The Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) has largely retained retail electricity tariffs across consumer categories for the financial year (FY) 2026-27, while introducing targeted reductions and structural changes as part of a broader tariff rationalization exercise.

The Commission approved a green tariff of ₹0.68 (~$0.007)/kWh, applicable in addition to the existing tariff for consumers who opt to procure renewable energy. This is lower than the ₹1.65/kWh proposed by the distribution companies.

The Commission has also expanded the implementation of time-of-day tariffs, making it mandatory from April 1, 2026, for all consumers, excluding agricultural consumers, with a contract demand above 10 kW, and for all consumers with smart meters.

Electricity consumed during off-peak hours (9 AM to 5 PM) will be charged at 80% of the normal tariff. Consumption during peak hours (5 PM to 11 PM) is billed at higher rates, typically 120% of the normal tariff for commercial and industrial consumers and around 110% for other applicable categories.

Normal tariffs will apply during nighttime hours (11:00 PM to 9:00 AM).

Industrial Category

Energy charges for industrial consumers remain unchanged across all voltage levels.

For high-tension supply, the energy charge continues at ₹7.98 (~$0.085)/kVAh for 11 kV, ₹7.92 (~$0.085)/kVAh for 33 kV, ₹7.85 (~$0.084)/kVAh for 132 kV, ₹7.79 (~$0.083)/kVAh for 220 kV, and ₹7.72 (~$0.082)/kVAh for 400 kV.

Fixed charges for low-tension industrial consumers have been reduced. For LTIS-I, the fixed charge has been lowered from ₹288 (~$3.07)/kVA/month to ₹278 (~$2.96)/kVA/month. For LTIS-II, the fixed charge has been reduced from ₹360 (~$3.84)/kVA/month to ₹350 (~$3.73)/kVA/month.

Commercial Category

Energy charges for commercial consumers have been retained, with no change in per-unit tariffs.

For non-domestic consumers with a contract load up to 0.5 kW and those between 0.5 kW and 70 kW, the energy charge remains at ₹7.73 (~$0.082)/kWh.

The Commission has rationalized the tariff structure by merging slabs under the non-domestic category, simplifying billing, and reducing complexity for consumers.

Additionally, the fixed charge for non-domestic consumers with a contract load up to 0.5 kW has been reduced from ₹200 (~$2.13)/connection/month to ₹150 (~$1.60)/connection/month.

Domestic Category

For domestic consumers, tariffs remain largely unchanged, although the Commission has introduced a key structural change in slab design.

For Kutir Jyoti consumers, the energy charge continues at ₹7.42 (~$0.079)/kWh for consumption up to 50 units, with fixed charges unchanged at ₹20 (~$0.21)/connection/month.

For DS-I rural consumers, the energy charge remains ₹7.42 (~$0.079)/kWh, with fixed charges continuing at ₹40 (~$0.43)/kW/month.

A significant change has been introduced for DS-II consumers, where the earlier two-slab structure has been merged into a single slab. The energy charge is now ₹7.42 (~$0.079)/kWh for the entire consumption, replacing the earlier system under which higher consumption was billed at ₹8.95 (~$0.096)/kWh.

For DS-III consumers, the energy charge remains ₹9.03 (~$0.097)/kWh, with fixed charges unchanged at ₹80 (~$0.85)/kW/month.

To make distribution companies more financially viable, the Ministry of Power proposed an amendment to the Electricity Act, 2003, mandating the electricity regulators to issue cost-reflective power tariffs. The move comes in the background of the Supreme Court asking DISCOMs to issue cost-reflective electricity tariffs to ensure the financial viability of the power sector.

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