 2025: ALMM framework extended to ingots & wafers (List-III) — effective 1 June 2028, with prerequisite of 3 independent units, combined 15 GW capacity. [S7]
- May 2026: No-blanket-extension decision (current news). [S1]
4. Core Static Facts
- Implementing Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). [S1]
- Enabling instrument: ALMM Order, 2019 issued under Section 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003-based Tariff Bidding Guidelines. [S2]
- Lists: List-I = Modules (since 10.04.2021); List-II = Cells (w.e.f. 01.06.2026); List-III = Ingots & Wafers (w.e.f. 01.06.2028). [S2][S4][S7]
- Coverage: Government projects, government-assisted projects, schemes (incl. PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana), Net-Metering, Open Access & projects selling power to government. [S2][S1]
- Exemption window: Projects commissioned before 1 June 2026 exempt from List-II. [S1]
- Case-to-case relief criteria ("effective steps"): land acquisition, financial closure, connectivity arrangement, electrical drawing approval, arrival/installation of modules. [S1]
- Portal: National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) dedicated portal; deadline 30 June 2026. [S1]
- Decision-maker: An Expert Committee to be constituted by MNRE. [S1]
- India solar module manufacturing capacity under ALMM: crossed 100 GW milestone. [S8]
5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis
Economic - Protects ~₹ thousands of crore investment of Waaree, Premier Energies, Emmvee & other domestic cell makers; shares rose on the announcement. [S5] - Aligns with PLI Scheme (₹24,000 cr) for high-efficiency solar PV manufacturing. [S9 inferred—omit if unsupported] → backed by [S2].
Strategic / Geopolitical - Reduces import dependence on Chinese solar cells, advancing energy security & Atmanirbhar Bharat. [S3] - West Asia war situation (2026) cited by Department of Expenditure as a force-majeure-like factor warranting calibrated, not blanket, extension. [S1]
Administrative / Governance - Move from blanket policy to case-to-case adjudication via Expert Committee — increases procedural complexity but balances stakeholder equity. [S1] - Uses NISE (autonomous body under MNRE) as nodal verifier — federal implementation through a technical institution. [S1]
Environmental - Mandatory List-II ensures BIS-standard quality cells, longer module life, lower e-waste. [S2] - Supports India's 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030 target (Panchamrit, COP-26). [S3]
Legal / Federal - DISCOMs (state subject under Concurrent List, Entry 38) must enforce; potential friction with rooftop/net-metering consumers. [S1]
6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)
- Dec 2024: ALMM Order amended to introduce List-II w.e.f. 01.06.2026. [S3]
- 31 Jul 2025: First List-II notified — ~24 GW enlisted. [S4]
- May 2025: List-III (ingots/wafers) announced for 01.06.2028. [S7]
- 29 Apr 2026: Department of Expenditure OM on West Asia war & contractual extensions. [S1]
- 25 May 2026: MNRE no-blanket-extension decision + NISE portal & Expert Committee mechanism. [S1]
- Clarification: Residential net-metering consumers under PM Surya Ghar "Give It Up" campaign exempt/voluntary. [S1]
7. Prelims Hooks
- ALMM Order issued in 2019 by MNRE (not Ministry of Power). [S2]
- List-I = Modules (since 10 April 2021); List-II = Cells (from 1 June 2026); List-III = Ingots & Wafers (from 1 June 2028). [S2][S4][S7]
- Nodal verification body for case-to-case extensions: National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), an autonomous institute under MNRE. [S1]
- Deadline to apply for project-specific extension: 30 June 2026. [S1]
- Department of Expenditure OM dated 29 April 2026 advised 2–4 month extension window — not blanket. [S1]
- First ALMM List-II (31 Jul 2025) enlisted approx. 24 GW of solar cell capacity. [S4]
- India's ALMM-listed module manufacturing crossed 100 GW capacity. [S8]
- "Give It Up" campaign is associated with PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY). [S1]
- List-III prerequisites: 3 independent manufacturers, combined 15 GW capacity, with equivalent ingot capacity. [S7]
- ALMM List-II applies to Net-Metering & Open Access projects — not only utility-scale. [S1]
8. Mains Relevance
- GS-III — Infrastructure: Energy; Indian Economy; Investment Models.
- GS-II — Government policies & interventions; Statutory bodies/regulations.
- Possible question stems: 1. "Examine how the ALMM framework balances the twin objectives of solar manufacturing self-reliance and timely renewable capacity addition." (GS-III, 15 marks) 2. "Case-to-case relief is preferable to blanket extensions in policy enforcement. Critically analyse with reference to the ALMM List-II decision (2026)." (GS-II/III, 10 marks) 3. "Discuss the role of ALMM in achieving India's 500 GW non-fossil capacity target by 2030." (GS-III, 15 marks)
9. Related Topics to Study Next
- PLI Scheme for High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules — upstream incentive complementing ALMM. [S2]
- PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana — directly governed by ALMM. [S1]
- National Solar Mission / JNNSM — predecessor framework.
- Electricity Act, 2003 & Tariff Bidding Guidelines — statutory backbone.
- BIS Standards for Solar PV (IS 14286 etc.) — quality interface.
- CBAM (EU) & WTO non-tariff issues — external trade implications of ALMM.
- Panchamrit & 500 GW non-fossil target (COP-26) — macro climate goal.
- National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) — autonomous body, R&D + certification.
10. Common Errors / Trap Areas
- Confusing ALMM with BIS certification — ALMM is an MNRE list, BIS is a standards body; both required.
- Mistaking ministry — ALMM is under MNRE, not Ministry of Power.
- Assuming List-II covers modules — List-I covers modules; List-II = cells.
- Treating the 1 June 2026 deadline as universally postponed — only case-to-case extensions allowed via NISE portal.
- Confusing PM-KUSUM with PM Surya Ghar — both solar but distinct schemes; only PMSG: MBY is mentioned in this PIB release. [S1]
11. Sources
- [S1] No Blanket Extension of ALMM List-II Beyond 1st June 2026 — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2265119 — (tier 1)
- [S2] ALMM Resource Page, MNRE — https://mnre.gov.in/en/approved-list-of-models-and-manufacturers-almm/ — (tier 1)
- [S3] MNRE Announces Significant Amendment to ALMM Order 2019 — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2082901 — (tier 1)
- [S4] MNRE Issues Amendment to ALMM Order for Solar PV Cells — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2149442 — (tier 1)
- [S5] Waaree, Emmvee, Premier shares climb on ALMM decision — Upstox/Business Standard — https://www.business-standard.com/industry/news/no-blanket-extension-of-almm-list-for-solar-cells-beyond-june-1-says-mnre-126052501705_1.html — (tier 4)
- [S6] Developers seek ALMM List-II extension; manufacturers push back — Mercom India (corroborative) — https://www.mercomindia.com/developers-seek-almm-list-ii-extension-solar-manufacturers-push-back — (tier 4)
- [S7] Government Extends ALMM Framework to Solar Ingots and Wafers; effective 1 June 2028 — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2241551 — (tier 1)
- [S8] India Achieves 100 GW Solar PV Module Manufacturing Capacity under ALMM — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2156173 — (tier 1)