How to Read Your Electricity Bill
Every section of your Indian electricity bill — decoded. Learn what each charge means, how the slab system works, how to spot billing errors, and how to dispute a wrong bill. Works for all 16 major DISCOMs.
Your Bill, Section by Section
Click any section below to understand exactly what it means and why you're being charged.
Consumer & Account Information
The top section of every electricity bill identifies you as the consumer. This block contains your Consumer Number (also called CA Number or Account Number), Meter Number, and the billing address. Always verify these match your meter and property.
Unique ID for your connection. Required for all DISCOM payments and complaints.
Serial number physically printed on your meter. Used to verify meter readings.
Owner or authorized occupant name. Mismatches can cause payment issues.
LT Domestic / LT Commercial / HT Industrial — determines which slab rates apply.
Pro Tip
If your consumer number or tariff category is wrong, contact your DISCOM sub-division office immediately — billing errors caused by wrong category can be significant.
Every Term on Your Bill, Explained
Plain-English definitions for every abbreviation, charge, and jargon you'll find on an Indian electricity bill.
kWh (kilowatt-hour)
The standard measure of electricity consumption. Running a 1,000W (1 kW) appliance for 1 hour = 1 kWh = 1 unit.
Slab Tariff
India's progressive billing system — consumption is divided into slabs (e.g., 0–100, 101–300 units) with increasing rates per slab.
Fixed Charge
A flat monthly charge unrelated to consumption — covers infrastructure maintenance. Cannot be avoided even if you consume zero units.
Energy Charge
The consumption-based portion of your bill. Calculated by multiplying units consumed in each slab by that slab's rate.
Electricity Duty
State government tax on electricity. Usually 5–25% of energy charges. Varies widely by state and consumer category.
Fuel Adjustment Charge
A quarterly surcharge/credit that adjusts for changes in fuel (coal, gas) costs for power generation. Declared by regulators each quarter.
Late Payment Surcharge
Penalty for paying after the due date. Typically 1.5–2% per month on overdue amounts. Accrues monthly if unpaid.
Net Metering Credit
Credit for solar rooftop owners who export excess electricity to the grid. Appears as a negative charge or carryforward credit on the bill.
Sanctioned Load
Maximum electrical load (in kW or kVA) approved for your premises. Determines your fixed charge and connection capacity.
DISCOM
Distribution Company — the local utility responsible for distributing electricity and billing consumers (e.g., MSEDCL in Maharashtra, BESCOM in Karnataka).
Tariff Order
Annual document published by the state electricity regulatory commission setting electricity rates for the financial year.
CGRF
Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum — first escalation body if your DISCOM doesn't resolve a billing complaint within 7 days.
Ombudsman
State-level authority to resolve electricity disputes if CGRF fails. Binding on the DISCOM. Final step before consumer court.
Demand Charge
Based on peak kVA demand (not units consumed). Applicable mainly to commercial and industrial HT consumers.
TOD Tariff
Time-of-Day tariff — higher rates for peak hours (e.g., 6–10 PM), lower rates for off-peak. Encourages demand shifting.
BEE Star Rating
Bureau of Energy Efficiency rating for appliances (1–5 stars). Higher stars = lower electricity consumption. AC ratings updated annually.
How to Dispute a Wrong Electricity Bill
Step-by-step process to escalate and resolve billing errors with any Indian DISCOM.
Call the Helpline & Log a Complaint
Call your DISCOM's toll-free number and describe the issue. Get a complaint reference number. Note the agent's name. DISCOMs are obligated to resolve billing complaints within 7 days as per the Electricity Consumer Rights Rules 2020.
Visit Sub-Division Office with Evidence
If the helpline doesn't resolve in 7 days, visit your local sub-division or section office. Bring: (1) Copy of disputed bill, (2) Photo of your actual meter reading, (3) Previous bills for comparison, (4) Complaint reference number from Step 1.
Escalate to CGRF
Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) is a free, quasi-judicial body that handles unresolved DISCOM complaints. File your complaint at the CGRF office or online portal. No lawyer required. The DISCOM must respond within 30 days.
Approach the Electricity Ombudsman
If CGRF fails or gives an unsatisfactory order, appeal to the State Electricity Ombudsman within 30 days. Ombudsman decisions are legally binding on the DISCOM. This is the final step before approaching a consumer court.
Common Billing Errors & How to Fix Them
Wrong Meter Reading
Submit actual meter reading online with photo evidence. Request re-reading at sub-division office.
Wrong Consumer Category
If billed under Commercial/Industrial when you're Domestic, apply for category correction at your DISCOM office.
Bill for Wrong Period
Compare billing period dates with previous bills. Flag the discrepancy in writing to the sub-division office.
Missing Solar/Net Metering Credit
Contact the net metering cell of your DISCOM. Provide the last 3 months of solar generation data.
Duplicate / Double Billing
Provide payment receipts for the period in question. Request a ledger extract showing all payments applied.
Abnormally High Estimated Bill
Submit actual meter reading immediately. An averaged correction will appear in the next cycle as "Prior Period Adjustment".
Calculate Your Specific DISCOM Bill
Each DISCOM has its own slab rates, fixed charges, and surcharges. Select your state utility for an accurate bill calculation.
MSEDCL
Maharashtra
BESCOM
Karnataka
TANGEDCO / TNEB
Tamil Nadu
BSES / TPDDL
Delhi
PSPCL
Punjab
UPPCL
Uttar Pradesh
TSSPDCL
Telangana
APEPDCL / APSPDCL
Andhra Pradesh
KSEB
Kerala
WBSEDCL
West Bengal
JVVNL
Rajasthan
DHBVN
Haryana
PGVCL
Gujarat
MPPKVVCL
Madhya Pradesh
JBVNL
Jharkhand
TPCODL
Odisha
Common Electricity Bill Questions
Everything you've wondered about your Indian electricity bill — answered clearly.
"Units consumed" means kilowatt-hours (kWh) — the standard measure of electricity usage. It's calculated as Present Meter Reading minus Previous Meter Reading. Running a 100W bulb for 10 hours = 1 unit. Running a 1.5-ton 3-star AC for 8 hours = roughly 12–14 units.
