Bihar Electricity Bill Calculator (NBPDCL & SBPDCL)
Estimate your monthly domestic electricity bill in Bihar using the BERC-approved FY 2026-27 tariff for North Bihar (NBPDCL) and South Bihar (SBPDCL). See both the tariff cost and your likely bill after Bihar’s 125 free-unit subsidy — with a clear, line-by-line breakdown.
Fixed charge is billed per kW of sanctioned load.
How your Bihar electricity bill is calculated
Electricity in Bihar is distributed by two state-owned companies under a single tariff schedule set by the Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC): the North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (NBPDCL) for the northern districts, and the South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (SBPDCL) for the southern districts, including Patna. Both follow the same BERC-approved rates, so the estimate above is identical whether you are an NBPDCL or SBPDCL consumer.
For FY 2026-27, Bihar’s approved domestic tariff is simpler than many states — there are no telescopic slabs. The tariff (before subsidy) is built from two parts:
- Energy charge — a single flat rate of ₹7.42 per unit applies to every unit you consume (for Kutir Jyoti, DS-I rural and DS-II urban). The optional DS-III category is charged ₹9.03 per unit.
- Fixed charge — a standing monthly charge based on your sanctioned load: ₹40 per kW for rural (DS-I), ₹80 per kW for urban (DS-II) and DS-III, and a flat ₹20 per connection for Kutir Jyoti.
On top of this tariff, the Bihar government applies a large subsidy (see below), which is why most households pay far less than the BERC rate — and often nothing at all.
Bihar’s 125 free units (state subsidy)
Since 1 August 2025, the Bihar government provides the first 125 units of electricity per month free to domestic consumers under the Mukhyamantri Vidyut Upbhokta Sahayata Yojana. If your monthly consumption is 125 units or less, your bill is effectively zero — the subsidy covers the energy charge, the fixed charge and electricity duty. The benefit is applied automatically through your normal bill, so there is no separate registration to complete.
If you use more than 125 units in a month, the first 125 units remain free and you pay a reduced, state-subsidised rate only on the units above the limit — not the full BERC tariff. The exact subsidised rate is set by the state and revised from time to time, so check your latest bill or DISCOM portal for the current figure. The calculator’s “after subsidy” line shows ₹0 when your usage is within the free limit.
Bihar domestic tariff snapshot (FY 2026-27, before subsidy)
| Domestic category | Energy rate (₹/unit) | Fixed charge |
|---|---|---|
| Kutir Jyoti (low-income) | ₹7.42 (all units) | ₹20 / connection / month |
| DS-I — Rural | ₹7.42 (all units) | ₹40 / kW / month |
| DS-II — Urban (demand-based) | ₹7.42 (all units) | ₹80 / kW / month |
| DS-III — Optional (demand-based) | ₹9.03 (all units) | ₹80 / kW / month |
Rates apply equally to NBPDCL and SBPDCL consumers and are the FY 2026-27 figures approved before subsidy.
Worked example
Suppose a DS-II urban household in Patna (SBPDCL) with a 2 kW sanctioned load uses 180 units in a month:
- Energy charge = 180 units × ₹7.42 = ₹1,335.60
- Fixed charge = 2 kW × ₹80 = ₹160.00
- Tariff cost before subsidy ≈ ₹1,496
Because this household uses 180 units — above the 125 free-unit limit — the first 125 units are free and it pays only for the 55 units beyond the limit at the state’s reduced subsidised rate. A household using 125 units or fewer would pay ₹0.
Frequently asked questions
Does Bihar give free electricity?
Yes. Since 1 August 2025, domestic consumers get the first 125 units each month free under the Mukhyamantri Vidyut Upbhokta Sahayata Yojana, which covers the energy charge, fixed charge and electricity duty. If you use 125 units or less, your bill is zero. Above 125 units, you pay a reduced subsidised rate only on the extra units.
Is the calculator the same for NBPDCL and SBPDCL?
Yes. BERC issues one combined tariff order for both companies, so domestic rates are identical across North and South Bihar. The only difference is which company bills you based on your district.
Does Bihar charge electricity in slabs?
Not for FY 2026-27 domestic supply. BERC approved a single flat energy rate of ₹7.42 per unit for all units (Kutir Jyoti, DS-I and DS-II). Only the fixed charge differs — by category and by your sanctioned load. The optional DS-III category is charged a flat ₹9.03 per unit.
Why is the fixed charge based on sanctioned load?
For DS-I, DS-II and DS-III, the fixed charge is levied per kW of sanctioned load (₹40/kW rural, ₹80/kW urban). So a higher sanctioned load means a higher monthly fixed charge regardless of how much you use. Kutir Jyoti is the exception — it has a flat ₹20 per connection.
Why might my actual bill differ from this estimate?
Bills can vary due to the above-limit subsidised rate, meter rent, fuel or power-purchase surcharges, past arrears, prorated billing days, or rounding. Treat this as a close planning estimate, not an exact bill.
Related state calculators
Comparing bills across states? Try our other calculators — including Bihar’s neighbours, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal: