MNRE has reopened the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) digital portal for developers to seek exemptions under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II investment protection provisions. Applications will be accepted until July 23, 2026, and the ministry has clarified that no physical submissions will be entertained. The extension covers developers who missed the earlier June 30, 2026 deadline.

Developers must submit documentary evidence of investments already undertaken and file claims exclusively via the NISE DCR portal, using the prescribed formats. The ministry will assess claims on the basis of uploaded records and timelines and has framed the facility as a finite window for eligible projects. The reopening followed multiple requests from industry stakeholders.

The move responds to requests under paragraph five of MNRE's office memorandum dated May 25, 2026, which allowed case by case relief where substantial investments and implementation activities had already been undertaken. MNRE set out that qualifying indicators include completion of module installation or demonstrated progress such as land acquisition, financial closure, connectivity approvals and module procurement. Projects commissioned after June one, 2026 are expected to comply with ALMM List-II.

The ministry said it had avoided a blanket extension so as not to undermine policy certainty and the domestic manufacturing push, while providing a mechanism to protect legitimate investments. The portal reopening forms part of broader efforts to expand domestic cell and module capacity and to widen ALMM norms to upstream segments. Authorities will verify claims against documented timelines before granting exemptions.

Industry participants welcomed the finite window as a pragmatic step to address stranded investments while stakeholders continue to invest in manufacturing and assembly lines. The ministry's approach aims to balance investor protection with incentives for new manufacturing entrants under the ALMM framework as facilities come into operation.