Starting April 1, 2025, Bihar residents will benefit from reduced electricity rates, with new tariffs set to remain in effect until March 31, 2026. The Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) recently approved these changes, bringing financial relief to over 10 million consumers, particularly those in rural areas and users of smart prepaid meters.
One of the most significant changes is the reduction of ₹0.54 per unit for rural domestic and Kutir Jyoti (BPL) connection holders. This discount will apply to consumers using more than 50 units per month, helping lower their monthly electricity expenses.
Urban Areas:
1-100 units: ₹7.42 per unit
Above 100 units: ₹8.95 per unit
Rural Areas:
Above 50 units: ₹7.42 per unit
Kutir Jyoti (0-50 units): ₹7.42 per unit
Consumers who have installed smart prepaid meters will receive additional benefits. Urban users with these meters will enjoy a discount of ₹0.25 per unit, while rural consumers using smart meters will see an even bigger reduction of ₹0.79 per unit.
Previously, smart meter users also received a 3% discount on recharge payments. Currently, Bihar has installed over 6.2 million smart meters, and the state aims to expand this number to increase efficiency and cost savings for residents.
Additionally, consumers with smart meters will not be penalized for exceeding their load consumption for the first six months after installation. However, these benefits do not apply to those using regular meters.
There is no revision in electricity rates for urban domestic, commercial, agricultural, or industrial connections. Consumers will continue paying their bills at the same rates that were applicable before March 31, 2025.
In a major move to support the agricultural sector, the Bihar government has introduced a new tariff category for cold storage units:
Low-Tension (LT-IAS) Cold Storage: Applies to facilities with contract loads of up to 74 kW.
High-Tension (HT) Cold Storage: Covers storage units with contract loads ranging from 50 kVA to 1500 kVA.
This classification is expected to improve agricultural product storage, reducing post-harvest losses and benefiting farmers across the state.
With the implementation of these new rates, Bihar aims to make electricity more affordable, particularly for rural households and those adopting smart metering technology. The push for smart prepaid meters will not only reduce costs for consumers but also enhance energy management and efficiency in the state.
