PM-KUSUM: solar for the farm, three ways.
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan helps farmers replace diesel pumps, solarise grid pumps, and earn from small solar plants on unproductive land. Here is what each component actually offers.
- Component A
- 0.5–2 MW plants on barren land, power sold to DISCOM
- Component B
- Standalone solar agricultural pumps (off-grid)
- Component C
- Solarisation of grid-connected pumps / feeders
- Applies via
- State nodal agencies, in application windows
Administered by MNRE, implemented through state nodal agencies and DISCOMs.
How the scheme actually works.
PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) is the central scheme for solarising Indian agriculture. It has three distinct components, and the first decision is which one fits your situation. Component A lets a farmer, group, cooperative or panchayat set up a small grid-connected solar plant — typically 0.5 to 2 MW — on barren or uncultivable land and sell the power to the DISCOM under a long-term power purchase agreement: land that grew nothing becomes a fixed income stream.
Component B replaces diesel pumps with standalone solar-powered agricultural pumps for off-grid irrigation — usually the strongest economics in the scheme, because every litre of diesel not burned is a direct saving. Component C solarises existing grid-connected agricultural pumps (or entire rural feeders), so daytime pumping runs on solar and surplus can flow back to the grid.
Unlike PM Surya Ghar's single national portal, PM-KUSUM is implemented through state nodal agencies — application windows, vendor empanelment and state top-ups differ from state to state, and windows open and close. That is the main practical difficulty for an individual farmer, and the part where we do the tracking and filing.
The subsidy, in numbers.
For pump components (B and C), the cost is indicatively shared between central subsidy, state subsidy and the farmer — with the farmer's share often bank-financeable. The widely used reference structure is roughly 30% central + 30% state, with the farmer covering the remainder (higher state shares apply in some states and in the North-East and hilly states). Component A works differently: the farmer earns a DISCOM-paid tariff per unit under a PPA rather than receiving a capital subsidy, with procurement-based incentives to the DISCOM. Exact shares, tariffs, pump capacities covered and application windows are set by each state's implementation.
Central/state share splits and covered pump capacities vary by state and change between scheme phases — confirm the current position with your state nodal agency or pmkusum.mnre.gov.in before planning finances.
Some figures above are being verified against current government notifications before we publish exact rates. Talk to us for the latest position.
The process, step by step.
- 01Step
Identify your component
Barren land you want to earn from → Component A. Diesel or no grid connection for irrigation → Component B. Existing grid-connected pump → Component C.
- 02Step
Watch the state application window
Applications go to your state nodal agency (renewable energy development agency or DISCOM) in announced windows — not on a single always-open national portal.
- 03Step
Apply with land and connection documents
Land records, existing pump/connection details and identity documents are the core of the file; Component A additionally needs land title/lease clarity for the PPA.
- 04Step
Sanction, vendor selection and installation
After sanction, installation happens through empanelled vendors; the farmer's share (net of subsidies) is paid or financed at this stage.
- 05Step
Commissioning — and for Component A, the PPA
Pumps are commissioned and handed over with warranty and O&M terms; Component A plants sign the power purchase agreement and begin billing the DISCOM.
Eligibility, plainly.
- Individual farmers — plus groups, FPOs, cooperatives, panchayats and water-user associations for Component A.
- Component A: barren, fallow or uncultivable land (agrivoltaic use on cultivable land is possible in some state implementations), near a substation for evacuation.
- Component B: farmers in off-grid areas or currently irrigating with diesel pumps.
- Component C: farmers with existing grid-connected agricultural pump connections.
- State-specific criteria (landholding, pump capacity, prior beneficiary status) apply per implementation.
Where this scheme meets our work.
PM-KUSUM (Farmers): clear answers.
- Component A: small grid-connected solar plants (typically 0.5–2 MW) on barren or uncultivable land, selling power to the DISCOM under a PPA. Component B: standalone off-grid solar pumps replacing diesel pumps. Component C: solarisation of existing grid-connected agricultural pumps or whole rural feeders.
- The reference structure is roughly 30% central plus 30% state subsidy, with the farmer covering the remainder — often through a bank loan — and more generous splits in some states. The exact split, eligible pump sizes and window timing are set state by state, so confirm the current figures with your state nodal agency before planning.
- Yes — that is Component A. You (or a group, cooperative or panchayat) set up a 0.5–2 MW solar plant on barren or uncultivable land and sell the generation to the DISCOM at a tariff fixed in a long-term power purchase agreement. It suits landowners near a substation who can arrange the project financing.
- No. PM Surya Ghar (residential rooftops) uses the single national portal; PM-KUSUM runs through state nodal agencies and DISCOMs with state-specific application windows, listed via pmkusum.mnre.gov.in. Beware of fake 'KUSUM registration' websites that charge fees — applications only go through official state channels.