Quick Facts
What the National Solar Mission is
The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (NSM), commonly called the National Solar Mission, is India’s flagship solar deployment programme. Launched in January 2010 as part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change, the Mission established India’s first comprehensive solar targets and policy framework.
The Mission was named after Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, reflecting the government’s commitment to solar as a strategic energy priority.
Core objectives of the NSM:
Establish India as a global solar leader.
Achieve grid parity (solar competitive with conventional generation).
Develop manufacturing capacity for solar PV.
Deploy solar across utility-scale, residential, and commercial segments.
Support climate change mitigation.
Provide energy access through distributed solar.
The Mission has evolved significantly since 2010, with targets revised upward multiple times and the scope expanded to include rooftop solar, agricultural solar, manufacturing PLI, and many sub-programmes.
NSM evolution and phases
Phase I (2010-2013):
Target: 1.1 GW utility-scale solar.
Reverse auction tariff discovery introduced.
Tariffs around Rs 12 to Rs 15 per kWh in initial bids.
Manufacturing initiative through Domestic Content Requirement.
Phase II (2013-2017):
Target: 10 GW by 2017.
Tariffs continued declining through competitive bidding.
Rooftop programme initiated.
State-level participation expanded.
Phase III (2017-2022):
Target expanded to 100 GW by 2022 (later revised to 175 GW).
Major SECI tenders enabled massive utility-scale deployment.
Rooftop and PM KUSUM programmes launched.
Tariffs reached Rs 2.50 per kWh and below.
PLI scheme for solar manufacturing introduced.
Current Phase (2022-present):
500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030 target.
Approximately 280 GW solar within this target.
PM Surya Ghar launched (2024) for residential.
Multiple sub-programmes operate together.
The Mission’s framework has been continuously updated to reflect evolving priorities and learnings.
Solar capacity progress
India’s solar capacity growth has been remarkable:
2010: less than 100 MW.
2015: about 4 GW.
2018: about 24 GW.
2020: about 36 GW.
2022: about 65 GW.
2024: about 85 GW.
2026: approximately 90 to 100 GW.
The growth rate has been impressive but the gap to the 280 GW by 2030 target remains substantial. Achieving the target requires sustained accelerated growth of approximately 30 GW per year through 2030.
Major NSM components
The Mission encompasses several major components:
Utility-scale solar:
SECI tendering for inter-state PPAs.
State DISCOM tenders for intra-state.
Tariff-discovery through competitive bidding.
Indian utility-scale tariffs among the lowest globally.
Rooftop solar:
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (residential).
Phase-II Grid-Connected Rooftop Programme (commercial, institutional).
Net metering with DISCOMs.
Subsidy support through CFA.
Agricultural solar:
PM KUSUM with three components.
Solar pumps replacing diesel.
Decentralised solar plants on farmland.
Grid-connected pump solarisation.
Manufacturing development:
PLI scheme for solar modules.
Indian manufacturing capacity expansion.
Domestic content provisions in specific tenders.
R&D and innovation:
Support for next-generation cell technologies.
Tandem cell development.
Storage integration research.
Together, these components form the comprehensive NSM framework.
NSM and Indian solar economics
The NSM’s impact on solar economics:
Cost reduction: Solar tariffs in India fell from Rs 12 to Rs 15 per kWh in 2010 to Rs 2.50 per kWh and below by 2024. Among the steepest declines globally.
Manufacturing growth: Indian solar manufacturing capacity expanded from less than 1 GW in 2010 to over 50 GW in 2026 through PLI support.
Investment: Hundreds of crores of rupees invested in solar capacity, equipment, and technology.
Job creation: Multiple lakhs of jobs created in solar manufacturing, installation, and O&M.
Energy security: Reduced dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Climate impact: Significant carbon emissions avoided.
For consumers, the NSM has made solar increasingly affordable, with residential CAPEX falling and OPEX rates competitive with grid electricity.
NSM and climate commitments
India’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and subsequent COP commitments depend heavily on solar:
INDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) commits to:
40% of installed capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.
500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030.
50% of electricity from renewables by 2030.
Net zero by 2070.
The solar component (about 280 GW by 2030) is essential to meeting these commitments. The NSM’s evolved targets align with the climate commitments.
For international standing, India’s solar deployment demonstrates the developing world’s ability to lead climate action.
NSM-related schemes
Specific schemes operating under the NSM umbrella:
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (2024): Residential rooftop.
PM KUSUM (2019): Agricultural.
Phase-II Grid-Connected Rooftop Programme: Commercial, institutional.
PLI Scheme for Solar Modules: Manufacturing.
CPSU Solar Procurement: Public sector.
Defence Solar: Strategic installations.
SECI Solar Tenders: Inter-state utility-scale.
State-specific schemes (GEDA, MEDA, RREC, KREDL, etc.): Local implementation.
Each scheme has its specific provisions, but together they implement the NSM framework.
Common NSM mistakes
Treating NSM as just utility-scale. The Mission encompasses all segments.
Confusing NSM with specific schemes. PM Surya Ghar is one component of NSM, not the whole Mission.
Underestimating the scale. 280 GW by 2030 represents one of the world’s largest renewable build-outs.
Ignoring state implementation. NSM is national framework; states implement on the ground.
Forgetting about manufacturing. PLI scheme is integral to NSM, not separate.
Best practices
For solar developers, understand the NSM framework as the policy foundation.
For SECI tender participation, track the latest NSM-related procurement.
For PM Surya Ghar or PM KUSUM, recognise these are NSM components.
For state-level operations, coordinate with both central NSM framework and state implementation.
For long-term planning, the 500 GW by 2030 target shapes investment opportunities and policy direction.
Standards and references
The National Solar Mission framework is established through MNRE notifications and Cabinet decisions. Updates reflect evolving targets and priorities. India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change documents the broader strategic framework. International commitments at UNFCCC COP meetings provide global context.
Related glossary terms
Key takeaways
The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (NSM) is India’s flagship solar programme launched in 2010, encompassing utility-scale, rooftop, agricultural, and manufacturing initiatives. The original target of 20 GW by 2022 was revised multiple times, with the current goal of 280 GW solar within the broader 500 GW renewable target by 2030. The Mission has driven Indian solar costs to among the world’s lowest, expanded manufacturing capacity above 50 GW, and supports India’s Paris Agreement and COP commitments. Implementation runs through MNRE, SECI, state nodal agencies, and DISCOMs, with multiple sub-programmes addressing different consumer segments and applications.