Published Paper Details:

India's agricultural sector is undergoing a critical energy transition, marked by a growing reliance on solar-powered irrigation systems. This study presents annual (year to year) analysis (2014- 2024) of standalone solar pump adoption in agricultural irrigation, with a central focus on the role of national renewable energy policies--particularly the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme. Drawing on multi-source data including government implementation reports, remote sensing analysis, and regional adoption statistics, the research evaluates the temporal change in solar pump deployment across the country. The findings demonstrate a marked acceleration in adoption rates following the scheme's rollout, supported by targeted financial incentives, land-leasing models, and grid integration mechanisms. PM-KUSUM has significantly contributed to de-dieselization, enhanced daytime power reliability, and increased farmer income through surplus energy sales. However, the study also identifies the future trend in standalone solar pump adoption across India. Overall, the analysis highlights how policy-driven interventions like PM-KUSUM can serve as catalysts for clean energy transitions in agriculture, offering a replicable framework for sustainable energy-water-agriculture nexus management in other developing economies.