SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has declared 20 Model Solar Villages under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy informed the Rajya Sabha, placing the Union Territory among the leading regions in the country under the initiative.
Ladakh has declared two Model Solar Villages, according to State-wise progress reported by implementing agencies as of July 16, 2026. Together, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh account for 22 of the 455 Model Solar Villages declared across 27 States and Union Territories.
Jammu and Kashmir’s 20 villages represent about 4.4 per cent of the national total, placing it ahead of most States and Union Territories. Uttar Pradesh leads with 70 Model Solar Villages, followed by Rajasthan with 41, Madhya Pradesh with 38, Tamil Nadu with 36 and Chhattisgarh with 32. Ladakh’s two villages are at the same level as Goa and Tripura.
The figures were provided by the Ministry in response to Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1095, answered on July 28.
Under the Model Solar Village component, one village is to be developed in each district to encourage the widespread installation of rooftop solar systems and promote clean and affordable energy in rural areas.
The Ministry said a village must generally be a rural revenue village with a population exceeding 5,000, based on the latest published Census, to qualify for consideration. However, a lower population threshold of more than 2,000 applies to Special Category States and Union Territories, including Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, as well as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, the North-Eastern States, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
In districts where fewer than 10 villages meet the prescribed population criteria, the District Level Committee may select the 10 most populous villages for consideration. The committee may also expand the initiative to cover a Model Solar Panchayat, the Ministry said.
The scheme provides Central Financial Assistance of Rs 33,000 per kWp for the first 2 kWp of rooftop solar capacity for residential households in Special Category States and Union Territories, compared with Rs 30,000 per kWp for other areas. For an additional 1 kWp, the assistance is Rs 19,800 per kWp in Special Category States and Union Territories, against Rs 18,000 per kWp elsewhere. No additional assistance is available for capacity beyond 3 kWp.
For Group Housing Societies and Residential Welfare Associations, financial assistance of Rs 19,800 per kWp is available in Special Category States and Union Territories for common facilities, including electric vehicle charging, up to 500 kWp, subject to the prescribed limit of 3 kWp per house.
The Ministry said the Model Solar Village component also provides financial support of up to Rs 1 crore per village for development, with one Model Solar Village envisaged in each district. Local bodies, including Gram Panchayats, can receive an incentive of Rs 1,000 for each rooftop solar installation to encourage local mobilisation and increase adoption.
Nationally, Model Solar Villages have been declared in 455 districts. Uttar Pradesh accounts for the highest number at 70, followed by Rajasthan with 41, Madhya Pradesh 38, Tamil Nadu 36 and Chhattisgarh 32. Jammu and Kashmir, with 20, has more declared Model Solar Villages than Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The Ministry said the initiative is intended to increase rooftop solar adoption in rural communities, improve access to clean and affordable electricity, reduce dependence on conventional energy sources and lower electricity costs for households, while contributing to environmental sustainability through reduced carbon emissions.
