PM-KUSUM Scheme: Solar Pump Subsidy, Components & How to Apply

Updated: 24 September 2026 · Last Verified: 24 September 2026 · By: Akshay Kumar, Editor

Quick Answer

PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) helps farmers install solar pumps and solar power plants, with a central government subsidy of up to 30% (general states) or up to 50% (North-East and special category states) of the cost, plus a matching state subsidy on top. Farmers can also set up small grid-connected solar plants on barren or fallow land and sell the electricity to their local power distribution company. It’s implemented by state government departments, not a single central portal — and the Ministry has issued an official warning about fake websites impersonating this scheme.

Key Highlights

What Is PM-KUSUM?

PM-KUSUM is a Ministry of New and Renewable Energy scheme aimed at reducing farmers’ dependence on diesel for irrigation and giving them an additional source of income through solar power. It has three components, and which one applies to you depends on what you actually want to do:

• Component A — install a small grid-connected solar power plant (up to 2MW) on your barren or fallow land, and sell the electricity generated to your local power distribution company (DISCOM) at a tariff fixed by the state electricity regulator. This is a revenue-generating option, not a subsidy for your own irrigation.
• Component B — install a new standalone, off-grid solar pump for irrigation, with a government subsidy covering most of the cost.
• Component C — solarise a pump you already have, either individually (IPS — Individual Pump Solarisation) or at the level of an entire agricultural electricity feeder (FLS — Feeder Level Solarisation).

The scheme is implemented by each state’s own designated department or renewable energy agency, not run centrally end-to-end — so the exact application process, empanelled vendors, and any additional state-level subsidy on top of the central share will depend on which state you’re in.

Benefits

• Central government subsidy of up to 30% of the system cost for solar pump installation (Components B and C) in general states, rising to up to 50% in North-East, hill, island, and other special category states.
• States typically add their own subsidy on top of the central share, which can bring the combined subsidy to around 60% of the cost in many states — leaving the farmer to pay roughly the remaining 40% (often less in special category states).
• Reduces or removes dependence on diesel pumps for irrigation, cutting fuel costs.
• Under Component A, farmers, panchayats, or cooperatives can earn ongoing income by selling solar power generated on unused land to the local DISCOM, rather than paying for a pump at all.

Eligibility

Who Can Apply?

• For Component A (grid-connected solar power plants): individual farmers, groups of farmers, panchayats, cooperatives, and water user associations with access to barren or fallow land suitable for a solar plant.
• For Components B and C (solar pumps, new or solarised): individual farmers who need an irrigation pump, or already have a grid-connected agricultural pump they want to convert to solar.

Important: Beware of Fraudulent Websites

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has issued an official warning that several fake websites and mobile apps are impersonating PM-KUSUM and asking farmers to pay a “registration fee” or the pump’s cost online before installation. The Ministry has specifically named domains such as kusumyojanaonline.in.net, pmkisankusumyojana.co.in, onlinekusamyojana.org.in, and pmkisankusumyojana.com as fraudulent. PM-KUSUM is implemented through state government departments — never pay a registration fee or the full pump cost to a website or app claiming to process your application online. If in doubt, verify through the official MNRE website (mnre.gov.in) or call the toll-free number 1800-180-3333.

Documents Required

Because each state runs its own application process, the exact document list and format can vary — your state’s renewable energy/nodal agency will confirm the current requirements.

How to Apply

1. Identify which component applies to you — a new standalone pump (B), solarising an existing pump (C), or a grid-connected power plant on spare land (A).
2. Contact your state’s designated renewable energy agency or nodal department for PM-KUSUM — state portals and empanelled vendor lists are linked from the national portal, pmkusum.mnre.gov.in.
3. Submit your application with land, identity, and bank details through your state’s official process.
4. Only deal with vendors empanelled by your state agency — the national portal publishes a state-wise vendor list.
5. Never pay a registration fee or the pump’s full cost to an unofficial website or app (see the fraud warning above).

Application Mode

Offline/online through your state government’s designated renewable energy or nodal agency — there’s no single central government application portal that processes applications end-to-end, since implementation is state-by-state.

Important Dates

PM-KUSUM doesn’t have a single fixed all-India application deadline — enrollment windows, target numbers, and vendor empanelment are managed separately by each state. Check your state’s renewable energy agency or the national portal for what’s currently open in your state.

Official Source

This article explains PM-KUSUM in simpler language for easier understanding. Because this scheme is implemented by state governments, always confirm your state’s current subsidy share, vendor list, and application process directly on the official portal before applying or paying anyone.

• National Portal: pmkusum.mnre.gov.in
• Ministry of New and Renewable Energy: mnre.gov.in
• Toll-Free Helpline: 1800-180-3333

Important Notes

• PM-KUSUM is implemented by state governments — the subsidy share, vendor lists, and exact process differ by state, so always check your specific state’s current terms rather than assuming a nationwide figure applies.
• The Ministry has explicitly warned about fraudulent websites and apps impersonating this scheme and demanding upfront payment — verify any site or app through mnre.gov.in or the toll-free helpline before paying anything.
• Under Component A, income from selling power depends on the tariff set by your state’s electricity regulator, which can vary by state and change over time.
• Subsidy percentages, components, and eligibility are set by the government and can be revised — always check the official portal for the current position.

Related Schemes

• PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi — direct income support for land-holding farmer families
• PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) — crop insurance for farmers
• Farmer Schemes — browse all farmer-related scheme articles on JanAvsara
• Agriculture Loan & Subsidy Schemes — KCC, MISS and AIF explained

FAQs

What is PM-KUSUM?

A Ministry of New and Renewable Energy scheme that subsidises solar pumps for irrigation and lets farmers earn income by installing grid-connected solar power plants on spare land and selling the electricity.

How much subsidy does PM-KUSUM give?

Up to 30% from the central government in general states, rising to up to 50% in North-East and special category states, usually with an additional matching state subsidy on top — the farmer pays the remaining share.

What are the three components of PM-KUSUM?

Component A is grid-connected solar power plants on farmland for selling electricity; Component B is new standalone off-grid solar pumps; Component C is solarising pumps that are already connected to the grid.

Where do I apply for PM-KUSUM?

Through your state government’s designated renewable energy or nodal agency — PM-KUSUM is implemented state-by-state, not through one central application portal.

Is it true there are fake PM-KUSUM websites?

Yes — the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has officially warned about fraudulent websites and apps asking for registration fees or pump payments. Never pay anyone online claiming to process your PM-KUSUM application; verify through mnre.gov.in or 1800-180-3333 instead.