Select your electricity provider, enter units consumed, and get an instant slab-wise bill breakdown with fixed charges and surcharges.
Last updated: March 2026
In India, electricity tariffs are regulated by State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs). Each state has its own tariff structure, but the billing method follows a broadly similar pattern across the country. Understanding how your bijli bill is computed can help you manage consumption and avoid bill shocks.
Most states use a telescopic or slab-based tariff for domestic consumers. Your total units are split across multiple slabs, each with a different per-unit rate. The first slab covers essential consumption at the lowest rate, and subsequent slabs charge progressively higher rates. For example, in Delhi under BSES Rajdhani, the first 200 units are charged at just ₹3 per unit, but units above 800 cost ₹7.75 each.
In addition to energy charges (the per-unit cost), every bill includes a fixed or demand charge. This is a flat monthly fee that covers the cost of maintaining the electricity distribution network, your meter, and billing infrastructure. Fixed charges vary by provider and may increase with higher consumption slabs — typically ranging from ₹40 to ₹125 per month for domestic consumers.
Your final bill includes various surcharges such as Fuel Adjustment Charges (FAC), regulatory surcharges, pension trust surcharges, and electricity duty. Combined, these typically add 5-10% to your base bill. Some states also levy a minimum charge guarantee, ensuring a floor amount regardless of how few units you consume. Our calculator applies an 8% surcharge as a reasonable approximation for most Indian states.
Small changes in daily habits and appliance choices can bring your bill down significantly. Here are five proven ways to save on electricity costs in India:
Electricity bills in India are calculated using a slab-based system. Your total units consumed are divided into slabs, each charged at a different rate per unit (kWh). The energy charges from all slabs are added together, then fixed charges (a flat monthly fee) and surcharges (typically 5-10% covering fuel adjustment, regulatory levies, and electricity duty) are added to arrive at the final bill amount.
Electricity slabs are tiered pricing brackets set by State Electricity Regulatory Commissions. Lower consumption slabs have cheaper per-unit rates to make basic electricity affordable for all households, while higher slabs are charged at progressively higher rates to discourage wasteful consumption. Slab structures vary significantly between states and even between distribution companies within the same city.
Summer bills spike primarily because of air conditioners and coolers, which are the most power-hungry household appliances. A 1.5-ton AC consumes 1.5-3 units per hour. Higher total consumption pushes your usage into upper slabs where the per-unit rate is much higher. A household consuming 200 units in winter might consume 500+ units in summer, jumping from a ₹3/unit slab to a ₹6-7/unit slab.
Fixed charges are a flat monthly fee charged by your distribution company regardless of how much electricity you consume. They cover costs of maintaining the distribution network, metering infrastructure, transformer maintenance, and billing systems. Fixed charges typically range from ₹25 to ₹200 per month for domestic consumers, depending on your state and consumption level.
For digital meters, the display shows the current cumulative reading in kWh (kilowatt-hours). Note the reading at the start and end of the billing cycle, then subtract the earlier reading from the later one to get units consumed. Smart meters transmit readings automatically to the distribution company. Your electricity bill also shows both previous and current readings for easy verification.
Power factor surcharge is an additional penalty charged when your installation's power factor drops below a threshold (usually 0.9 or 0.85). It mainly applies to commercial and industrial consumers who use inductive loads like motors, compressors, and welding machines. Domestic consumers are generally exempt from this surcharge. Installing capacitor banks can correct poor power factor and eliminate the penalty.