For Prelims: Rooftop solar plant, Kilowatt, Cluster Level Federation
For Mains: Environment: Renewable energy and solar power; Governance: Government schemes and community participation
Source:
Dainik Bhaskar
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- Bihar proposed 2 kilowatt rooftop solar plants for Jeevika members' homes.
- The proposal is linked to Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
- Cluster Level Federations will support awareness and household mobilisation.
- Solar agencies were directed to prepare affordable packages for Jeevika members.
- Bihar's Energy Department participated in the joint discussion.
The news
Bihar's Energy Department has directed solar agencies to prepare affordable packages for Jeevika members under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, with a proposal to install 2 kilowatt rooftop solar plants at their homes. The decision was taken at a joint meeting on Thursday attended by representatives of the Energy Department, Bihar State Power Generation Company Limited (BSPGCL), Jeevika, electricity distribution companies and solar agencies.
The proposal aims to use Jeevika's extensive network to connect rural and urban households in the state with clean and affordable solar energy. Solar agencies have been told to ensure that the packages are cost-effective without compromising on the quality of the plants, so that no additional financial burden falls on the Jeevika members. Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) will play an active role in mobilising households and running awareness campaigns, officials said.
Why in the news?
A joint meeting of Bihar's energy-sector bodies, Jeevika and solar agencies on Thursday discussed a proposal to install 2 kW rooftop solar plants at Jeevika members' homes under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, directing agencies to prepare affordable packages.
What is the Jeevika programme in Bihar?
Jeevika is the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project, launched by the Bihar government in 2006 with support from the World Bank. It organises rural women into self-help groups and their federations, including Cluster Level Federations (CLFs), to improve livelihoods and access to finance. The programme later expanded to urban areas under the Bihar Urban Livelihoods Project.
What is the PM Surya Ghar scheme?
The Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is a central scheme that provides households with rooftop solar plants to generate free electricity. Bihar's proposal seeks to link this scheme with Jeevika's community network to expand its reach among rural and urban families.
How will Jeevika members benefit?
A 2 kilowatt rooftop solar plant is proposed for each participating Jeevika member's home. Affordable packages are expected to reduce the upfront cost, while quality safeguards will ensure reliable performance. The Jeevika network and CLFs will help spread awareness and enrol more households, extending the scheme's outreach across the state.
What is the next step?
Solar agencies have been directed to develop special low-cost packages without compromising quality. Effective implementation will require clear package information, accessible household outreach and monitoring of installation quality. CLFs are expected to support awareness and mobilisation efforts.
Bihar connection
Facts and terms for exams
- Rooftop solar plant:
- A rooftop solar plant uses photovoltaic panels installed on a building to convert sunlight into electricity.
- Kilowatt:
- A kilowatt is a unit of power equal to 1,000 watts; it indicates a plant's rated capacity.
- Cluster Level Federation:
- A Cluster Level Federation is a collective organisation that brings together community groups at the cluster level.
Why it matters for exams
Exams: BPSC, BSSC
Syllabus: Environment: Renewable energy and solar power; Governance: Government schemes and community participation
Common mistake: Examiners may confuse proposed installation with completed installation: the 2 kilowatt plants are part of a proposed initiative, not completed installations.
Mains question
Discuss the potential of linking community-based organisations like Jeevika with central solar schemes to achieve energy access and livelihood goals in rural India.
Stuck? Get it in one tap
Bihar plans to connect Jeevika members with a household rooftop solar scheme. A rooftop solar plant uses panels on a building to turn sunlight into electricity. Agencies have been asked to prepare affordable packages while maintaining quality.
- Bihar proposed 2 kilowatt rooftop solar plants for Jeevika members' homes.
- The proposal is linked to Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
- Cluster Level Federations will support awareness and household mobilisation.
- Solar agencies were directed to prepare affordable packages for Jeevika members.
- Bihar's Energy Department participated in the joint discussion.
- Environment: Renewable energy and solar power
- Governance: Government schemes and community participation
Related concepts: Rooftop solar plant, Kilowatt, Cluster Level Federation
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which Bihar government department participated in the proposal to connect Jeevika members with rooftop solar?
Explanation: The Energy Department participated in the joint discussion. The electricity distribution companies and Bihar State Power Generation Company Limited are power-sector bodies, while Cluster Level Federations are community bodies.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements about Bihar's rooftop solar proposal for Jeevika members:
- 1.The proposed capacity is 2 kilowatts per home.
- 2.Solar agencies were directed to compromise on quality to reduce prices.
- 3.Cluster Level Federations are expected to support awareness and household mobilisation.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct: the proposal specifies 2 kilowatts and assigns a mobilisation role to Cluster Level Federations. Statement 2 is incorrect because agencies were asked to maintain quality while offering affordable packages.
- Q3Medium
What rooftop solar capacity was proposed for each Jeevika member's home in Bihar in November 2026?
Explanation: The proposed capacity is 2 kilowatts per home. A kilowatt measures power; the proposed capacity is neither 1, 3 nor 4 kilowatts.
- Q4Medium
Why are Cluster Level Federations included in Bihar's Jeevika rooftop solar proposal?
Explanation: Cluster Level Federations are expected to mobilise families and conduct awareness campaigns. Their proposed role is community outreach, rather than panel manufacturing, tariff setting or replacing distribution companies.
Frequently asked questions
1. What solar capacity is proposed for Jeevika members' homes in Bihar?
A 2 kilowatt rooftop solar plant is proposed for each participating member's home.
2. Which scheme is linked to Bihar's Jeevika rooftop solar proposal?
The proposal is linked to the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
3. What role will Cluster Level Federations play in the Jeevika solar proposal?
Cluster Level Federations are expected to conduct awareness campaigns and connect more households to the scheme.
4. What were solar agencies asked to do for Jeevika members?
Solar agencies were directed to prepare affordable packages while maintaining the quality of the plants.
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- Original13 November 2026 · Read story
