The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has exempted government projects mandated to use solar modules from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM -List 1) from complying with ALMM List-II for solar cells, if the bid submission deadline is on or before the cut-off date. 

The cut-off date will be one month after the publication of the first ALMM List for cells. For example, if the ALMM List for solar cells is published on August 1st, 2025, then the cut-off date will be September 1st, 2025.

The exemption applies to all projects, including those bid out following the guidelines issued by the central government under Section 63 of the Electricity Act 2003. These projects will be exempt from using solar cells from the ALMM List-II even if their date of commissioning is beyond June 1, 2026.

For all projects where the last bid submission date falls after the cut-off date, the tender document must incorporate an additional clause mandating the use of ALMM-listed solar modules and cells, regardless of whether the project was commissioned before June 1, 2026.

In case the tender was floated before the issuance of this order, and the last bid submission date falls after the cut-off date, the bidding agency must amend the tender document to include provisions asking the bidders to comply with the ALMM List for solar cells.

However, there will be no relaxation in the mandate of the domestic content requirement for MNRE’s programs, such as Components B and C of PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, and Central Public Sector Undertakings Scheme Phase-II.

The ALMM for solar cells will become effective from June 1, 2026.

Earlier this month, MNRE had exempted behind-the-meter projects for captive consumption by government entities or public sector enterprises from complying with ALMM for cells if the projects were commissioned before June 1, 2026.

In May 2025, MNRE issued certain clarifications on the enlistment of solar cells in the ALMM. It clarified that it would treat potential induced degradation (PID) and non-PID cells as different products or families and list them separately.

It also mandated that only solar cells manufactured using undiffused wafers would qualify under the Domestic Content Requirement policy. The mandate also prohibits the use of “blue” or diffused wafers.

According to Mercom’s recently released State of Solar PV Manufacturing in India 2025 report, India added 11.6 GW of solar cell capacity in calendar year 2024.

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