How Electricity Bills Are Calculated in Bihar (SBPDCL & NBPDCL)
Whether you receive your electricity from SBPDCL (South Bihar) in Patna, Gaya, and Bhagalpur, or NBPDCL (North Bihar) in Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, and Chhapra, tariff rates are determined uniformly by the Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC).
1. The 125 Free Units Scheme (Mukhyamantri Vidyut Upbhokta Sahayata Yojana)
Under the state electricity subsidy initiative effective from August 2025:
- Usage up to 125 units: The state government provides a 100% complete waiver on energy charges, fixed charges, and the 6% electricity duty. Your net payable bill is ₹0.00.
- Usage exceeding 125 units: The first 125 units remain free. You only pay for consumption starting from unit 126 onwards at the subsidized net rate (₹4.12/unit for Urban DS-II and ₹2.45/unit for Rural DS-I). Fixed charges and electricity duty apply in full once the 125-unit ceiling is breached.
2. What Is DS-I and DS-II on Your Bill?
- DS-I (Domestic Service - Rural): Applies to domestic residences in rural/gramin areas. BERC fixed charges are ₹40 per kW per month.
- DS-II (Domestic Service - Urban): Applies to municipal and urban residential houses (e.g., Patna, Muzaffarpur, Gaya). Fixed charges are ₹80 per kW per month.
- DS-IID: Denotes domestic urban connections on a Demand-based tariff via digital or smart prepaid meters.
3. Smart Prepaid Meter Recharge & Discounts
Bihar's transition to smart prepaid meters allows consumers to avoid post-billing disputes. Prepaid meter users receive a statutory ₹0.25 per unit rebate automatically credited against daily energy consumption.
4. Understanding DPS and Extra Charges
- DPS (Delayed Payment Surcharge): If postpaid bills remain unpaid after the due date, a 1.5% surcharge per month is levied.
- Electricity Duty: A statutory 6% tax under the Bihar Electricity Duty Act applied to net energy charges. Under 125 units, duty is ₹0.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Bihar me 1 unit bijli ka rate kitna hai?
BERC FY 2026–27 ke anusaar approved base rate ₹7.42 per unit hai. Lekin state subsidy ke baad, 125 units se upar urban domestic (DS-II) upbhoktaon ko net ₹4.12 per unit aur rural domestic (DS-I) upbhoktaon ko net ₹2.45 per unit dena hota hai.
2. Kya 100 unit consumption par bill zero aayega?
Haan. Agar aapka mahine ka consumption 125 units ya usse kam hai, to Mukhyamantri Yojana ke tahat energy charge, fixed charge aur electricity duty sabhi maaf rehte hain (Total Bill = ₹0).
3. How is the bill calculated for 200 units in urban Patna?
For a 200-unit urban consumption with a 1 kW load on a smart prepaid meter:
- First 125 units = ₹0.00 (Free)
- Excess 75 units @ net ₹4.12 = ₹309.00
- Fixed charge (1 kW) = ₹80.00
- Electricity Duty (6% of ₹309) = ₹18.54
- Prepaid Meter Rebate (75 units × ₹0.25) = −₹18.75
- Total Estimated Payable: ≈ ₹388.79