Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the Government of India's nodal ministry for new and renewable energy. Tracing its origins to the Commission for Additional Sources of Energy (1981) and the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (1992), it was renamed MNRE in 2006. Headquartered in New Delhi, MNRE drives India's clean-energy transition and its commitment to 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030.

Mandate. MNRE formulates policy and administers incentive programmes across solar, wind, hydrogen, bioenergy, small hydro and energy storage. It works with implementing agencies such as the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) and the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE).

Key programmes.

• National Green Hydrogen Mission (₹19,744 crore) — incentives for electrolyser manufacturing and green-hydrogen production.
• PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana — rooftop-solar subsidies for households.
• PLI for High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules — incentives for domestic manufacturing.
• PM-KUSUM — solar pumps and grid-connected solar for farmers.

Support for startups. MNRE backs cleantech innovation through R&D grants, technology-demonstration funding, NISE incubation support and manufacturing incentives — predominantly non-dilutive capital subsidies, viability-gap funding and production-linked incentives.

Eligibility. Manufacturers, project developers, research institutions and startups working on renewable generation, green hydrogen, storage, e-mobility enablement and energy efficiency are eligible under various schemes.

Who should apply. Cleantech, climate-tech and energy-storage founders seeking grants, demonstration funding or manufacturing incentives should track MNRE notifications at mnre.gov.in and engage with SECI, IREDA and NISE.