PRADHAN MANTRI SAHAJ BIJLI HAR GHAR YOJANA

1. At a Glance

• SAUBHAGYA (Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana) — Government of India scheme for universal household electrification by providing last-mile free electricity connections to willing un-electrified rural households and willing poor urban households [S1][S2].
• Implementing ministry: Ministry of Power; nodal agency: Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) [S1][S2].
• Considered one of the world's largest household electrification drives — 2.86 crore households connected against an estimated 3 crore un-electrified pool [S1][S2].

2. Why in the News

• PIB release (02 Feb 2026) by the Ministry of Power reiterated SAUBHAGYA outcomes (286 lakh of 300 lakh estimated households electrified; 100% willing-HH electrification certified by all States as of 31.03.2019) and contextualised the follow-on Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) for distribution quality and reliability [S1].

3. Background & Evolution

• Announced 25 September 2017 by PM at Deendayal Urja Bhawan, Delhi [S2].
• Operationalised October 2017 by Ministry of Power [S1].
• Built on prior rural electrification thrust under Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY, 2014) — DDUGJY focused on village electrification & feeder separation; SAUBHAGYA pivoted to household-level connections [S1].
• Scheme closed 31 March 2022 after achieving stated targets [S3].
• Succeeded by RDSS (2021) for distribution infrastructure quality/loss reduction [S1].

4. Core Static Facts

• Full name: Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana ("Saubhagya") [S1].
• Ministry/Department: Ministry of Power, GoI [S1].
• Nodal agency: Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) Ltd [S2].
• Total outlay: ₹16,320 crore (Gross Budgetary Support ₹12,320 crore) [S2].
• Rural component outlay: ₹14,025 crore (GBS ₹14,025-linked share) [S2].
• Beneficiary identification: Free connection to households identified via SECC 2011 data; non-SECC households paid ₹500 in 10 instalments via bills [S2].
• For un-electrifiable remote HHs: Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) pack with battery bank — 5 LED lights, 1 DC fan, 1 DC power plug + 5-yr repair/maintenance [S2].
• Estimated un-electrified HHs: 300 lakh; electrified: 286 lakh [S1].
• Target date achieved: 31 March 2019 for willing-HH saturation [S1].
• Scheme closure: 31 March 2022 [S3].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Social / Equity - Targeted last-mile inclusion — free connections for SECC-identified poor, removing capital cost barrier [S2]. - Reduces kerosene dependence; benefits women/children (indoor air quality, study hours) [S1].

Economic - Expands DISCOM consumer base but adds low-paying load — fed into rationale for RDSS to fix viability [S1]. - Boosted demand for meters, conductors, solar packs — backward linkages to power equipment sector [S2].

Environmental / Technological - Off-grid SPV systems for remote/Left-Wing-Extremism-affected and forest hamlets — extends renewable footprint [S2]. - Smart pre-paid meter push integrated later through RDSS [S1].

Administrative / Federal - Implemented by States/DISCOMs; Centre funds via REC. Verification of "100% electrification" through Saubhagya Web-Portal (Gram Swaraj Abhiyan cross-check) [S2]. - Definition controversy — a village is "electrified" if 10% HHs + public places connected (DDUGJY norm); SAUBHAGYA shifted metric to household [S2].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 02 Feb 2026: PIB reiteration of SAUBHAGYA outcomes and linkage to RDSS as the successor distribution-quality scheme [S1].
• Continuing convergence with RDSS (₹3.03 lakh crore outlay, 2021-26) for smart metering and loss reduction [S1].

7. Prelims Hooks

• SAUBHAGYA launched September 2017 by PM Modi [S2].
• Implementing ministry: Ministry of Power (NOT MNRE) [S1].
• Nodal agency: REC Ltd [S2].
• Total outlay: ₹16,320 crore; GBS ₹12,320 crore [S2].
• Beneficiary list source: SECC 2011 [S2].
• Non-SECC households charged ₹500 in 10 instalments via electricity bill [S2].
• Off-grid solar pack: 5 LED + 1 DC fan + 1 DC power plug + battery + 5-yr O&M [S2].
• Un-electrified HHs estimated: 300 lakh; electrified: 286 lakh [S1].
• Saturation date for willing HHs: 31 March 2019 [S1].
• Scheme closed: 31 March 2022 [S3].
• Predecessor village-electrification scheme: DDUGJY (2014) [S1].
• Successor distribution scheme: Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) [S1].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-II: Welfare schemes — design, implementation, monitoring.
• GS-III: Infrastructure (energy), inclusive growth.
• Question stems: 1. "Universal household electrification under SAUBHAGYA was a quantitative success but exposed structural weaknesses in India's distribution sector. Discuss with reference to RDSS." 2. "Distinguish between village electrification (DDUGJY) and household electrification (SAUBHAGYA). Why was the latter necessary?" 3. "Assess the role of off-grid solar solutions in achieving energy access in remote India."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• DDUGJY — predecessor village-electrification scheme.
• RDSS (2021) — successor for DISCOM reform & smart metering.
• UJWAL DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) — DISCOM financial turnaround.
• PM-KUSUM — solarisation of agri pumps; complements rural energy access.
• PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (2024) — rooftop solar for households.
• National Electricity Policy & Electricity Act, 2003 — statutory backdrop.
• SDG-7 — affordable & clean energy; tracks universal access metric.
• SECC 2011 — identification database used for beneficiary targeting.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Wrong ministry — it is Ministry of Power, not MNRE (despite solar component).
• Confusing SAUBHAGYA (household connections) with DDUGJY (village/feeder infrastructure).
• The connection is free for SECC-listed poor; others pay ₹500 in instalments — not universally free.
• Launch year is 2017, not 2015 (often confused with DDUGJY's 2014/15 timeline).
• "100% electrification" refers to willing households identified before 31.03.2019 — not literally every household.

11. Sources

• [S1] Press Release — Ministry of Power, PRADHAN MANTRI SAHAJ BIJLI HAR GHAR YOJANA (02 Feb 2026) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2222219 — (tier 1)
• [S2] PM launches Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana "Saubhagya", PIB — https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1504000 — (tier 1)
• [S3] "2.86 crore households were electrified under SAUBHAGYA…", PIB (Union Power Minister statement) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1906743 — (tier 1)