PM-KUSUM

ALMM and inverter compliance: MNRE का मौजूदा ALMM पेज solar PV module और cell की सूचियां प्रकाशित करता है, inverter की सूची नहीं। Inverter के exact model documents और लागू scheme या DISCOM requirements अलग से verify करें।

What is PM-KUSUM

PM-KUSUM, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan, is the Government of India’s flagship scheme for agricultural solar, launched in March 2019. It targets 35 GW of solar capacity in agriculture by 2026 through three components: A, B and C. For a full walkthrough of subsidy amounts and state-wise application steps, see the KUSUM Yojana Agricultural Solar Subsidy Complete Guide 2026.

The scheme addresses three distinct agricultural energy challenges: barren farm land that can host solar plants (Component A), farmers without grid access who rely on diesel pumps (Component B), and grid-connected pumps that subsidise DISCOMs (Component C). Each component has its own subsidy structure, eligible technology and implementation pathway.

Implementation runs through state agencies (state nodal agencies for renewable energy) with central financial support from MNRE. Banks provide concessional finance for the farmer share of capex. Solar modules and cells fall under the ALMM requirement where it applies; pumps and inverters follow the scheme’s technical specifications.

PM-KUSUM components

Why PM-KUSUM matters

Diesel replacement. 35 lakh diesel pumps consume billions of litres of fuel annually. Solar pumps eliminate this.

Farmer income. Solar offers free electricity plus surplus revenue.

DISCOM relief. Agricultural subsidy is one of the largest DISCOM losses. Solarisation reduces it.

Carbon abatement. Estimated 30 to 50 million tonnes CO2 saved annually at target capacity.

Rural electrification. Component B brings electricity where the grid does not reach, often paired with an off grid inverter for standalone pump loads. Sizing the pump controller correctly matters as much as the subsidy; see Solar Inverter for Water Pump, KUSUM-Compatible Picks for HP-to-kW conversion and inrush current guidance.

Land utilisation. Component A monetises barren land.

Technical deep dive

Component A details

Component B details

Component C details

Equipment requirements

• BIS-certified balance of system
• Pump motor compliant with MNRE specs
• VFD-based variable frequency for direct solar coupling
• Anti-theft features

Real-world applications

Replacing diesel pumps in rural Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, MP and Karnataka.

Decentralised 1 MW solar plants on farm fallows.

Feeder-level solarisation of agricultural connections.

Tribal and remote village solar pumps.

Drip and micro-irrigation solar pumps.

Implementation status (2026 approximation)

Component B shows fastest adoption; A and C have struggled with land aggregation and DISCOM coordination.

Advantages

Significant capex subsidy.

Diesel cost elimination.

Surplus power monetisation.

Land monetisation for Component A.

DISCOM AT&C improvement.

Limitations

Component A land aggregation challenges.

DISCOM payment delays affecting FIT economics.

Service network gaps in remote areas.

ALMM and supply chain bottlenecks.

State-level implementation variation.

Common problems

Bank loan disbursement delays.

ALMM-listed equipment availability in remote districts.

Pump theft from unattended fields.

Soiling reducing yield in dusty regions.

DISCOM net metering delays for Component C.

Best practices

Verify state agency empanelment.

Choose ALMM-listed equipment.

Plan anti-theft measures for remote pumps.

Schedule annual maintenance and cleaning.

Maintain pump performance logs.

Indian market context

State nodal agencies for renewable energy implement PM-KUSUM at the state level.

Major participating states: Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana.

MNRE tracks scheme progress monthly through state-wise dashboards.

Banks under PM-KUSUM include NABARD, SBI, BoB and rural cooperative banks.

PLI Phase II includes pump-specific manufacturing incentives.

Standards and certifications

Common mistakes

Underestimating pump load profile.

Choosing pumps not in MNRE specs.

Skipping anti-theft hardware.

Inadequate maintenance schedule.

Not signing net metering for Component C.

Key takeaways

PM-KUSUM is India’s largest agricultural solar scheme with 35 GW target by 2026. Three components address decentralised solar plants on farm land, standalone solar pumps and grid-connected pump solarisation. Subsidies cover 60 percent of capex through central and state contributions. Component B leads adoption with over 3 lakh pumps installed. Component A and C face execution challenges around land aggregation and DISCOM coordination.

Further reading

For how PM-KUSUM plays out in real projects, these guides go deeper:

• KUSUM Yojana: Agricultural Solar Subsidy Guide
• KUSUM Yojana Kya Hai - किसानों के लिए Solar Guide
• Solar Inverter for Water Pump, KUSUM Picks
• PM Surya Ghar vs KUSUM Yojana: Which to Pick?

Sources

• PM-KUSUM Scheme Guidelines, MNRE.
• MNRE Technical Specifications for Solar Pumps.
• State Nodal Agency implementation documents.
• Current ALMM evidence for the applicable module or cell, plus separate pump, inverter, scheme, and implementing-agency documents.
• MNRE Annual Reports.
• IS 7396, IS 9283, submersible pump standards.
• NABARD financing guidelines for solar pumps.
• IEA Renewables 2024 on agricultural solar.
• IRENA Renewable Energy in Agriculture.