PM Surya Ghar Yojana 2026: ₹78,000 Subsidy, Eligibility & How to Apply
If you are considering rooftop solar for your home, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana can provide Central Financial Assistance (CFA) toward an eligible residential rooftop solar installation.
The important point is that the scheme does not mean that every household receives ₹78,000 in cash or that a solar installation becomes completely free. The ₹78,000 figure is the maximum standard Central Financial Assistance for an individual residential installation covering the first 3 kW, subject to the applicable scheme requirements and verification.
The programme is implemented under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) through the National Portal and the relevant electricity distribution company, or DISCOM. Government information describes it as a demand-driven scheme for residential electricity consumers with grid-connected connections.
This guide explains what the subsidy covers, who may qualify, how the application process works, what happens after installation, and what you should verify before spending money.
What Is PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana?
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is the Government of India's residential rooftop-solar programme launched in February 2024.
The programme has an overall approved outlay of ₹75,021 crore and a target of supporting rooftop solar installations for 1 crore residential households. The original scheme order allocated ₹65,700 crore for Central Financial Assistance to residential consumers, with additional allocations for other programme components.
The residential part of the scheme is intended to help households install grid-connected rooftop solar systems and reduce the amount of electricity they need to purchase from the grid.
It is important to distinguish between:
the solar system you purchase and install;
the Central Financial Assistance provided under the scheme;
any additional State or UT support, where applicable;
electricity savings resulting from solar generation; and
any loan used to finance the installation.
These are not the same thing.
Who Can Potentially Use the Residential Subsidy?
Government information describes PM Surya Ghar as a demand-driven scheme under which residential electricity consumers, including rural households, with a grid-connected electricity connection from the local DISCOM can apply through the National Portal.
The residential CFA therefore should not be understood as a general solar subsidy for every type of building.
A household considering the scheme should first confirm:
that the electricity connection is residential;
which DISCOM serves the connection;
that the proposed installation satisfies the applicable technical requirements;
that the installation follows the prescribed scheme process; and
that the application and verification requirements shown on the official portal are completed.
The precise process can depend on the electricity distribution company and applicable rules.
How the ₹78,000 Solar Subsidy Is Calculated
The standard residential CFA structure is based on the first 3 kW of eligible rooftop-solar capacity.
The scheme structure provides:
| Eligible capacity | Standard Central Financial Assistance |
|---|---|
| First 1 kW | ₹30,000 |
| First 2 kW | ₹60,000 |
| First 3 kW | ₹78,000 |
| Capacity above 3 kW | No additional individual residential CFA under the standard structure |
The underlying scheme order describes the first 2 kW as 60% of the applicable benchmark cost and the additional 1 kW as 40% of the benchmark cost, with no additional CFA for individual residential capacity beyond 3 kW.
In practical terms:
1 kW: ₹30,000
2 kW: ₹60,000
3 kW: ₹78,000
A household installing 4 kW or 5 kW should not assume that the central subsidy will increase proportionately. Under the standard individual residential CFA structure, the central assistance remains capped at the first 3 kW.
Does ₹78,000 Mean the Solar Installation Is Free?
No.
The subsidy is only one part of the financial calculation.
The household may still have to meet the balance installation cost, depending on the quoted system price and any applicable additional support.
The final amount you spend can depend on:
system capacity;
equipment and installation price;
vendor quotation;
applicable technical requirements;
metering arrangements;
financing costs, if a loan is used; and
any additional State/UT support.
Therefore, do not sign a quotation merely because an advertisement says "₹78,000 subsidy."
Check exactly what the quoted price includes and what amount remains payable by you.
What Does "Muft Bijli" Mean?
The name of the programme can create confusion.
PM Surya Ghar is intended to help households generate electricity through rooftop solar. It does not mean that every household receives an automatic allotment of exactly 300 free electricity units every month.
Actual electricity generation and bill reduction depend on factors such as:
solar-system capacity;
household electricity consumption;
sunlight and rooftop conditions;
system performance;
self-consumption;
applicable metering arrangements; and
local DISCOM rules.
Government data shows that many participating households have reported zero electricity bills during particular billing periods. However, that is not the same as a guarantee that every applicant will receive a zero bill. PIB reported nearly 19 lakh such households in its August 2026 update.
A household should therefore think of the programme as rooftop-solar support, rather than a promise of a fixed monthly electricity benefit.
How the Application Process Generally Works
The exact instructions displayed by the National Portal and the relevant DISCOM should be followed at the time of application.
The general process is:
1. Identify Your Electricity Connection
Keep your electricity consumer details available and identify the DISCOM serving your connection.
The application process uses electricity-connection information, so the details entered should match the records of the electricity provider.
2. Apply Through the Official National Portal
Use the official PM Surya Ghar National Portal rather than an unofficial website or agent.
The portal is:
The National Portal is the government-designated platform referred to in the scheme documentation and PIB material.
3. Complete the Required Consumer Information
The portal will request the information needed for your application and electricity connection.
Do not copy details from an old application or third-party website without checking the current portal instructions.
4. Complete the Applicable DISCOM Process
The DISCOM has an important role in the implementation process.
Depending on the applicable workflow, technical feasibility, installation and metering requirements need to be completed before the subsidy process can be finalized.
MNRE's material specifically describes installation followed by verification by the State DISCOMs as part of the CFA process.
5. Choose a Registered/Empanelled Vendor Through the Prescribed Process
Applicants should use the vendor mechanism provided through the scheme.
Do not assume that an advertisement calling itself a "government-approved solar company" is sufficient proof of registration.
Check the vendor information through the official scheme process.
6. Agree on the Installation Terms
Before paying a vendor, obtain a written quotation.
Check:
system capacity;
equipment specifications;
installation charges;
warranties;
maintenance arrangements;
payment schedule;
applicable taxes or other charges;
expected metering arrangements; and
what happens if the installation fails inspection.
The subsidy should not be treated as a substitute for reading the installation contract.
7. Installation and Verification
The rooftop solar system is installed according to the applicable technical requirements.
The required inspection, metering and other DISCOM formalities then have to be completed.
The subsidy is not simply released because a household has purchased solar panels.
8. Complete the Required CFA Process
After the relevant installation and verification requirements have been completed, the applicant follows the applicable subsidy/CFA redemption procedure through the National Portal.
The approved CFA is then transferred through the prescribed mechanism.
The official MNRE material states that CFA is transferred after successful installation and verification by the State DISCOMs.
What Documents Should You Keep Ready?
The exact documents and information requested can depend on the portal workflow and electricity connection.
Common information that may be relevant includes:
electricity consumer number;
electricity bill or connection details;
mobile number;
identity information requested by the portal;
bank-account information required for the subsidy process;
installation/vendor information; and
documents associated with metering or DISCOM procedures where applicable.
Do not rely on an old third-party "document list" as the final authority.
The current National Portal and your DISCOM should determine what is required for your application.
What Happens After You Apply?
One of the most important points is that application does not equal approval.
There can be several stages between registration and receipt of CFA.
A simplified workflow is:
Application → DISCOM/technical process → vendor selection → installation → inspection/metering → required portal submission → CFA processing → transfer
The exact sequence can vary according to the applicable process.
This is why a website or agent promising "instant subsidy approval" should be treated cautiously.
The Government's July 2026 information reported that a collateral-free rooftop-solar loan was available through nationalised banks at a concessional rate, but loan approval remained subject to the lender's requirements.
Can You Take a Loan for the Solar Installation?
Yes, financing is available under the programme's broader implementation measures.
A PIB release dated 28 July 2026 stated that collateral-free loans through nationalised banks were available at a concessional interest rate of repo rate + 50 basis points, reported at 5.75% per annum at that time, with a tenure of up to 10 years.
This figure should not be treated as a permanent fixed interest rate.
Because the stated rate is linked to the repo rate, applicants should confirm the current rate, processing charges, eligibility and repayment terms with the participating lender before taking a loan.
Also remember:
A solar subsidy and a solar loan are separate financial arrangements.
A household can receive eligible CFA and still have an amount to finance or pay from its own funds.
What About Net Metering?
Rooftop solar can interact with the electricity grid through applicable metering arrangements.
When a solar system generates electricity during the day, the household may use that electricity directly. Where the applicable regulatory arrangement permits export of surplus generation, electricity can be sent to the grid and accounted for according to the relevant metering and settlement rules.
The exact arrangement depends on the State/DISCOM and applicable electricity regulations.
For that reason, do not assume that a net-metering rule described for one state automatically applies in another.
Before signing a contract, check the current metering process with your electricity provider.
Are Commercial Buildings Eligible for the ₹78,000 Residential CFA?
The residential CFA should not be confused with the broader rooftop-solar activities covered by the programme.
PIB stated on 28 July 2026 that the programme also envisages rooftop-solar installations for government and commercial buildings, including educational and health institutions, but no central financial assistance is provided to those categories under the residential CFA arrangement.
Therefore, a shop, office, factory or government building should not assume that it can claim the same ₹78,000 residential subsidy.
Can States Provide Additional Support?
The central CFA is not necessarily the only possible source of support.
State or Union Territory governments may provide additional support where their applicable policy permits it.
However, this should be verified separately.
Do not assume that:
another state subsidy automatically applies in your state;
an old state subsidy is still active;
a state incentive has the same eligibility rules as the central CFA; or
an advertisement quoting a combined subsidy reflects the currently applicable rules.
For a state-specific benefit, check the relevant government department, DISCOM or official notification.
PM Surya Ghar Progress: What the Latest Official Figures Show
Progress figures need to be read with their dates.
The following official snapshots illustrate how quickly the programme has been expanding:
As of 22 July 2026, PIB reported 39,72,447 rooftop solar systems installed, benefiting 48,02,717 households.
On 4 August 2026, PIB reported that the scheme had crossed 50.06 lakh beneficiary households.
A PIB factsheet subsequently reported 51.58 lakh households as of 12 August 2026, approximately ₹28,024 crore in subsidy transferred and 14.8 GW of rooftop solar capacity commissioned.
These figures are dated government-reported snapshots, not a claim about the exact number of beneficiaries on the date you are reading this article.
For the latest number, check MNRE or PIB rather than relying on an old article.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming ₹78,000 Is Guaranteed
₹78,000 is the maximum standard individual residential CFA under the applicable structure. It is not a universal cash payment.
Assuming Solar Installation Is Free
The subsidy does not necessarily cover the complete installation cost.
Treating 300 Units as a Guaranteed Monthly Credit
Actual generation and bill savings vary by household and electricity arrangements.
Choosing a Vendor Only Because of a Subsidy Advertisement
Compare the quotation, equipment, warranty, installation terms and vendor status through the official process.
Assuming Application Means Approval
The application still has to pass the applicable technical, installation, verification and processing requirements.
Using an Unofficial Application Website
Use the official National Portal.
Do not provide Aadhaar, bank credentials, OTPs or passwords to an unknown website, agent or social-media account.
Paying a Person for "Guaranteed Approval"
Government subsidy approval should not be treated as something an unofficial agent can guarantee.
Assuming a July Interest Rate Is Still Current
The July 2026 loan rate was linked to the repo rate and should be checked with the lender before borrowing.
What to Check Before Signing a Solar Contract
Before committing money, ask the vendor to clearly state:
What solar capacity is being installed?
What equipment is included?
What is the complete installation price?
What portion is expected to be covered by eligible CFA?
What amount must the household pay?
What warranties apply?
Who handles DISCOM-related formalities?
What happens if the system does not pass inspection?
What metering arrangement applies?
What maintenance or after-sales support is included?
Most importantly, do not treat the maximum subsidy as the final price of the system.
How to Recognize a Misleading Application Offer
Be cautious if a website or person:
promises guaranteed subsidy approval;
claims that every household will receive exactly ₹78,000;
says solar installation is completely free without explaining the cost;
asks for an OTP;
asks for banking passwords;
requests payment through an unrelated personal account;
uses a government-looking logo without being an official government domain;
claims that applications will close immediately without an official notification; or
asks for money simply to "release" a government subsidy.
When in doubt, leave the third-party website and access the official scheme portal directly.
Check the Latest Official Notification
Because government schemes can change, check the latest official information before applying or making a financial commitment.
Verify at least:
whether the residential CFA structure has changed;
current eligibility conditions;
current application procedure;
current vendor requirements;
current DISCOM/metering requirements;
current loan terms, if financing is required;
current State/UT support, if any;
current application status or window; and
the latest official notification or guideline applicable to your case.
The primary authorities are MNRE, the PM Surya Ghar National Portal and the relevant DISCOM.
MNRE — Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Key Takeaways
PM Surya Ghar is a Government of India programme supporting eligible residential rooftop solar.
The standard maximum individual residential CFA is ₹78,000 for the first 3 kW, subject to applicable conditions.
₹78,000 is not a guaranteed cash payment and does not mean the complete solar installation is free.
Residential consumers with eligible grid-connected electricity connections can apply through the National Portal.
DISCOM-related technical, inspection and metering requirements are an important part of the process.
Government progress figures should always be read with their reporting date.
The July 2026 loan rate of 5.75% was a dated, repo-linked rate and should be rechecked before borrowing.
Commercial and government buildings should not assume that the residential ₹78,000 CFA applies to them.
Use the official portal rather than an unofficial agent or application website.
Check the latest MNRE, National Portal and DISCOM information before making a payment or submitting personal information.
Disclaimer
Direct Govt News is an independent information website unless explicitly stated otherwise. It is not a government department, government application centre, DISCOM, solar vendor or financial institution.
Government schemes, subsidy rules, eligibility conditions, technical requirements, financing arrangements, application procedures and deadlines can change. Eligibility and approval are determined by the responsible government authority and applicable electricity distribution company.
Before applying, paying a vendor, taking a loan or submitting personal information, readers should verify the latest official notification and instructions through the PM Surya Ghar National Portal, MNRE and the relevant DISCOM.
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