Run for Sun Marathon

Why in News?

Run for Sun Marathon was organized on the Occasion of International Sun Day on March 3^rd celebrating India’s solar achievements under the (PM‑SGMBY).

• Organized by – Ministry of New & renewable Energy (MNRE)
• Venue - Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi.

• India’s Focus - 2026 event emphasized a citizen-centric clean energy transition, moving from aspiration to large-scale public ownership.

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana – It is an initiative to provide subsidies to 1 crore households to install rooftop solar panels and provide up to 300 units of free electricity.

• Aim – To increase the adoption of solar rooftop capacity and empower residential households to generate their own electricity.
• Type – Central Sector Scheme.
• Launched in – February 2024
• Nodal Ministry – Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• Target – The scheme aims to achieve a total installation of 30 GW rooftop solar capacity in the residential sector by the financial year 2026-27

India’s Solar Progress

• Capacity rise  -  As on March 2026 India’s cumulative solar capacity reached 150 GW a 53 fold increase since 2014 when it was 2.82 Gw)
• Phenomenal Growth - In last 15 months 50 GW of solar capacity was added.
• The last 50 GW of solar capacity was added in just 15 months, the fastest such addition in India’s history.
• Global Ranking - In terms of Installed Renewable Energy India currently Ranks at 3^rd positron globally.
• Energy Mix- Around 50% of Nations installed electricity capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources, achieving the target well ahead of the 2030 timeline.
• Policy Linkage – Reinforces India’s commitment under National Solar Mission and Paris Agreement targets.

The marathon celebrated the transformative progress of the PM-SGMBY scheme:

• Installation record -  2.7 lakh rooftop solar installation was done just in a single month in April 2026
• Total impact - Under the scheme total 30 lakh installations have been completed, benefitting more than 45 lakh households across India. 
• Significance - The scheme reinforces India’s clean energy push and aims for Atmanirbharata (self-reliance) in the power sector, especially amidst energy uncertainties in West Asia.

International Sun Day

• Observed on - 3^rd May annually.
• Objective - To raise awareness about solar energy and its potential as a sustainable, clean source of power

Reference: Hindustan Samachar | IAS Parliament

                       Jharkhand state news | IAS Parliament

                       PIB | Run for Sun Marathon

                      Surya Ghar | PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana