Why this matters now
PM-KUSUM links clean energy, agriculture and farmer incomes — tested for its three components and its role in the renewable-energy transition (GS-3).
What is PM-KUSUM?
Launched in 2019 (Ministry of New & Renewable Energy), the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) aims to provide energy and water security to farmers, de-dieselise farms, and add solar capacity — while raising farmer incomes.
The three components
- Component A — decentralised ground-mounted solar plants on barren/fallow land;
- Component B — stand-alone solar pumps for off-grid farms;
- Component C — solarisation of grid-connected agricultural pumps, letting farmers sell surplus power.
Significance
PM-KUSUM cuts diesel use and emissions, provides reliable daytime irrigation, gives farmers an extra income (selling solar power), and helps India’s renewable-energy targets. Challenges: high upfront cost, land/grid issues, and over-pumping of groundwater if not managed.
UPSC angle
Know PM-KUSUM (2019, MNRE), the three components (A: ground plants, B: standalone pumps, C: grid-pump solarisation), and the farmer-income + clean-energy + de-dieselisation goals.
Frequently asked questions
What is PM-KUSUM?
A 2019 scheme promoting solar energy in agriculture — solar pumps and plants for farmers to provide energy security and extra income.
What are the three components of PM-KUSUM?
Ground-mounted solar plants (A), stand-alone solar pumps (B) and solarisation of grid-connected agricultural pumps (C).
How does PM-KUSUM raise farmer incomes?
By letting farmers generate solar power and sell the surplus, and by cutting diesel costs.
What is a risk of PM-KUSUM?
Cheap solar power could encourage over-extraction of groundwater if not managed.