India has been focusing on sustainable, inclusive, and employment-driven development to empower its rural economy. In this direction, the Solar Charkha Mission was launched in June 2018 by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME). The mission uses solar-powered charkhas (spinning wheels) to generate employment for rural artisans, promote khadi production, and encourage renewable energy usage.
The scheme is not just about textile production, but also about self-reliance, women empowerment, skill development, sustainable livelihoods, and rural industrialization. It aims to reduce migration from villages to cities by creating local livelihood opportunities and building village-level clusters.
What is the Solar Charkha Mission?
The Solar Charkha Mission is an enterprise-driven scheme of the Government of India under the Ministry of MSME. It envisions setting up Solar Charkha Clusters, each consisting of a focal village and surrounding villages within an 8–10 km radius.
- Beneficiaries per cluster: 200 to 2,042 artisans (spinners, weavers, stitchers, and other skilled workers).
- Target: Establishment of 50 clusters across India.
- Budget Outlay: ₹550 crore (2018–2020).
- Employment Goal: Nearly 1,00,000 rural people, with a special focus on women and youth.
- Implementing Agency: Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).
Why was the Solar Charkha Mission Launched?
The mission was launched with the purpose of addressing multiple rural challenges:
- Employment Generation – Providing jobs to rural women, youth, and artisans.
- Inclusive Growth – Ensuring that vulnerable groups benefit from economic opportunities.
- Sustainable Development – Promoting solar energy and eco-friendly khadi production.
- Rural Economic Development – Boosting the local economy by creating village-based industries.
- Reducing Migration – Preventing large-scale migration to urban areas by creating jobs at the village level.
- Green Economy Promotion – Shifting to renewable solar energy in textile production.
What is the Background of the Solar Charkha Mission?
In 2016, a pilot project of the Solar Charkha Mission was started in Khanwa village of Nawada district in Bihar, which showed positive results in creating jobs and supporting sustainable production.
Based on this success, the mission was officially launched on 27th June 2018, on the occasion of United Nations MSME Day. The Government of India then approved the establishment of 50 Solar Charkha clusters with a total budget of ₹550 crore to expand its benefits across the country.
What are the Objectives of the Solar Charkha Mission?
The objectives of the Solar Charkha Mission are as follows:
- Inclusive Growth: To ensure women and youth get equal opportunities in employment.
- Employment Generation: To generate nearly 1 lakh jobs in rural areas.
- Sustainable Development: To promote the use of solar energy in rural industries.
- Rural Economy Boost: To strengthen local economies through village clusters.
- Curbing Migration: To reduce the push factor for migration to urban areas.
- Low-Cost Technologies: To encourage innovative, affordable, and sustainable processes.
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Who is the Controlling Ministry and Implementing Body?
The Solar Charkha Mission is managed by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), while its implementation is carried out by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).
KVIC is a statutory body set up under the Khadi and Village Industries Act, 1956, and plays a key role in promoting khadi, supporting rural artisans, and driving village-based industries across India.
- Establish clusters.
- Train artisans.
- Oversee production, subsidies, and financial assistance.
- Build partnerships with promoter agencies and SPVs.
What are Solar Charkha Clusters?
A Solar Charkha Cluster includes a focal village and nearby villages within 8–10 km.
- Beneficiaries per cluster: 200–2,042 artisans.
- Average capacity: 1,000 solar charkhas.
- Employment: 2,042 artisans directly employed when running at full capacity.
- Special Focus: Women, youth, and aspirational districts.
What are the Components of the Solar Charkha Mission?
The mission has three major components of financial assistance:
1. Capital Subsidy
- Solar Charkhas: Each spinner gets 2 solar charkhas of 10 spindles.
- Subsidy: ₹15,750 per charkha.
- Looms for weavers: 500 looms with subsidy of ₹38,500 each.
- Work sheds: 20,000 sq. ft. space with 100% subsidy (₹1.20 crore per cluster).
- Solar Grid: 50 KW capacity with subsidy up to ₹0.40 crore per cluster.
- Machines for value addition: Twisting, dyeing, stitching – subsidy of ₹0.75 crore per cluster.
2. Interest Subvention for Working Capital
- 8% interest subvention on working capital.
- Covers wages of artisans, roving, and yarn production costs.
3. Capacity Building
- Training programs for artisans.
- Cost: ₹0.595 crore per cluster for two years.
What are the Eligibility Criteria for Promoters?
Promoters can include:
- Existing Khadi and Village Industries Institutions (KVIs):
- Minimum 200 artisans.
- Annual turnover of ₹1 crore for the last 3 years.
- Positive balance sheet.
- Other Agencies (SPV, Trust, Society, Section-8 Company, LLP):
- Strong financial resources.
- Proper governance structure.
- Commitment to rural development.
- First-Time Promoters:
- Must provide land (20,000 sq. ft – 2 acres).
- At least 200 identified members (50% women).
- Financial commitment to working capital.
How does the Solar Charkha Mission align with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
The Solar Charkha Mission not only creates rural employment but also supports India’s commitment to sustainable development. It aligns with key UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as follows:
- SDG 8 – Decent Work: Creates around 1 lakh rural jobs.
- SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: Focuses on women, youth, and rural poor.
- SDG 12 – Responsible Production: Promotes eco-friendly khadi.
- SDG 7 – Clean Energy: Uses solar-powered charkhas.
What is the Significance of the Solar Charkha Mission?
The significance of the Solar Charkha Mission are as follows:
- Employment Security: Directly benefits rural artisans.
- Women Empowerment: At least 50% women participation ensured.
- Sustainability: Runs on renewable solar power.
- Rural Industrialization: Encourages micro-industries in villages.
- Cultural Promotion: Revives khadi and handloom traditions.
- Green Economy: Reduces carbon footprint of textile production.
What is the Current Status and Progress?
The current status and progress of the Solar Charkha Mission are as follows:
- Pilot success in Bihar encouraged nationwide rollout.
- Approval for 50 clusters with ₹550 crore budget.
- The scheme is under review for expansion based on pilot outcomes.
- Focus on 117 aspirational districts for faster development.
Key Takeaway Table
| Feature | Details |
| Launch Date | 27th June 2018 |
| Controlling Ministry | Ministry of MSME |
| Implementing Agency | KVIC |
| Budget Outlay | ₹550 crore |
| Target | 50 clusters, 1 lakh jobs |
| Beneficiaries per Cluster | 200–2,042 artisans |
| Employment per Cluster | ~2,042 artisans |
| Pilot Project | 2016, Khanwa village (Bihar) |
| Components | Capital Subsidy, Interest Subvention, Capacity Building |
| Focus | Women, youth, rural artisans |
| Subsidy per Cluster | Max ₹9.60 crore |
| UN SDG Alignment | SDG 8, SDG 10, SDG 12, SDG 7 |
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Questions Based on Solar Charkha Mission
Q1. The Solar Charkha Mission was launched under which ministry?
A) Ministry of Rural Development
B) Ministry of MSME
C) Ministry of Textiles
D) Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
E) Ministry of Agriculture
Correct Answer: B) Ministry of MSME
Q2. When was the Solar Charkha Mission officially launched?
A) 2016
B) 2017
C) 2018
D) 2019
E) 2020
Correct Answer: C) 2018
Q3. Where was the pilot project of Solar Charkha implemented?
A) Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
B) Khanwa village, Bihar
C) Kota, Rajasthan
D) Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
E) Indore, Madhya Pradesh
Correct Answer: B) Khanwa village, Bihar
Q4. How many artisans are targeted per cluster?
A) 50–100
B) 100–500
C) 200–2042
D) 5000+
E) None of the above
Correct Answer: C) 200–2042
Q5. What is the total outlay of the Solar Charkha Mission (2018–2020)?
A) ₹100 crore
B) ₹250 crore
C) ₹550 crore
D) ₹1,000 crore
E) ₹5,500 crore
Correct Answer: C) ₹550 crore
Q6. Which statutory body implements the mission?
A) NABARD
B) SIDBI
C) KVIC
D) NITI Aayog
E) NSIC
Correct Answer: C) KVIC
Q7. What is the maximum subsidy per cluster?
A) ₹2 crore
B) ₹5 crore
C) ₹9.60 crore
D) ₹15 crore
E) ₹25 crore
Correct Answer: C) ₹9.60 crore
Q8. Solar Charkha Mission directly contributes to which SDG?
A) SDG 1 – No Poverty
B) SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
C) SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities
D) SDG 15 – Life on Land
E) SDG 17 – Partnerships
Correct Answer: B) SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
Q9. How many solar charkhas are planned per cluster?
A) 500
B) 750
C) 1000
D) 1500
E) 2000
Correct Answer: C) 1000
Q10. What was the main reason for launching the Solar Charkha Mission?
A) To boost IT sector
B) To reduce textile imports
C) To generate rural employment and promote sustainability
D) To modernize urban industries
E) To promote agriculture exports
Correct Answer: C) To generate rural employment and promote sustainability
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