Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Women and Child Development addresses steps taken to promote solar-based livelihoods for women in tribal-intensive districts. The central government implements various schemes to promote solar energy capacity and create livelihood opportunities. Schemes include initiatives under PM-JANMAN, DA-JGUA, PM Surya Ghar, and PM-KUSUM, focusing on providing off-grid systems, rooftop solar installations, and dedieselisation of the farm sector. Skill development programs like Suryamitra and Varunmitra are also being implemented.
Key Points / Main Content:
Solar Energy Promotion Schemes:
* New Solar Power Scheme: MNRE implements this scheme for Tribal and PVTG habitations under PM-JANMAN and DA-JGUA, providing off-grid systems in areas where grid-connected electrification is not feasible.
* PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY): Aims to install rooftop solar and provide up to 300 units of free electricity monthly for one crore households; 15.45 lakh households have benefited as of 14.07.2025.
* Model Solar Village: Focuses on establishing one Model Solar Village per district to promote solar energy adoption and energy self-reliance.
* PM-KUSUM: Aims to dedieselise the farm sector and enhance farmers' income, implemented by state government departments.
Skill Development Programs:
* Suryamitra and Varunmitra: MNRE develops skilled human resources through these programs for solar PV technician and solar water pumping technician roles.
* Solar Rooftop Technician and Helper Programs: Under PM Surya Ghar, these programs train individuals for installation, operation, and maintenance of solar projects.
Trained Human Resources in Rajasthan:
* Trained Suryamitra: 10,599
* Trained Solar Rooftop Technician/Helper: 5,815
* Rooftop Solar Technicians trained in Rajsamand (2024-25): 38
* Rooftop Solar Technicians trained in Jaisalmer: NIL
* Suryamitra Solar PV Technicians trained in Jaisalmer: 615, including 111 in the last three years
* Suryamitra Solar PV Technicians trained in Rajsamand: NIL
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE):
* Impact: Responsible for implementing and overseeing various solar energy schemes and skill development programs.
* Action Required: Continue to develop and execute schemes like PM-JANMAN, DA-JGUA, PM Surya Ghar, and PM-KUSUM, while also ensuring the effective implementation of skill development programs.
State Governments (specifically Rajasthan):
* Impact: Designated departments are responsible for implementing PM-KUSUM; Rajasthan benefits from the Suryamitra and Solar Rooftop Technician training programs.
* Action Required: Implement PM-KUSUM effectively, and continue to support and promote participation in skill development programs to enhance local expertise.
Tribal and PVTG Communities:
* Impact: Benefit from off-grid solar systems, improved access to electricity, and potential livelihood opportunities.
* Action Required: Engage with the implemented schemes and training to maximise the benefits from the solar energy initiatives.
Farmers:
* Impact: Can enhance their income through PM-KUSUM and dedieselisation of the farm sector.
* Action Required: Participate in the PM-KUSUM scheme to dedieselise farm activities.
Women:
* Impact: New livelihood opportunities in various job roles related to solar energy.
* Action Required: Participate in skill development programs like Suryamitra and Varunmitra to take advantage of new livelihood opportunities.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Women and Child Development: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for policies and programs related to women and child development.
SMT. MAHIMA KUMARI MEWAR: Member of Parliament who raised the question about solar-based livelihoods for women in tribal districts.
Rajsamand, Rajasthan: A tribal-intensive district in Rajasthan, India, mentioned in the context of promoting solar-based livelihoods for women.
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan: A tribal-intensive district in Rajasthan, India, mentioned in the context of promoting solar-based livelihoods for women.
Ministry of New Renewable Energy (MNRE): The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and deployment of new and renewable energy sources.
Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN): A scheme under which New Solar Power Scheme is implemented for Tribal and PVTG Habitations Villages.
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY): A scheme focused on rooftop solar installation to provide free electricity to households.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PMKUSUM): A scheme for dedieselisation of farm sector and enhancing the income of farmers.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 2117
TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2025
SPECIAL MEASURES FOR WOMEN
2117. SMT. MAHIMA KUMARI MEWAR:
Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken any steps to promote solar-based livelihoods for
women in tribal intensive districts like Rajsamand, Jaisalmer; and
(b) if so, the details of outcomes achieved under such initiatives during the last three
years ?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR)
(a) and (b): The Central Government implements various schemes to promote and accelerate
solar energy capacity in the country that has also created new livelihood opportunities,
including for women in various job roles. The major schemes/ programmes in this regard are
as follows:
The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) implements New Solar Power Scheme
for Tribal and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) Habitations/ Villages under
Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) and Dharti Aabha
Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA JGUA). Under this scheme, off-grid systems (Solar
Home Lighting Systems/ Solar Mini Grids) are provided to tribal and PVTG households
including women, multi-purpose centres and public institutions in Tribal and PVTG areas
where grid-connected electrification in not techno-economically feasible. PM- Surya Ghar:
Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY) is the world’s largest domestic rooftop solar initiative for
installing rooftop solar and to provide free electricity up to 300 units every month for one
crore households. Since the launch of the scheme in February 2024, as of 14.07.2025, a total
of 15.45 lakh households in the country have benefitted from rooftop solar installation
including that of rural areas. Under the "Model Solar Village" component of the scheme, the
focus is on establishing one Model Solar Village per district throughout India. This initiative
aims to promote solar energy adoption and empower village communities to achieve energy
self-reliance. Another scheme Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan(PM-KUSUM) is for de-dieselisation of farm sector and enhancing the income of farmers. This
scheme is being implemented by the designated departments of the State Governments.
MNRE is developing qualified and skilled human resources including women through
Suryamitra (Solar PV Technician) and Varunmitra (Solar Water Pumping Technician) Skill
Development Programmes under Human Resource Development Scheme and Solar Roof top
Technician and helper programmes under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojna (PMSGMBY) for
installation, operation and maintenance of Solar projects/ systems on pan India basis including
Rajasthan. The details of trained human resources including women in Rajasthan are as under:
S.No. Category Number
1 Trained Suryamitra 10599
2 Trained Solar Rooftop Technician & Solar Helper 5815
3 Rooftop Solar Technicians trained in Rajsamand district (in 38
2024-25)
4 Rooftop Solar Technicians trained in Jaisalmer district NIL
5 Suryamitra (Solar PV Technician) trained in Jaisalmer district 615
(111 in Last three
years)
6 Suryamitra (Solar PV Technician) trained in Rajsamand district NIL
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