---
title: "National Solar Mission Overview | Model Diplomat"
description: "The National Solar Mission is India's initiative to boost solar power, aiming for 20 GW capacity by 2022. Key for civil services and climate policy."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/national-solar-mission"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission is one of India's eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, launched in 2010 to promote grid-connected and off-grid solar power.
- When was the National Solar Mission launched and under which framework?
- What was the original target and how was it revised?
- How is the National Solar Mission linked to the International Solar Alliance?
- Why did the WTO rule against India in connection with this mission?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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## Positions at a glance

### Supporters

The mission feeds India's larger renewable ambitions: the Paris Agreement Nationally Determined Contribution committed India to 40% non-fossil installed capacity by 2030, a target met by 2021, and revised upward to 50% and 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030 at COP26 (Glasgow, 2021) under the "Panchamrit" pledges. India co-founded the International Solar Alliance (ISA) with France in 2015, headquartered at Gurugram. As of 2026, installed solar capacity has crossed the 100 GW mark, though the original 2022 deadline was missed; production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes and the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) now support domestic photovoltaic manufacturing.

### Opponents

In June 2015 the Union Cabinet revised the mission's grid-connected target fivefold, from 20 GW to 100 GW by 2022, comprising 40 GW of rooftop solar and 60 GW of large and medium ground-mounted plants. The mission operates through several instruments: the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme, reverse-auction competitive bidding that drove tariffs to record lows, the Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) mandating discoms to procure a fixed share from renewables, and the issuance of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Flagship sub-programmes include solar parks (such as Bhadla in Rajasthan and Pavagada in Karnataka), the PM-KUSUM scheme for solar pumps in agriculture, Rooftop Solar Phase-II, and the CPSU scheme using domestically manufactured cells and modules. The Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) clause was challenged by the United States at the WTO, which ruled against India in 2016.

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In June 2015 the Modi government revised the National Solar Mission's grid-connected solar target fivefold from 20 GW to 100 GW by 2022, with 40 GW earmarked for rooftop installations.

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