Electricity Bill Calculator India 2026
Calculate electricity bill with slab-wise breakdown — all states, fuel surcharge & solar savings
Bill Details
Typical household: 2–3 kW. AC homes: 5 kW+
Monthly Bill
₹1,581
Per Unit Cost
₹6.32
Annual Bill
₹18,973
🔢 Slab-wise Energy Charges
| Slab | Units | Rate (₹/unit) | Charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 units | 100 | ₹3.06 | ₹306.00 |
| 100–300 units | 150 | ₹5.57 | ₹835.50 |
🧾 Complete Bill Breakdown
🗺️ State-wise Bill Comparison
Monthly bill for 250 units — domestic connection
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Electricity Bill Calculator India — Complete State-wise Guide 2026
Electricity billing in India follows a unique slab-based progressive tariff system designed to cross-subsidize low-consumption households while charging higher rates to heavy users. Understanding your state's specific tariff structure is crucial because a single unit consumed in the wrong slab can increase your per-unit cost by 2-3x. Our calculator covers all major states with accurate slab rates, fixed charges, fuel surcharge adjustments, and electricity duty calculations.
Unlike income tax which is uniform nationwide, electricity tariffs are determined by State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) and vary dramatically. A 300-unit monthly consumption might cost ₹900 in Gujarat but ₹2,200 in Kerala — a difference of over 140%! This disparity arises from state subsidy policies, power generation mix (coal vs renewable), and distribution infrastructure costs.
⚡ Understanding Your Electricity Bill Components
Energy Charges
50-70% of billUnits consumed × slab-wise rates. This is the largest component. Lower slabs (0-100 units) are heavily subsidized; higher slabs (300+ units) reflect true cost of supply.
Fixed Charges
5-15% of billMonthly minimum charge based on your connected load (kW) or sanctioned demand. You pay this even with zero consumption. Ranges from ₹10-100/month for domestic connections.
Fuel Surcharge (FAC)
10-25% of billVariable adjustment for fuel cost fluctuations. When coal/gas prices rise, this increases. Typically ₹0.50-2.50 per unit depending on state and month.
Electricity Duty
5-20% of billState government tax on energy consumption. Varies from 0% (Gujarat residential) to 20% (some states). Calculated on energy charges before fuel surcharge.
State-wise Electricity Tariff Comparison (300 Units/Month)
| State | 0-100 Units | 101-300 Units | 300+ Units | Est. Bill (300 units) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gujarat | ₹3.20 | ₹3.90 | ₹5.00 | ~₹1,100 |
| Maharashtra | ₹3.05 | ₹5.57 | ₹9.69 | ~₹1,900 |
| Delhi | ₹3.00 | ₹4.50 | ₹7.10 | ~₹1,350 |
| Karnataka | ₹4.00 | ₹5.65 | ₹7.95 | ~₹1,700 |
| Tamil Nadu | Free* | ₹2.50 | ₹4.60 | ~₹800 |
| Kerala | ₹3.15 | ₹5.50 | ₹7.95 | ~₹2,200 |
| Telangana | ₹2.60 | ₹3.60 | ₹6.90 | ~₹1,200 |
| West Bengal | ₹5.26 | ₹6.36 | ₹7.31 | ~₹1,950 |
*Tamil Nadu provides free electricity up to 100 units for domestic consumers. Rates are indicative and include fixed charges, fuel surcharge estimates, and electricity duty.
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: Solar Savings Guide
The PM Surya Ghar scheme (launched February 2024) aims to provide free electricity to 1 crore households through rooftop solar installations. With central government subsidies covering 40-60% of system costs and net metering allowing you to sell excess power back to the grid, residential solar has become financially viable for middle-class Indian families.
☀️ Rooftop Solar: Costs, Savings & Payback
2 kWp System (Small Home)
- • Roof space: ~200 sq ft
- • Cost: ₹1,20,000
- • Subsidy: ₹60,000 (₹30k/kWp)
- • Your cost: ₹60,000
- • Monthly generation: ~240 units
- • Monthly savings: ₹1,800-2,400
- • Payback: 2.5-3 years
3 kWp System (Medium Home)
- • Roof space: ~300 sq ft
- • Cost: ₹1,80,000
- • Subsidy: ₹78,000 (blended rate)
- • Your cost: ₹1,02,000
- • Monthly generation: ~360 units
- • Monthly savings: ₹2,700-3,600
- • Payback: 2.5-3 years
💡 Apply at pmsuryaghar.gov.in with electricity bill, Aadhaar, and roof ownership proof. Loans available at ~7-8% interest for amounts above subsidy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is electricity bill calculated in India?
Indian electricity bills use a slab-based progressive system where higher consumption attracts higher per-unit rates. The bill typically includes: (1) Energy charges (units consumed × slab-wise rates), (2) Fixed charges (monthly minimum based on connected load), (3) Fuel surcharge/FAC (5-20% adjustment for fuel costs), (4) Electricity duty (state tax 0-20%), and (5) Late payment charges if applicable. For example, in Maharashtra consuming 300 units: 0-100 @ ₹3.05, 101-300 @ ₹5.57, plus fixed charges ~₹100-200, plus fuel surcharge, plus 16% electricity duty.
What is fuel surcharge or FAC in electricity bills?
Fuel Cost Adjustment (FCA) or Fuel Surcharge is a variable charge that adjusts your bill based on actual fuel costs (coal, gas, oil) incurred by the power utility. When international coal or natural gas prices rise, DISCOMs add this surcharge to recover costs. It typically ranges from 5-25% of energy charges and changes monthly or quarterly. In Maharashtra, it can be ₹0.50-2.50 per unit depending on fuel prices. This is why your bill may increase even with the same consumption.
What is electricity duty and why does it vary by state?
Electricity duty is a state government tax on power consumption, used to fund state electricity infrastructure and subsidies. Rates vary significantly: Maharashtra (16% on energy charges), Delhi (5% for domestic), Karnataka (9% for BESCOM), Tamil Nadu (5%), Gujarat (0% for residential), Kerala (10%). It's calculated on energy charges (units consumed × rate) before adding fuel surcharge. Some states also levy a separate 'tax on sale of electricity' at different rates.
How much rooftop solar can I install and what are the savings?
Rule of thumb: 1 kWp solar requires ~100 sq ft of shadow-free roof space facing south/west. 1 kWp generates ~4-5 units/day (120-150 units/month) in India. Typical residential systems: 2-3 kWp for small homes (200-300 sq ft roof), 5 kWp for medium homes. PM Surya Ghar subsidy (2024): ₹30,000/kWp for 1-2 kWp, ₹18,000/kWp for 2-3 kWp. Payback period: 4-6 years. Net metering allows selling excess power back to the grid at retail rates in most states.
Which Indian state has the cheapest and most expensive electricity?
Cheapest for low usage (0-100 units): Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Delhi (free/subsidized). Cheapest for moderate usage (200-400 units): Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh. Most expensive: Kerala, Maharashtra (Mumbai), and some North Eastern states. For 300 units consumption, monthly bill ranges from ~₹600 in Gujarat to ~₹2,400 in Kerala — a 4x difference! This is due to state subsidy policies and power generation mix.
What is the difference between kW and kWh (units) in electricity billing?
kW (kilowatt) is the POWER rating — the rate of electricity consumption at any moment. A 1 kW geyser uses 1 kW when running. kWh (kilowatt-hour) or 'unit' is ENERGY consumed over time. If that 1 kW geyser runs for 1 hour, it consumes 1 kWh (1 unit). Your electricity bill charges per kWh (unit). 1 unit = 1 kWh = using 1000 watts for 1 hour. A 100W bulb running 10 hours = 1 unit.
How can I reduce my electricity bill by 20-30%?
1) Replace all bulbs with LED (saves 80% vs incandescent). 2) Set AC to 24°C with ceiling fan (saves 15-20% vs 18°C). 3) Use BEE 5-star rated appliances (fridge, AC, washing machine save 20-30%). 4) Unplug devices on standby (TV, charger, microwave clock can waste 50-100 units/year). 5) Use solar water heater instead of electric geyser (saves 3-4 units/day). 6) Run washing machine/dishwasher on full loads only. 7) Clean AC filters monthly for 5-10% efficiency gain.
What is smart meter and how does it affect billing?
Smart meters are digital meters that communicate usage data in real-time to the utility via cellular/network connection. Benefits: (1) Accurate billing — no estimated readings, (2) Time-of-Day (TOD) tariffs — lower rates during off-peak hours (11 PM - 6 AM), (3) Remote monitoring via app, (4) Faster outage detection. Some states like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore have started mandatory smart meter rollout. TOD tariffs can save 10-15% if you shift heavy usage (washing machine, EV charging) to night hours.
Why is my electricity bill higher in summer even with same usage?
Summer bills spike due to: (1) AC usage increases significantly — a 1.5 ton AC uses ~1.5-2 units/hour. Running 8 hours/day = 360-480 units/month just for AC. (2) Higher compressor runtime — AC works harder when outdoor temperature is 40°C+ vs 30°C. (3) Refrigerator works harder in hot weather. (4) Fans run longer. (5) Some states have seasonal tariff adjustments. A typical summer bill can be 2-3x the winter bill for the same household due primarily to cooling needs.
What are the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana benefits?
Launched February 2024, this central scheme provides: (1) Capital subsidy — ₹30,000/kWp for 1-2 kWp systems, ₹18,000/kWp for 2-3 kWp, capped at 3 kWp. (2) Collateral-free loans at 0.5% above repo rate (~7-8%) for systems above 3 kWp. (3) Net metering — sell excess solar power to grid at retail rates. (4) Monthly income — households can earn ₹1,000-3,000/month by selling surplus power. (5) Apply via pmsuryaghar.gov.in with electricity bill, Aadhaar, and roof ownership proof. MNRE targets 1 crore rooftop solar households by 2026-27.