- Why in news
- On 18 March 2026 the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy extended the ALMM Order to solar ingots and wafers through a new List-III, effective 1 June 2028.
- What it is
- The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) is an MNRE framework, begun with the 2019 Order, that lists approved makers of solar equipment. Projects covered by it must buy only from listed makers. It is used to build domestic solar manufacturing and ensure quality.
- New list
- ALMM List-III covers ingots and wafers, with wafers the first item to be enlisted. It takes effect on 1 June 2028.
- Threshold for initial list
- The initial list is issued only when at least 3 independent units, not under common ownership or control, have a combined 15 GW capacity.
- Ingot capacity condition
- A wafer maker seeking enlistment must also have equivalent ingot capacity.
- Legal coverage
- ALMM applies to projects awarded by competitive bidding under Sec 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003, and to net-metering and open-access projects.
Don’t confuse with ALMM vs DCR: ALMM lists approved makers. DCR requires use of domestically made components under specific schemes. The two operate side by side.
Don’t confuse with Ingot vs wafer vs cell: Ingots are sliced into wafers, wafers become cells, and cells are assembled into modules.
Economy terms and data: 42 Prelims questions since 2013, rising in recent years; they test what a term or instrument means. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.
Why it matters
- Strengthens upstream solar manufacturing and cuts import dependence.
- Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat and the 500 GW non-fossil capacity target for 2030.
Problems
- Wafer capacity in India is limited and imports are high, so supply may fall short by 2028.
- Domestic content may raise project costs and tariffs.
Way forward
- Support upstream capacity with incentives such as PLI and with polysilicon supply.
- Phase in the rules with grandfathering and review them on actual supply.
Put in your answer
2030 target: India aims for 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
- 2015Mains GS3 · Q9Attribute the fall in solar equipment costs and tariffs, and its implications for the industry
- 2025Mains GS3 · Q12Discuss rationale, achievements, and improvements of the PLI scheme for domestic manufacturing
- 2017Prelims Q27Which option relates to 'Domestic Content Requirement' in news: solar power development, foreign TV licences, food exports, or foreign campuses
- 2014Prelims Q7Which statements on photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies are correct, including India's manufacturing base for solar thermal
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
- 1.ALMM List-III, brought in by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in 2026, covers solar ingots and wafers.
- 2.The initial ALMM List-III for wafers is to be issued only when at least three independent manufacturing units, not under common ownership or control, have a combined capacity of 15 GW.
- 3.Under the new order, a manufacturer seeking enlistment in List-III for wafers need not have ingot manufacturing capacity.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 6
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.ALMM List-II relates to solar PV modules, and List-I relates to solar cells.
False. List-I is for modules and List-II is for cells.
2.The initial wafer list will be issued only when at least three independent manufacturing units with a combined capacity of 15 GW are available.
True. The threshold is 3 independent units and 15 GW combined.
3.Under the new order, manufacturers seeking enlistment for wafers need not have ingot manufacturing capacity.
False. They must have equivalent ingot manufacturing capacity.
4.The ALMM framework applies to projects bid out under Section 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003, and also to net-metering and open-access projects.
True. Both categories are covered.
5.The new order overrides the Domestic Content Requirement provisions under existing MNRE schemes.
False. It does not dilute or override any DCR provisions.
6.From the effective date, ALMM List-I will include only modules made using ALMM-listed cells and wafers.
True. Module listing will require listed cells and wafers.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.