Kutir Jyoti Yojana in Bihar for BPL Families in 2026

Kutir Jyoti Yojana in Bihar is a rooftop solar benefit for Kutir Jyoti or BPL (below poverty line) electricity consumers. The Indian government has expanded this yojana in Bihar under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana for BPL families.

• Eligible poor households give consent for a free 1.1 kW rooftop solar system
• The electricity department installs it at no cost to the family

BPL families receive the standard PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana central subsidy, not a separate enhanced slab. The Bihar state government covers the remaining cost, so the installation is completely free for poor households.

This guide explains what the Kutir Jyoti Yojana is and what it offers in 2026, who qualifies, how the cost split works, and how to apply through the Suvidha app.

Quick Overview of the Kutir Jyoti Yojana in Bihar in 2026

The table below summarizes the core details of the Kutir Jyoti Yojana in Bihar.

What is Kutir Jyoti Yojana?

Kutir Jyoti Yojana is a government electricity-support scheme for poor households. It is now also extended to Bihar and is run by the Bihar government as a free rooftop solar program for below-poverty-line households.

• The Government of India first launched the Kutir Jyoti Yojana in 1988-89, during the Nehru Centenary year, to provide single-point lighting connections to rural BPL households.
• That original program was later merged into the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana and is now part of the Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana.

In Bihar, the same Kutir Jyoti beneficiary base is now being used for a free rooftop solar program for BPL households. The scheme is run through Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited, or BSPHCL. It is supported by two government schemes:

• The central PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana covers Rs. 33,000.
• The Bihar government’s Mukhyamantri Vidyut Upbhokta Sahayata Yojana covers Rs. 27,000.

Together, these two schemes cover the full Rs. 60,000 cost of a 1.1 kW rooftop solar system.

Sources: CM Bihar.gov.in, BSPHCL Memo

What is the Bihar State Government’s Target for Kutir Jyoti Yojana?

Bihar aims to cover 58.89 lakh BPL households across the state with free rooftop solar under the Kutir Jyoti Yojana. The government implements this in phases rather than installing it in every household at once, and it has budgeted ~Rs 16,000 crore to complete the full rollout using existing subsidy allocations.

• Phase 1 of the Kutir Jyoti Yojana in Bihar: The first phase targeted ~2.5 lakh Kutir Jyoti consumers under the 275 MW project approved by BERC (Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission) in June 2026. The phase 1 application window is now closed.
• Future phases not yet announced: The Bihar government has not yet announced the next phase windows. The remaining households within the 58.89 lakh target will be covered in later rounds, and eligibility does not expire if a family misses one window. Such families simply apply when the next window opens.

Source: UNI India

The Two Pillars of the Kutir Jyoti Yojana in 2026

In Bihar, the Kutir Jyoti Yojana is linked to two separate electricity benefits in 2026.

• One benefit applies to all domestic consumers: This includes 125 free electricity units every month.
• The other is only for BPL households or Kutir Jyoti connection holders: This includes installing a 1.1 kW rooftop solar system for free.

Let’s break down both the benefits carefully.

Pillar 1: 125 Units of Free Electricity Per Month to All Domestic Consumers

Under the Mukhyamantri Vidyut Upbhokta Sahayata Yojana, every household in Bihar now receives 125 units of electricity free of charge every month. This benefit started from the July 2025 electricity bill.

• The consumer does not need to apply separately.
• The electricity department automatically adjusts the benefit in the monthly bill.

This free-electricity support is expected to benefit around 1.67 crore households in Bihar. The state government has approved ~Rs. 3,797 crore to fund it.

Pillar 2: Free Rooftop Solar Panel Installation to BPL and Kutir Jyoti Connection Holders

This second benefit is only for BPL households and existing Kutir Jyoti connection holders. Under this benefit, eligible households can get a 1.1 kW rooftop solar system installed at no cost. This free rooftop solar installation is not available to every domestic consumer in Bihar.

• To receive it, the household must give consent via the Suvidha app.
• After that, the electricity department can process the installation.

This is the benefit most closely associated with the Kutir Jyoti Yojana in Bihar today.

How Does the Kutir Jyoti Yojana Work and How Much Does it Cost?

Solar panel installation for BPL families is free under the Kutir Jyoti Yojana in Bihar because the central and state governments split the total installation cost. Two panels are installed, and the system capacity is 1.1 kW.

Here’s how the scheme works:

• Total system cost: Each 1.1 kW rooftop PV system costs ~Rs. 60,000.
• Central share: PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana contributes Rs. 33,000.
• State share: The Bihar government covers the remaining Rs. 27,000, taking the subsidy to a full 100%.
• Zero out-of-pocket cost for BPL households: The household does not have to arrange the installation itself. The state electricity department manages the process, including procurement and installation. Once the household gives the required consent, the department takes the process forward. So, the family does not pay for the panels, installation, or setup at any stage.

How Does Kutir Jyoti Yojana in Bihar Connect to PM Surya Ghar and Free Electricity?

The Kutir Jyoti Yojana in Bihar is not running on its own. It is linked to two other government benefits, namely, the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and the state’s 125-unit free electricity scheme.

This connection matters because BPL households do not just get one benefit. They can get free monthly electricity support and a free rooftop solar system.

Here is how the link works:

• 125 free units a month: All domestic consumers in Bihar get up to 125 units of electricity free every month from the July 2025 bill. This benefit falls under the Mukhyamantri Vidyut Upbhokta Sahayata Yojana and is automatically applied to the electricity bill.
• PM Surya Ghar link: The rooftop solar part is linked to the central PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. For each 1.1 kW solar system, the central government provides Rs. 33,000.
• Bihar government support: The Bihar government adds Rs. 27,000 more for BPL and Kutir Jyoti households. Together, the central and state support covers the full Rs. 60,000 cost of the solar system.

A BPL household gets 125 units of free electricity every month, as well as a 1.1 kW rooftop solar system, totally free of cost, to generate additional power on top of the free 125 units.

Bihar is using this combined push to expand solar adoption across the state, with a target of adding 10,000 MW of solar power over three years.

What are the Benefits of the Kutir Jyoti Yojana for BPL Families?

The Kutir Jyoti Yojana provides BPL families with a free solar asset that generates free solar electricity, reducing their electricity bills and replacing unsafe lighting. The benefits below explain what a household actually gains.

• Zero installation cost: The electricity department covers the full cost of procurement and installation for eligible BPL families, with Rs. 60,000 split between central and state assistance. As a result, the BPL family has to pay nothing to install a rooftop solar system at home.
• Reducing the electricity bill burden for poor families: The solar system powers the home during the day, so the family uses less grid electricity. The money they save on electricity can be used for food, shelter, clothing, and even education.
• Cleaner home lighting: Solar power reduces the need for kerosene and earthen lamps, which cost money and can create smoke inside the house.
• Extra savings with 125 free units: BPL households also get 125 units of free electricity every month, so the solar benefit reduces their bill even further.
• Maintenance is covered: Under the RESCO model, the developer handles operations and maintenance for 10 years. As a result, the BPL family does not have to pay anything out of pocket to maintain the solar system.

Who is Eligible for the Kutir Jyoti Yojana in Bihar?

Eligibility for the free rooftop solar under the Kutir Jyoti Yojana in Bihar is limited to BPL or Kutir Jyoti electricity consumers with a suitable rooftop.

The conditions below decide whether a household can give consent:

• Existing Kutir Jyoti or BPL connection: The household must hold a BPL (below-poverty-line) domestic electricity connection in Bihar.
• Rural and economically weak families: The scheme prioritizes economically weak families, including those in rural areas of the state.
• Valid consumer number: The applicant needs a valid consumer number, also called a CA number.
• Suitable rooftop: The home must have a permanent, concrete roof of at least 64 square feet that remains free of shade, since each 1.1 kW unit uses two panels.

Documents Required for Kutir Jyoti Yojana

To apply for a free rooftop solar system under the Kutir Jyoti Yojana, a BPL household needs to furnish a BPL card as proof of eligibility, the electricity consumer number from the bill, a registered mobile number for OTP verification, and a rooftop photo with basic area details.

How to Apply for Kutir Jyoti Yojana on the Suvidha App?

A BPL household in Bihar can apply for a free rooftop solar system under the Kutir Jyoti Yojana by providing digital consent on the Suvidha app.

Follow these steps in order.

1. Download the SUVIDHA app from the Google Play Store or the App Store.
2. Open the dashboard and tap “Consent for Rooftop Solar Panel Installation (Kutir Jyoti)”.
3. Enter your Consumer ID and tap Fetch Details.
4. Verify the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
5. Fill the application form with your personal and roof details.
6. Upload the BPL card, address proof, and rooftop photograph.
7. Submit the form and note the confirmation.

Please note: Beneficiaries who do not have a smartphone to apply online can visit a Suvidha counter at the divisional electricity office or a Vasudha Kendra for free assistance. The entire process is free at every counter, so a family should not pay any agent who demands money for the application.

Conclusion

The Kutir Jyoti Yojana gives eligible BPL households in Bihar a free 1.1 kW rooftop solar system worth Rs. 60,000. This cost is fully covered through the Rs. 33,000 PM Surya Ghar central subsidy and the Rs. 27,000 Bihar government support. Along with the 125 free units of electricity every month, this can help a BPL family run its basic household load with very little or no electricity bill.

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FAQs

Is Kutir Jyoti Yojana completely free for BPL families?

Yes, a BPL household pays nothing for the 1.1 kW solar system or its installation, since the Rs. 60,000 cost is split between a Rs. 33,000 PM Surya Ghar central subsidy and a Rs. 27,000 Bihar state share.

What panel size do beneficiaries get under Kutir Jyoti Yojana?

Each beneficiary gets a 1.1 kW system made of two panels. With current market modules of 500-550 Wp each, two panels add up to 1.1 kW of capacity.

Which app is used to apply for the Kutir Jyoti Yojana in Bihar?

Applicants can use the SUVIDHA app, available on the Google Play Store and the App Store, and give consent through the Kutir Jyoti rooftop solar option.

Who maintains the solar panels after installation?

Under the RESCO model, the selected developer runs plant operation and overall maintenance for ten years.

Can I apply if I do not have a smartphone?

Yes, you can apply free of charge at a Suvidha counter in the divisional electricity office, a Vasudha Kendra, or a local camp.

Is Kutir Jyoti Yojana the same as PM Surya Ghar?

No, they are not the same. PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is the central subsidy scheme, and Bihar runs the Kutir Jyoti Yojana under it for BPL families by adding a state top-up that makes the solar system fully free.

Do I need to apply for the 125 units of free electricity in Bihar?

No, the electricity department applies the 125 free units automatically to domestic consumers, so only the rooftop solar benefit needs Suvidha app consent.

What is the size of the solar panel installed free under Kutir Jyoti Yojana?

The BPL household can get a 1.1 kW rooftop solar system installed free of cost in Bihar under the Kutir Jyoti Yojana.