State PCS - Rajasthan (RAS)

• 04 Apr 2025

Chief Minister's Free Electricity Scheme

Why in News? 

Recently, the Rajasthan government has announced that people will get free electricity up to 150 units. For this, changes have been made in the rules for installing solar plants under the PM-Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme. 

Key Points 

• About the Scheme: 
  • Under the Chief Minister Free Electricity Scheme in Rajasthan, up to 100 units of free electricity is being provided so far, benefiting 1.04 crore beneficiaries of the state.  
  • Under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, consumers will be able to consume 150 units of free electricity by installing solar plants on the roof of their houses.  
    • Consumers using up to 150 units of electricity under the scheme can get free solar plant installations at their homes. 
• Objective:  
  • The aim is to provide additional benefits to beneficiary families by connecting them to affordable and accessible solar energy. 
• Provision  
  • Consumers using less than 150 units per month will receive free electricity up to 150 units in a phased manner through community solar plants installed at nearby substations or suitable locations. 
  • Households consuming more than 150 units will get free electricity up to 150 units through a 1.1 kW rooftop solar plant installation. 
  • Each rooftop solar plant costs Rs 50,000 (excluding metering), with Rs 33,000 covered by central financial assistance and up to Rs 17,000 provided by the state 

PM-Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme 

• PM Surya Ghar Free Bijli Yojana, launched in February 2024 by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), aims to provide free electricity to one crore households by installing solar panels on rooftops . 
• The outlay of this scheme is Rs 75,021 crore and it is to be implemented by the financial year 2026-27.  
• Under this, up to 300 units of free electricity per month is provided and up to 40% subsidy is provided on installation cost, thereby promoting widespread adoption of solar energy across the country. 
• Eligibility: Indian citizen, house owner, valid electricity connection, family should not have availed any other subsidy related to solar panel.  
• Implementation: The implementation of PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme is done by National Programme Implementation Agency (NPIA) at the national level and State Implementation Agencies (SIA) at the state level.