Karnataka has one of India’s largest agricultural electricity footprints, with roughly 25 lakh irrigation pump sets drawing free or heavily subsidised power across the five ESCOMs (electricity supply companies). If you farm in Karnataka and still run a diesel pump, or your BESCOM connection gives you power only at odd hours, PM-KUSUM is the most valuable solar scheme for you. The combined central and state subsidy is at least 60% of system cost under standard PM-KUSUM rules, and Karnataka has paid more than the 30% minimum state share on its recent Component B round. As of 31 July 2026, MNRE data show 29,513 Component B pumps installed in Karnataka against 41,365 sanctioned.
This guide covers the full KUSUM Karnataka application: who runs it (KREDL, the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd), how Components A, B, and C differ, the exact documents and steps, realistic timelines, and the rejection reasons that stall most farmer files. It is written for farmers and rural landowners, not consultants.
Direct answer. To apply for PM-KUSUM Component B in Karnataka, register on KREDL’s Souramitra portal (souramitra.com/KA) when registrations are open, submit Aadhaar, RTC (Pahani) land record, bank details, and pump details, and pay your farmer share after the site is found feasible. Subsidy is at least 60% (30% central + at least 30% state); Karnataka has topped up its state share above the 30% minimum for its 2025-26 Component B round; press reports in 2025 put it at 50% (an 80% total, 20% farmer share), which we could not confirm in a primary notice, so check the state, MNRE and farmer amounts itemised on your KREDL acknowledgement. KREDL closed its farmer-share payment window on 31 December 2025 and says further installations depend on additional MNRE allocation, while MNRE has extended implementation to 31 March 2027 (Lok Sabha reply, 29 July 2026). Component B covers standalone solar pumps, Component C solarises existing grid-connected pumps, and Component A lets landowners build 500 kW to 2 MW solar plants.
The scheme details below follow MNRE guidelines and KREDL’s current tender activity. Where Karnataka practice differs from the national template, we say so explicitly.
What is PM-KUSUM and who runs it in Karnataka?
PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan) is the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) scheme to solarise Indian agriculture: replace diesel pumps, add solar to grid-connected pumps, and let farmers earn from small solar plants on their land. Nationally it targeted 34,800 MW of solar capacity, according to the MNRE scheme page, and MNRE’s national portal pmkusum.mnre.gov.in monitors progress and links to each state’s portal.
In Karnataka, the state nodal agency is KREDL. KREDL does three things that matter to you: it invites farmer registrations on its Souramitra portal when a quota opens, it tenders the pump supply and installation work to empannelled vendors (the 2026 orders went to manufacturers like Shakti Pumps and Oswal Pumps), and it releases the state subsidy share after commissioning. KREDL publishes scheme notices and tender status on kredl.karnataka.gov.in.
The five ESCOMs play the second role. BESCOM covers Bengaluru and surrounding districts, CESC (Chamundeshwari) covers Mysuru region, HESCOM covers Hubballi and the north, MESCOM covers the coastal belt, and GESCOM covers Kalaburagi region. For Component B, the ESCOM mainly verifies that your pump is genuinely off-grid. For Component C, the ESCOM is central: it handles feasibility, net metering, and (for feeder-level solarisation) it can even be the project proposer itself.
Karnataka also has history here. The earlier Surya Raitha scheme piloted net-metered solar irrigation pump sets with BESCOM, combining about 70% subsidy with soft loans. That pilot proved farmers will adopt solar pumps when the subsidy is real, and much of its design carried into how Karnataka runs PM-KUSUM today. For the national scheme structure, see our PM-KUSUM complete guide.
One caution from the field: KREDL has publicly warned about fake application websites, YouTube videos, and phone calls promising KUSUM registration for a fee. Registration happens only through KREDL’s official Souramitra portal or your ESCOM office. Never pay an agent to “book” a slot.
Karnataka subsidy rates: what the farmer actually pays
Under the national PM-KUSUM structure, the Central Financial Assistance is 30% of benchmark or tender cost, the state adds at least 30%, and the farmer pays at most 40%, of which up to 30% can be a bank loan. Karnataka has topped up its state share above the 30% minimum for its 2025-26 Component B round; press reports in 2025 put it at 50% (an 80% total, 20% farmer share), which we could not confirm in a primary notice, so check the state, MNRE and farmer amounts itemised on your KREDL acknowledgement.
What does this mean in rupees? Using national benchmark costs as a guide, a 5 HP solar pump system costs roughly ₹2.5-3 lakh installed. On the standard 60% subsidy, the farmer’s 40% share is ₹1-1.2 lakh, of which about ₹25,000-30,000 is upfront if the rest is taken as a bank loan. If the state share is 50% (an 80% total), the farmer share drops to roughly ₹50,000-60,000. Compare that with ₹80,000-1,10,000 per year in diesel for a 5 HP pump running two crop seasons.
| Pump size | Typical system cost | Farmer share at 60% subsidy (10% upfront + 30% loan) | Farmer share if 80% subsidy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 HP | ₹1.6-1.9 lakh | ₹16,000-19,000 + loan option | ₹32,000-38,000 |
| 5 HP | ₹2.5-3.0 lakh | ₹25,000-30,000 + loan option | ₹50,000-60,000 |
| 7.5 HP | ₹3.6-4.2 lakh | ₹36,000-42,000 + loan option | ₹72,000-84,000 |
| 10 HP | ₹4.8-5.5 lakh | Central CFA limited to 7.5 HP; ask KREDL | Ask KREDL |
These are planning figures based on MNRE benchmark costs; the exact payable amount is fixed by KREDL’s tender-discovered rates for your district. The right pump size depends on your borewell depth and crop water need, which our KUSUM pump size by borewell depth guide works through with Karnataka-relevant water tables.
Component A in Karnataka: solar plants on your farmland
Component A is for landowners, not pump owners. You install (or lease land for) a decentralised solar plant of 500 kW to 2 MW on barren or fallow agricultural land, and sell the power to the ESCOM under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) at a tariff discovered through KREDL’s tender process.
The honest assessment: Component A is the slowest component, and MNRE data show no Component A sanction for Karnataka as of July 2026. Across India, 1,986 MW had been installed against 10,000 MW sanctioned by 31 July 2026. The bottlenecks are land aggregation, ESCOM evacuation capacity at the 11 kV substation level, and PPA signing timelines. MNRE has extended the implementation timeline for all components to 31 March 2027 (Lok Sabha reply, 29 July 2026).
Who should seriously consider it:
- Landowners with 2 or more acres of fallow or low-yield land within about 5 km of an agricultural substation.
- Farmer producer organisations (FPOs) and water user associations that can pool land.
- Farmers who want a lease income (industry-observed range ₹25,000-50,000 per acre per year) rather than pump replacement.
Who should skip it: anyone whose main problem is irrigation reliability. A Component B or C pump solves that faster and cheaper. Our KUSUM Component A landowner guide covers PPA income maths and land eligibility in detail.
For engineering support on ground-mount layouts, structural design, and CEIG drawings for a Component A plant, our sister firm Heaven Designs has a practical explainer on PM-KUSUM project design.
Component B: standalone solar pumps, the main Karnataka route
Component B replaces your diesel or off-grid pump with a standalone solar pump, no grid connection involved. This is where Karnataka has put its money: MNRE data show 41,365 Component B pumps sanctioned for the state, 29,513 installed by 31 July 2026. Public work orders awarded by KREDL include 16,780 pumps to Shakti Pumps (₹654.03 crore, January 2026, as reported by pv magazine India) and 3,263 pumps to Oswal Pumps (₹119.92 crore), covering 3, 5, 7.5, and 10 HP systems with 5-year warranty and remote monitoring.
Eligibility essentials:
- You own or lease agricultural land in Karnataka with a working borewell, open well, or surface water source.
- The pump is not connected to an ESCOM agricultural meter (grid-connected farmers go to Component C).
- Tenant farmers can apply with a registered tenancy agreement and the landowner’s consent.
- One pump per survey number in most district rounds; joint patta holders need consent from all holders.
Two Karnataka-specific notes. First, groundwater-regulated taluks (the state notifies over-exploited and critical blocks under the groundwater directorate) can face pump capacity caps or additional scrutiny, and central CFA covers pumps only up to 7.5 HP. Second, demand has exceeded supply, and KREDL now says further installations depend on additional MNRE allocation, so selection is not automatic. Applying in the first weeks of a window matters.
The full document list, vendor selection logic, and payment sequence are in our KUSUM Component B application guide. Qbits Energy also maintains a farmer-friendly walkthrough of the KUSUM agricultural solar subsidy structure.
Component C: individual pump and feeder-level solarisation through your ESCOM
Component C is for farmers who already have an ESCOM agricultural connection. There are two flavours nationally; in Karnataka, MNRE data show the Component C sanction (7,63,588 pumps, 1,50,490 solarised by July 2026) is entirely feeder-level, with no individual pump sanction.
Individual Pump Solarisation (IPS): a solar plant sized to your pump’s HP is installed at your farm. Your pump runs on solar during the day, the grid remains as backup, and surplus solar units are exported under net metering at the ESCOM’s applicable rate. Subsidy follows the standard 30% central + 30% state structure, and the ESCOM handles feasibility and the net metering agreement.
Feeder Level Solarisation (FLS): instead of panels at each farm, one solar plant (typically 500 kW to a few MW) is built to supply an entire 11 kV agricultural feeder. Every pump on that feeder gets reliable daytime solar power without any installation at the farm. MNRE issued dedicated FLS guidelines, which you can read via the Press Information Bureau release, and KREDL is the nominated implementing agency for FLS in HESCOM and CESC jurisdictions.
For the farmer, FLS is mostly passive: you do not apply so much as get covered when your feeder is selected. IPS is the one you would apply for actively, if Karnataka receives an IPS allocation. The step-by-step IPS process, including the net metering paperwork, is in our KUSUM Component C grid-tied pump guide.
Planning a solar pump or a farm solar plant? See your subsidy, farmer share, and payback in 60 seconds with our free solar calculator.
How to apply for KUSUM in Karnataka: step-by-step
The exact portal screens change between rounds, but the sequence below is stable across KREDL’s recent Component B cycles and the ESCOM-run Component C process.
Total elapsed time for a clean Component B file: 60 to 90 days from registration to a working pump.
Documents and eligibility checklist
Karnataka’s document set is shorter than most states because land records are digitised on Bhoomi, but every document must agree with the others.
Documents required (Component B and C):
Eligibility at a glance:
- Resident of Karnataka with agricultural land in the applying district.
- Component B: no ESCOM agricultural meter on the survey number.
- Component C: existing legal agricultural connection in the applicant’s name (or regularised).
- Component A: 2 or more acres of contiguous land, clear title, within ESCOM evacuation distance.
💡 Fast tip
Pull your RTC from Bhoomi a week before you apply, not the same day. If a mutation (inheritance or partition) is pending, the RTC will still show the old holder, and your application will stall at verification.
How long does the KUSUM Karnataka process take?
Plan for 60 to 90 days end to end for Component B. If Karnataka opens Component C IPS, expect 90 to 150 days, because the ESCOM’s feasibility and net metering steps add time. Feeder-level solarisation runs on KREDL’s tender calendar, not yours; once your feeder is selected, plant commissioning follows the tender schedule, which MNRE guidelines expect within about 6 months of sanction.
| Stage | Component B (KREDL) | Component C IPS (ESCOM) |
|---|---|---|
| Application window to selection | 2-4 weeks after window closes | 3-6 weeks |
| Field verification | 1-2 weeks | 2-4 weeks (feasibility study) |
| Farmer share payment | 1 week (your side) | 1-2 weeks |
| Installation and commissioning | 4-8 weeks | 4-8 weeks |
| Net metering agreement | Not applicable | 2-4 weeks, parallel |
| Total, clean file | 60-90 days | 90-150 days |
What stretches these numbers: document mismatches (adds 3-8 weeks), district quota exhaustion (you wait for the next round), and vendor installation backlogs. Farmer posts on X in mid-2026 report cases where payment was taken but installation lagged by months in districts like Chikkamagaluru and Kalaburagi. The protection is simple: pay only against a KREDL or ESCOM demand note with your application number on it, and keep the receipt. That paper trail is what gets a stalled file escalated.
Why KUSUM applications get rejected in Karnataka (and the fix)
Across our application work and KREDL’s published verification criteria, rejections cluster into a short, fixable list. We use a proprietary check with farmer clients called The Bhoomi Triple-Match Rule: before you register, the applicant name, father’s name, and survey number must match exactly across three records, the RTC on Bhoomi, Aadhaar, and the bank account. If any one differs, fix it at the Nadakacheri or bank first, then apply. Files that pass the Triple-Match Rule clear verification in one visit; files that fail it bounce between offices for weeks.
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1
Name mismatch between RTC and Aadhaar: the top rejection cause nationally and in Karnataka. Correct Aadhaar or complete the RTC mutation before applying; do not hope verification will overlook it.
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2
Existing grid connection on the survey number (Component B): if any agricultural meter exists on that land, your B application is invalid. Apply under Component C instead.
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3
Outdated RTC or pending mutation: an RTC older than 12 months or showing a deceased holder fails field verification. Complete the mutation first.
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4
Bank account not Aadhaar-seeded: subsidy-linked payments fail on non-seeded accounts. Seed the account at your branch before registration.
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5
Quota exhaustion or applying outside the window: Karnataka's demand has exceeded its allocation. Late applications are not rejected so much as never processed. Track KREDL notices and apply in week one.
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6
Fake portal or agent registration: KREDL has issued public warnings about fraudulent KUSUM websites and callers. If your "registration" did not produce a KREDL or ESCOM application number, you were never in the system.
⚠️ Watch out
No genuine KUSUM process asks for a registration fee, booking fee, or "priority slot" payment. The only money you pay is the official farmer share, against a written demand note, after selection.
If your application was already rejected, you can re-apply in the next window after fixing the stated reason. There is no blacklisting for a first rejection. For a Maharashtra comparison of how another state handles the same failure modes, see our PM-KUSUM Maharashtra application guide; Haryana farmers face a different portal but near-identical document traps.
Stuck with a rejected or stalled KUSUM file? Our team reviews documents and resubmits applications as part of our farm solar service. Talk to a solar engineer →
Is KUSUM worth it for a Karnataka farmer?
For a diesel-pump farmer, the arithmetic is hard to argue with. A 5 HP diesel pump burns ₹80,000-1,10,000 of fuel per year across two crop seasons. Even at the 60% minimum, your 40% share is ₹1-1.2 lakh, so payback lands inside about the first year or so, arguably the fastest payback of any farm investment available in India. For grid-connected farmers, Component C converts unreliable midnight power into dependable daytime solar, and exported surplus earns net metering credits.
- ✓ At least 60% subsidy; upfront share as low as ₹25,000-30,000 for a 5 HP pump with a bank loan
- ✓ Payback within the first year for diesel replacement
- ✓ Daytime irrigation on your schedule, not the ESCOM's roster
- ✓ 5-year warranty and remote monitoring mandated in KREDL tenders
- ✓ 25-year panel life; 20+ years of near-zero running cost after payback
- ✗ Quota-limited: new installations depend on additional MNRE allocation
- ✗ Installation delays reported in some districts after farmer payment
- ✗ Document discipline required; RTC and Aadhaar mismatches stall files for weeks
- ✗ Groundwater-notified taluks can face pump capacity caps
- ✗ Vendor service quality varies; after-sales depends on the empannelled installer
Verdict. If you run a diesel pump in Karnataka, apply in the next Component B window, full stop. If you have an ESCOM connection with erratic supply, watch for your feeder being selected for feeder-level solarisation. Component A suits only landowners with fallow land near a substation and patience for PPA timelines.
The exception worth naming: if your borewell yields poorly or your land is in a severely over-exploited groundwater block, a bigger solar pump does not create water. Fix the water source question first, then size the pump. Our borewell-depth sizing guide linked earlier helps with that call.
How Heaven Green Energy Helps
Heaven Green Energy is an MNRE-channel-partner solar EPC with 10,000+ installations across India, and our agriculture team handles the parts of the KUSUM Karnataka application that actually cause delays: document preparation against the Bhoomi Triple-Match Rule, pump sizing from your borewell depth and crop water need, ESCOM liaison for Component C feasibility and net metering, and installation with Tier-1 BIS-certified equipment. We also work with Karnataka farmers outside the subsidy route when a quota is closed, because a diesel pump replaced at full price still pays back in under three years for most borewells.
- DREBP and PM-KUSUM solar solutions: solar pump and farm solar projects with subsidy paperwork handled by our team.
- Ground-mount solar parks: Component A style land-based plants from feasibility to PPA support.
- Solar calculator: your farmer share, subsidy, and payback in 60 seconds.
- Contact our farm solar team: free document review before you apply.
If you are a Bengaluru homeowner rather than a farmer, the KUSUM scheme is not your route; the PM Suryaghar Bengaluru guide covers BESCOM rooftop subsidy instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the subsidy percentage for KUSUM in Karnataka?
Nationally, PM-KUSUM pays at least 60% combined subsidy (30% central + at least 30% state), with the farmer paying at most 40%, of which up to 30% can be a bank loan. Karnataka has topped up its state share above the 30% minimum for its 2025-26 Component B round; press reports in 2025 put it at 50% (an 80% total, 20% farmer share), which we could not confirm in a primary notice, so check the state, MNRE and farmer amounts itemised on your KREDL acknowledgement.
How do I apply for KUSUM Karnataka online?
Register on KREDL’s Souramitra portal (souramitra.com/KA) when a Component B window opens; KREDL publishes notices on kredl.karnataka.gov.in. You need Aadhaar, a fresh RTC (Pahani) from Bhoomi, an Aadhaar-seeded bank account, and pump or borewell details. You receive an application number, then field verification, and an online payment of your farmer share if your site is feasible.
Who is the nodal agency for PM-KUSUM in Karnataka?
KREDL, the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd, is the state nodal agency. KREDL manages farmer registrations, tenders pump supply and installation to empannelled vendors, and releases the state subsidy share. The five ESCOMs (BESCOM, CESC, HESCOM, MESCOM, GESCOM) verify grid status and work with KREDL on feeder-level solarisation.
What documents are required for the KUSUM Karnataka application?
You need an Aadhaar card with a linked mobile number, an RTC (Pahani) land record issued within the last 12 months, an Aadhaar-seeded bank account, borewell or water source proof, existing pump details, and a caste certificate if applying under a priority category. Tenant farmers also need a registered tenancy agreement and landowner consent. Names must match exactly across RTC, Aadhaar, and bank records.
How long does KUSUM approval and installation take in Karnataka?
A clean Component B file takes 60 to 90 days from registration to a commissioned pump. Karnataka’s Component C runs as feeder-level solarisation, which follows the tender schedule rather than an individual application. Document mismatches add 3 to 8 weeks, and quota exhaustion pushes you to the next window entirely.
What is the difference between Surya Raitha and PM-KUSUM in Karnataka?
Surya Raitha was Karnataka’s earlier pilot scheme, run mainly with BESCOM, that offered net-metered solar irrigation pump sets with roughly 70% combined subsidy and soft loans. PM-KUSUM is the national MNRE scheme that replaced and expanded that approach, with three components covering standalone pumps, grid-connected pump solarisation, and small solar plants. New applications go through PM-KUSUM via KREDL, not Surya Raitha.
Can tenant farmers apply for KUSUM in Karnataka?
Yes. Tenant farmers are eligible for Component B with a registered tenancy agreement and the landowner’s written consent. The tenancy document must match the survey number on the RTC, and the landowner must confirm no other KUSUM application exists for the same plot. Selection priority in most district rounds still favours owner-cultivators, so tenants should apply early in the window.
Why was my KUSUM Karnataka application rejected?
The most common reasons are a name mismatch between the RTC and Aadhaar, an outdated RTC or pending mutation, an existing ESCOM meter on the survey number (invalid for Component B), a non-Aadhaar-seeded bank account, or the district quota being full. You can re-apply in the next window after fixing the stated reason; a first rejection does not blacklist you.