The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has imposed antidumping duties of up to 30 per cent on imports of solar cells, whether or not assembled into modules, originating in or exported from China. The duties will remain in force for three years following the conclusion of an investigation launched in December 2024.The probe, based on a joint petition by FS India Solar Ventures, Jupiter International, RenewSys India, Tata Power Solar and TP Solar, examined imports during April 2023–March 2024, with the injury period traced back to 2020–21. A total of 118 Chinese exporters were reviewed.DGTR concluded that imports from China caused material injury to the domestic solar industry. It found China was dumping solar cells into India at margins of 105–115 per cent, with an injury margin of up to 35–40 per cent. Imports from China surged 271 per cent during the injury period and by 63 per cent thereafter, while prices fell sharply—down 55 per cent—forcing Indian producers to sell below cost.The investigation revealed severe financial stress for local manufacturers. FS India reported selling 41 per cent below cost, compared with a projected 28 per cent, leading to losses 69 per cent higher than expected. Domestic sector profits declined by 275 per cent and cash profits by 158 per cent after 2020–21.Despite higher customs duties, import volumes surged 373 per cent year-on-year and 240 per cent over 2020–21, with Chinese imports making up 77 per cent of total inflows. While Indian production rose 456 per cent, domestic sales increased only 112 per cent, constrained by aggressive Chinese inflows.DGTR also noted that Chinese exporters circumvented US and Türkiye’s trade restrictions by diverting shipments through Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia. China’s unutilised production capacity was found to be equivalent to 576 per cent of India’s total demand.Separately, DGTR has initiated a fresh probe into the dumping of solar encapsulants from South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.