PM KUSUM Scheme (Solar Agriculture Pump Subsidy)

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) is a transformative green energy scheme initiated by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India. The scheme provides massive government subsidies of up to 60% to farmers for replacing expensive, polluting diesel irrigation pumps with modern off-grid solar pumps, solarizing existing electric tubewells, and setting up small solar power plants on barren agricultural land to earn steady passive income.

PM-KUSUM is structured into three comprehensive components: • Component A: Setting up decentralized ground-mounted grid-connected solar power plants (500 kW to 2 MW) on barren/fallow land by farmers, FPOs, or cooperatives, selling generated power to DISCOMs at pre-fixed tariffs. • Component B: Installation of standalone off-grid solar water pumps (up to 7.5 HP) in areas without an electricity grid, replacing diesel engines. • Component C: Solarisation of existing grid-connected electric agricultural pumps (Individual and Feeder Level), allowing farmers to irrigate their fields during the daytime and sell surplus electricity back to the grid via net metering.

Financial and operational benefits of PM-KUSUM include: 1. Minimal Out-of-Pocket Expense: For a standard 3 HP, 5 HP, or 7.5 HP solar water pump, the government subsidizes 60% of the cost. With bank loans covering 30%, the farmer needs to invest only 10% margin money. 2. In Northeastern and Hilly States: Central subsidy is enhanced to 50%, state subsidy is 30%, meaning the farmer pays only 10%–20% even without commercial bank loans. 3. Long-Term Durability: Solar PV modules come with a 25-year performance warranty and minimal maintenance requirements. 4. Additional Income from Solar Plants (Component A): Farmers who install small 1 MW solar plants on uncultivable land can earn annual leasing rents or power-purchase tariffs of ₹3.00–₹3.50 per unit from DISCOM for 25 years.

To be eligible for PM-KUSUM subsidies: • The applicant must be an Indian citizen and an individual farmer, group of farmers, Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO), Panchayat, or Water User Association. • For Standalone Solar Pumps (Component B): The applicant must own cultivable agricultural land with a viable water source (borewell, tubewell, farm pond, or open well) and must NOT have an existing electric grid connection on that specific borewell. • For Grid-Connected Pump Solarisation (Component C): The farmer must have an active agricultural electricity connection with a sanctioned load in their name. • For Solar Plants (Component A): The applicant must possess cultivable or barren land within a 5 km radius of a 33/11 kV electricity substation.

Keep copies of these documents ready for registration: 1. Farmer's Aadhaar Card (linked with mobile number). 2. Valid Land Revenue Ownership Records (Khatauni, Khasra, Jamabandi, or 7/12 extract proving land title). 3. Bank Account Passbook copy (must be Aadhaar-seeded for DBT). 4. Agriculture Electricity Connection Bill (for Component C applicants). 5. Self-declaration / Affidavit confirming no previous solar pump subsidy has been claimed for the same plot.

• Aadhaar Card of the farmer
• Land Revenue Ownership Records (Khasra, Khatauni, Jamabandi / 7/12 extract)
• Electricity Bill (mandatory only for Component C grid-connected pump solarization)
• Bank Account Passbook (Aadhaar-seeded for DBT)
• Passport-size Photographs & Active Mobile Number
• Certificate of No Previous Subsidy / Undertaking

Applying for PM-KUSUM is facilitated online through State Renewable Energy Nodal Agencies: Step 1 — Visit Official State Renewable Portal: Access the designated State Renewable Energy Agency portal (such as UPNEDA for UP, MEDA for Maharashtra, RREC for Rajasthan, HAREDA for Haryana, GEDA for Gujarat) or follow the official links on pmkusum.mnre.gov.in. Step 2 — Online Registration: Fill in your personal details, Aadhaar number, land holding size, water source depth, and desired solar pump capacity (e.g. 3 HP, 5 HP, 7.5 HP DC or AC surface/submersible pump). Step 3 — Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your land khatauni, Aadhaar, bank passbook, and photo. Step 4 — Pay 10% Farmer Share: Once your application is approved and verified on the portal, pay your 10% beneficiary share online or via demand draft to the designated government agency. Step 5 — Site Survey & Installation: An authorized MNRE solar vendor surveys your water source, delivers the solar panels, inverter, and pump set, and completes the installation and testing.

State Renewable Agencies release district-wise application quotas and booking windows periodically throughout the year. Farmers should register early when state portal windows open to secure pump allocations before quotas are filled.

• Falling victim to fake phishing websites: Beware of fraudulent portals with names like 'pmkusum-yojana.com' or 'kusum-apply.in'. Only use official government domains ending in .gov.in or .nic.in. • Applying for a pump capacity that does not match your borewell water yield and water table depth. • Applying for Component B (standalone off-grid pump) on a borewell that already has an active electricity connection (such applications are rejected; apply under Component C instead). • Paying cash to unauthorized local middlemen instead of making payments directly through the official state portal challan system.

Check your local groundwater level and match your pump HP capacity (3 HP for shallow depth up to 100 ft; 5 HP or 7.5 HP for deeper water tables above 150 ft). Keep your updated land Khatauni and Aadhaar-linked mobile ready when state portal booking windows open.