Government Expands PM-KUSUM Scheme to Include Solar Micro-Grids
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has expanded the PM-KUSUM scheme to support solar micro-grids in remote rural areas.
2-Minute Summary (TL;DR)
- PM-KUSUM now covers solar micro-grids for remote rural areas.
- Aims to provide reliable power for irrigation and domestic use.
- Enables farmers to generate additional income by selling surplus power.
- Supports India's broader goal of 500 GW renewable energy by 2030.
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | Very High | 5–8 | Government schemes are one of the most tested topics in SSC CGL and CHSL GK sections. |
| Banking (IBPS / SBI) | High | 4–6 | Financial inclusion schemes, Jan Dhan, PMSBY, and credit guarantee schemes are key banking exam topics. |
| UPSC / State PCS | High | 8–12 | UPSC tests implementation, target beneficiaries, and outcomes — not just scheme names. |
| State PCS / PSC | Very High | 6–10 | Both central and state schemes are tested extensively in state PCS papers. |
What to Memorize from This Topic
- Scheme: full name, ministry, launch date, objective
- Financial figures: allocation, beneficiaries reached so far
- Eligibility: who can benefit (age, income, gender, area)
- Implementing agency: central, state, or both
- Related amendments or extensions: any recent modifications to the scheme
Practice Questions
Q1. What is the primary objective of the PM-KUSUM scheme?
- Providing free seeds to farmers
- Solarization of agricultural pumps and energy security
- Building rural roads
- Providing crop insurance
Explanation: PM-KUSUM focuses on the solarization of agricultural pumps and providing energy security to farmers.
Q2. Which ministry is responsible for implementing the PM-KUSUM scheme?
- Ministry of Agriculture
- Ministry of Rural Development
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
- Ministry of Power
Explanation: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) implements the PM-KUSUM scheme.
How to Prepare Government Schemes for Government Exams
Create a scheme log: Name | Ministry | Target | Key Feature. Add every new scheme as it appears. Review this weekly.
Focus on 'Flagship' schemes: PM-KISAN, PMAY, Ayushman Bharat, PM SVANidhi. These generate the most questions.
For UPSC, understand the policy objective behind the scheme — income support, housing, health insurance. The 'why' matters more than the name.
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