Question 70→ 2025 IAS Prelims GS I : Genius Classroom Explanation
📘 IAS Prelims 2025 — GS-III | Q.70 | Classroom Explanation
(Current Affairs: Government Schemes | Energy Transition)
📌 Question
Q.70) Consider the following statements about PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana:
Statement I: It targets installation of one crore solar rooftop panels in the residential sector.
Statement II: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy aims to impart training on installation, operation, maintenance and repairs of solar rooftop systems at grassroot levels.
Statement III: It aims to create more than three lakhs skilled manpower through fresh skilling and up-skilling under the scheme component of capacity building.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) I and II only
(b) I and III only
(c) II and III only
(d) I, II and III
✅ Correct Answer: (d) I, II and III
🧑🏫 Classroom Explanation
This question tests government scheme literacy + energy transition + skill development, a high-yield GS-III theme.
🔍 Core Overview of the Scheme
- PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana was approved on 29 February 2024.
- It is the world’s largest domestic rooftop solar initiative.
- Implemented by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
🔍 Statement-wise Analysis
✅ Statement I: Correct
- The scheme targets one crore residential households for rooftop solar installation by March 2027.
- Objective: Provide free electricity up to a prescribed limit and reduce household electricity bills.
➡️ Statement I is correct.
✅ Statement II: Correct
- MNRE has explicitly included grassroot-level capacity building.
- Training covers:
- Installation
- Operation
- Maintenance
- Repair of rooftop solar systems
➡️ This ensures local availability of skilled manpower, reducing implementation bottlenecks.
➡️ Statement II is correct.
✅ Statement III: Correct
- Under the capacity building component, the scheme aims to create over 3 lakh skilled manpower.
- Out of this:
- At least 1 lakh Solar PV Technicians will be trained.
- Includes both fresh skilling and up-skilling.
➡️ Statement III is correct.
🧮 Logical Elimination (UPSC Style)
| Statement | Status |
|---|---|
| I | ✅ Correct |
| II | ✅ Correct |
| III | ✅ Correct |
➡️ Correct option: (d) I, II and III
🔑 High-Value Add-On Points (Exam Gold)
🔹 1. Strategic Significance (1-liner)
PM Surya Ghar Yojana integrates energy security, climate action and employment generation in one scheme.
🔹 2. Three Pillars of the Scheme (Easy Recall)
- Households → Free electricity & savings
- DISCOMs → Load management & decentralised generation
- Youth → Jobs through green skilling
🔹 3. Capacity Building Scope (Often Tested)
Training extends to:
- DISCOMs
- Renewable Energy Development Agencies (REDAs)
- Financial institutions
- State & Central officials
🔹 4. UPSC Trap Alert 🚨
- Households ≠ panels (target is households, not modules count)
- Subsidy ≠ free panels (free electricity via subsidy support)
- Skill creation is an explicit objective, not incidental
📍 GS Mapping
- GS Paper III
- Energy | Renewable Energy | Government Schemes | Skill Development
🎯 Final Exam Lock
PM Surya Ghar = Rooftop Solar + Free Power + Green Jobs