India is accelerating the rollout of smart meters as part of a broader effort to modernise its electricity distribution network. The programme is moving beyond policy design and into large-scale implementation, creating a clearer market for metering hardware, communications systems, software and related services.
As of 30 June 2026, India had installed 7.24 crore smart meters. Of these, 5.73 crore were installed under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, with the balance deployed through other programmes.
The total approved opportunity remains much larger. Under the scheme, 20.33 crore smart meters have been sanctioned, including 19.79 crore consumer meters, 52.53 lakh distribution transformer meters and 2.05 lakh feeder meters. The scheme is scheduled to run until 31 March 2028.
Authorities have introduced measures aimed at improving rollout and adoption. These include tighter monitoring, standard operating procedures and consumer-focused measures designed to reduce resistance to prepaid smart meters and improve confidence in billing accuracy.
The role of smart meters goes beyond replacing traditional meters. They provide utilities with more detailed information on electricity consumption and can reduce reliance on estimated billing. This can support better billing accuracy, collections and energy accounting.
The data generated by smart meters can also improve visibility across distribution networks. Utilities can use that information to identify losses, monitor consumption patterns and make more informed decisions about electricity supply and demand.
As deployment increases, the market also shifts beyond hardware. Smart metering requires communications infrastructure, data platforms and software capable of managing large volumes of information. This creates an ongoing requirement for systems that connect meters with utility operations.
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