- ALMM List-II = solar cells; List-II cells are mandatory for PM Surya Ghar subsidy from 1 June 2026.
- 'Give It Up' = forgo the subsidy, then you may use non-DCR cells on the project.
- Reported window: non-DCR allowed for projects commissioned up to 31 March 2027 (verify current — fresh, may change).
- Non-DCR cells while still claiming subsidy = subsidy rejection. Pick one path, not both.
- The subsidy is capped at ₹78,000 at 3kW and above — usually bigger than the non-DCR saving.
- Re-verify dated rules every 30 days against MNRE/PIB before you commit a job.
'Give It Up' is a trade. You let go of the PM Surya Ghar subsidy, and in return you are allowed to build with non-DCR cells. For most home jobs the subsidy is worth more than the saving, so this route is the exception, not the rule. But for some EPCs, when DCR cells are short or costly, it is a real option — for a limited time.
This is a regulatory page. The 1 June 2026 List-II date and the 31 March 2027 'Give It Up' window are based on MNRE orders and reporting at the time of writing. They are fresh and may change. Confirm the live position against the MNRE notice + PIB, and cross-check trade press such as SolarQuarter or Mercom, before you plan a project around either date. Date-stamped: 19 June 2026.
What the PM Surya Ghar 'Give It Up' option is
'Give It Up' is a choice to forgo the central subsidy so you can use non-DCR cells on a PM Surya Ghar project. In plain terms: no subsidy, but freedom on the cell. It is the documented escape hatch from the DCR (domestic content) rule that otherwise gates the subsidy.
Normally the two things travel together. If you want the PM Surya Ghar subsidy, you must use modules built with ALMM List-II cells — the DCR cells made in India. 'Give It Up' breaks that link for one project: you sign away the subsidy, and the DCR requirement no longer applies to that job.
It is per project, not a blanket exemption
The waiver attaches to the specific project where the subsidy is forgone. It does not turn your whole pipeline non-DCR. Each job is still its own decision — subsidy with DCR cells, or no subsidy with non-DCR cells. You cannot mix and claim both on the same install.
Why the 'Give It Up' window exists
The window exists because of a hard deadline: ALMM List-II becomes mandatory from 1 June 2026, and List-II covers solar cells. That means PM Surya Ghar subsidy now needs modules made with India-built DCR cells, not just India-assembled modules.
The ALMM List-II rule in one line
ALMM is the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers. List-I covers modules; List-II covers cells. From 1 June 2026, a PM Surya Ghar subsidised project must use modules built with List-II cells. (Verify current against MNRE/PIB — this is a dated rule.) Our ALMM and DCR modules guide breaks the two lists down in full.
Why a transition window helps the market
Domestic cell supply takes time to scale. If every job needed DCR cells overnight, some EPCs would stall on supply. 'Give It Up' gives the market a bridge: build now with non-DCR cells if you must, accept no subsidy, and keep projects moving while DCR cell capacity catches up. The window is reported to run up to 31 March 2027 (verify current against MNRE/PIB).
Who should think about 'Give It Up'
'Give It Up' suits a narrow group: EPCs and customers for whom the subsidy is not the main driver, or who genuinely cannot get DCR cells in time. For a typical subsidy-led home job, it is the wrong choice.
Cases where it can fit
- DCR cell supply is short and the project cannot wait for stock.
- The customer values speed or a specific module over the subsidy amount.
- The price gap between non-DCR and DCR cells is wide enough to beat the lost subsidy.
- A larger system where the ₹78,000 cap is a small share of the total cost.
Cases where it does not
For a standard 1–3 kW rooftop, the subsidy is a big slice of the bill, and DCR cells are usually available. Forgoing ₹78,000 to save a few thousand on cells rarely adds up. Most homeowner jobs should stay on the DCR-plus-subsidy path. Walk the DCR vs non-DCR decision before you choose.
The 31 March 2027 window, in detail
Reporting points to a 'Give It Up' window that lets a project use non-DCR cells if it is commissioned by 31 March 2027, provided the subsidy is forgone. (Verify current against MNRE/PIB — fresh, may change; check the MNRE notice plus SolarQuarter or Mercom.)
Commissioned by — not just started by
The test is commissioning, not order date. A project that begins in early 2027 but commissions after the window may not qualify. Build in time for procurement, install, inspection and meter work. If you are close to the date, treat the deadline as your commissioning target, with a buffer.
What happens after the window
After 31 March 2027, the 'Give It Up' route is expected to lapse, so non-DCR cells would no longer fit any PM Surya Ghar project. (Verify current against MNRE/PIB before you plan past this date.) Do not assume an extension. Plan as if the window is firm, and re-check the live notice every 30 days.
The math: forgoing subsidy vs the DCR price premium
The decision comes down to one comparison: the subsidy you give up versus the price premium of DCR cells you avoid. If the DCR premium plus supply pain is bigger than the subsidy, 'Give It Up' can pay. Usually it is not.
A simple worked example
Take a 3 kW home system. The PM Surya Ghar subsidy is capped at ₹78,000 at 3 kW and above. Suppose DCR cells add a premium of, say, ₹10,000–₹20,000 over non-DCR for that system. Forgoing the subsidy to save that premium loses you roughly ₹60,000 net. The subsidy wins.
When the gap can flip
The math only flips when the subsidy is small relative to the job, or DCR cells are simply not available at any sensible price or lead time. On a much larger system, where ₹78,000 is a thin slice and DCR supply is the real constraint, forgoing the subsidy can be the rational call. These numbers are scheme facts, not guarantees — run your own quote both ways. See the subsidy amount slabs for how the ₹78,000 cap is built.
The 'Give It Up' deadline timeline
Here are the dated rules in order. Every date is a verify-current item — check it against MNRE and PIB before you act on it.
For the wider rule set — every dated PM Surya Ghar change in one place — keep our 2026 deadline rule tracker open alongside this page.
Risks and how to decide
The biggest risk is mixing the two paths. Non-DCR cells while still claiming the subsidy means subsidy rejection. The portal and DISCOM check the cell source. Claim with the wrong cell type and the claim is knocked back, after you have already done the work.
The common ways this goes wrong
- Claiming subsidy on a non-DCR build — this is a straight rejection; pick one path up front.
- Assuming the window is permanent — it is reported to end 31 March 2027 and may not be extended.
- Missing commissioning by the date — order date does not count; the system must be live in time.
- Acting on old dates — these rules are fresh; an unverified date can cost a whole job.
See the full list of pitfalls in our subsidy rejection reasons guide. Decide the cell path before you quote, write it on the quote, and do not switch mid-job.
A simple decision rule
Default to DCR cells plus the subsidy. Only consider 'Give It Up' when DCR cells are genuinely unavailable in time, or when the customer is large enough that the subsidy is a minor line. When in doubt, take the subsidy — it is usually the bigger number.
A note on Rajasthan
There is reporting of a Rajasthan clarification around June 2026 on how the DCR and 'Give It Up' rules apply in the state. (Verify current against MNRE/PIB and the state DISCOM — this is fresh and state rules can differ.)
State-level practice can move ahead of, or behind, the national notice. Do not assume the national window applies the same way in every DISCOM. Check the state position directly. Our Rajasthan state guide tracks the local detail as it firms up.
How SuryaHub helps you stay on the right side of the rule
SuryaHub is building its government-workflows tooling to track dated rules like the 'Give It Up' window and the ALMM List-II date, and to flag which cell type each job needs before you quote. The aim is to stop a non-DCR build from ever being filed as a subsidy claim. To be clear: SuryaHub is pre-revenue, the only real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL, and these AI rule-checks are on the roadmap, not live features today.
See the DCR and subsidy logic in one place
Book a demo to see how SuryaHub plans to flag cell type and dated rules per job.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What is the PM Surya Ghar 'Give It Up' option?+
PM Surya Ghar 'Give It Up' lets an EPC or customer forgo the central subsidy. In return, the project is allowed to use non-List-II (non-DCR) cells. SuryaHub flags this window as verify-current against MNRE/PIB, because the rule is fresh and may change before 31 March 2027.
Can I use non-DCR cells on PM Surya Ghar?+
On PM Surya Ghar, non-DCR cells are allowed only if you forgo the subsidy through the 'Give It Up' route, for projects commissioned up to 31 March 2027. Using non-DCR cells while still claiming subsidy means subsidy rejection. SuryaHub treats this window as verify-current against MNRE/PIB.
When is ALMM List-II mandatory for PM Surya Ghar?+
ALMM List-II covers solar cells, and List-II cells are mandatory for PM Surya Ghar subsidy from 1 June 2026. The 'Give It Up' window is the documented way to step outside this DCR rule. SuryaHub advises EPCs to verify the current date against MNRE and PIB notices.
Is the PM Surya Ghar 'Give It Up' deadline really 31 March 2027?+
Reporting points to a PM Surya Ghar 'Give It Up' window for non-DCR cells up to 31 March 2027. This date is fresh and may change. SuryaHub labels it verify-current against MNRE and PIB, and re-checks every 30 days, so confirm the live notice before you commit a project.
Does forgoing the subsidy ever make business sense?+
Forgoing the PM Surya Ghar subsidy through 'Give It Up' can make sense when the non-DCR price saving plus supply certainty beats the subsidy you give up. For a 3kW-plus home with the ₹78,000 cap, the subsidy is usually larger, so the math rarely favours forgoing it. SuryaHub models both paths.
How does SuryaHub help with the 'Give It Up' rule?+
SuryaHub tracks the PM Surya Ghar 'Give It Up' window and ALMM dates on its government-workflows roadmap, and flags which cell type each job needs. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL, and these AI checks are roadmap, not live features today.
Sources & references
The ALMM List-II date, the 'Give It Up' window and the subsidy cap come from primary government sources. These rules are fresh and may change — always confirm the current position against the MNRE notice and PIB, and cross-check trade press, before you plan a project.
- National Portal for PM Surya Ghar ↗
Scheme rules, subsidy slabs and the consumer/vendor process.
- Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) ↗
ALMM orders, List-II timeline and any Give It Up notice.
- Press Information Bureau (PIB) ↗
Official government press releases on scheme and ALMM dates.
Written by the SuryaHub team · reviewed against MNRE, PIB & National Portal sources · updated 19 June 2026.
Method: This is a high-refresh regulatory page. The ALMM List-II date, the 'Give It Up' window to 31 March 2027 and any Rajasthan clarification are verify-current items taken from MNRE/PIB and trade press — we re-verify every 30 days against MNRE/PIB. Subsidy and scheme figures are scheme facts, not guarantees. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; only Suryantra Energy and RGESPL are real pilots, and AI rule-checks are roadmap.
Change log: 19 Jun 2026 — first published.