SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department (PDD) has secured the second position (first runner-up) in the country for May 2026 under RTS applications, installations and inspections in the implementation of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
The recognition was awarded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, during the national event marking two years of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana held in New Delhi. On behalf of the Union Territory, the award was received by Mahmood Ahmad Shah, Managing Director of Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL). The achievement reflects the coordinated efforts of the JK Power Development Department, DISCOMs (KPDCL and JPDCL), field staff, district administrations, empanelled vendors, and consumers in advancing rooftop solar adoption across the region.
The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is a flagship Government of India initiative aimed at providing rooftop solar systems to one crore households between April 2024 and March 2027. At the national level, the scheme has recorded 33,57,505 rooftop solar installations to date. In Jammu and Kashmir, implementation began on the ground in July 2024, after which adoption has steadily increased, driven by rising awareness of renewable energy benefits and available financial incentives.
So far, 98,601 applications have been registered from Jammu and Kashmir on the national portal, including 29,402 under Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited and 69,184 under Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited. Against these, 33,987 rooftop solar installations have been commissioned, comprising 12,730 in Jammu and 21,255 in Kashmir. These installations have added 121.61 MW of renewable energy capacity to the Union Territory’s power mix, with 44.68 MW from JPDCL and 76.92 MW from KPDCL. A total central financial assistance (CFA) of Rs 258.18 crore has been directly disbursed to beneficiaries, along with an additional Rs 10 crore UT subsidy.
The scheme also provides access to low-cost financing, with bank loans available at interest rates starting from 6 per cent. In Jammu and Kashmir, JK Bank has been the primary lending institution supporting implementation. Under the programme, 45,321 loan applications have been received, of which 27,075 have been sanctioned or disbursed. More than 80 per cent of installations in the Union Territory have been financed through such loans.
Vendor participation has also expanded significantly. Of around 900 vendors registered nationally, over 300 empanelled vendors are currently active in Jammu and Kashmir, working alongside national service providers. This has helped improve competition, service quality, and pricing while also generating employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
During May 2026 alone, 4,559 new applications were registered, 2,579 rooftop solar systems were installed, and 2,688 DISCOM inspections were completed to facilitate timely processing and release of subsidy claims. Compared with May 2025, the Union Territory has recorded a 77 per cent rise in rooftop solar installations, indicating growing consumer confidence in the scheme.
The Power Development Department expressed gratitude to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for the recognition and reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthening the implementation of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and advancing clean, affordable, and sustainable energy goals.
