Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya): Key Insights for 2026 Exams

As you prepare for the OICL AO, SEBI Grade A and RRB Clerk Mains, government schemes related to infrastructure and social welfare are essential. The Saubhagya Scheme, which transformed India’s energy landscape by targeting universal household electrification, remains a “favorite” for examiners due to its massive scale and subsequent follow-up initiatives like RDSS.

Here is everything an aspirant needs to know about the Saubhagya Yojana for the 2026 exam cycle.

1. Launch and Nodal Agency

• Launch Date: September 25, 2017 (on the 101st birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya).
• Ministry: Ministry of Power.
• Nodal Agency: REC Limited (formerly Rural Electrification Corporation).
• Objective: To achieve universal household electrification by providing “last-mile connectivity” to all remaining un-electrified households in rural and urban India.

2. Financial Outlay and Funding

The scheme was launched with a total outlay of ₹16,320 crore, with a Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) of ₹12,320 crore.

• Rural Households: Outlay of ₹14,025 crore.
• Urban Households: Outlay of ₹2,295 crore.

3. Key Features of Saubhagya

• Target Beneficiaries: Identified using SECC 2011 (Socio-Economic and Caste Census) data.
• Cost of Connection: * Poor Households: Free electricity connections.
  • Others: A fee of ₹500 is charged, which is recovered by power DISCOMs in 10 monthly installments through the electricity bill.
• Off-Grid Solutions: In remote/inaccessible areas where grid extension is not feasible, the scheme provided Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) based standalone systems (including 5 LED lights, 1 DC fan, and 1 DC power plug).

4. Current Status and Transition (Revision for 2026)

While the Saubhagya Scheme officially met its primary targets and was closed on March 31, 2022, it is vital for 2026 aspirants to know what replaced it:

• Total Electrified: Over 2.86 crore households were electrified during the Saubhagya period.
• RDSS (Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme): The government now supports the electrification of “left-out” households under RDSS.
• Tribal Focus (2025-26): Newer initiatives like PM-JANMAN (for PVTGs) and DA-JGUA (Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan) are currently being used to reach the most remote tribal households that missed the initial Saubhagya wave.

5. Revision Summary Table

Practice MCQs for Upcoming Exams

Q1. Which organization was the nodal agency for the implementation of the Saubhagya Scheme?

A) POWERGRID

B) NTPC

C) REC Limited

D) NHPC

Answer: C) REC Limited

Q2. What was the specific fee charged to non-poor households for a connection under Saubhagya?

A) ₹200

B) ₹500

C) ₹1,000

D) Free for everyone

Answer: B) ₹500 (Recoverable in 10 installments)¹⁵

Q3. As of January 2026, the electrification of remaining “left-out” or new households is primarily being covered under which ongoing scheme?

A) PM-KUSUM

B) UJALA

C) RDSS (Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme)

D) PM Surya Ghar

Answer: C) RDSS

Q4. The Saubhagya scheme used which data set to identify eligible poor households for free connections?

A) Census 2011

B) NFHS-5

C) SECC 2011

D) PLFS 2024

Answer: C) SECC 2011

Q5. For remote areas where power grids could not reach, Saubhagya provided what as an alternative?

A) Kerosene Subsidies

B) Diesel Generators

C) Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) standalone systems

D) Wind Micro-turbines

Answer: C) Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) standalone systems

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