Bihar Power Tariff Revision May Raise Rural Electricity Bills from April
Brief By Newsbrief / 7:07 PM on 24 Feb 2026
Bihar is preparing for a major electricity tariff revision from April 1, with officials indicating that rural households may face higher power bills under the proposed structure. The revision comes after directions from the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity, which ordered distribution companies to clear long-pending liabilities estimated at around ₹3,200 crore. Authorities are expected to take a final decision by mid-March, and the revised tariffs could remain in effect until March 31, 2027.
According to officials, the outstanding dues date back to the 2012 restructuring of Bihar’s power sector, when several distribution companies were created and legacy liabilities remained unresolved. Utility firms argue that tariff adjustments are necessary to recover costs and maintain financial stability. While rural consumers may see increased charges due to reduced subsidy support and slab changes, some urban users could benefit from a merger of tariff categories. The proposed revision highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing consumer affordability with the financial health of power utilities.