UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — No Blanket Extension of Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II Beyond 1st June 2026
Q1. As per MNRE's amended ALMM Order, into how many distinct Lists is the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) framework organised across the solar value chain (modules, cells, and ingots-and-wafers)?
- A. Two
- B. Three
- C. Four
- D. Five
Q2. The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) for solar photovoltaic equipment is notified and administered by which one of the following Union ministries?
- A. Ministry of Power
- B. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
- C. Ministry of Heavy Industries
- D. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Q3. Consider the following pairings of ALMM Lists with the products they cover:
1. List-I – Solar PV modules
2. List-II – Solar PV cells
3. List-III – Solar ingots and wafers
4. List-IV – Solar inverters
Which of the above pairings is/are NOT correct?
- List-I – Solar PV modules
- List-II – Solar PV cells
- List-III – Solar ingots and wafers
- List-IV – Solar inverters
- A. 1 and 2
- B. 4 only
- C. 3 and 4
- D. 2 only
Q4. Enlistment of models and manufacturers in ALMM List-I and List-II is contingent upon conformity to standards certified by which one of the following bodies?
- A. Bureau of Indian Standards
- B. National Institute of Solar Energy
- C. Central Electricity Authority
- D. Solar Energy Corporation of India
Q5. With reference to the evolution of the ALMM framework, consider the following statements:
1. The ALMM Order was first issued in 2019.
2. The effective date of the ALMM lists was once extended by six months to 30 September 2020.
3. ALMM List-I for solar PV modules came into effect from 10 April 2021.
4. ALMM List-II for solar PV cells came into effect from 31 July 2025.
Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?
- The ALMM Order was first issued in 2019.
- The effective date of the ALMM lists was once extended by six months to 30 September 2020.
- ALMM List-I for solar PV modules came into effect from 10 April 2021.
- ALMM List-II for solar PV cells came into effect from 31 July 2025.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 2 and 4 only
- C. 1, 3 and 4
- D. 1 and 2 only
Q6. Consider the following statements comparing ALMM List-II and ALMM List-III:
1. List-II applies to solar PV cells, whereas List-III applies to solar ingots and wafers.
2. List-II is effective from 1 June 2026, whereas List-III is effective from 1 June 2028.
3. Unlike List-II, List-III will be issued only after at least five independent manufacturers with a combined capacity of 25 GW become available.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- List-II applies to solar PV cells, whereas List-III applies to solar ingots and wafers.
- List-II is effective from 1 June 2026, whereas List-III is effective from 1 June 2028.
- Unlike List-II, List-III will be issued only after at least five independent manufacturers with a combined capacity of 25 GW become available.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q7. With reference to MNRE's 2026 decision on ALMM List-II for solar PV cells, consider the following statements:
1. No blanket extension of the applicability deadline beyond 1 June 2026 was granted.
2. Net-Metering projects commissioned before 1 June 2026 are exempt from List-II applicability.
3. Open Access projects commissioned before 1 June 2026 are exempt from List-II applicability.
4. All projects pending commissioning were granted an automatic two-year extension.
Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?
- No blanket extension of the applicability deadline beyond 1 June 2026 was granted.
- Net-Metering projects commissioned before 1 June 2026 are exempt from List-II applicability.
- Open Access projects commissioned before 1 June 2026 are exempt from List-II applicability.
- All projects pending commissioning were granted an automatic two-year extension.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 2 and 4 only
- C. 1, 3 and 4
- D. 1 and 4 only
Q8. Regarding the case-to-case relief mechanism under MNRE's no-blanket-extension decision on ALMM List-II, consider the following statements:
1. Eligible projects may seek a time extension beyond 1 June 2026 on a case-to-case basis.
2. Extension claims with documentary proof are to be submitted on or before 30 June 2026.
3. The dedicated portal for extension claims was developed by the National Institute of Solar Energy.
4. The no-blanket-extension decision was taken without any consultation with industry stakeholders.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?
- Eligible projects may seek a time extension beyond 1 June 2026 on a case-to-case basis.
- Extension claims with documentary proof are to be submitted on or before 30 June 2026.
- The dedicated portal for extension claims was developed by the National Institute of Solar Energy.
- The no-blanket-extension decision was taken without any consultation with industry stakeholders.
- A. 4 only
- B. 1 and 2
- C. 3 only
- D. 2 and 4
Q9. With reference to domestic solar manufacturing capacity linked to the ALMM framework, consider the following statements:
1. ALMM List-II was issued on 31 July 2025.
2. About 24 GW of solar cell manufacturing capacity was enlisted under List-II at the time of issuance.
3. India crossed the 100 GW milestone in solar PV module manufacturing capacity under ALMM List-I.
4. About 24 GW represents India's total solar PV module (List-I) manufacturing capacity.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?
- ALMM List-II was issued on 31 July 2025.
- About 24 GW of solar cell manufacturing capacity was enlisted under List-II at the time of issuance.
- India crossed the 100 GW milestone in solar PV module manufacturing capacity under ALMM List-I.
- About 24 GW represents India's total solar PV module (List-I) manufacturing capacity.
- A. 4 only
- B. 1 and 2
- C. 3 and 4
- D. 2 only
Q10. With reference to India's domestic solar PV cell manufacturing, consider the following statements:
1. ALMM List-II certifies manufacturers of solar PV cells.
2. India's domestic solar PV cell manufacturing capacity stood at roughly 27 GW in 2025.
3. Growth in domestic cell manufacturing capacity underpinned MNRE's decision to enforce List-II from 1 June 2026.
4. India's solar PV cell manufacturing is entirely dependent on imported cells, with no domestic capacity at present.
Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?
- ALMM List-II certifies manufacturers of solar PV cells.
- India's domestic solar PV cell manufacturing capacity stood at roughly 27 GW in 2025.
- Growth in domestic cell manufacturing capacity underpinned MNRE's decision to enforce List-II from 1 June 2026.
- India's solar PV cell manufacturing is entirely dependent on imported cells, with no domestic capacity at present.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 2 and 4 only
- C. 1 and 4 only
- D. 3 and 4 only
Q11. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme titled 'National Programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules', which complements the ALMM-driven push for solar manufacturing self-reliance, is implemented by which one of the following as the nodal ministry?
- A. Ministry of Heavy Industries
- B. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
- C. Ministry of Power
- D. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology