PM Surya Ghar ends in March 2027: what it means for your solar plans

The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which pays up to ₹78,000 towards a home rooftop solar system, is set to run until 31 March 2027. As of October 2026, the government has not announced whether it will be extended, renamed or changed after that date. If you have been thinking about solar for your home, this is the point to plan, not to panic. This guide sets out what is known, what is not, and how much time the process really needs.

What is known

The end date. The scheme was approved in 2024 with a target of one crore solar homes by 2026-27. The current subsidy rates are set until 31 March 2027.
The subsidy. ₹30,000 for 1 kW, ₹60,000 for 2 kW and ₹78,000 for 3 kW or more, for eligible homes.
The funding. The Union Budget for 2026-27 allocated ₹22,000 crore to the scheme, so money is available this year.
Progress. In August 2026 the ministry reported just over 50 lakh homes with rooftop solar under the scheme, half of the one crore target, and set an aim of 75 lakh by December 2026.

What is not known

Whether the scheme will be extended. Large government schemes are sometimes extended or replaced, but no announcement has been made. It is not safe to plan on an extension.
What happens to applications in progress on 31 March 2027. The rules for systems that are approved but not yet commissioned, or commissioned but not yet paid, at the end date have not been published.

So the safe assumption is simple: aim to have your system installed, inspected and your subsidy claimed well before 31 March 2027.

How long the process takes

The roof work is quick. The paperwork is not. In Punjab, the steps are:

Step	Typical time
Site survey and written proposal	1 to 2 weeks
Portal application and PSPCL feasibility approval	a few weeks
Material delivery and installation	1 to 3 weeks
PSPCL inspection and net meter	often the longest step, several weeks
Commissioning on the portal and subsidy payment	a few weeks

Altogether, three to four months from first enquiry to subsidy in your bank account is a realistic plan, and some cases take longer. Our step-by-step subsidy guide explains each stage.

Why waiting until early 2027 is risky

A rush before the deadline. If the scheme is not extended, applications are likely to bunch up in the final months, and inspections and net meters may take longer.
A load increase. If your sanctioned load is lower than the system you need, it has to be increased. For systems of up to 10 kW, PSPCL should process this with the solar application. A larger system needs a separate application first, which adds weeks.
Panel supply. Subsidy systems must use Indian-made DCR panels. New panel-sourcing rules in 2026 have already put pressure on DCR supply and prices. A late order may face both.

A sensible timeline

When	What to do
October to December 2026	Get your bills together, have a site survey, compare quotes and apply on the portal
December 2026 to January 2027	Feasibility approval and installation
February to March 2027	Inspection, net meter, commissioning and the subsidy claim

Starting by the end of 2026 leaves a comfortable margin for delays.

Should you rush into it?

No. A rushed decision is how people end up with the wrong system or an unreliable installer. The deadline is a reason to start the process now, not to skip the steps:

Check that solar suits you. If your home stays within Punjab’s 300 free units all year, solar may save very little. See whether solar is worth it with the free units.
Size it from your bills. See what size system your home needs.
Compare quotes properly. See how to compare solar quotations.

What if the scheme ends without the subsidy?

Solar would still pay for itself, just more slowly. For a typical home, the ₹78,000 subsidy shortens the payback by roughly two years. Without it, a correctly sized system still saves money for 25 years. You would also be free to choose non-DCR panels, which cost less. So the deadline matters, but missing it does not make solar a bad idea.

When the subsidy is worth taking

The subsidy is paid only on systems built with DCR panels, made with Indian solar cells, which cost about ₹9,000 more for every kW installed. The subsidy stops at ₹78,000 on 3 kW, but the extra panel cost keeps growing with size.

System size	Extra cost of DCR panels	Subsidy	Cheaper route
3 kW	₹27,000	₹78,000	DCR with the subsidy, about ₹51,000 better
5 kW	₹45,000	₹78,000	DCR with the subsidy, about ₹33,000 better
8 kW	₹72,000	₹78,000	About the same (DCR ₹6,000 better)
10 kW	₹90,000	₹78,000	Non-DCR without the subsidy, about ₹12,000 better

Up to about 8 kW, take the subsidy. From about 9 kW, non-DCR panels without it cost less, an option homes have until 31 March 2027. More on the subsidy page.

How we can help

For homes in Mohali, Zirakpur, Kharar and New Chandigarh, we check your eligibility and sanctioned load before anything is filed, prepare the application and follow it up with PSPCL through the inspection and net meter. Subsidy systems are installed through a registered vendor named on your application. Send a photograph of your bill on WhatsApp to find out whether the timeline works for your home.

Common questions

When does the PM Surya Ghar scheme end?

The current subsidy rates are set until 31 March 2027. As of October 2026, no extension has been announced, so plan on that date.

Will PM Surya Ghar be extended after March 2027?

No decision has been announced. Government schemes are sometimes extended or replaced, but it is not safe to plan on it. Aim to finish well before the deadline.

If I apply before March 2027, will I definitely get the subsidy?

The rules for applications still in progress at the end date have not been published. The safest plan is to have the system installed, inspected and the subsidy claimed before 31 March 2027, which means starting by the end of 2026.

Is solar still worth it without the subsidy?

Yes, for most homes that cross the 300 free units in summer. Without the ₹78,000 subsidy the payback is roughly two years longer, but the system still saves money for its 25-year life.