PM Surya Ghar Scheme Reaches Over 32 Lakh Households Across India

The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has installed 25,87,685 rooftop solar systems and benefitted 32,02,697 households since its launch in February 2024, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi informed the Lok Sabha on March 18, 2026. Separately, the government disclosed that under the FAME-II scheme, 9,159 electric vehicle public charging stations have been installed across India as of January 1, 2026.

Parliament was also informed that the National Critical Mineral Mission has approved a Rs 1,500 crore incentive scheme for recycling capacity covering e-waste, spent lithium-ion batteries and other scrap, with guidelines issued and the scheme launched on October 2, 2025. Applications were open until April 1, 2026. The scheme targets extraction of critical minerals including lithium, cobalt and nickel to build resilient domestic supply chains. On space debris, the government stated that 129 trackable pieces of debris originating from Indian satellite missions are currently in orbit.

The FAME-II scheme allocated Rs 912.50 crore for 9,332 EV public charging stations on a pan-India basis. As of January 2026, 9,159 stations have been commissioned, with additional stations being developed by the National Highways Logistics Management Limited at intervals of 40-60 kilometres along national highways and expressways. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy confirmed no separate scheme exists for village electrification through renewables outside the tribal household programmes under PM JANMAN and DA JGUA, under which solar electrification applies where grid connectivity is not techno-economically feasible.

Under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme, 500 self-help group members have been trained and certified as drone pilots, enabling women to operate agricultural drones for nutrient and pesticide application. The Lakhpati Didi Initiative, operating under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana — National Rural Livelihoods Mission, aims to help women SHG members earn a minimum annual income of Rs 1 lakh over at least four agricultural seasons. The National Food Security Act covers up to 75 per cent of rural and 50 per cent of urban population for subsidised food grain under the Targeted Public Distribution System.

Key figure — Rs 1,500 crore incentive scheme for critical mineral recycling under National Critical Mineral Mission