Prelims: Current events of national importance | Polity & Governance
Why in News?
Run for Sun Marathon was organized on the Occasion of International Sun Day on March 3rd 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 3rd 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 - 3rd 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
