Saur Sujala Yojana
Solar irrigation pumps of 3 HP and 5 HP at 93–97% subsidy — SC/ST farmers pay as little as ₹7,000 for a pump that costs over ₹2.5 lakh.
Run by: Chhattisgarh State Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA), Department of Energy, Government of Chhattisgarh
- 3 HP pump (SC/ST)
- ₹7,000 farmer share
- 5 HP pump (SC/ST)
- ₹10,000 farmer share
- 3 HP pump (General)
- ₹18,000 farmer share
- 5 HP pump (General)
- ₹20,000 farmer share
- Pumps installed
- 1 lakh+ across Chhattisgarh
- Warranty
- 5-year on-site + 5-year insurance
Overview
Chhattisgarh was the first state in India to run a dedicated solar-pump programme for farmers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Saur Sujala Yojana on 1 November 2016, and the scheme has since run continuously under three successive state governments — Raman Singh (BJP), Bhupesh Baghel (Congress) and the current Vishnu Deo Sai (BJP) government — a rare example of bipartisan continuity.
The scheme gives small and marginal farmers a solar-powered irrigation pump at a fraction of its market cost. A 3 HP pump that costs around ₹2.64 lakh is available to an SC/ST farmer for just ₹7,000 and to a general-category farmer for ₹18,000. A 5 HP pump costing around ₹3.64 lakh costs the SC/ST farmer ₹10,000 and the general farmer ₹20,000. The state and central governments together cover the rest — roughly 93–97% of the cost, depending on the farmer's category.
Every pump comes with a five-year unconditional on-site warranty and five-year insurance, so the farmer does not carry any maintenance risk in the early years. CREDA, the state's renewable-energy agency, handles everything from application to installation and after-service.
The scheme focuses on remote and non-electrified areas where grid-connected electricity has not reached. Over one lakh solar pumps have been installed across Chhattisgarh so far, replacing diesel pumps and giving farmers reliable, zero-running-cost irrigation. Since 2019, Saur Sujala also draws on PM-KUSUM central funding (Component B), but its state branding, registration portal and the substantially higher subsidy than standard KUSUM remain distinct.
What you get
The benefit as the state notifies it — nothing here is an estimate.
- 3 HP solar pump at 93–97% subsidy — farmer pays ₹7,000 (SC/ST) to ₹18,000 (General) against a cost of ₹2.64 lakh.
- 5 HP solar pump at similar subsidy — farmer pays ₹10,000 (SC/ST) to ₹20,000 (General) against a cost of ₹3.64 lakh.
- Five-year unconditional on-site warranty and five-year insurance included — no maintenance cost to the farmer in the early years.
- Zero running cost once installed — no diesel, no electricity bill, no dependence on grid supply.
- Priority given to non-electrified and remote farming areas where grid power has not reached.
Who is eligible
State schemes usually state their criteria as prose rather than a checklist. This is that prose, unpacked — the department’s verification is what decides.
You qualify if
- Permanent resident of Chhattisgarh
- Must own agricultural land (registered in applicant's name, verifiable on the Bhuiyan land-record system)
- Must have an active borewell, open well, or permanent surface water source on the land
- Priority to farms in non-electrified or remote areas
- SC/ST and OBC farmers get deeper subsidy; general-category farmers also eligible
Not covered
- Applicant whose land is not registered in their own name on Bhuiyan
- Farm without an existing water source (borewell, open well or permanent surface water)
- Applicant who has already received a solar pump under this scheme or PM-KUSUM
Documents you need
Have these ready before you start — most rejections are a missing paper, not a missing right.
- Aadhaar card
- B-1 / P-2 land record (in applicant's name)
- Bank account passbook (in applicant's name)
- Chhattisgarh residence proof
- Caste certificate (for SC/ST/OBC subsidised rate)
How to apply
Fewer steps than a central scheme, and usually one office rather than a portal.
- 1
Apply online or at the district CREDA office
Register on the CREDA portal at credaadmin.binomial.in/SSY/SSY_Registration, or download the form from your block or district agricultural office and submit it to the district CREDA office.
- 2
Document check
CREDA verifies your Aadhaar, land record and bank details. Make sure the land is in your name on the Bhuiyan system before you apply.
- 3
Field verification
A CREDA team visits the farm to check the water source, shadow-free space (about 36 sq m for 3 HP, 60 sq m for 5 HP) and site suitability.
- 4
Sanction and installation
Once approved, CREDA installs the pump on your farm. You pay only the farmer's share (₹7,000–₹20,000 depending on capacity and category), and the pump comes with a five-year warranty and insurance.
If something goes wrong
Missing from the list, or payment stuck — here is the channel the department itself publishes for it.
- For a delayed installation, a faulty pump under warranty, or an application stuck without a clear reason, call the CREDA toll-free complaint number 18001234591, or use the Saur Samadhan Dashboard on the CREDA portal (creda.co.in) to track your grievance. Keep your registration number handy.
- Beyond the department, use the Chhattisgarh CM Helpline — 1076 or the portal cmhelpline.cg.gov.in — for escalation. Also accessible through the Jan Shikayat portal and Jan Chaupal hearings.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the farmer actually pay?
For a 3 HP pump: ₹7,000 (SC/ST), ₹12,000 (OBC), ₹18,000 (General). For a 5 HP pump: ₹10,000 (SC/ST), ₹15,000 (OBC), ₹20,000 (General). The rest — 93 to 97% of the cost — is covered by the state and central government.
Do I need a borewell before applying?
Yes. You need an existing water source — a borewell, an open well, or a permanent surface water body on your land. The scheme provides the pump, not the water source.
What if the pump breaks down?
Every pump comes with a five-year unconditional on-site warranty and five-year insurance. CREDA or its authorised agency handles repairs at no cost to the farmer during this period.
Is this the same as PM-KUSUM?
Not exactly. Saur Sujala started in 2016, three years before PM-KUSUM launched nationally. Today the scheme uses PM-KUSUM central funds alongside state funds, but Chhattisgarh's subsidy (93–97%) is much higher than standard KUSUM (~60%), and the scheme has its own CREDA registration portal and branding.
Can I apply online?
Yes. Register at credaadmin.binomial.in/SSY/SSY_Registration. You can also apply offline at your district CREDA office.
How much space does the solar panel need?
About 36 square metres of shadow-free space for a 3 HP pump, and about 60 square metres for a 5 HP pump. CREDA checks this during the field visit.
Is there any electricity bill after installation?
No. The pump runs entirely on solar power — there is no electricity bill, no diesel cost, and no dependence on grid supply.
Facts checked against www.creda.co.in on 27 September 2026. editorial policy.