Can I still register for PM Surya Ghar subsidy in 2026?

No. New registrations for PM Surya Ghar closed on 6 June 2026 after crossing 1 crore+ registrations. If you registered earlier, you can still track your application and receive subsidy after commissioning and net-meter installation. Ignore anyone claiming they can reopen or fast-track a new registration.

How much subsidy do I get for a 3 kW rooftop system?

A 3 kW residential system qualifies for the maximum central subsidy of ₹78,000 — that's ₹30,000/kW for the first 2 kW (₹60,000) plus ₹18,000 for the 3rd kW (indicative 2026 — verify current). Systems above 3 kW receive the same ₹78,000 cap, so no extra subsidy applies beyond 3 kW.

Why must panels be ALMM and DCR compliant?

PM Surya Ghar subsidy is only released for systems using ALMM-listed modules built with domestically manufactured DCR cells. Non-DCR or imported panels may be cheaper but completely disqualify you from subsidy. Always get written confirmation of ALMM+DCR compliance from your installer before signing.

When will the subsidy reach my bank account?

Subsidy is paid after installation, DISCOM inspection, net-meter fitting and commissioning — never upfront. Officially it arrives within about 30 days of commissioning, though real-world timelines are often 45–60 days (indicative 2026 — verify current), usually due to net-meter scheduling delays rather than the central transfer.

Do states give extra subsidy on top of PM Surya Ghar?

Yes, some states like Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh have offered additional top-ups over the central subsidy at various times, with their own caps and conditions. Amounts change frequently, so confirm the current state incentive directly with your DISCOM or state nodal agency before budgeting.

What are the most common reasons applications get rejected?

The biggest ones are non-ALMM or non-DCR panels, name mismatches between the electricity bill, Aadhaar and bank account, off-grid or hybrid-only systems (which don't get net metering), missing commissioning or net meter, and using a vendor not empanelled in your DISCOM area.

PM Surya Ghar Subsidy: The Definitive 2026 India Guide

If you registered before the window shut, the good news is simple: your subsidy is still very much alive. The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana remains the single biggest reason rooftop solar makes financial sense for an Indian home in 2026 — a 3 kW system that once looked like a ₹2 lakh decision becomes a ₹1.2–1.5 lakh one after subsidy, paying itself back in roughly 3–4 years (indicative 2026 — verify current). This guide walks through exactly what you get, who qualifies, how and when the money reaches your bank, and the mistakes that get applications rejected.

What is PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana?

Launched by the Government of India, PM Surya Ghar is a central subsidy scheme for residential rooftop solar only — not commercial, not industrial, not standalone farm pumps (that’s PM-KUSUM). The aim was ambitious: solarise 1 crore homes. By mid-2026 the scheme had crossed 40 lakh+ homes solarised and over 1 crore registrations (indicative 2026 — verify current), which is precisely why the registration portal was closed to new applicants on 6 June 2026.

The idea is straightforward. You install a grid-connected rooftop system, get it net-metered through your DISCOM, and the government transfers a fixed subsidy directly to your bank account. You own the system outright, your electricity bill drops sharply, and surplus units get credited back.

Exact subsidy slabs (the table that matters)

The subsidy is capped, not open-ended. Bigger systems don’t get proportionally bigger subsidies — the benefit maxes out at 3 kW. Here’s the structure:

System size	How subsidy is calculated	Central subsidy (indicative 2026 — verify current)
1 kW	₹30,000 × 1	₹30,000
2 kW	₹30,000 × 2	₹60,000
3 kW	₹60,000 + ₹18,000 (3rd kW)	₹78,000
4 kW and above	Capped	₹78,000 (no extra)

So the sweet spot for most homes is a 3 kW system — it captures the full ₹78,000. Going to 5 kW gives you more generation and export credits, but not one rupee more in subsidy.

Am I eligible?

Eligibility for PM Surya Ghar is refreshingly simple, but every box must be ticked:

Residential consumer with a valid electricity connection in your name (or a family member’s, with matching documents).
You own the roof or have clear rights to use it — RWA/society roofs need a No-Objection Certificate.
The connection is with a participating DISCOM offering net metering.
The system uses ALMM-listed modules with DCR (Domestic Content Requirement) cells — this is non-negotiable for subsidy.
You had a valid registration before 6 June 2026 (new sign-ups are now closed).

Net metering itself is deemed feasible up to 10 kW for homes under the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020 — so even a larger self-consumption system can be net-metered, though subsidy still caps at ₹78,000.

The ALMM + DCR condition (don’t skip this)

This trips up more buyers than anything else. To claim subsidy, your panels must be ALMM-listed (Approved List of Models and Manufacturers) and built with domestically manufactured DCR cells. Cheaper imported or non-DCR panels may quote ₹5,000–₹8,000/kW less, but they disqualify you from the entire subsidy. Always ask your installer to confirm in writing that the modules are ALMM + DCR compliant. When you get 3 free quotes, make this the first question — a genuine PM Surya Ghar vendor will answer without hesitation.

Registration is closed — track, don’t re-apply

To be clear: as of 6 June 2026, new registrations are closed. If someone tells you to “register now” for PM Surya Ghar subsidy, they’re either misinformed or selling you something. What existing applicants should do:

Log in to the national portal / DISCOM portal where you originally registered.
Track your application status (feasibility approval, installation, inspection, subsidy release).
Keep chasing your DISCOM for net-meter installation and commissioning — that’s what unlocks payment.

If you never registered, watch for official announcements about any future window; do not pay anyone claiming they can “reopen” your slot.

How and when is the subsidy paid?

The subsidy is not paid upfront. The sequence is:

Install the ALMM+DCR system through an empanelled vendor.
DISCOM inspection and installation of the net meter.
Commissioning certificate issued.
You upload bank details and the commissioning report on the portal.
Subsidy is transferred directly to your bank account.

Officially, this happens within about 30 days of commissioning. In real life across many DISCOMs, expect 45–60 days (indicative 2026 — verify current) — delays usually sit with net-meter scheduling and inspection backlogs, not the central transfer itself. Budget your cash flow assuming you pay the installer first and recover the subsidy weeks later.

State top-ups on top of central subsidy

Several states add their own incentive over and above PM Surya Ghar — most notably Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and some others at various points, and evolving schemes in states like Rajasthan and Maharashtra. Amounts and availability change frequently and often have their own caps, so treat any figure as indicative 2026 — verify with your state DISCOM/nodal agency. A quick call to your local DISCOM is the only reliable way to confirm what stacks on top for your address.

Documents you’ll need

Keep these ready — missing paperwork is the top cause of stalled files:

Latest electricity bill (name must match applicant).
Identity + address proof (Aadhaar, PAN).
Bank account details / cancelled cheque for subsidy transfer.
Roof ownership proof or NOC for shared roofs.
Installer’s ALMM+DCR compliance and system specifications.
Commissioning certificate and net-meter details (post-install).

Common rejection reasons

Non-DCR or non-ALMM panels — instant disqualification.
Name mismatch between electricity bill, Aadhaar, and bank account.
Off-grid or hybrid-only systems — only on-grid systems get net metering + subsidy.
Claiming subsidy for a larger slab than eligible (e.g., expecting more than ₹78,000).
Incomplete commissioning or missing net meter.
Using a non-empanelled vendor in your DISCOM area.

Worked example: a 3 kW system in Jaipur

Say you’re in Jaipur with a monthly bill around ₹3,000 and you install a 3 kW ALMM+DCR system.

Gross cost at ~₹55,000–₹75,000/kW: roughly ₹1,65,000–₹2,25,000 (indicative 2026 — verify current; varies by brand, panel type, city).
Central subsidy: ₹78,000.
Net out-of-pocket: roughly ₹87,000–₹1,47,000 before any state top-up.
Generation: ~4 units/day per kW → ~12 units/day → ~4,300–4,700 units/year, comfortably covering a ₹3,000/month home and exporting surplus.
Payback: about 3–4 years subsidised, with 25-year panel performance warranties (10–12-year product warranty; inverters 5–10 years).

Run your own numbers on a rooftop solar calculator and get 3 free quotes before committing — the ₹/kW spread between installers is real, and the cheapest quote is often the one cutting a DCR corner.

My honest recommendation

For most Indian homes with a ₹2,500+ monthly bill and a shadow-free roof, a 3 kW PM Surya Ghar system is the clear winner — it captures the maximum subsidy and pays back fast. Go bigger only if your consumption genuinely justifies it, and never trade away DCR compliance to save a few thousand rupees. If you’re already registered, your job now is patience and paperwork: chase the net meter, keep documents clean, and the ₹78,000 will land.