UPSC Prelims 2025 Q70: Current Affairs – Indian Government Schemes & Initiatives
Consider the following statements about ‘PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana’ :
I. It targets installation of one crore solar rooftop panels in the residential sector.
II. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy aims to impart training on installation, operation,
maintenance and repairs of solar rooftop systems at grass - root levels.
III. It aims to create more than three lakhs skilled manpower through fresh skilling, and
up - skilling, under scheme component of capacity building.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- (a) I and II only
- (b) I and III only
- (c) II and III only
- (d) I, II and III
Answer: (d) I, II and III
Explanation
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (Launched: February 2024)
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Targets installation of one crore solar rooftop panels in residential sector | TRUE | The scheme aims to install rooftop solar in 1 crore (10 million) households in India - making it the world's largest rooftop solar scheme. ✓ |
| II | Ministry of New and Renewable Energy aims to impart training on installation, operation, maintenance at grass-root levels | TRUE | Capacity building at grassroots is a specific component of the scheme - includes training local electricians, installers, and community workers. ✓ |
| III | Aims to create more than 3 lakh skilled manpower through fresh skilling and up-skilling under capacity building component | TRUE | The scheme explicitly targets creation of 3+ lakh (300,000) skilled workers through various skilling initiatives under the capacity building sub-component. ✓ |
All three correct → Answer: I, II and III
PM Surya Ghar Key Features:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Target | 1 crore households with rooftop solar |
| Subsidy | Up to 78,000 per household (varies by capacity) |
| Free electricity | 300 units/month for eligible households |
| Ministry | Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) |
| Funding | ₹75,021 crores total outlay |
| Skilled workforce | 3+ lakh workers to be trained |
Answer: (d) I, II and III.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. 'I and II only' would mean Statement III (3 lakh skilled manpower) is wrong — but the scheme's capacity building component explicitly targets 3+ lakh trained workers.
- (b) Incorrect. 'I and III only' would mean Statement II (grassroots training by MNRE) is wrong — training at grassroots level is a specific and well-documented component of the scheme.
- (c) Incorrect. 'II and III only' would mean the 1 crore household target (Statement I) is wrong — 1 crore rooftop solar installations is the central headline target of the scheme.
- (d) CORRECT. All three statements accurately describe PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: 1 crore target, MNRE grassroots training, and 3+ lakh skilled manpower creation.
Key point
PM Surya Ghar = 1 crore households + 300 units free electricity + 3 lakh skilled workers + ₹75,021 crore outlay. MNRE is the nodal ministry.
Remember
PM Surya Ghar: 1 crore households, 300 units free electricity, 3+ lakh skilled workers, MNRE nodal ministry. Launched February 2024. World's largest rooftop solar scheme.
Common mistakes
- Confusing PM Surya Ghar with PM KUSUM (which is for farmers' pump solarisation) — PM Surya Ghar is specifically for RESIDENTIAL rooftop solar.
- Underestimating the scale — 1 crore (10 million) households makes it the world's largest rooftop solar scheme.
- Missing the capacity building component — 3 lakh skilled workers is a specific sub-target, not just a general aspiration.
Exam tip
PM Surya Ghar = Residential rooftop solar + free electricity (300 units/month) + 1 crore target. Distinguish from: PM KUSUM (agricultural solar pumps) and National Solar Mission (utility-scale solar). MNRE = nodal ministry for all solar schemes.
Sources
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy — PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana Guidelines (2024)
- PIB Press Release — PM Surya Ghar Launch February 2024