New Delhi, Oct 7: The government is expected to extend the deadline for the PM-KUSUM scheme once again, as two major components of the ambitious solar energy initiative have achieved less than 50% of their targets, an official source said.
Launched in 2019, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) aimed to add 30,800 MW of solar capacity by 2022 with a total central financial support of ₹34,422 crore, including service charges for implementing agencies. The target was later revised to 34,800 MW, and the scheme’s timeline was extended to March 2026, following implementation delays due to the pandemic.
According to official data, none of the components have achieved 100% of their targets. While Component B the installation of 14 lakh off-grid standalone solar-powered agriculture pumps has met 71% of its target as of September 9, Component A (installation of 10,000 MW small solar power plants) recorded only 6.5% progress, and Component C (solarisation of 35 lakh grid connected agriculture pumps) achieved 16.5% (IPS) and 25.5% (FLS) of their respective targets.
Under Component A, only 650.49 MW capacity has been installed, with states such as Telangana, Tripura, Odisha, Gujarat, and Assam reporting nil installation, while others like Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Goa, and Chhattisgarh registered minimal progress.
For Component B, more than 12.72 lakh off-grid solar pumps have been sanctioned, with 9.03 lakh installed, although Andaman and Nicobar, Puducherry, and Telangana reported no installations as of September 2025.
Officials indicate that the second extension of the PM-KUSUM scheme will provide additional time to ensure that the envisaged solar energy targets are fully achieved.