SRINAGAR: The Jammu & Kashmir Power Development Department (PDD) has achieved a significant milestone in the implementation of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, securing second position (First Runner-Up) in the country for the month of May 2026 in the categories of rooftop solar (RTS) applications, installations and inspections.
The award was conferred by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, during the national event, “2 Years of PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana”, held in New Delhi.
The award, on behalf of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, was received by Mahmood Ahmad Shah, Managing Director, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL). The recognition reflects the collective efforts of the J&K Power Development Department, DISCOMs (KPDCL and JPDCL), field functionaries, district administrations, empanelled vendors and consumers in advancing the objectives of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana across the Union Territory.
The Government of India’s flagship PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana aims to provide rooftop solar systems to one crore households across the country within a three-year implementation period from April 2024 to March 2027. At the national level, the scheme has achieved remarkable progress, with 33,57,505 rooftop solar installations completed so far.
In the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, although the scheme gained momentum slightly later, with on-ground implementation commencing in July 2024, rooftop solar adoption has witnessed a consistent upward trajectory since its launch. The growing public response reflects increasing awareness of the benefits of renewable energy and the attractiveness of the financial incentives available under the scheme.
As of date, a total of 98,601 applications have been registered on the National Portal from J&K, comprising 29,402 applications under Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) and 69,184 applications under Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL).
Against these registrations, 33,987 rooftop solar installations have been successfully commissioned, including 12,730 installations in the Jammu region and 21,255 installations in the Kashmir region.
The increasing deployment of rooftop solar systems has resulted in the addition of 121.61 MW of renewable energy generation capacity across the Union Territory, with 44.68 MW contributed by JPDCL and 76.92 MW by KPDCL. This significant capacity addition is expected to contribute substantially towards reducing dependence on conventional power sources while promoting sustainable energy generation at the consumer level.
A cumulative Central Financial Assistance (CFA) amount of ₹258.18 crore has been disbursed directly to beneficiaries across J&K. In addition, a Union Territory subsidy of ₹10 crore has also been provided.
A key feature of the PM Surya Ghar Yojana is the availability of affordable bank financing, with loan facilities offered at interest rates as low as six per cent. In Jammu & Kashmir, J&K Bank has emerged as the principal financing institution supporting the scheme.
A total of 45,321 loan applications have been received under the scheme, out of which 27,075 applications have already been sanctioned or disbursed. The support extended by financial institutions has been instrumental in the successful implementation of the programme, with more than 80 per cent of rooftop solar installations in the Union Territory being financed through low-interest loan facilities.
Simultaneously, vendor participation under the scheme has expanded considerably. Out of approximately 900 vendors registered nationally on the PM Surya Ghar portal, Jammu & Kashmir presently has more than 300 active state-level empanelled vendors.
These vendors compete alongside national-level service providers, ensuring competitive pricing, improved service delivery and quality installations. The growing vendor ecosystem has also generated significant employment and entrepreneurship opportunities within the renewable energy sector across the Union Territory.
The progress achieved during May 2026 has been particularly encouraging, with 4,559 new applications registered on the National Portal, 2,579 rooftop solar installations completed and 2,688 DISCOM inspections subsequently carried out to facilitate timely processing of subsidy claims and disbursal of subsidies to beneficiaries.
The rooftop solar programme in Jammu & Kashmir has witnessed remarkable growth over the past year. Compared to May 2025, the Union Territory recorded an impressive 77 per cent increase in rooftop solar installations, reflecting growing consumer confidence and the expanding adoption of green energy under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
Expressing gratitude on the occasion, the J&K Power Development Department conveyed its heartfelt appreciation to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for recognising the achievements of the Union Territory. The Department reaffirmed its commitment to the successful implementation of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and to achieving the larger national objective of promoting clean, affordable and sustainable energy.
