- ALMM = the exact module model is approved by MNRE (market access).
- DCR = the module and its cells are made in India (proven on the NISE portal).
- BIS/CRS = the module meets the Indian safety/quality standard (IS 14286 — verify).
- They are three separate layers. ALMM-listed does not mean DCR, and neither equals BIS.
- A subsidy rooftop job can need all three; an open-access C&I job may skip DCR.
- Lists, dates and IS numbers are point-in-time — verify on MNRE, NISE and BIS.
ALMM, DCR and BIS/CRS sound like one big "is this panel allowed" question, but they are three different rules with three different owners. EPCs lose projects by assuming an ALMM-listed module is automatically DCR, or that BIS covers the lot. This guide separates the three layers so you order the right module the first time.
The three layers at a glance
ALMM, DCR and BIS each answer a different question about the same module. ALMM asks "is this exact model approved for use?" DCR asks "is it made in India?" BIS asks "does it meet the safety and quality standard?" A module can pass one and fail another, which is why a single BOM check has to cover all three.
One panel, three gatekeepers
MNRE owns ALMM. The DCR rule lives in the scheme guideline and is proven through the NISE DCR portal. BIS owns the compulsory registration scheme. Because three bodies set three rules, you cannot clear a project with a single certificate — you collect the proof that each relevant layer demands.
What ALMM List-I actually checks
ALMM List-I checks that the exact module model is on MNRE's approved list, by model number, not just by brand. ALMM stands for the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers. To be usable in most government-linked projects — subsidy jobs, many tenders, and net metering — the precise model has to be enlisted.
It is about market access, not made-in-India
ALMM is a market-access gate. It does not, by itself, mean the module is domestically made; that is what DCR adds. A brand can have some models on List-I and others not, so always check the exact model number against the live list. List-II, the cell layer, pushes this deeper into the supply chain from 2026 — see the ALMM list explained. Treat any enlistment status as point-in-time and verify on the MNRE portal.
What DCR actually checks
DCR checks that both the solar module and the cells inside it are manufactured in India, proven by a DCR certificate from the NISE DCR portal. DCR stands for Domestic Content Requirement. It is not about whether the model is "good" or "approved" — it is purely about domestic origin.
ALMM-listed is not the same as DCR
This is the single most common confusion. A module can be on ALMM List-I and still not be DCR, because it can be an approved model built with imported cells. DCR is mandatory only where the scheme requires domestic content, most notably PM Surya Ghar residential subsidy. Non-DCR modules are fine for many C&I and open-access jobs. See DCR vs non-DCR panels for the full breakdown.
What BIS/CRS actually checks
BIS/CRS checks that the module meets the Indian safety and quality standard and is registered under the Bureau of Indian Standards compulsory registration scheme. This is a product-quality certification, separate from MNRE's approval and from the domestic-content rule. The standard commonly cited is IS 14286 — confirm the current IS numbers and whether BIS/CRS remains the operative regime versus any superseding QCO before you rely on it.
Quality, not origin or market access
BIS does not tell you whether a module is on ALMM or whether it is DCR. It tells you the product passed the required tests and carries a BIS registration and mark. For the standards and tests behind it, see the module tests explained and our deeper BIS/CRS guide.
Side-by-side comparison
Here are the three layers in one table. Read down each column to see how the same module is judged by three different rules. Every list, date and IS number below is point-in-time and should be verified against the live MNRE order, the NISE portal and BIS records.
Source: MNRE ALMM orders, NISE DCR portal and BIS/CRS rules. IS numbers and dates are point-in-time — verify on MNRE, NISE and BIS.
Where the three layers overlap
The layers overlap because a single subsidy module often has to satisfy all three at once. A PM Surya Ghar rooftop module is typically on ALMM List-I, carries a DCR certificate, and holds BIS registration. The overlap is why EPCs blur them together — but each is granted, checked and revoked on its own.
The cell-level overlap with List-II
DCR and ALMM List-II overlap most because both push toward Indian-made cells. They are still not identical: List-II is MNRE's approved-cell list, while DCR is the scheme's domestic-content proof. We unpack this in DCR vs ALMM List-II.
Which layers your project needs
Match the layers to the project type before you buy. A subsidy rooftop job needs the most; an open-access C&I job needs fewer. Always confirm the exact requirement against the scheme rule and your DISCOM, because requirements differ by scheme and state.
- PM Surya Ghar / DCR-mandated subsidy: ALMM List-I + DCR + BIS. See the PM Surya Ghar DCR rule.
- Many government tenders (SECI/NTPC): ALMM List-I + BIS, DCR if the tender says so — see which projects need ALMM/DCR.
- Open-access / C&I private: often ALMM + BIS without DCR — confirm with the buyer.
- Pure off-grid private: BIS for sale; ALMM/DCR usually only if a subsidy or tender is involved.
Common confusions that cost projects
These are the mix-ups we see most often. Each one can get a module rejected at the DISCOM or claw back a subsidy, so it is worth checking your own assumptions.
- "It is ALMM-listed, so it is DCR." No — an approved model can use imported cells.
- "BIS covers ALMM." No — BIS is product quality; ALMM is a separate MNRE approval list.
- "The brand is approved." ALMM enlists exact model numbers, not whole brands.
- "DCR is needed on every job." Only where the scheme mandates domestic content.
For more, see compliance mistakes that get projects rejected.
How SuryaHub handles all three layers
SuryaHub treats ALMM, DCR and BIS as three separate checks on every module in the BOM, then stores the enlistment record, DCR certificate and BIS registration on the job. When the government workflow needs proof for a subsidy claim or net-metering file, the right document for each layer is already attached. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL, and the rules here are scheme facts to verify, not guarantees.
Check all three layers on every module
See how SuryaHub enforces ALMM, DCR and BIS on your BOM.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Is ALMM the same as DCR?+
No. ALMM checks that the exact module model is approved and enlisted by MNRE. DCR checks that the module and its cells are made in India, proven by a NISE certificate. A module can be on the ALMM list but not be DCR, so the two are separate rules that often apply to the same job.
What is the difference between ALMM and BIS certification?+
ALMM is an MNRE approval list that controls which module models can be used in government-linked projects. BIS/CRS is a separate Bureau of Indian Standards registration that certifies the module meets a safety and quality standard. ALMM is about market access; BIS is about product quality. A module can need both.
Does a DCR module also need to be on the ALMM list?+
Usually yes for government-linked work. DCR proves the module and cells are made in India, but the scheme typically also requires the model to be on the ALMM list and to carry BIS registration. DCR, ALMM and BIS are three separate layers, so confirm each one for your specific project.
Which compliance layer does my solar project need?+
Most government-linked projects need ALMM List-I. Schemes that mandate domestic content, such as PM Surya Ghar residential subsidy, also need DCR. BIS/CRS applies to module sale in India. A typical subsidy rooftop job touches all three, while an open-access C&I job may need ALMM and BIS but not DCR.
Can a module be ALMM-listed but not BIS-certified?+
In practice the ALMM process is tied to meeting the relevant standards, but ALMM and BIS are administered separately, so an EPC should verify both for the exact model. Treat ALMM listing and BIS registration as two distinct checks, and confirm each on the live MNRE list and BIS records before you buy.
How does SuryaHub handle ALMM, DCR and BIS together?+
SuryaHub treats ALMM, DCR and BIS as three checks on every module in the BOM and stores the enlistment record, DCR certificate and BIS registration on the job. That way the right proof is ready for whichever layers a project needs. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL.
Sources & references
The three layers are administered by three different bodies. Confirm the IS standard numbers, the live ALMM enlistment and the DCR certificate against the primary sources before you rely on any of them.
- Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) ↗
The ALMM orders, List-I/List-II notifications and effective dates.
- NISE DCR portal ↗
The official portal for generating and verifying DCR certificates.
- Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) ↗
IS 14286 / compulsory registration scheme (CRS) for solar modules.
Written by the SuryaHub team · reviewed against MNRE, NISE & BIS sources · updated 20 June 2026.
Method: The comparison is built from MNRE ALMM orders, the NISE DCR portal and BIS/CRS rules and re-checked every 30 days. IS numbers and dates are point-in-time — verify the current IS 14286 status and any superseding QCO. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; only Suryantra Energy and RGESPL are real pilots.
Change log: 20 Jun 2026 — first published.