India’s Ministry of Power has directed States and Union Territories to accelerate the installation of smart electricity meters, reinforcing the national push to modernise the country’s power distribution system. The direction applies across consumer categories and covers installations under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, or RDSS, as well as state-level programmes.
The Ministry has highlighted the Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026. These regulations require electricity supply to be provided through Indian Standards-compliant smart meters in areas where communication networks are available.
This provides a clearer framework for implementation and gives States and distribution companies a more defined basis for moving projects forward. With regulatory requirements now established, the focus can shift increasingly towards installation, coordination and compliance.
The Ministry has also clarified that the smart meter requirement applies whether consumers use prepaid or postpaid billing. Prepaid and postpaid arrangements are treated as operating configurations rather than factors that determine whether a smart meter should be installed.
This clarification supports a broader and more consistent rollout across the electricity system. It also reduces uncertainty around how different billing models fit within the national smart metering programme.
Smart meters are expected to improve billing accuracy and transparency while giving consumers access to real-time information about electricity usage. They can also support time-of-day tariffs, creating greater flexibility in how electricity consumption is managed across different periods of demand.
Under the RDSS, prepaid smart meters can give consumers additional control by allowing electricity accounts to be recharged in smaller amounts according to individual requirements.
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