Lighting a billion dreams

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is a transformative movement that can create a better future for millions of lives.

- DR DEBASISH SUR, THE UNIVERSITY OF BURDWAN; PRASENJIT MAKUR, CALCUTTA GIRLS' COLLEGE; AND DR SUROVI GUPTA DUTT, ASANSOL GIRLS' COLLEGE

In the summer of 2024, under the glistening sun of New Delhi, Mr Narendra Damodardas Modi, the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India stood before a crowd and announced a transformative vision for India's energy future. The initiative, named 'PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana', promised to illuminate Indian homes using the power of the sun—offering up to 300 units of electricity per month at zero cost. For many families across the country, particularly in small towns and rural areas, electricity bills take up a significant portion of modest monthly incomes. With rising living costs and the pressures of supporting children's education and household needs, financial relief is always welcome. When news of the PM Surya Ghar Yojana reached these homes, it was not seen as just another government program—it was viewed as a much-needed lifeline and a beacon of hope powered by the sun.

A nationwide vision

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is more than just a policy—it is a bold step toward reshaping how energy is consumed in Indian homes. Launched with the vision of making the nation more energy self-sufficient, the scheme is set to empower 1 crore (10 million) households across the country. At the heart of the initiative is a simple yet transformative idea: to enable families to install rooftop solar panels, backed by substantial government subsidies. The aim goes beyond just saving money. By shifting a large portion of household electricity generation to solar power, the scheme also seeks to lighten the load on the national power grid and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The impact, both at the individual and national level, is significant.