How to read an Indian electricity bill: units, slabs and charges · India

1. Consumption

Check the consumer number, meter number, tariff category and billing dates. Find the previous and current readings, billed units and any meter multiplying factor. Note whether the reading is actual or assessed. One unit is one kWh, but the bill may cover a month, two months or another period, so compare daily use when the periods differ.

2. Electricity price

Look up the energy-charge schedule for your own DISCOM and category. In a slab tariff, additional units may be charged at a different rate from earlier units. Fixed charges may depend on your connection or sanctioned load. A single-rate calculator is a scenario tool; it does not reproduce every slab, subsidy threshold or connection-specific rule.

3. Cost

For illustration only, a 60 W fan used for 8 hours consumes 0.48 kWh. At an assumed ₹8 per unit, that is ₹3.84 for the day. The wattage and tariff in this example are not official or universal values. Use the fan's actual input and your applicable unit rate; account for variable adjustments or duty if these are not already included.

4. Worked example

Separate energy charges from fixed charges, arrears, security deposits, adjustments and any subsidy shown on the bill. Check fuel or power purchase adjustment items against your DISCOM's explanation. For rooftop solar, record imported units, exported units and the applicable settlement rules separately. Do not assume a national net-metering rate, subsidy entitlement or payback period.

Data sources

Last reviewed: 2026-09-08