DWEEPTI – Decentralised Women Empowerment on Energy and Policy for Transformative Inclusion – is a Chhattisgarh government scheme that makes the state the first in India to adopt a women-led distributed renewable energy policy. Launched in July 2026 by the Panchayat and Rural Development Department with Transform Rural India under the state’s Green Economy Transition Mission, it trains self-help-group women as “Solar Didis” who install, manage and sell rooftop solar systems, with their federations registered as vendors under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
Context
- Chhattisgarh launched the DWEEPTI Yojana, making it the first Indian state with a women-led distributed renewable energy policy.
- It integrates women-led self-help groups (SHGs) into the distributed solar ecosystem as installers, managers and entrepreneurs.
What DWEEPTI Is
- An initiative of the Chhattisgarh Panchayat and Rural Development Department.
- Developed with Transform Rural India (TRI) under the Green Economy Transition Mission.
- Enables SHG women to install, manage and promote rooftop solar systems in villages.
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Aims
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- Promote women-led clean-energy entrepreneurship.
- Expand decentralised renewable energy adoption in rural areas.
- Create sustainable livelihoods for SHG members.
- Support rural energy self-reliance.
Key Features
- Solar Didi cadre: SHG women trained as solar vendors, technicians, installers, managers and entrepreneurs – active participants in the rural solar value chain.
- Integration with PM Surya Ghar: Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) are registered as authorised vendors under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, giving direct access to subsidy-linked rooftop projects.
- Affordable financing: flexible loans for rooftop installations through the SHG-Bank Linkage Programme, overcoming high upfront costs.
- Statewide expansion: after a successful pilot in Kabirdham district, the initiative is being extended to all districts.
About PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
- Launched in February 2024 with an outlay of about Rs 75,021 crore; targets 1 crore households with rooftop solar and up to 300 units of free electricity a month.
- Central financial assistance: 60 per cent of system cost up to 2 kW and 40 per cent of the additional cost for 2-3 kW, capped at 3 kW.
- Implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy through a national portal for applications and vendor selection.
Why It Matters
- Distributed renewable energy – rooftop solar, mini-grids, solar pumps – is generated at or near the point of use, cutting transmission losses and giving villages reliable power.
- Women’s SHG federations under DAY-NRLM (CLFs above village organisations above SHGs) already handle credit and enterprises; adding solar services creates skilled, higher-value work and supports the Lakhpati Didi goal of Rs 1 lakh annual income per SHG woman.
Practice MCQs
- Q1. (1) Chhattisgarh is the first state with a women-led distributed renewable energy policy; (2) SHG members are trained as Solar Didis; (3) CLFs are registered vendors under PM Surya Ghar; (4) it was piloted in Bastar. How many are correct? Answer: three – statement 4 is wrong; the pilot was in Kabirdham.
- Q2. (1) PM Surya Ghar gives up to 300 free units a month; (2) Lakhpati Didi targets Rs 1 lakh annual income for SHG women; (3) CLFs sit above village organisations, which sit above SHGs; (4) distributed renewable energy means large centralised plants on the interstate grid. How many are correct? Answer: three – statement 4 is wrong; distributed energy is small-scale generation near the point of use.
Important Facts for Examsmost asked
- DWEEPTI = Decentralised Women Empowerment on Energy and Policy for Transformative Inclusion; Chhattisgarh, Panchayat and Rural Development Department, with Transform Rural India.
- Solar Didi cadre; CLFs as PM Surya Ghar vendors; SHG-Bank Linkage financing; pilot in Kabirdham.
- PM Surya Ghar: February 2024, Rs 75,021 crore, 1 crore households, 300 free units, MNRE.
FAQs
What is a Cluster Level Federation?
The top tier of the SHG federation structure under DAY-NRLM – SHGs form village organisations, which federate into cluster level federations.
Why register CLFs as PM Surya Ghar vendors?
So that subsidy-linked rooftop projects flow to women’s collectives rather than only to private installers.
Why is DWEEPTI asked in national exams?
It links women’s SHGs, renewable energy and PM Surya Ghar – three frequently tested topics.
