Jharkhand News : Electricity consumers in Jharkhand may soon face a sharp hike in power tariffs. The Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (JBVNL) has submitted a proposal to the Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission (JSERC) seeking a tariff increase of up to 59 percent for the financial year 2026–27.
According to JBVNL, the utility’s true-up revenue gap up to the year 2023–24 stands at ₹4,991.67 crore. As per its financial assessment, the corporation requires a total revenue of ₹15,584.46 crore, while under the existing tariff structure, the expected revenue collection is only ₹9,794.76 crore.
In its tariff petition, JBVNL stated that a Supreme Court order issued in August 2025 mandates the elimination of the revenue gap within three years. To meet this requirement, the utility has proposed a significant tariff revision to ensure adequate revenue recovery in 2025–26 and subsequent years.
The power distributor also highlighted variations in domestic electricity tariffs across states. In Jharkhand, higher rates apply to consumption above 200 units, while the state government provides per-unit subsidies for usage between 201 and 400 units. Current data shows that electricity tariffs in Rajasthan and Bihar are higher than Jharkhand, while Uttar Pradesh has similar rates.
Regarding fixed charges, JBVNL pointed out that states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Delhi levy charges on a per-kilowatt basis, whereas Jharkhand follows a per-connection fixed charge system. The state regulator determines cost-reflective tariffs after assessing power purchase costs, revenue gaps, operational expenses, and other relevant factors.
Electricity Tariffs Increased Three Times in Five Years
JBVNL data indicates that electricity rates in Jharkhand have been revised upward three times over the past five years:
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2025–26: 6.34% increase
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2024–25: No increase
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2023–24: 7.66% increase
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2022–23: No increase
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2021–22: 6.50% increase
Important Update for Prepaid Meter Consumers
For consumers using prepaid electricity meters, the utility clarified that power supply is automatically disconnected when the balance is exhausted and restored once the meter is recharged. In case electricity is not restored after recharge due to a technical issue, consumers can approach the concerned office for verification and resolution.
