PM-KUSUM 2.0 marks a pivotal evolution in India’s clean energy roadmap, with a sharper focus on feeder-level solar power to transform agricultural electricity supply. As the current PM-KUSUM scheme nears its scheduled completion in March 2026, the Union government is preparing a redesigned successor that builds on strong interest from states and implementing agencies.

This next phase seeks to ease grid stress, cut subsidy burdens on distribution companies (DISCOMs), and deliver reliable daytime power to farmers at scale, all while accelerating decentralised solar deployment across rural India.

Understanding PM-KUSUM: A Quick Context

The original PM-KUSUM (Prime Minister’s Farmer Energy Security and Upliftment Drive) program began promoting the use of solar power in farming. It had three parts:

1. Separate solar-powered water pumps

2. Putting solar panels on water pumps that are linked to the power grid

3. Small solar power plants that are linked to the power grid

Even though more people have started using these things, there have been problems, such as getting land, getting money, and putting the plan into action in different ways. This prompted people to rethink the plan, leading to PM-KUSUM 2.0.

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Why PM-KUSUM 2.0 Matters Now

India’s agricultural sector is one of the largest consumers of electricity, especially subsidised daytime power, contributing to high fiscal and operational burdens on DISCOMs. PM-KUSUM 2.0 aims to address this by prioritising solarisation at the feeder level rather than piecemeal, individual installations.

This feeder-centric approach improves reliability, enhances grid management, and reduces overall system stress. Already, over 10,000 MW of solar capacity has been installed under the current PM-KUSUM framework, supported by a ₹34,422 crore outlay, highlighting strong demand and implementation momentum.

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What’s New in the Plan

The most significant change in PM-KUSUM 2.0 is its focus on feeder-level solar power. Instead of installing solar systems on each water pump, the entire power line serving the farms is powered by solar. This helps in many ways at once.

The key changes are:

• Feeder-level solarisation to power many pumps together
• Giving state power companies and DISCOMs a bigger role
• Focusing on public–private partnership (PPP) models
• Making sure that farms get power during the day
• Cutting down on power loss and the need for subsidies

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Why Feeder-Level Solarisation Matters

Feeder-level solar power addresses some fundamental problems that installing solar power on individual pumps couldn’t fully resolve.

Major advantages:

• Knowing that they will have power during the day helps farmers water their crops better
• Power companies save money because they don’t have to buy power at night, which costs more
• It’s easier to take care of things when there are thousands of solar units spread out
• It’s faster to get things going and easier to keep an eye on things
• Extra power can be sent back to the power grid

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What This Means for Farmers

For farmers, PM-KUSUM 2.0 is more about having good power than owning equipment.

They can expect to see:

• Steady power and reliable hours of supply
• Less need to use water pumps that run on diesel
• Lower costs for watering crops over time
• Better crop planning because they can count on having power

It’s important to know that farmers don’t have to manage or maintain the solar equipment themselves, which makes it easier for them to get on board, especially for those with small plots.

Here are some ways that the plan can be put into action:

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Components and Implementation Challenges

While feeder solarisation is central, it builds on the three components of the original PM-KUSUM scheme:

• Component A: Decentralised grid-connected solar plants
• Component B: Standalone solar pumps for off-grid irrigation
• Component C: Solarisation of grid-connected pumps is now prioritised for feeder projects

Experience from the current scheme shows mixed performance across components. Component B has performed relatively well, especially in areas with unreliable electricity, while Component A has lagged due to financial and land constraints. Component C (especially feeder solarisation) is now viewed as the most scalable lever for large-scale agricultural solarisation and power sector reform.

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Conclusion

PM-KUSUM 2.0 is a smart shift in direction, moving from separate solar projects to a system-wide approach. By focusing on feeder-level solar power, the government is addressing the main problems of power use in farming and letting farmers access clean, reliable energy without worrying about how it works. If the plan is implemented effectively, it could become a key part of India’s transition to rural energy and a model other countries can copy.

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FAQs

1. What is PM-KUSUM 2.0 mostly about?

It’s mostly about connecting feeder-level solarisation to give farmers daytime power they can count on.

2. Do farmers need to pay for solar panels?

No. In most cases, power companies or private developers put in and manage the solar equipment, not the farmers.

3. How does it help power distribution companies?

It helps them lower subsidy costs, handle peak power demand, and buy cheaper renewable power in the long term.

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